OlderJohn Legend’s Open Letter To NY Post
The New York Post has apologized for a Sean Delonas cartoon that supposedly compared President Barack Obama to a chimpanzee.
The drawing showed two policemen over the body of a chimpanzee they’ve just shot as one officer says, “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.”
Neo-soul John Legend had written an open letter to the NY Post about it:
Dear Editor: I’m trying to understand what possible motivation you may have had for publishing that vile cartoon depicting the shooting of the chimpanzee that went crazy. I guess you thought it would be funny to suggest that whomever was responsible for writing the Economic Recovery legislation must have the intelligence and judgment of a deranged, violent chimpanzee, and should be shot to protect the larger community. Really? Did it occur to you that this suggestion would imply a connection between President Barack Obama and the deranged chimpanzee? Did it occur to you that our President has been receiving death threats since early in his candidacy? Did it occur to you that blacks have historically been compared to various apes as a way of racist insult and mockery? Did you intend to invoke these painful themes when you printed the cartoon?
(Click inside to continue reading John Legend’s letter…)
If that’s not what you intended, then it was stupid and willfully ignorant of you not to connect these easily connectable dots. If it is what you intended, then you obviously wanted to be grossly provocative, racist and offensive to the sensibilities of most reasonable Americans. Either way, you should not have printed this cartoon, and the fact that you did is truly reprehensible. I can’t imagine what possible justification you have for this. I’ve read your lame statement in response to the outrage you provoked. Shame on you for dodging the real issue and then using the letter as an opportunity to attack Rev. Sharpton. This is not about Rev. Sharpton. It’s about the cartoon being blatantly racist and offensive.
I believe in freedom of speech, and you have every right to print what you want. But freedom of speech still comes with responsibilities and consequences. You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and I hope you experience some real consequences for it. I’m personally boycotting your paper and won’t do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well.
You should print an apology in your paper acknowledging that this cartoon was ignorant, offensive and racist and should not have been printed.
I’m well aware of our country’s history of racism and violence, but I truly believe we are better than this filth. As we attempt to rise above our difficult past and look toward a better future, we don’t need the New York Post to resurrect the images of Jim Crow to deride the new administration and put black folks in our place. Please feel free to criticize and honestly evaluate our new President, but do so without the incendiary images and rhetoric.
Sincerely,
John Legend
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153 Comments
woah!
Woah
Nicely done, Mr. Legend. I wish everyone in the entertainment industry showed that kind of conviction and could do so half as articulately as you just did.
Way to go JL!
Well, he went to UPenn - you know he’s definitely not dumb. This letter just makes me like him more. He’s smart, good looking, passionate and can sing his — off.
beautiful. perfect. poignant. The NYP should be ashamed … it’s obvious to everyone outside and inside the US that a “black” president has ruffled more than a few feathers.
Thank you, Mr. Legend, for your articulate letter. You addressed the issue of racism without resorting to vulgar name-calling, and stooping to the level of the New York Post.
I saw many compare George W. Bush to a monkey the 8 years he was President.
Good on John. It was quite obvious how blatantly racist that cartoon was. Shame.
Good for you John. Well done. Peace
GWB is a monkey, and should go to hell for what he’s done in the Middle East.
wow that was a very good letter. he seems very articulate and intelligent. glad it wasn’t some dumb kanye west, p diddy babble…
#8 that is true…but bush was compares cos he has silly like a monkey, just like naughty cildren r called monkeys but black people are compares for their looks to monkeys which is totally wrong and soould not be done. also bush is an ******* who killed many people which is y he gets so much hate, but obama has not done anything wrong….yet!!!
#8, good point, I never thought about that. So now that your new president is black, the monkey comparison is offensive..? I do agree that the cartoon is very wrong but #8’s point makes me think twice now.
Rita & Gertrude, you BOTH lack emotional intelligence.
lol jane
Well said!
Rita i agree it makes sense too that bush was compares to monkey but black people are compared for diff reasions and with all the history of racism and slavery, this is totally different and should not be done because now race is the theme!!!!
Well said.
This is the first time ever writing a comment on any website at all. I do not like to be a part of the bashing that occurs most of the time regards to anything in entertainment, politics, etc. But I could not pass on saying that what JL wrote is truly truly perfect!!! It’s truly unfortunate that there is still so much negativity in this world. I’ve never really listened to John Legend before, but I certainly am now. Kudos to you John.
Bush may have been compared to a monkey but how many times was that monkey shot and killed? Just like John Legend says it’s not just the monkey aspect, it’s the killing of the monkey by police (which calls up a lot of famously controversial racially charged stories). John’s letter is spot on.
blah…blah…blah
To compare Bush to a monkey was insulting to the monkey! Monkies are very intelligent creatures — Mr. Bush was and still is NOT!
