This post may inform my next few posts as I am currently working on an article that deals with stereotypes and images as they relate to “racial” identity. In light of Barack Obama’s presidential election—stereotypes of African American men, women, children and family and how they affected President Obama’s campaign and now, his administration is a topic of great interest. What is even more interesting is the notion of stereotyping in general.
In the case of Africans throughout the Diaspora, how many of these stereotypes were created and images associated with them manifest in the human psyche, particularly in the United States is a discussion for all ears. Many suggest Minstrelsy, “Black-face”, and Vaudeville have much to do with the creation of negative stereotypes or characters of African Americans. My research for the article unearths this phenomenon. Such as the infamous and controversial 2008 New Yorker cover many of us, some reluctantly, are familiar with, where President Obama and First Lady Michelle are depicted through “satire”. How many negative stereotypes can you identify?
As you may have heard recently a negative satire with overt racism was published by a Rupert Murdock owned magazine the New York post. The depiction is not humorous or mildly amusing. It says no matter what your position is in USA we can still treat you as less than human and demean you when it best suites the major main group. The drawing has to white male policemen commenting that someone else will have to write the next stimulus package as if to equate the primate on the ground with having some relationship to the president of the USA. In light of the recent forced shooting of a chimpanzee pet that went out of control and had to be shot in a Conn. suburb this week. There is nothing funny about this editorial drawing. Thank goodness for Rev. Al who has the courage to speak out . Stop shooting us and laughing it is not funny already .
I meant to state two white male policemen again the editorial is in bad taste.