FYI: Comparing Barrack Obama to Curious George is a Very Racist Thing To Do
Posted by zunguzungu on May 19, 2008
Norman acknowledged the imagery’s Jim Crow roots but said he sees nothing wrong with depicting a prominent African-American as a monkey.
“We’re not living in the (19)40’s,” he said. “Look at him . . . the hairline, the ears — he looks just like Curious George.”
Rick#1 said
To show that the gods are not pleased and in an effort to balance the universe, they decree that Senator Robert Carlyle Byrd endorses a young Afro-American for President of these United States.
zunguzungu said
Indeed, Karma is, as they say, a bitch.
Natalia said
I saw this on Shakesville; apparently Houghton-Mifflin is suing the guy.
A spokesman said:
Of course we all cheer over that, but why the hell is everybody leaving out the fact that Curious George is itself racist, or at least deeply problematic? (George gets kidnapped from Africa by a tall white dude, slave-style.) “But look, it’s a cute little monkey!” is no excuse for the guy selling these shirts, and it’s no excuse for Houghton-Mifflin, either.
zunguzungu said
Come on, Natalia, relax; it’s just a kid’s book!
Actually, I’ve meant for some time to take a look at CG; I seem to recall that, at some point, CG also gets into a zoo and lets all the animals out before the man in the yellow hat can return and restore order. nicely reactionary allegory for the sixties, I would think.