Is This Obama/Osama Cartoon Racist?
- Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:54am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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When the University of New Mexico student newspaper The Daily Lobo ran a cartoon depicting Barack Obama in a “Lion King” pose, the editor didn’t think anything of it. That is until black students on campus immediately became enraged and staged a protest. That’s because, they said, the picture compared Obama to a monkey.
The picture was a variation of the classic scene in the Disney cartoon where the baboon Rafiki holds up the young lion, Simba. In the Lobo’s picture, Simba is played by the head of Osama, while Rafiki is played by Obama:
“This is a continual use of racial propaganda,” black student Christina Foster said at a protest. “… And I stand here today to tell you that is not what we’re going to stand for. This racial propaganda was used to justify the use of slavery and to keep the institution of slavery alive in this nation.”
When the picture first ran on Tuesday, the paper’s Editor-in-Chief Chris Quintana said he couldn’t understand why some students were upset:
However, by Thursday he changed his opinion, apologizing for the cartoon but defending the paper.
“The political cartoon alluded to a memorable scene from the Disney movie, ‘The Lion King,’ in which Rafiki announces Simba’s birth,” he writes in an editorial in the paper. “Except in this case, President Barack Obama was cast as Rafiki, and in place of Simba was Osama bin Laden’s severed head. Regrettably, this cartoon offended the African-American community — along with many others — who interpreted Obama’s representation as racist. For this oversight, I sincerely apologize.”
What does that remedy look like? “Furthermore, the Daily Lobo is in talks concerning sensitivity training for the staff with African-American groups on campus.”
Still, Quintana contends that the paper has been open to the black community. Not only has it encouraged minority contributors, but in the past it worked worth organizations to educate reporters on “cultural sensitivity.”
“Unfortunately, no one from African American Student Services showed up,” he said.
Additionally, he claimed the picture was actually referring to a joke the president himself made at last weekend’s correspondence dinner:
He also explained that the cartoon artist is from the Netherlands, “and is not necessarily attuned to the racial undertones of such a depiction of Obama in America.”
I guess the question now is: Will Muslims worldwide retaliate for the cartoon?
What do you think?





















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Comments (290)
trooper
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:30pmThis racist BS is getting real old, If you keep getting blamed for something that’s not true, you may as well just start being that way. O.K. obama does resemble a Baboon Bafoon.
Report Post »Butter-Pants
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 5:54pmThis is what Affirmative Action, Scholarships, grants & loans get colleges. Send every one of them to all Black Colleges where you can cry Racism all you want!
Report Post »Cincinnatus Dogood
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:27pmShut the h*** up, your race card is worn thin. The Irish, the Scots, the Germans, the Chinese, the Native Americans, everyone has to put up with stuff. The most racist people I have meet are BLACKS.
Report Post »Again, IT IS A ONE WAY STREET. Holding the OBL head up is a victory lap for OBAMA, watch the news, what has he been doing. NO HEAD but he sure is sayin look at me, look what a great thing I did. No humility, no thanks for other peoples work.
Workforit
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:26pmI think it is a hilarious cartoon! I love it… and I’d buy the T-shirt!
Report Post »My2
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:26pmDidn’t this same scene from the movie come up at the White House correspondents dinner, except they had the character holding up the birth certificate instead of a baby? Was that racist?
Report Post »nostromo
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:25pmPeople search out reasons to feel upset. When they find them it validates their own prejudices.
Report Post »Mike D.
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:23pmWas the Obama family portrait depicting a monkey family racist? Let’s call a spade a spade, & I can’t stand Obama.
Report Post »trooper
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:23pmLooks like something that any liberal could make into a racist picture, if you think people, in general, look at obama as a primate.
Report Post »lynnissmart
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:20pmOh that is funny!!! ha, ha, ha, ha
Report Post »Hephzibah
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:16pmI’m offended by those who cry racist and take offense to everything.
Report Post »iwillnotbequiet
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:11amI want that as a bumper sticker..
