Spring Break
Daily Wildcat cartoon causes campus uproar
By: Joel Childers and Shain Bergan
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News
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The discussion took place in one of the largest rooms at the MLK Center, where many spoke about where blame should be placed and what actions can be taken.
"I think we are currently brainstorming a lot of the ways that the Wildcat should be held accountable for this," said Jessica Anderson, executive vice president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona. "A lot of senators and, of course our entire organization, are very committed to promoting diversity of campus, and something like this is definitely not pursuing this goal."
The comic, which has been published at other colleges across the country within the past couple weeks, produced similar unrest among students and community members. The publication of the comic Wednesday, however, one day after Barack Obama was elected as president of the United States, became a focus during the forum. Individuals at the forum refused to speak to the Daily Wildcat, but much of their commentary focused on the timing of the comic.
"I definitely think the timing makes it worse than it already is," said Jennifer Hoefle, senior coordinator for Social Justice Programs. "The comic itself is racist, and it is using a term that has the nastiest racist history for that people, but for the Wildcat to include that today makes it worse. To put that particular comic in the paper the day after the election and the result of the election
is problematic."
Anderson added that "those are boundaries that severely damage, I think, a lot of the sense of community that we have at the University of Arizona. And we work very hard to have that image and that sense of community, and publishing hateful messages is something I would definitely consider crossing boundaries."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 24
Karen
posted 11/06/08 @ 8:02 AM PST
I see...once again this editor has allowed (despite her protests that it was an accident) another hate based cartoon. It wasn't that long ago this paper published an anti-semetic cartoon. (Continued…)
Josh
posted 11/06/08 @ 9:37 AM PST
Too bad cartoons don't get published online anymore..
David
posted 11/06/08 @ 11:25 AM PST
Karen, please show me how this cartoon is hate based? Because it uses a specific word? Well you seem to have missed the point of the cartoon entirely then if you think it's any way hate based. (Continued…)
Cindy
posted 11/06/08 @ 11:37 AM PST
Way too serious reaction. Political comics are just that - comics. Who doesn't make fun of a president? Welcome to the USA.
LMT
posted 11/06/08 @ 12:29 PM PST
I thought news outside of the opinon section was supposed to be non-biased and fair. This article reads like LePage's mother wrote it, making excuses for her poor judgement. (Continued…)
Tonye
posted 11/06/08 @ 12:46 PM PST
Mistakes may occur and explanations are necessary; however excuses/explanations in no way, shape, or form replace nor negate the fact that a direct apology (no matter the page), at the very least, is demanded by the situation. (Continued…)
vanessa
posted 11/06/08 @ 1:09 PM PST
I am a parent of a UofA African American student. Once again the editor of the paper does not take full responsibility for the horrible cartoon that was published. (Continued…)
DaLeesia
DaLeesia
posted 11/06/08 @ 1:26 PM PST
I just want to address a previous comment, the reaction was not "way too serious". It would have been a difference if the comic was funny, but it wasn't in any way. (Continued…)
Tony
Tony
posted 11/06/08 @ 1:47 PM PST
Using the "N" word in association with President Obama is not poking fun. It is hateful and ugly because it represents hatred, lynching, rape, and slavery. (Continued…)
mel
posted 11/06/08 @ 1:48 PM PST
I'm sorry but I don't see anything wrong with the cartoon. You have SO CALLED "Comics?"? like Chris Rock or any of the rappers using the "N" word all the time and it's ok for them but it isn't OK for anyone else? A double standard here people. (Continued…)
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