I never really paid that much attention to political cartoons. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going instinct. Just a few google searches and a few minutes of newspaper surfing; I managed to discover this awesome way of getting political laughs. Some, I did not understand, mainly because I haven’t been keeping up with political issues, and some strips did inform me. I believe however, that to really understand some of these political cartoonists, you must really be up to date in your political issues. Anyway, as I discovered this week, the comical subculture of politics, I realized that political cartoonists are one of a kind -- their means of delivering information is new and refreshing to me and should be honored because it is a great reflection of our American culture.
I think it’s a great way to lighten up some of the news, but at the same time, political cartoons may demonize or make-fun of politicians or the general attitude of America toward an issue. In this week’s current events; the killing of Osama Bin Laden has created a flood of political comics. These comics either praises that Osama is dead or it is a conspiracy. A lot of haters have evolved throughout Obama’s administration and claims that he cannot do anything right, it seems to me that these haters are very hard to please. These haters discredit anything they can and try to tie anything with something then create conspiracy theories. For example, Obama announcing Osamas death MUST be a campaigning stunt to get re-elected for a second time. There are many political cartoons that make fun of this “hater” attitude, and personally I thought it was pretty funny.
I think it’s a great way to lighten up some of the news, but at the same time, political cartoons may demonize or make-fun of politicians or the general attitude of America toward an issue. In this week’s current events; the killing of Osama Bin Laden has created a flood of political comics. These comics either praises that Osama is dead or it is a conspiracy. A lot of haters have evolved throughout Obama’s administration and claims that he cannot do anything right, it seems to me that these haters are very hard to please. These haters discredit anything they can and try to tie anything with something then create conspiracy theories. For example, Obama announcing Osamas death MUST be a campaigning stunt to get re-elected for a second time. There are many political cartoons that make fun of this “hater” attitude, and personally I thought it was pretty funny.
These political comics reflects our American culture, it reflects the American issues, attitudes, and ideology. I think these comics are a great way to create a light-hearted comment or opinion on a particular issue. Because sometimes in politics things are too serious -- and a great way to side-step from the seriousness is to put it into cartoons! These cartoons presents freedom; I realized that a lot of the cartoons usually make-fun of issues, and sometimes even present conspiracies. This flexibility presented in these political cartoons really reflects our American attitude, and shows our freedom of thought.
Freedom of thought is something that is intangible and is one of our rights as being American but sometimes Cartoons are limited too. Cartoons are censored and when cartoons get out of hand, people will complain; the cartoon of Obama holding Osamas head comes into mind.
This cartoon imitates the famous scene in Lion King when the baboon holds up Simba to represent new life -- the African-American community was offended by this and was quickly justified. You see, American Culture has evolved in such a way that anything offensive is flitered, and this is done by the community as a whole -- anyone that offends is usually frowned upon by society. I think this is a great notion, the American people have developed, we have freedom of speech and thought but we do not tolerate hate speech.
Personally, I interpreted this cartoon offensive also, but not in the same reason as above, but I dislike the idea of celebrating someone's death. whether evil or not, a persons death should not be enforced as a celebration -- you cannot eliminate evil from violence, only compassion.
I thought the same thing! When I saw some of the questions on the assignments I thought to myself…Oh no! I am grossly unprepared. But I did the same thing. I was surprised to see all the poetical cartoons that are out there. There content was somewhat shocking as well. I probably would not have gotten them had I not been informed on the general politics going around at the time.
ReplyDeleteI think the good thing about the cartoons is that you really do not have to read between the lines in order to really understand what the writer is trying to get across. There is little room for hidden propaganda. They are expected to be blunt, sarcastic and sometimes even rude.
I love that you added some of the cartoons to your blog, I think it added a great touch. I am not sure that I would have seen the “Lion King” cartoon a slam on African-Americans like you said some had. I am more of a president thing. When people made fun of President Bush all the white people didn’t stand up and yell, Hey, you’re just prejudice because he is white! You are also right about celebrating ones death in such a malicious way.
I think no matter what those in authority do there will always be those that are critical of their discussions.
I enjoyed reading your posting and agree that many cartoons that make fun of some opinions are funny. There are so many kinds of different cartoons out there that also show stuff that could offend people like the one you mentioned with The Lion King scene with Obama holding the head of Osama Bin Laden in celebration of his death. I agree, that may be taking it a bit too far. Instead of stating something along the lines of however many years of terrorism from this man may be ending, they are looking past that to the death of a terrorist. The focus seems to be more on the death of the man, rather than the issues and terrorism the man had brought upon many.
ReplyDeleteSome cartoons actually make me laugh even though I know it is wrong to laugh at it. I agree with you that sometimes these cartoons are made to make light of an issue that may not be one of the best issues. Censorship, I believe is a good thing, when it comes to these cartoons. A lot of people will be offended by some of these cartoons messages, and censoring them, will make sure the site or news agency will keep readers, but then again, the cartoons are just someone’s opinion and they should be able to voice it.
I like that “hate” comic on your blog; it says a lot. The person looks very uneducated with a very large body but with a small head. And the way he is blind folded is what I think is the important part of the comic. People who falls into that hate category does not see the facts and the true situations, and they still blabber about nonsense hate messages toward Obama. People like the man in the comic will say whatever they please without having any knowledge about the political issues. The other “lion king comic,” I will admit that I laughed. Only because to me it looks funny. But if you analyze the picture; like you said “imitates the famous scene in Lion King when the baboon holds up Simba to represent new life.” In Lion King Simba does not only represent new life, but a future leader; a king. That is probably why the African American community was offended. I guess they find it “embarrassing” that the first African American president would “mess up” quite a lot and calling him a “bad” president by a bunch of citizens’ comment. Anyways, you mentioned that political comics is a good way to lighten up a serious political issue. I agree with you on that. And I always agree that evil will not be eliminated by violence.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that political cartoons are a freedom that we as Americans love and take for granted. A lot of political cartoons don’t even have words, but a “pictures worth a thousand words”, and those political cartoons imply every last one of them. Like you said political cartoons can be light-hearted and fun to look at or read and some can be very offensive and hard to look at. These political cartoons bring up current issues and debates and inform people of topics that might otherwise go overlooked. That being said I think a lot of political cartoons are not the “voice of the people”, but in fact the voice of small interest groups that consist of very outspoken and opinionated people who feel they need to spread the word. For example; the first political cartoon you used I found to be quite offensive. It basically is portraying Americans as white-trash people who dislike Obama, because they are blinded by hatred, inferring that we are racists. I don’t think that particular cartoon was light-hearted at all; I think it was directed at people who oppose Obama in a very derogatory way. And as for the second one, I think we are celebrating all the misery that is now ended by having that evil person stripped from this earth, not necessarily him dying. He was responsible for 9-11 but he was also responsible for countless numbers of other terrorist attacks around the world, along with thousands of deaths. It is like Jewish people celebrating the end of Hitler, not so much the end of an individual but the end of an era full of pain and suffering. As Obama so eloquently put it, “justice has been done”.
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