Report Post »BubbaT
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:14pmEverything upsets blacks today. Ya know what, TOUGH! Too bad, so sad get over it already. That ship has sailed.
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:18pmI don’t get it. First ingetration was important, now separation is desired. As a individual, I really don’t think in color or “sterotypes,” I’m way past that, but I keep being brought back to it by those who want to continue whining and the blame game.
I agree, “That ship has sailed”!
Report Post »Paul Thompson
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:14pmaccording to the secular left, we all came from a ‘common to monkey’ ancestor.
Report Post »this is just sensitivity being taken to far….I’m offended!
conservativeBC
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:13pmTIP
Obama: “Don’t Get Between Michelle & A Tamale” (VIDEO)
Finally Obama says something that he can back up with evidence.
http://conservativeblogscentral.blogspot.com/2011/05/obama-dont-get-between-michelle-tamale.html
Report Post »Kai Wan
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:13pmthin skinned cry babies… so sick of them. they are always looking for something to complain about.
Report Post »Mike D.
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:12pmObama’s the monkey from Lion King, I get it. Is it racist, no doubt.
Report Post »Swamp B Gummer
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:49pmNo not the monkey – he actually is “The Lyin King!”
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:58pmObama himself used that clip from the Lion King at the White House Correspondents Dinner last Saturday and called it his official birth film! Google it.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 8:40pmMIKE D.,
Read GONZO’S comment to you. Then please REREAD it about 40 times for comprehension!
The newspaper had NOTHING to apologize for. It was not racist.
The little chippy Christina Foster and her ilk are the real racists!
And oh….,like SHE has suffered.Her ancestors may have suffered. Mine did too! Get OVER it!
What small minded twits they all are!
Lastly…,Quintana needs to grow a pair. He never should have apologized!
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:12pmWhat a bunch of wimps. Someone is ALWAYS getting offended.
Report Post »Racist? Nope. Idiotic? Yowsa.
ozzie
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:12pmIsn’t this kind of behavior almost intimidation. People need to start taking a ‘manly’ stance.
“We regret that some our readers found this cartoon distasteful, however, those that are implying that there some sort of racism behind the picture need to come back to reality. The cartoon was influenced by the historic events of the week and last weeks White House correspondents dinner. Although we can appreciate the sensitivities of some in the community, we must stand by our decision to print. As a publication, we are not required to cater to the il-informed and hypersensitive. If you read too much into a cartoon and can’t take a joke, it is your problem, and it is likely you have deeper issues if you are offended by something so innocent. Seek counseling and go away.”
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:10pmWho cares.
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:23pmAnother winner posted by Jonathan. Yawnnnnnn!
Report Post »Mo Better
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:09pmSince MAObama is a mulatto perhaps these folks should have been only 1/2 enraged?
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:07pmGet over yourself this was a political cartoon not a racist cartoon. And someone tell that black chick monkeys don’t wear business suits.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:15pmLancelot Link did.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:02pmOpinion: Racist, no. Tasteless, absolutely.
Report Post »Hawt'n'secksie
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:07pmTo clarify, Snow does not approve of this cartoon.
Report Post »PER100
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:41pmFunny – not realy, Racist – no, truism – yes. the wise and mystic standing tall above all others showing the latest news. its how BO thinks of himself.
Report Post »LAM2
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:02pmPeople see what they want to see. People looking for racism under every rock and behind every tree will find a way to construe most anything as racist.
There is a scene at the end of The Lion King when King Simba, having overcome the evil Scar, holds up his own newborn son. The theme of the cartoon was triumph, so that was the scene I was thinking of when I saw the cartoon.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:15pmYou ever seen boomerang, Martin Lawrence’s charcter explained how 8 ball was racist because the White ball hits all the balls of different colors off the table and you win when you knock the black ball off the table. That‘s the mentality you’re seeing in this article trumped up racism just because they can’t stand a political attack on Obama.. Did happen to hear the reporter who is clearly claiming that is racist as well…..
