Published in today’s New York Post, Sean Delonas’ cartoon linking a chimpanzee with the economic stimulus package signed by President Obama is being roundly criticized for implicitly comparing the President with the primate and evoking a history of racist imagery of blacks. Post editor-in-chief Col Allan defended the cartoon as “a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington’s efforts to revive the economy.”
Sam Stein of The Huffington Post observes that on the page preceding the cartoon, the Post published a large photo of Barack Obama signing the stimulus legislation. “The succession of the story and cartoon creates a rather jarring visualization for some readers,” writes Stein.
Update
- (2/20) The New York Post apologizes . . . sort of: THAT CARTOON
- (2/20) Spike Lee wants boycott of New York Post over chimpanzee cartoon
- (2/23) Chimp Writes NY Post Editor’s Obit
- (2/24) The Post apologizes, this time for real: STATEMENT FROM RUPERT MURDOCH
The 'Not-So-Rough' Guide 