Malcom X.2.That Monkey Business.

 

So today in class we had a lovely discussion about the "Stimulus Chimp" cartoon published earlier this week in the New York Times. This controversial cartoon sparked arguments, often between whites and blacks, about whether or not the cartoon was in fact, racist. I personally feel that the cartoon was most likely racist because of the historical stereotype of blacks drawn as monkeys. This offensive caricature hints towards the idea that blacks are closer to animals than humans (or they never fully evolved from monkeys in the first place). I think that it was in fact, insensitive of both the cartoonist and editor of the paper not to think that this cartoon would be taken as offensive.

People often feel a strong connection with those of their own race, which you can definitely see when viewing arguments about topics such as that of the cartoon. I saw this family-like feeling a lot between the blacks while reading the next two chapters of Malcom X. For example, as Malcom became a part of the muslim, black community, he both taught and was taught of the evils the white people had done to them as a whole. He encouraged this sort of reverse racism. While talking to his congregation, he said, "Turn around and look at each other, brothers and sisters, and think of this! You and me, polluted all these colors-and this devil has the arrogance and the gall to think we, his victims, should love him!" (Haley 206). This blunt statement got me thinking. It shows how close the community of blacks were and how they were united even further by their hatred for another race. I felt it was a hypocritical statement, but at the same time, I can understand it. African Americans were in fact mistreated to the point where it would become extremely hard to forgive. Then, even after the abolition of slavery, racism continued. Blacks of Malcom's time felt oppressed each and every day. They didn't believe they would amount to anything because the white men told them this. The African Americans therefore, had one thing in common. They had the reason to hate the white race. Everyone wants to belong and feel a part of something and so they did. They unified themselves with this hatred. 

...And so, the blacks side with the blacks, and the whites with the whites. In

the controversy over the political cartoon, I feel that both sides are a bit disillusioned by the stereotypes and racist thoughts they have of each other. I feel that I can't truly empathize with blacks on this topic, because I am a white middle-class female. I also don't think that an African American would be able to understand that a white cartoonist could have, in fact, only drawn a chimp to represent the stimulus plan because of the monkey that had recently been shot for attacking its owner's friend. I also think that both parties have stereotypes of each other that blind them in seeing the overall picture. Man are we messed up...

Another thought I had, was how this is not the first time a president has been represented by a monkey or ape. For example, type in "Bush

monkey cartoon" to google images, and a myriad of images will come up, comparing the former president to the animal. No one took offense to that. No one debated whether or not George Bush was in fact smarter than 

a chimp. I also know that I would be offended if I was depicted as an animal. Its a knee-jerk reaction to being compared to something not as smart as me. I would be offended. 

Now, I understand that there is a huge difference between these situations, because of the chimp stereotype of blacks. I also know that no matter what, there will always be racial tension in the world *Sigh*. However, I think that what people need to learn from this situation, is that we need to be sensitive of each other. We need to think about if what we are doing will be offensive to someone because of their race, hobbies, jobs, etc. We need to do our best to try and eliminate "superiority thoughts". Racism will most likely never be completely eliminated from the earth, but we can do our best to stop it, one teeny, tiny step at a time.