A commentary on the satirical illustration about Barack and Michelle Obama.
If you're not a critical thinker, and/or harbor racist or prejudicial feelings; this blog is not for you. If you want to read a sugar-coated commentary, please move on, this blog is not for you.
Have you seen the July 21st issue of the New Yorker Magazine? It is the psychological-confirmation of all those fears and unfounded accusations about Barack and Michelle Obama. When I first saw the cover depicting this illustration, I welled up with anger and disappointment. My initial thought was, “What the hell was this editor and illustrator thinking by allowing this crap to be published?” After some research into the meaning for publishing this cover, I discovered that the illustration was not published as another political tactic in fanning the flames of fear, but to bring to light the stupidity and ignorance held by many stupid and ignorant republicans. The same stupidity and ignorance which manifest into the racial and other ethnic problems which still challenge America's so called core values in the 21st century. Unfortunately, no matter how many times Barack Obama says he is not a Muslim, there will always be those who will continue to believe otherwise. I can practically guarantee that if John McCain or some other prominent, high profile politician were to say that Obama is a Muslim, there will be millions who will accept it as truth. As tasteless as it may seem, this is exactly the point the magazine is attempting to convey to the public. In that context I have to agree with the reasons for its publication. From a critical thinking perspective.
I hope in the wake of this latest media/political circus act; John McCain will stand-up and specifically state that Barack Obama is not a Muslim. But considering they're both in the midst of a pivotal campaign, I won't bank on that happening. I do hope and expect the New Yorker will grant equal ink in satirizing John McCain. Perhaps in an S&M scene with a young Vietnamese girl or on the battlefield fighting against U.S. troops stating that “we're fighting a mental war in Iraq and Afghanistan.” For some, it would certainly question McCain's patriotism. But just as there are some ignorant and stupid republicans, there is an equal number of ignorant and stupid democrats. All is fair in political satire.
