I'm wondering if the cartoonist was playing on the idea that the intruder was a racist, but if so, this is one of the places where racism was never really part of the story, until this cartoonist became part of the story with that racist note. I think the intruder was Hispanic and racism had nothing to do with anything.
I (also) don't think so. The intruder wasn't a racist AFAIK. He was a wounded combat veteran with PTSD (http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-white-house-arrest-20140920-story.html).
I know, dude. That's why I said this was one issue that could have gone without the 'race' card coming into play. I was feeling chatty and offered a theory as what the hell might have been behind this cartoon, wondering if the cartoonist, not knowing more about the intruder, lazily assumed there were racist motivations.
Its a U.S. cultural trope that black people like certain foods, among them, watermelon and/or fried chicken.
If someone offered me fried chicken, it would be innocuous enough. I love fried chicken. If someone offered me Watermelon, I would stick my tongue out and walk away with a grossed out expression on my face.
But to offer a black person fried chicken or watermelon, in an EXTRANEOUS way, is to subtly and, most observers would presume, purposefully call attention to the fact that 1) They are Black, and 2) We all know how Black People Be.
And the use of watermelon here is somewhat extraneous. #1) Its a very uncommon toothpaste flavor, and #2) its specific reference appears unconnected the main jist of the comic's humor (an intruder getting so close to the president that he can take a bath and brush his teeth without notice.)
Good that there is nothing wrong with watermelons per se. Love them. Although I once found out where the kidneys are after washing down a 4 kg watermelon with couple of liters of dark ale...
Obama being stunned by some dude in his tub is a play on the fact that the guy who ran into the White House got much further into the building than the Secret Service admitted in their first statements. So, ha, ha -- someone is taking a bath in the residence.
The cartoonist claims he recently saw "watermelon" toothpaste and included it without thinking because Obama was caught brushing his teeth.
I think that is really about as likely as me starting the front four for the New England Patriots on Sunday, but what the hell.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:14 pm (UTC)Actually, it still makes no sense.
On googling, some dude broke in to the whitehouse. This still makes no sense.
Am I missing something, or is this just *lulzracism*?
no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 06:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 08:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-04 12:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:46 pm (UTC)If someone offered me fried chicken, it would be innocuous enough. I love fried chicken. If someone offered me Watermelon, I would stick my tongue out and walk away with a grossed out expression on my face.
But to offer a black person fried chicken or watermelon, in an EXTRANEOUS way, is to subtly and, most observers would presume, purposefully call attention to the fact that 1) They are Black, and 2) We all know how Black People Be.
And the use of watermelon here is somewhat extraneous. #1) Its a very uncommon toothpaste flavor, and #2) its specific reference appears unconnected the main jist of the comic's humor (an intruder getting so close to the president that he can take a bath and brush his teeth without notice.)
no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 05:17 pm (UTC)Good that there is nothing wrong with watermelons per se. Love them. Although I once found out where the kidneys are after washing down a 4 kg watermelon with couple of liters of dark ale...
no subject
Date: 2014-10-02 01:10 am (UTC)Obama being stunned by some dude in his tub is a play on the fact that the guy who ran into the White House got much further into the building than the Secret Service admitted in their first statements. So, ha, ha -- someone is taking a bath in the residence.
The cartoonist claims he recently saw "watermelon" toothpaste and included it without thinking because Obama was caught brushing his teeth.
I think that is really about as likely as me starting the front four for the New England Patriots on Sunday, but what the hell.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-02 07:38 pm (UTC)The editors at the Herald are similar to today's Secret Service in that are letting things dangerously get through.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 06:29 am (UTC)I'm pretty sure the Herald was trolling us, yes.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:33 pm (UTC)Proofpic:
no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 04:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-01 05:18 pm (UTC)OTOH why would anyone want a supposedly mint flavour so strong, that it feels like dental anasthesia?
no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 06:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-04 08:23 am (UTC)Here you go:
no subject
Date: 2014-10-02 03:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-02 12:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 03:32 am (UTC)