I like pigs, but not to eat.
My swine flu cartoon (H1N1 cartoon), up on the first page of Slate today, has gotten some attention from Google, new followers on Twitter, and my first hate mail. See, now this is being a REAL editorial cartoonist.
Well, the cartoon is about swine flu and Mexico, really, and I concentrated on Mexico, because swine flu in the US looks to be about the size of a head cold. It seems to kill only in Mexico – so far. But I’m not a physician, and am not very interested in disease. However, I couldn’t help but notice in the LA Times a few years ago, how the only incidences of tuberculosis in LA County were from Latino immigrants. The Times is a very liberal paper; it must have just killed them to admit this fact.
Well, anyway, I have to report on the news, not wild hypotheses like 8 kids in NYC had a sniffle. And Mexico has been in the news lately for other sad things, has it not? Think of me as the sundial for cloudy days.
Thanks to Mashable (on Twitter!) I found this article in CNN on
Swine flu creates controversy on Twitter:
Some observers say Twitter — a micro-blogging site where users post 140-character messages — has become a hotbed of unnecessary hype and misinformation about the outbreak, which is thought to have claimed more than 100 lives in Mexico.
For example, some Twitter users told their followers to stop eating pork, he said. Health officials have not advised that precaution.
Etc.
That will be nice, won’t it, when the USDC has some actual facts. Besides calling it H1N1 flu, to try to make it look like they’re working on it.
Okay, let’s go to my mailbag -or hate mail, in this case – OOPS, just got another one. Blanca writes
…..and old problem for Mexico, ignorant americans like you
And Mr. del Rio writes:
Donna, you recent cartoon paints Mexico with a series of “sins” that frankly could apply to practically any other country in the world. Particularly accusing Mexico of “guns” when it is a well known fact that over 90% of all the guns in Mexico come from the US; not to mention that a 40 Billion Dollar drug consumption market is fueling the Mexico cartels. Your depiction of Mexico as bad neighbor is both offensive and ignorant. It must liberating to be able to express so freely and so un-funningly (I thought cartoons were supposed to have at least some element of humor?) your own prejudices on the face of a healthcare crisis that could have emerged from anywhere.
Shame on you!
Oh, and a third:
What do u know about mexico Lady!! U are the bad neighbor!! wee dont need ya at all!!!
(I didn’t have room to add Poor Education in the cartoon.)
None said whether they have a trip planned there soon, or whether they would have written if I had made the map of Canada, instead. Swine flu is not Mexico’s biggest problem – notice that I put it last. And obviously, no one BLAMES a country or a person, for that matter, for getting a disease. But the US has been issuing warnings not to drink the water in Mexico for decades. Maybe, just maybe, their health department, run by the corrupt government there, are not the best.
The Drawing I don’t know if anyone remembers the State Farm jingle that goes, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” Apparently not. Maybe I was trying to be too clever, turning it around like this for the caption.
And this will only be interesting to a small slice of readers, but while I was drawing this I was suddenly remembering an embroidered framed linen that I think my grandmother made in crewel embroidery of Cape Cod, which is somewhat similar in shape. It was done on taupe linen, and I think the wool was only in red and black – so simple and handsome. I think it even had a whale like this! And it had a very fancy compass pointing north that I can’t remember, and didn’t have time to research when I drew this. Yay for embroidered linens.
You can also leave comments anonymously on GoComics for this. Please note that this cartoon was picked as BEST CARTOON OF THE DAY for Slate by the editor – that’s why everyone saw it. So….guess Slate is the r- word, too, eh?
You might also like these cartoons:
International cartoons | Donna Barstow | April 27, 2009. Watch out for meteors in the form of emails.
fans, foreign, h1n1, health, swine flu
Pointing out the problems of a government is not racist.
Expressing dismay that an entire country is “still there” IS racist. It’s also called eliminationist rhetoric.
I find it amazing how many people are blaming the US for Mexico’s problems. Big bad us, creating so much mayhem in our neighboring country. Canada watch out you must be next. So what you are saying is that Mexico is so weak that it is at the mercy of every sneeze that the US makes. Those of you making those post, get real.
As for the cartoon. It is fantastic. All the hate speech in response too it only shows how close to the mark you hit. Truth hurts.
