If this “unedited” video of the racist, callous police stop, March 18, of a Black family rushing to be with dying mother in Dallas, does not make you shake with anger, you must truly believe we are living in a ‘post-racial’ America.

A police vehicle video captured the entire incident nearly 17-minute incident involving Black Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats and white Dallas police officer Robert Powell.  Moats was rushing his wife and two of her family members to a hospital, where his mother-in-law lay dying.       Moats’ wife, Tamishia, who had pointed a gun his gun at her and ordered back in their SUV, ignored Powell and rushed into the hospital where she was by the side of her mother, 45-year-old Jonetta Collinsworth, when she died a short time later from breast cancer.   In one of the most inhuman acts recorded by “those who serve to protect” Ryan Moats never made to be with his mother-in-law.

NOTE:  Moat’s father seen a one point in the video, later said he came out to be with his son because he feared what might happen (without witnesses).

http://www.dallasnews.com/video/index.html?nvid=345818&shu=1

Dallas police chief apologizes for conduct of officer who drew gun on NFL player outside hospital

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/032609dnmetcopstop


The Truth is (Surely) Out There (Cont’d)_bf

Bill is a freelance journalist and SU grad based in New York City. His writings will appear on my page from time to time...

On Wednesday, the New York Post published a cartoon by Sean Delonas, the longtime controversial cartoonist for the Post's Page Six, showing two police officers, one with a smoking gun, standing over the body of a bullet-splattered chimpanzee. The cartoon bubble read: "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

New York Post


For any reasonable person who has not been in a coma for the past several months of historic change and economic gloom, it stretches reason, not to mention credibility, that neither the cartoonist nor the editors who approved it, intended or saw anything racist in an image of two white policemen violently shooting a monkey (along used racist caricature for African Americans) and uttering a comment about a stimulus bill clearly associated with America’s first Black president more than anyone else.

The Post’s cartoon certainly was not the first case of images being published in major (I have never use the word 'leading' to describe the NY Post) publications that raised the red flag of racial insensitivity or worst.  The esteemed Time magazine digitally manipulated a mug shot of O.J. Simpson for its infamous June ’94 cover to make him look more threatening.  More recently, Vogue outraged many, last spring, with its cover photo of basketball superstar LeBron James’ menacing gorilla-like pose with a super model, suggesting King Kong and Fay Wray.

I will always be among those who defend the right, and even the need for, socio-political parody and satire.  Where would we get our real understanding of things political, cultural and environmental if not for the likes of Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, etc.?

However, are there no lines which are unacceptable to cross in a democracy?  Is the invoking of freedom of speech or editorial prerogative a free pass for veiled racism or hate politics?  Are there no lines of responsible journalism which should be drawn and defended when the health and future of “the most multicultural, multiracial, multi-ethnic America ever” (to borrow Tavis Smiley’s pet phrase) are stake?

Exactly what is the point or where is the parody--as the Post’s statement in defense of the cartoon claims -- in associating the efforts of Washington politicians (if not specifically President Obama) to revive the economy” with the violent shooting death of a rapid chimpanzee?  Was the Post cartoonist suggesting that a monkey wrote the stimulus bill? If so, who would that be?

Even for a tabloid newspaper which prides itself on inflammatory images and headlines, is there no editorial judgment which balances editorial free speech with serving the public good at a time of historic hope in the nation for racial healing?

The Post’s editors and cartoonist (was owner Rupert Murdoch in on it as well?) stepped over the line of responsible journalism.  Never mind that the vast majority of American's view the election of President Obama as a hopeful and positive step toward a new day in American race relations.  No matter what the socio-political climate of the moment, the cartoon's race-baiting mix of the worst type of stereotypes and violence has no place in editorial content in America.

Perhaps White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said it best:  "I have not seen the cartoon, but I don't think it's altogether newsworthy reading the New York Post."

The Truth Is Out There (Cont’d)_Bill Francis

---------------------------------------

A Black man may be President, but true racial equality in America will only be won if the voice of the African American many is heard loudly and often by powerful media few.  Make your voice heard!

Email to letters@nypost.com

Or call 212-930-8000  (Ask for customer service or Editorial.  If you follow the automated responses you may be cut off.)

_________

Statement by Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network:

New York, NY (February 18, 2009) --The cartoon in today's New York Post is troubling at best, given the racist attacks throughout history that have made African-Americans synonymous with monkeys. One has to question whether the cartoonist is making a less than casual inference to this form of racism when, in the cartoon, the police say after shooting a chimpanzee, "now they will have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill."

_________

Statement released by Col Allan, editor-in-chief of The New York Post defending its cartoon:

"The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist."

__________

Statement by Gary Anthony Ramsay, New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) President:

It amazes us that in the year 2009, in what was supposed to be the beginning of a new era of race relations, a picture could get past editors to disgrace the pages of a major metropolitan newspaper, during Black History month nonetheless.

We, at the New York Association of Black Journalists, take offense to the New York Post cartoon depiction of two officers shooting a monkey and then saying, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill" The history attached to racial slurs connecting people of color to monkeys isn't new. In fact, the issue was brought up during the Obama campaign and clearly characterized by him as offensive. Yes, it is true that former President George Bush was often depicted as a monkey, but historical context is what makes this different.

How do you think the Jewish community would feel about the use of rats in any depiction of them? How do you think the Italian community would feel about being generalized with mobsters? Monkey slurs against Africans and African Americans go back to the days of early colonialism, when Anglo Saxon, Spanish and Portuguese conquerors used these types of drawings and descriptions to dehumanize black people so that their mistreatment and enslavement would not be viewed as wrong or sinful. The practice also took on more sinister roles later in history including during the slave trade here in the U.S. and in Hitler's Nazi Germany.

We, at NYABJ, demand both an explanation and an apology from Sean Delonas of the New York Post. We find it unconscionable that such a depiction, especially during this time, would be used in an attempt at humor or political satire. Would it be a leap to suggest that it is funny or ok to shoot the President, if this is who the chimp in the drawing is suppose to represent? We are not laughing.

We often hear Elinor Tatum, publisher of the NY Amsterdam News and Chair of the NABJ black media committee, say that incidents like this "underscore the need for more black-owned media in this country, to counteract the actions and insensitivities of right-wing or even so called mainstream media outlets". We could not agree more.  Shame on Mr. Delonas and shame on Mr. Rupert Murdoch who has allowed something like this to happen.

Strength & wisdom,

Bill Francis

 







Bill is a freelance journalist and SU grad based in New York City. His writings will appear on my page from time to time...