Report Post »They don’t realize that the world is done listening ecept those on the far left to trumped up racist BS. The only thing they’re doing now is giving businesses and voters reasons to not hire or vote for anyone black.
Gonzo
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:59amConsidering Obama himself used that image at the White House Correspondents Dinner and called it his official birth film, I would say it’s safe from the P.C. police.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:58amAh Obama is half white. He doesn’t qualify for racism according to the libs.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 3:22pmis that the top half or the bottom half?? it‘s the half tha’ts emptyl
Report Post »D0ntTread0nMe
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:58amIf the intent is not there you cannot call something “racist” or at least that’s how I teach MY kids.
Report Post »http://www.mythoughtsfromthemiddle.blogspot.com
Showtime
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:23pmAnd Daddy is right! (Thanks!)
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:57amNo, it’s not racist.
Report Post »Revere1
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:00pmLet’s be honest, any criticism of Obama gets condemned by the left as racism. http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/05/after-bin-laden-should-republicans-be.html
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:03pmRacist no way; it is just dumb and tasteless.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:04pmLIke the boy who cried wolf .. the word is so overused for everything (like this cartoon — JOKE!) that it has lost much of it’s credibility .. everything those on the left don’t like are now called “racist” .. Losing!
Report Post »lcam67
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:05pmyour right not racist, my first thought was POTUS continues to prop himself like a king…… aka“ LION KING”… racist has lost all meaning in this country.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:12pmFreedom Of the Press!!!
Report Post »I think it is funny…I want to send a copy to all my friends…
rpp
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:12pmYep, treating Obama with only a 0.1% of the vitriol directed at Bush will be labelled as racism, while Bush’s critisc are called patriots.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:13pmWho is teaching these kids that black people came from monkeys, but white people didn’t? Are you sure these are university students? How embarrassing for all involved. Poor New Mexico.
Report Post »Nick84
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:14pmIt doesn’t matter what it was, all of you would probably say it’s not racist. What’s ridiculous is I could very easily go through the blaze and find extremely racist remarks, but they would be defended as not racist on here.
Report Post »wildjoker5
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:14pmTalk about thin skinned angry…nvm.
Report Post »racebannon
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:16pmThis is not racist. The Left would have probably used the same general image had Bush been in office when UBL was taken out. The image of the victor carrying the head of the leader of your enemy after their defeat is impressed in our human conscious and spans race, national, tribe, ethnic and other boundaries. It is found in human literature throughout our human history, regardless of who wrote it or who were the combatants.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:16pmGetting a bit thin-skinned aren’t we??? Why is it that anything Obummer and his allies don’t like has to be racist??? Someone please tell me who are the racists-could it be KKK types? New Black Panther Party members? La Raza? Who are the racists here?? Can’t we disagree without that damn card hitting the table?? I for one am damn tiredof it. I do not like the actions and policies of Barrack H. Obama. It has nothing to do with the race of either parent and everything to do with his political philosophy.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:19pmThere is nothing that the left does not deem racist if it stands in the way of their goals. If you are called a racist, return fire. Don’t take the accusation lying down. Point out it’s silliness and ridicule the accuser as a fool and a socialist.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
Affirmative Blaction
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:20pmyea baby I sent this article in I’m so sick and tired of UNM trying to regulate students freedom of speech under the guise of racism.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:22pmObama is of True African descent.
Report Post »Lion King takes place in Africa and is also a childrens cartoon.
Cartoons are immature.
Children are immature and self-centered.
Obama’s administration is very cartoonish and he is immature and self-centered.
Thus, I would say the cartoon is probably very close to reality.
Whirling Dervish
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:24pmLooks to me like he is taking off a mask.
Report Post »Cryptoportico
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:24pmNot racist and not true, insofar as Obummer did not do it himself >:)
Report Post »gotta light
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:28pmDidn’t Obama, HIMSELF, use the exact same scene from the Lion King to represent his OWN birth at the White House Correspondents Association dinner last weekend?!? So applying the exact same logic wouldn’t that also make Obama a racist?!? OH WAIT A MINUTE- I AREADY KNEW OBAMA IS RACIST!