Oh, just wanted to add; A sure way NOT to get any hate mail and actually get rave reviews maybe even win a Nobel Peace Prize….Bash the US. It’s all the rage.
Lets see…Salvery…the slaughter of millions of africans, native americans, racism, the klu klux klan, all this by the U.S…..the PERFECT country.
and you’re worried about the flu….
Oh did I mention
gangs
crime
guns
drugs..
lol…you’re one funny lady.
KKK
a nazi slut…yea the u.s. is such a perfect country. Its too bad Mexico didn’t capitalize by enslaving and killing millions of africans, native americans, other Latinos and nuking Japan… white people have to be the most evil and vile people on the planet……
(the last line is a tedious vulgar expression that no one needs to see, but it did include the word whore, which speaks volumes about this commenter- edited by DB)
“I find it amazing how many people are blaming the US for Mexico’s problems. Big bad us, creating so much mayhem in our neighboring country. Canada watch out you must be next. So what you are saying is that Mexico is so weak that it is at the mercy of every sneeze that the US makes. Those of you making those post, get real.
As for the cartoon. It is fantastic. All the hate speech in response too it only shows how close to the mark you hit. Truth hurts.”
David, learn some basic history. Also, learn what “hate speech” actually is. Criticism is not hate speech. Expressing the desire for an entire country to be wiped off the map might qualify, though.
J.R., your last post is definitely hate speech. It is both racist and sexist. What you are doing is much worse than what Donna is doing.
I just wanted to say thank you thank you thank you to the many John & Ken listeners and others who have given their support the last couple of days – I am not alone!
Will answer more of the comments Sunday.
All this hand wringing for Mexico is absurd. It’s one of the wealthier Latin American countries. Its GOVERNMENT simply chooses to operate it as a banana republic, starving the poor and coaching them on how to sneak into the U.S. so they’ll be our problem. When did Mexico, a country, become this sacred cow that can’t be criticized (the same way ever other nation on globe is once in a while criticized)? Anyone who dare complain is branded racist. In fact Mexican is not a race. I have Mexican relatives, third generation, who happen not to be Latino. Get over yourself Mexico. You’re either a sovereign nation who can take your lumps like everyone else, or you’re a welfare basket case that needs to be coddled and managed by outside forces. Which is it?
“When did Mexico, a country, become this sacred cow that can’t be criticized (the same way ever other nation on globe is once in a while criticized)?”
No one is saying they can’t be criticized. But as I just explained, the “still there” is what bugs people. It’s eliminationist rhetoric.
Great job Donna, All of this is just proof that people cant handle the truth. Corruption south of the border is a fact and anyone who wants to dispute that fact is a fool. Close the border, its the only way to fix the problem. Legal immigration is something that everyone can agree with.
@ Alyssa & Mr Del Rio. Get your facts straight. The truth is that 90% of the weapons that can be traced have come from the US. Only weapons made in the US have serial numbers used to trace the weapon. Its a fact that only 17% of the weapons confiscated have come from here. Of course if you watch ABC<CBS<NBC<CNN, very liberal stations, you will get a twisted story. Do alittle research before you open you mouth.
US killing Native Americans huh? lets see who where the conquistadors? and what did they do again?
Chris,
Some basic history? oh refresh my memory, what history do you have to share, am sure its completely untwisted and neutral.
“US killing Native Americans huh? lets see who where the conquistadors? and what did they do again?”
No one said the US were the ONLY people who killed the Native Americans. My god.
“Chris,
Some basic history? oh refresh my memory, what history do you have to share, am sure its completely untwisted and neutral.”
It’s all been explained here already. The U.S. has played a very large part in Mexico’s current state. This isn’t about “hating America,” it’s just facts.
Yes you do sound racist or what else, We have the same thing here is the USA drugs, gangs, guns, ignorance, disease and people like you who open their mouth just because they can If you knew anything about Mexico you would not have said these things it just shows your own ignorace, Only the racist would agree with you, those who hate all of latin America; Do you not think that americans have spread any viruses or disease any where in the world, how about AIDS just to mention one Maybe you should step out of your gated community or rich neighborhood and smell the roses along with the good people, poor people bad people, ignorant pleople, sick people, gang bangers, prostitudes, drug adicts, killers, thieves, not that they don’t exist in your neighborhood they just keep it highly conseal.
