NY Post’s Chimp Cartoon

I was going to let this one go but it just keeps growing and growing so I guess it’s time for me to chime in. The chimp cartoon, hmmm. . .

I must admit that my initial reaction to it was “wow, so in 2009 we’re still monkeys?” Then I really took some time to think about it and concluded that it is possible that racism was not the theme. It occurred to me that even if Bush was still president the NY Post would have probably published the exact same cartoon. And what would have been the difference then? There would have been no cries of racism, no protests, and no apologies. Politicians are prime targets for ridicule and attack – and the president is no exception. On the contrary, as long as I can remember, the President always seems to be the first target.

So as I continued to think about the uproar over the cartoon I wondered, if we (Black folks) are trying to have it all. We have a Black man as President but we also want our President to now be exempt from cartoons, jokes and other forms of ridicule? Because he is Black, are all jokes about Barack Obama going to be forever scrutinized and run through the racism meter? Give me a break!

And now who once again is at the forefront of the controversy? Al Sharpton – the voice of Black America, the bigotry monitor. Even though the paper and cartoonist have both apologized, Sharpton says it’s not enough. For me, any issue that could have had some validity is made questionable simply by Sharpton’s involvement. (Please just go sit down somewhere and close your mouth!!)

The cartoon was indeed in poor taste – whether racially motivated or not. But as far as I’m concerned the only person deserving an apology is Charla Nash. She sustained horrible injuries and nearly died as a result of the chimp attack. Her life will never be the same. That is absolutely NOT a laughing matter.

Microphones and Cameras

Things are so different now than they were “back in the day”. Back in the day we didn’t hear about every single, solitary movement of politicians, celebrities and athletes. Today their actions are everywhere. Even if you don’t want to know what they are doing, you know what they are doing. Internet, TV, magazines -- it’s overkill for sure.

While we average citizens are ridiculously obsessed with hearing and seeing more and more about the daily activities of celebrities – what they are doing, when they are doing it and who they are doing it with – these celebrities often appear oblivious to the fact that “we” are watching. Of course I’ll never know for sure but I’d like to think that if I were a celebrity I would think twice before I ever said or did anything. I’d also be very judicious in my selection of “friends”.

So this week we’ve got a couple examples of celebrities forgetting about the cameras and the microphones. Michael Phelps caught on camera smoking marijuana and Etta James talking way too much before a microphone.

It’s been a while since I’ve put anyone on my “Go Sit Down Somewhere and Close Your Mouth List” but I’ve got to put Etta James on it. I must admit that when I saw Beyonnce singing her song at the inauguration, I thought it was strange (and perhaps disrespectful) because James is still among the living but James should have vented her frustration quite differently.

And you Michael? You’ve got one more chance, don’t blow it!

OJ

OJ Simpson’s trial for armed robbery began today in Las Vegas. OJ should have taken his not-guilty verdict and headed for the hills. He should have been laying so low people would have to strain to remember his face. But no, instead he has remained in the news, he’s been on TV, he’s “written books” and most recently (allegedly) taken part in a robbery.

Now OJ is facing robbery charges. His actual involvement is irrelevant, he is almost certain to be found guilty. That big red target on his back has finally been bulls-eyed.

The Black community may have celebrated his not-guilty verdict 13 years ago (even though deep down I think we all felt he was guilty), but he has now even worn Black folks down. I think the entire country just wants OJ to go away.

I’m putting him on my list with Jesse Jackson, Phil Gramm and Omarosa. . .

Please. . .

I really hate contributing to the extension of this woman’s 15 minutes of fame, but seeing the video compelled me to add another name to my “Go sit down somewhere and close your mouth list”. Omarosa, take a seat between Jesse Jackson and Phil Gramm.

William Philip "Phil" Gramm

My how my “Please Go Sit Down Somewhere And Close Your Mouth List” is growing. Today I’ve added Phil Gramm.

During the course of presidential campaigns we have come to expect the candidates and their supporters to do and say dumb things. And, we know that the media eagerly reports each and every misspoken word. Knowing that we live in a world addicted to gossip and/or news – whether concerning politicians, celebrities or athletes – you’d think that these same people would be discerning in choosing their words.

Now we have Phil Gramm with the microphone. On Wednesday he unapologetically called Americans who are having financial struggles “whiners”.

These are the stupid comments that give so many Americans the impression that the Republican Party is only for the elite. While Gramm may not be hurting financially or otherwise, money (or lack thereof) is a real and critical issue for many of us. Trivializing what people are feeling the way he did just widens the gulf between Republicans and Black folks.

Mr. Gramm, please take a seat in the corner next to Jesse Jackson.

I Agree With Obama On This One

There’s a group of people that I wish would just go sit down somewhere and close their mouths. I won’t name them all – but Jesse Jackson is at the top of the list.

Last Sunday Jesse Jackson was overheard on a live microphone saying that Barack Obama talks down to Black people. He also made a couple other stupid comments that I don’t care to repeat. Of course he has apologized to Obama but his comments were very telling – we were allowed yet another peek under the mask.

When Jackson was asked to explain his comments he said that "My appeal was for the moral content of his message to not only deal with the personal and moral responsibility of black males, but to deal with the collective moral responsibility of government and the public policy which would be a corrective action for the lack of good choices that often led to their irresponsibility.'' Jackson's response is truly a bunch of gibberish.

I’m with Obama on this one. In the speech that started all of this (given at a Black church) Obama said, ''There's a reason why our families are in disrepair," Obama said in a Father's Day speech at Apostolic Church of God on Chicago's South Side. "And some of it has to do with a tragic history, but we can't keep on using that as an excuse. Too many fathers are AWOL, missing from too many lives and too many homes. They've abandoned their responsibilities. They're acting like boys instead of men."

We have to stop placing the blame for all of our woes on everyone else and we have to stop looking to everyone else to help us. We have to look to ourselves for the answers. We’ve already waited far too long for solutions, answers, jobs, happiness, money and peace to come from White folks and/or the Government. Been there, done that, not happening. . .

So, Barack Obama, while you have a captive audience I hope you will continue to encourage personal responsibility.

As my grandmother used to say, “Stop him when he starts lying.”