U of F Student Newspaper Cartoon Of Kanye West Labeled Racist, Causes Outrage
By Nolan Strong
Date: 9/16/2005 4:30 pm



An editorial cartoon that ran in the University of Florida’s newspaper the Independent Alligator on Tuesday (September 13) featuring rapper Kanye West and the word n**ga has generated controversy and outrage from numerous student groups, who said the paper was reinforcing stereotypes.

The cartoon played off of West’s comments that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.”

West criticized the President’s handling of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts on a live NBC telethon on Friday, September 2 during the “ Concert for Hurricane Relief.”

The cartoon, which ran in Tuesday’s edition, featured West handing a playing card labeled “The Race Card” to United States Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice.

Over the cartoon was a caption with the words "N**ga Please!"

The artist who drew the cartoon, Andy Marlette, said the cartoon was not meant to be racist and said of the cartoon: "If anything it's celebrating a black person who has really done something great and represents the best of black culture," Marlette said referring to Rice.

Independent Alligator editor Mike Gimignani said the paper has received numerous phone calls and letters about the cartoon.

"(Marlette) is very good at pushing buttons," Gimignani told the Gainesville Sun. "Unfortunately, there is a little too much tied to this word."

Members of the black student union and other campus organizations are demanding an apology from the paper.

“The recent editorial cartoon with its associated editorial comment printed in the Independent Florida Alligator demonstrated a need for further education on the balance of these principles,” said Patricia Telles-Irvin, UF Vice President of Student Affairs. “There was a significant disconnect between the two principles and a lack of respect and awareness of our mission as an institution. Moreover, the symbolisms utilized were hurtful and inappropriate; and regardless of their original intent, reinforced negative stereotypes of individuals within our community. This is unacceptable.”

Terry L. Mills, Ph. D., Associate Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean for Minority Affairs said that for many, the word is not a term of endearment.

“Despite the use of this word in popular media and the youth culture of today, many individuals with a sense of history, justice and equality still find the n-word, and all other symbols of hatred, to be distasteful and insulting,” Mills said.

Wow! This guy is an asshole (and for once I'm not talking about Kayne). If you're a white person saying "N**ga Please!" about a black person....well, "Cracker Please!"

Somoene's gonna get a beat down walking through the school quad I bet.

i would have been disgusted if kanye used the word and im disgusted that this person felt he needed to use it..

the other day this boy used it in the grocery store and i stoped and gave him a look that scared the sh*t out of him...

The expression in the comic translates to "we don't take it seriously when you play the race card" which doesn't make sense.

I don't even use that word and that also I am disgust that word is still be use like it is no big deal.

SO therefore I think that an apology should be necessary. just because some black people accepted some white kids of using that word it doesn't mean all black people feel the same and also they don't also use that word.

Particularly some of these young clueless and ignorant white kids who think it's okay to use that word better be careful not to use the word around the wrong black person and it can get very ugly if they do and I seen it happen.

eldog98 said:

Times certainly have changed.

I remember when living in Gainesville, Fla was all about getting the best weed, brewing up a jug of mushroom tea (made from local stock of course), checking out Mudcrutch (Tom Petty's band prior to there being a Heartbreakers), and finding where the night's orgy was going to be held.




Now folks are into all this policitcal stuff.


tA


Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431