@PG, I have no sources that say a paper mask is absolutely useless. I didn’t say that. I said it was laughable. I’m sure if someone is coughing sputum in your face, it would help some of it not to get up your nose, but not all of it. Viruses are sneaky little devils.
But it’s been common knowledge for at least a dozen years that almost all flus & colds are passed through the hands. WASH YOUR HANDS.
From your site you appear to be a lawyer. That I’m not, though I did spend a dozen hours studying fair use and defamation this week. I think I have a good grasp of it now.
Of course you can defame someone or ruin their reputation at any time. That’s why these laws exist. And one of the biggest, if not the point is damages.
I’ve been doing general cartoons for respectable mainstream publications for 15 years. I’ve been doing editorial cartoons for 2 months. In one week from hateful blogs, my name is gone.
Trust me, I’m not frivolous.
@Colleen, I know, I wanted to put govt corruption in there! And thanks.
@Chris, nope never thought once about hurting anyone, since I never mentioned anyone. If one is ashamed of one’s country, then your work is set out for you.
Never mentioned the Mexican people. Lazy and unclean? Stop, you’re killing me.
I would have “exploited” Bill Clinton’s hair or Jimmy Carter’s or Geo Wash, had I been doing cartoons at that time. McCain didn’t have it. So, I can tease them, but not Obama? Now THAT’S racist.
Another African-American woman has been ranting at me all week and pillorying me on her blog. I will definitely have to quote her. She talks about privilege all the time. Is this a racist word for whites?
Chris wrote:
“J.R., your last post is definitely hate speech. It is both racist and sexist. What you are doing is much worse than what Donna is doing.”
If she decides to throw manure up in the air I’m sure some of it is going to land write back at her…..
And all you people talking about that Mexicans should stay home and fix Mexico..You people have short memories….didnt the Euros do the same thing by coming to America? They could’ve stayed home and fix their countries too….
Plus, the reason we come north is cause we can. DOn’t like it? What are you gonna do about it? Lynch us like you’s did to the Africans and native americans?
@liberalrob: You can’t use part of a cartoon, and that’s your problem, not mine. I have seen the gagline of a cartoon quoted, so that might work, however. Yes, proper attribution definitely helps. Didn’t get it, not naming the cartoonist, links, where it was found,nothing.
Copyright is enforced to encourage artists to continue. Fair Use is to allow the public to express criticism, and add to the art. It’s for education. And it has to meet this criteria:
1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; DOES THAT BLOG HAVE ADVERTISING?
2. the nature of the copyrighted work; FICTION GETS MORE PROTECTION THAN FACTS
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole;
4. and the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
This last one means that you are taking a cartoon with the life of a fruit fly, as swine flu is already fading, and showing it to 1000s of people, in spite of the © on it. Revolting.
Sorry, don’t remember who called me what.
@liberalrob and Chris, thanks for comments on the art.
@Dan, thanks for compliments! It’s not an attack on the people, but definitely on the government. And I don’t like illegal immigrants at all, but I’ll have to get prepared, I guess, before I publish THOSE ones.
@varway I’m sure State Farm is a very nice company. You may tell them about this cartoon, if you wish.
@Anonymous, thanks for reading.
@paolo, thanks for writing! And I can feel your support!
@Anonymous, I believe this cartoon is totally true and based on facts, thanks!
@Bob, much appreciated.
@Poncho Villa I have definitely felt under seige and beseiged this week.
@kombie, it sounds like you agree with my list of the problems there. I agree, many of the angry commenters are jealous, but I don’t know why! They can do their own cartoons!
@Mark, excellent excellent points.
@JLS, thanks! Sorry to say it CAN be stolen, as I found out this week. I hear tshirts do well for some online cartoonists, so go to Cafe Press and set up a store! And try local mags or paper for your cartoons – they love them.
@Kyle, that is a new phrase to me, class envy, but it appears that some people suffer from it. Strange.
NSupport, John & Ken were great!!! They definitely helped me feel stronger. Agree, it would be almost impossible to have a worse neighbor unless it was some of the mideast countries. Thank you again.
@Valerie, I’ve been called racist so often this week that a word that holds such stigma has become almost meaningless. Wow. They use it like a cliche. Thanks.
Russ, thanks for your support.
