Talking Race
This discussion article is by Dallas Morning News columnists Steve Blow and James Ragland. The two columnists discuss the controversy over an editorial cartoon that has been interpreted as comparing President Barack Obama to a pet chimpanzee that turned on its owner and was gunned down by the police. This cartoon that portrays Barack as a violent chimp was published in the New York Post. Blow and Ragland come to a mutual understanding that the image posted is considered racist because “the monkey image has been used for centuries to insult, mock and undermine black people” (2009). They also used metaphors to show that terms that characterize a specific group of people are hypersensitive and racial images of the past will never fade away if writers and publishers do not consider the sensitivity of certain pictures to certain individuals.
I agree with the argument presented by the columnist however as they inferred, talking about race is a “touchy” subject. Considering this, they seemed to hold all of their true opinions and feelings back slightly. They both had specific positions on the subject but failed to stand strong behind these opinions. They just scratched the surface rather than digging deep into the subject and explaining their positions and views in depth. However, I also realize that this article may be a shortened version of the full conversation and I’m content with the points that the columnists did touch on.
Blow, Steve, and Ragland, James. “Talking Race.” The Dallas Morning News on the web 20 Feb. 2009. 22 Feb. 2009 http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jragland/stories/022009dnmettalkingrace.30872d32.html>