Someone needs to tell these students that the race card has been played and overplayed so many times by the progressive left and the African American poverty pimps (Sharpton & Jackson) that when used now it’s meaningless. It‘s lost its impact and most Americans know that it’s nothing more than a cliche used to try and shut down a discussion when the progressive left & liberal can’t defend their positions.
Hey bud gotta light?
Report Post »rodamaa
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:33pmThe left can say and do anything and it is okay but anything and they jump with racists card. I think this is just more of their agenda to control free speech. Plain and simple.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:43pmThe race card has pretty much become a useless thing today. Liberals have used it so many times that it really has no meaning anymore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsECpBZ0WM It’s the whole boy who cried wolf story.
Report Post »True2The_Word
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:43pmIf the cartoon depicted the face of George Bush they would have complained that they were STEALING Obama’s glory! The race card has been played sooo many times I am NUMB to it. That is a shame as I might be so desensatized that I miss the real thing when it happens. After hearing Woopy Goldberg in her hypocritcal rant, this is just one more.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:48pmI‘ll will be eagerly awaiting President Obama’s apology for using The Lion King scene during the press dinner last weekend. How insenitive of President Obama for using such a clearly racist depiction!
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:52pm“There is nothing that the left does not deem racist if it stands in the way of their goals. If you are called a racist, return fire. Don’t take the accusation lying down. Point out it’s silliness and ridicule the accuser as a fool and a socialist.”
IRONMAAN, you can add “racist” to your list of comebacks. If we didn’t know it before, this presidency has taught us that racism works both ways. The old ‘one-way’ racism is dead and gone. So many are just desperate to get it back. It’s pitiful. What’s great is that this insistence on racism is hurting the left. Many non-whites are annoyed, sick of it and want to distance themselves from this idiotic mentality.
Report Post »dragon1969
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:03pmracism…please people. we have a black president. can we stop with the whole being held back and the naacp crap. what does that stand for anyways. national association for the advancement of colored people. If im not mistaken… president of the united states is as advanced as you can make it in this country… time to desolve the waste
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:22pmGive it a break people…this is the Liberals “Mohammed Cartoon” soon the guy who drew it, is going to have to hide in a cave in Montana or something…..People need to fricken stop being so PC
Report Post »Gail_B_Bell
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:25pmThere is NO way to consider this RACIST on the Blaze! Only ******** and MSM and PC homies would object, its just a JOKE alrite!
NO ONE$ Tells us how to think, NO ONE$ changing our minds . WE BELIEVE!
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:32pmOf course it’s not rascist! How can they claim that they are being rascist by portraying obama as a monkey. At it’s most, they are mischaracterizing obama. After all, obama is more of a baboon/buffoon (take your pick) and monkeys are not exactly the same as baboons.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:37pmHas anyone else noticed that American blacks seem to be as hypersensitive as Muslims? But wait, many of them align themselves with Muslims so why are we surprised when they use the same PC tactics?
Give it a rest already!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:43pmYes, both Obama and Osama are racist
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:55pmOh good lord. Black people see racism everywhere. The only connection was Rafiki. It wasn’t a racist cartoon. How stupid can you get and still breathe?
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 1:58pmI am really not up on Lion King because I did not even know that was a Monkey. I see absolutely nothing racist about this what so ever. But if they considered that racist I think they owe the Monkey an apology for
Report Post »making it look like Obama. I don’t know how these people even come up with this stuff. It is so far reaching.
.
ObamaWatcher
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:02pm“Cultural Sensitivity”? What is this nation made up of? What if some “cultures” are insensitive to those being trained in “cultural sensitivity”?
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:03pmIt’s no more racist than Obama is.