Chris, you are ridiculous, and tending towards racist yourself. Do no white people live in Mexico? No people from other countries? I call it nationalistic, and I didn’t suggest bombing it. But I’m tired of nothing ever changing. Does it ever? Did I miss something good?
David, I do support the US, as do you! Thanks for writing.
@JR, you are vulgar, and you’ve used up your swearing here. One more nasty expression and you’re banned.
Californian, I so agree. Why should Mexico be exempt from criticism? I imagine we in this state can see the problems much more clearly than other states. Thanks for writing.
Chris, did you make that up, eliminationist rhetoric? I never heard that before. Have you never wished one of your neighbors would move on or shape up? Or did you buy a gun and kill them? I didn’t either.
@Mike D, not sure if you mean 90% or 17% are from the US?
@Who cares, it sounds like you live in a bad neighborhood. I wish you better.
Donna, keep it up. The silent majority always has their ears (eyes) on- even if their mouth are shut.
——-
Remember prop 187. It was the begining of this end.
No you are not a racist….I am so sick of that argument. I am of Mexican decent and I strongly oppose illegal immigration and amnesty. When will the Mexican govt step up and start accepting some responsibilty for the mess down there and now here?? And how in the world is it that we are responsible here in the US to take in every vagrant in the world and cloth, feed, educate, employ and medicate them? Yeah the argument they do jobs we won’t is as tired as I am. I want to order at the drive thru window in ENGLISH for god’s sake. I AM NOT A RACIST, I have strong dislike for criminals of all races, creeds, colors and sexual orientations. I’m tired of the govt picking and choosing which laws to enforce. I’m tired of Calif footing the bill on this while our education system is in the toilet, emergency rooms are now primary care clinics and home improvement stores are overflowing with daylaborer/street-walkers. Mexico should build schools, housing and hospitals for these people instead of blaming the US for everything. It’s never their fault is it now? They smuggle drugs because US wants them, they have guns because US sells them…on and on it goes. They come here and demand services and rights as if they are citizens, try doing that in Mexico if you are a foreigner and see how far it gets you. And if anybody is racist and lives in a clast society it’s Mexico. Thanks for the rant. People need to stop being so lame and pc, stop name calling and tell the truth. Calif is only the first step, wait until they’ve picked us clean, they’ll be coming to your state. Not so funny any more is it. I am a Proud Hispanic Against Amnesty.
Thanks for having the guts to speak the truth. Why is it that the news can say it started in Mexico and no one is picketing about racism outside the news studios but when you put it in color on paper everyone gets mad? Keep Preaching sister…The truth shall set you free
Donna, please educate yourself further on privilege. It is not a “racist word for whites,” it is the reality of the lives of everyone who is not a minority in some way. Also, I find it hard to believe you have never heard of “eliminationist rhetoric.” An AOL search of that term turned up 45,900 items. Please take a look at some of them. No, you didn’t day you wanted to bomb them, but you did express dismay that they are still there. That is almost the same thing.
Again I implore you to educate yourself further if you truly have pride in your abilities as an editorial cartoonist. You have revealed so much ignorance here, all with a “who cares?” attitude. It is not becoming of someone whose job is to be insightful and cutting.
As to your comment about hair, the hair you drew on Obama looks nothing like his. It is an afro, a stereotype of black men. It had no connection to Obama other than race. That is racist.
“Why is it that the news can say it started in Mexico and no one is picketing about racism outside the news studios but when you put it in color on paper everyone gets mad”
Why is it that you can’t see the difference between reporting facts and implying that you want an entire country to disappear?
varway wrote: ” Donna, I am sincere…..I have friends who actually work for State Farm and I know that the company takes very seriously their commitment to Hispanic employees as well as having then as customers, in addition to their commitment to Blacks, Asians, women, any other variety of minority that you may choose.
They employ them, promote them to high positions within the company, value their opinion, sell them products and value them as customers.
I imagine that if someone in a high level position in this company saw this cartoon, they would be seriously concerned at the implications.”
THanks for the idea…I’ll definetely write State Farm and link this racist cartoon with their motto…I’m sure the motto is pattented and they will not apprciate this…
lol…this lady can’t even come up with her own ideas…
I DID N’T KNOW MEXICAN FELL UNDER A RACE OF PEOPLE I THOUGHT IT WAS A NATIONALITY
Mexican are a nationality…It doesn’t mean she’s not racist..
