Today in Racial Caricatures

Update: I would have to say that I have found almost 100% of posts regarding that blackface photo on both the right and the left offensive and disturbing in one way or another. Especially this one. Nice to see that some sexism got thrown in there because the whole thing wasn't nasty enough.

Lieberman deserves to lose and lose badly to a good candidate like Lamont. No question there. Lieberman's disgusting race-baiting flyers deserved to be revealed and excoriated by progressive bloggers. Yet, that blackface photo was simply unacceptable. Period. Uncalled for, unappreciated and unnecessary to make the point. It simply served to degrade the conversation, arm the opponent, and distract from the real issues at hand. I understand that intentions were good. I'm sure Jane is hugging a black person right now and crying. There there Jane. I am sure you didn't mean to hurt my feelings and turn my stomach. Anyway, I am really hoping we can get past this in short order, get off the bleeding edge and lift the discourse away from this ugliness...

It's been a banner day today in racial caricatures. First I read in the Washington Times that a major Palestinian newspaper has published a cartoon against Condi Rice "depicting her pregnant with an armed monkey. 'Rice speaks about the birth of a new Middle East,' the cartoon's caption reads, referring to the secretary's recent remarks about the "birth pangs" of the region.

The paper also calls her "black widow", "raven", "black spinster", etc. Hard to describe my feelings about that although I disagree strongly with many of Rice's positions and strategies and am not unsympathetic to the Palestinians' struggle to define themselves and their sovereignty alongside that of Israel in the Middle East.

Then I begin to read and understand that a liberal blogger with whom I do agree strongly had decorated one of her posts with a doctored photo of Bill Clinton with shades and Joe Lieberman in blackface complete with a minstrel tie. I find myself disheartened to be in agreement with the toxic Michelle Malkin on this. Not ok. Not by a long shot. I have read and re-read Jane Hamsher's original post trying to understand how such a graphic might have even been apropos to the point of the story. Still can't figure it out. Someone, please help me understand where this could have come from. Update while writing this: a white friend tried to explain it to me. Something about core Democrats and masks. Still a bit abstract and over my silly nappy monkey minstrel head. Sorry -- my indignation remains somewhat un-faux.

I am certain that Hamsher probably does not see herself as racist. I don't know her and I am sure she is a very nice person who loves to listen to Kanye West and watch the Dave Chappelle show with her many black friends. Her defensive non-apology and finger-pointing at the Lieberman campaign and conservative bloggers however is troubling. I was prepared to accept her apology until I actually saw the re-touched photo, complete with bugging eyes, on Michelle Malkin's site. It really upset me, hurt me and yes, Jane, I am genuinely confused and remain offended.

Yes, Dubya-kissing Joe Lieberman is wearing a mask to try to increase his appeal as a Democrat. There are other ways to show that though. So many other examples less laden with racial, painful symbolism. For those who are unclear about the history of blackface in America, American history in general and/or want to understand what internal forces may have led to Dave Chappelle's meltdown, I strongly recommend Spike Lee's "Bamboozled" movie. It's funny and also painful. Starring Damon Wayans, Savion Glover, Michael Rapaport, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Tommy Davidson, it's a real attack on the divisive images Hollywood has produced in the past and continues to inflict on the American public today. You won't think about blackface in the same way again afterwards, I can promise you that, at least.

I think it must be hard for non-black people to understand what it feels like to know that there are actually people who will smile, shake your hand, listen to you talk and still somehow secretly continue to think that (while you are still talking to them) you are an advanced primate somewhere between "real" humans and chimpanzees.

It makes me think wow, what if people who think like this are right? What if I really am some kind of giant super-intelligent monkey? Shouldn't that make me a better tree-climber? I like trees. Shouldn't licking ants off a stick be more appealing??? After all, they are plentiful here in DC and a good source of protein.

It's sickening. First Mel Gibson's hatred spewn far and wide and now all of this. Have people completely lost their minds and moral compass?

Jane Hamsher, I respectfully request a true and full apology that takes responsibility for the controversy you have brought upon yourself and an explanation of your reasoning behind unleashing this photo.  Note to Jane: consider clearing any posts for the next little while involving black people past an actual black person first.

Mel and Mahmoud Abbas, I am not sure there is anything you could say to me that would rationalize or ameliorate the intent of your actions and the damage to the hearts of those who see humanity before ethnicity.

Comments

[Jim]

It would be nice if the media actually got a clue and addressed the sensibilities of the reasonable masses rather than continue to take part in the inflammatory crap that dices the truth into the unrecognizable. So much for jounalistic integrity.

[Thud]

I probably do not understand myself how deeply offensive blackface is; but I likewise don't understand why anyone ever thinks it's an even relevent image to invoke.

I've done a lot of political writing, a lot of satirical writing, and even a lot of offensive writing -- but I've never thought "You know what would be funny here? Someone in blackface."

[PinkThunder]

I totally agree John. That imagery has to exist in someone's mind in archetypal form for that to even occur to someone as a option, I think. What's so offensive about blackface? That's a good question. The contemporary equivalent is probably Dave Chappelle and his whiteface, imitating and poking fun at white people and their sub-culture in American society in comparison to other sub-cultures.

White folks can laugh it off and chuckle along good-naturedly. But when blackface was popular entertainment, poking fun at black culture in white society tended to have more serious ramifications and real impact on how African-Americans were viewed and treated in the larger American society. It's perhaps no coincidence that the rise of minstrels and blackface entertainers occurred as Jim Crow discriminatory laws gained traction...

That's perhaps at the root of the visceral reaction.