Report Post »lemmings4obama
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:05pmI recall the monkey being the wiseman/medicine man of the movie who the lions turned to for advice and what not. But of course all some people see is the monkey and not the intelligence behind the face. This is just stupid. Some people are so caught up in racial issues they fail to see the big picture. Really sad. I recall the left portraying W as a monkey in all kinds of cartoons but as soon as it‘s a black person then it’s racist. PS, I call my Chihuahua “Monkey” all the time. I just realized after reading this article that my Chihuahua happens to be black… Guess I have to give her a new nickname so I don’t end up with a protest outside my front door.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:05pmI painted a bookshelf white…It was black…I guess I am racist too. This is beyond stupid.
Yell racism, get attention…
Report Post »oceandove
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:10pmIt is a CARTOON people. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. If Obama had a body like The Rock, muscles would have been bulging all over. This sensitivity suppression of speech and the press really needs to stop.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:19pm@Whirling Dervish
Report Post »Posted on May 6, 2011 at 12:24pm
Looks to me like he is taking off a mask.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Same here.
carnifex
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:51pmI tried to vote “All of the Above” but it wouldn’t let me.
CHIVALRY–NOT ALL GIRLS LIKE IT. JUST THE ONES WORTH DYING FOR,
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 3:21pmId rather have a monkey in the oval office. close but no cigar. or was that bill.
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 6:36pmGet back to class to study and graduate for a job that won’t exist; Well, maybe ‘community agitater ’; Get over it; this is America and you have the right to be offended…………
Report Post »CowboyExpat
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 6:38pmFoney baloney
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 6:49pmGlad the kid explained it to me.. I thought it was propaganda aimed at KIDS.. but that’s just me..
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 9:16pmI need a copy of that paper… for my records.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 9:52pmWHY does everything have to be about race!?
Report Post »ecurbyy
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:19pmI’m so sick and tired of these “I got my feelings hurt” cry babies. I wish they’d stop being so sensitive. Start thinking instead of feeling. A lot of people aren’t happy or whole unless they can claim victimization. Political correctness is the real culprit. When’s the last time you heard a good joke? I haven’t heard many of late. Jokes tend to point to some gender, race, religion etc… But they’re just jokes. This country i believe is losing it’s sense of humor. Damn political correctness. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me.
Report Post »PA-FuBo
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:36pmIn the Lion King, Rafiki’s voice was done by a black actor….. portraying a monkey….were was any outrage thene over racist stereotypes??
Report Post »TerryDo
Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:54pmI think it is quite funny especially after he did the sweet baby Lion King video tribute to himself.
This is just a cartoon to update and demonstrate how the Lying King is all grown up and doesn’t take any prisoners.
Report Post »RadioRob
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:13amI Am so tired of People Being “offended” That cartoon was not offensive. it was an opinion. and if some one got offended then to bad so sad. time to grow up. get some thicker skin and stop turning every thing is to the social injustice of the week.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:16am@theBlaze; Get rid of the pop out banner at bottom; we know how to go to the next article! If you agree, then please make the same comments until this banner is eliminated. Please contact contact@theblaze.com and request removal of Banner.
Report Post »notreally
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 6:05amMuslims and Blacks: One criticizes them at their own peril.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 6:49amkind of looks like mohammed.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 8:11amthe blazers, pillars of racial sensitivity. OF COURSE the consensus is that there’s no racism here. The “poll” results will be stunning, no doubt. ;)
Report Post »Pastor Ray
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 9:15amSounds like she has a guilty conscience to me! How quickly she and they pull the race card while putting their foot on Whitey’s neck!
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 9:55amI am sooooo sick of these people, yeah… said it… always claiming bigotry. She needs to learn about political satire. If he was drawn by the water cooler with osmas head inside the bottle… It would have been racist. I am highly offended by her offense, and I want a lawyer. Any lawyers here? We can all sign up for a class action suit. Silly twit. Get a life, get a job, do something for real.
Report Post »frodis
Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:01pmHaha, funny. People need to chill out and enough of the race card. He got elected didn’t he? Obama should have thought it through before using that footage from the Lion King or whatever. He should have known someone would mock it.
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