I just sent an email to State Farm. Next I will write to certain media sources like Hispanic Magazine or Univision linking this racist cartoon with State Farm.
Lets see what State Farm has to say about this.
Thanks, TZ. Yes, I remember that.
Sandra, thanks for including your ideas from your own vantage point. You made some great points!
Truthful, that’s why I didn’t think this cartoon was anything out of the ordinary. We saw it on TV every single newscast, as they handed out those silly masks and gave us fake numbers on how many had died!
Chris,
You just made my point. I’M A MINORITY, TOO. There are over 60 cartoonists in Slate and only two other women. Same in every paper in the country. Thanks for your efforts to make sure there are only 2 women in Slate now. (And I’m going to make a big guess that if I were a man, I wouldn’t have gotten half of this hate and name-calling nonsense.)
And I totally do think privilege is a racist word. It certainly is hateful.
Who said I have pride in my ability as a cartoonist? I’m next to Pulitzer Prize winners. I just do my best. Grow some self-esteem yourself.
The plant I drew on Obama looks just like a chia plant – I did my research. Yeah, an afro is a stereotype….IF YOU ARE LIVING IN THE SEVENTIES.
Say, Chris, have you been writing to the Chia Pet Company to complain, too, since they’ve made millions on their Obama chia pet?
Regarding your cartoon “Like A Bad Neighbor…”
Obviously, you have touched a nerve with stating less than flattering things about Mexicans (and other’s So. of the Border). The qualities you have depicted bare some truth and they realize that. My father arrived here as an infant, from Mexico, in 1912. He didn’t hate all Mexicans (as he was Mexican) however, he wasn’t fond of much of the typical behaviors associated, and as expected, found within that group.
There is much about Mexico and Mexicans that even Mexicans do not like. That’s why they’re here instead of there. Problem is with the Mexican stigma, they
do recreate Mexico where ever they go and where ever they are.
In the news, we become desensitized to the murdering, kidnapping, drug lords, etc. All things that just 25 or 30 years ago seemed almost “alien” to our society.
Lay down with dogs, you get fleas.
Although I know many very good Latin people, PROBLEM IS, WE CERTAINLY ARE GETTING MORE THAN OUR SHARE OF THEIR COLLECTIVE FLEAS! Rather insensative to say, but even more unfortunate to experience.
In my judgement, this is the greatest factor moving us backward to one day realize a total break down of modern society and a return to barbarianism.
“Chris,
You just made my point. I’M A MINORITY, TOO. There are over 60 cartoonists in Slate and only two other women. Same in every paper in the country. Thanks for your efforts to make sure there are only 2 women in Slate now. (And I’m going to make a big guess that if I were a man, I wouldn’t have gotten half of this hate and name-calling nonsense.)”
First of all, I haven’t made any effort to interfere with your job at Slate or the jobs of any other female cartoonist. I discourage everyone from doing this, including j.r. I am simply requesting a dignified apology and some kind of understanding that what you did was wrong. That shouldn’t be so hard. I also don’t know where you are getting the idea that this is because you are a woman. Most of the sites that have criticized your work are feminist sites, and have criticized male cartoonists for doing similar things in the past, like the infamous “monkey getting shot” cartoon from a few months ago. Why do you keep pulling reasons out of the air for people to be angry with you, like jealousy or misogyny, when we have made our real motives clear?
“And I totally do think privilege is a racist word. It certainly is hateful.”
No, it’s not. Everyone is supposed to recognize that they have a certain amount of privilege, even minorities. Recognizing one’s own privilege is one of the first steps to being a committed feminist or anti-racist. This is not to make you feel guilty or hated. It is to make you acknowledge the reality of others who don’t have the same privilege you do, so that you can be more sensitive and a more productive member of society. Again, you are revealing a profound lack of education here.
“Who said I have pride in my ability as a cartoonist? I’m next to Pulitzer Prize winners. I just do my best. Grow some self-esteem yourself.”
Um, what? Why wouldn’t you take pride in your work? And if you’re not, isn’t that a sign that you are doing something wrong? And what have I said that makes you question my self-esteem? Are you just making things up about people again? I just don’t understand.
“The plant I drew on Obama looks just like a chia plant – I did my research. Yeah, an afro is a stereotype….IF YOU ARE LIVING IN THE SEVENTIES.”
Are you really going to tell me that you were not playing on the afro stereotype in your cartoon? If not, what was the point of the cartoon? I see no interpretation other than the racist one. Perhaps you can explain to me what your intention was, because it seems to me that if it’s not playing on the afro stereotype, it doesn’t make any sense.
“Say, Chris, have you been writing to the Chia Pet Company to complain, too, since they’ve made millions on their Obama chia pet?”
No, but I have seen it, and it did make me question whether or not it was racist. However, the Chia Pet company has put out Chia Pets of many presidents. It is possible that this was not a pointed comment about Obama’s hair or race. However, again I am going to ask what the point of your cartoon was. Have you drawn cartoons of other presidents as Chia Pets? What is funny about this? If the joke isn’t “Haha, Obama with an afro,” I just don’t get it.
The irony of you ripping off the “intellectual property” of the good folks at the Chia company as well as State Farm Insurance while whining about copyright (which you clearly do not understand) and making idle threats about the DMCA and libel is worth a great big belly laugh. I work for a major daily newspaper, and I’m on friendly terms with our editorial cartoonist. I can tell you for sure, he wouldn’t throw this kind of cry baby temper tantrum over a little online criticism. Now that’s a REAL cartoonist. Get a thicker skin, especially if you intend to be on this, or any other, internet (presumably those you haven’t yet “shut down”).
Hi Donna, Of the 90% confiscated only 17% of them could be traced to the US.
To sum up this entire conversation:
Sane People: That cartoon is racist, and the fact that you not only don’t recognize this, but are lashing out in order to quash all criticism of yourself is just sad.
Donna: EVERYTHING YOU SAY ABOUT ME THAT’S BAD IS BAD! AND EVIL! LAAAAAAAAAW!
Crazy Supporters: Yeah, you’re not racist! Those lazy taco-munchers do ruin everything! You’re the greatest! Ever!
Donna: This is the sort of reasoned response I was waiting for. I am so brilliant.
In honoring our 44th US President Barack Obama, the Chia Pet company presents this Special Edition Chia Obama.On the side of the Chia Obama planter are his famous words:”YES WE CAN.”Can you grow one? YES YOU CAN. Easy to do….. Fun to Grow. Full growth in 1-2 weeksContains: Chia Obama handmade planter Chia Seed packet for 3 plantings Convenient Drip Tray Planting and care instruction sheet.
Tacky knows no race.
RH
No, this cartoon is not racist – it is highlighting certain negative traits of a country, not a race. The word racist is hurled by people who want to prevent anyone from voicing an opinion that conflicts with their own agenda. “Enemy of the State”, “Enemy of the People” were used in similar fashion by more than a few nasty Dictators – Stalin and Hitler among them. It is a tried and true way to intimidate one’s opponents into silence – thereby giving the name-callers free reign to pursue their own evil plans.
These people are not liberals, they are fascists. They know that you care and that you have shame and don’t want to be thought of as racist – and that is what they are using against you.
If they were to actually debate you on the issues, they would be hard-pressed to disprove any one of those items on your list – which is why they instead try to discredit you with labels.
Which really begs the question, who is really behind the “If you criticize anything related to Mexico you are a racist” movement. While most Mexicans live in dire poverty, there is a small ruling class that possesses almost unlimited resources and benefits greatly from Mexico exporting its problems to the US.
I think if we pulled back the curtain we would not find a single member of the poor, huddled masses. We would find a member or two of Mexico’s corrupt, ruling class.
Wear “Racist” as a badge of honor – it is what you get called when you are in danger of exposing a tyrant.
RH
I don’t know which blogs you frequent, Chris, but all the blogs I saw were hate blogs, and all of them had nothing to say about the cartoon besides that it, and I, am racist. So yeah, they have ruined my name and my reputation, and I WILL lose work because of what they’ve done.
I also lose money EVERY SINGLE TIME these blogs steal my cartoons, because they are too lazy and ignorant and self-centered to link to Slate and my syndicate Gocomics. No eyeballs, no hits, no money. This cartoon is not in print. I ONLY get paid by who goes to the sites, DUH. Do you people ever think about the creators you steal art from????
And one of those “feminist” sites you refer to, calls itself “a safe space.” Then it allows a commenter to say he wanted to find me and hit me. This is insane!! And totally sexist.
I don’t feel the least bit guilty about this cartoon, and the word privilege has no meaning the way you use it. I explained the chia pet cartoon in detail earlier. I just started doing political cartoons last fall, so no other presidents there. Get it?
Robert, thank you for sharing your family story. A good percentage of felons are Hispanic, but I don’t know if they were born here, or came here. Sad. Education might help, there.
Dylboz, my cartoon of the Obama chia pet came out BEFORE the toy. Before they even had a website, which didn’t start until Feb of this year!! I believe they may have stolen the idea from ME.
If you really do work for a paper, and who knows, since reputable journalists would sign their name, you shouldn’t laugh at copyright. Your paper is dying because of the abuse on the internet.
Great that you still have an editorial cartoonist! Say, does he get paid? Have a paycheck? Well, I DON’T, unless people click on my cartoons in Gocomics or Slate. When people steal and don’t link, I lose. So shut up with your judging.
Mike D, thanks for the numbers on the guns. Do you have a link?
Jesse Taylor, you run a hate blog, and you defamed my name and reputation. You defaced my cartoon by writing hate words on it. One of your commenters wrote a death threat to me, and you thought that was okay.
You are not welcome here. If you wish to make amends, you have my email.
RetroHousewife, you are so right, and the first to point that out to me. They are indeed trying to shame me. A friend of mine called them fascists, too, but I wasn’t sure of that. As I said above, racism in a court of law can also be actions against people in a political group, so you could be right.
I totally believe that the govt is corrupt. But the label is still very upsetting to me. :(
How can this be racist? It is a fact, the drug lords in Mexico poison the US (our own fault) and how do they live? High on the Hog, pun intended, while the rest of the country either wants to join their cause or leave the country (why else would there be 12 million illegal’s in the US?).
Be strong and don’t let the stupid people get you down!!
After reading most of the comments, j.r. you are the racist. Have you seen some of the news stores in Mexico concerning US? Any of the newspapers? Magazines? This is a bit of an overstatement by almost every page speaks poorly of US. But it’s okay there!
More uninformed people talking out their A*S!
“I don’t know which blogs you frequent, Chris, but all the blogs I saw were hate blogs, and all of them had nothing to say about the cartoon besides that it, and I, am racist. So yeah, they have ruined my name and my reputation, and I WILL lose work because of what they’ve done.”
Neither Alas, a Blog nor Pandagon are hate sites. On the contrary, they are sites that are determined to call out bigotry whenever they see it. Many commenters on those sites have offered legitimate criticism of your work and have pointed out their issues with it. If you are going to lose work due to legitimate criticism, then maybe you should consider what you are doing wrong.
“I also lose money EVERY SINGLE TIME these blogs steal my cartoons, because they are too lazy and ignorant and self-centered to link to Slate and my syndicate Gocomics. No eyeballs, no hits, no money. This cartoon is not in print. I ONLY get paid by who goes to the sites, DUH. Do you people ever think about the creators you steal art from????”
Both sites have apologized for not linking to you, and have rectified the situation by providing links.
“And one of those “feminist” sites you refer to, calls itself “a safe space.” Then it allows a commenter to say he wanted to find me and hit me. This is insane!! And totally sexist.”
Which site was this? That is totally out of line, and I know it is not usually permitted on Alas. That blog has always condemned threats of violence, no matter who they were directed to.
“I don’t feel the least bit guilty about this cartoon, and the word privilege has no meaning the way you use it.”
How does it have no meaning? Do you not believe that people have certain privileges compared to others if they are part of a majority or dominant group? I’m going to tell you one last time, please stop embarrassing yourself by admitting that you don’t understand fairly basic concepts.
“I explained the chia pet cartoon in detail earlier. I just started doing political cartoons last fall, so no other presidents there. Get it?”
When did you explain it in detail? Can you try one more time? Because I still fail to see the connection between Obama and Chia Pets, aside from the afro stereotype, which you admitted you were aware of in your original post on that cartoon. What were you trying to say in that cartoon?
Did you all hear about them Muslim terrorist that tried blowing up them temples in NYC….
ha ha I wonder why sh*t chicken sh** b**** wont draw any cartoons about Muslims terrorist….
Too scared of course.
She wouldn’t dare.