Love John and after reading his letter to The Post, I love him even more.
I think it’s laughable when people say ‘George bush was called a monkey when President” so, they’re doing the same thing with Obama.
On that logic if Bush was called a ******…it’s okay to call Obama a ******?…
They are racist and just trying to be “cute” about it.
AMEN.
Learn your history!! WHOLE REASON FOR SLAVERY WAS THE FACT THAT WHITES SAW BLACKS AS SUB-HUMAN PRIMATES—-MONKEYS—who were put on this earth like beasts to serve them.
They new exactly what they were doing.
Excellent letter John Legend.
I agree that the racial undertones of this cartoon are truly offensive. However, it’s a little crazy how willing people are to call Bush a monkey and suggest he should go to hell (#11) versus a CARTOON that maybe has a connection to Obama. I’m looking forward to the day when the media’s love affair with Obama and hate for Bush no longer affect everyone’s emotions. Maybe one day we’ll all be able to formulate our own thoughts and feelings about politics, rather than be told what to think by the media. A president is a president, no matter what his race or skin color, and should be respected because of the fact that he is president.
John is always so intelligent. I agree 100 percent with him!
Please… has anyone ever heard the saying, it’s so easy a monkey could do it? I think that is the theme of the cartoon. I am so sick of people playing the race card, it wasn’t intended to be racist & I don’t think the NYP should have apologized.
lopz723
Nobody have to “play” any race card if people weren’t so ignorant and racist
Well Said, bravo to Mr. Legend.
John Legend is a genius! He obviously isn’t racist because he’s black too?
#27
I never thought of it that way, I guess it would be like calling a man a **** and then calling a woman a ****. Only one person would be truly offended
Love the man even more now!
Did it occur to you that blacks have historically been compared to various apes as a way of racist insult and mockery?
Well said JL
Well said. I agree with it all
lol
u no the times did that on purpose so they can get attention
honestly i think most of the media does that so they can sell
ex. obama as a terrorist on some magazine
i found it pretty funny tbh, i always laugh at jokes =]
as a hispanic, i find hispanic jokes funny as well
ppl need 2 laugh sometimes
but i do agree there r some jokes that really push it, doesnt wasnt 1 imo
thats why i love the lakers, i love LA, tons of hispanics “i can relate to” there =]
this is an offensive cartoon, so why does this site feel the need to display the offensive cartoon? why do other papers and no doubt the tv stations have to show something so offensive in the name of reporting a story. It’s offensive. full stop
That was brilliant. I wish the editor of the NY Post had such obvious intelligence.
Thank you John Legend. I am appalled and sickened by that disturbing cartoon, the NY Post put up.
We American citizens should not tolerate it, and we should let the newspapers, and rags know that we will not tolerate it.
We back our new president 100%. We have his back, and will not tolerate any threats/subtle threats to him.
President Obama is trying to help us out of a mess he inherited from the Bush Adm.
Jared, please do your research. If you read the paper or were up on current events, you would know that the writer of the stimulus bill was Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, not Barack Obama. This cartoon was not about Obama. I guess you, like most other liberals, are always willing to see race in everything. I’m black and even I didn’t think this was about Barack Obama.
But, I knew this kind of stuff was going to happen once Barack got elected. People, get used to every little thing being about race.
Blacks have been compared to monkeys since slavery! Of course it’s racist! And Bush?! Give me a break. Go out and call a white perosn a monkey then go call a black person a monkey and guess who’s going to get more offended.
Well said JL.
blacks are so frickin sensitive, every day you hear about someone whining about what some white person say or does, but its okay for a brotha to say something because hes a brotha.. please
Wow NY post should seriously be ashamed. John legend is such a stand up guy and is competly correct in what he said and I think we should all boycott the New York Post. It won’t be hard for me since I don’t read it anyways.
But woow JOHN LEGEND IS AMAZING AND SO GREAT FOR SPEAKING UP!
President Obama doesn’t write legislation. Congress writes legislation. The monkey is not supposed to be the President. The monkey is congress. Maybe Pelosi or maybe Reid. Someone the artist obviously thought was deranged.
It was an obvious source for a joke since the shooting of a deranged monkey wrecking havoc was so prominently in the news.
I’m probably more sensitive than most about such things and I never for a second thought that was supposed to be the President. Perhaps I just understand legislation better. It does, however, bear a striking resemblance to the too-tightly pulled face of Congresswoman Pelosi.
I’m sorry that some peope have misinterpreted this to the point of taking offense but this really was a non-story hijacked by publicity seekers.
sillyme
Yea Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid wrote the bill…but there is only ONE dead monkey NOT TWO OR 100. Because if this bill doesn’t work…Obama may not have physically written… the bill but it’s OBAMA’S bill
Which means one dead ****** oh sorry monkey
#27 heck - i hate to tell you this but black people sold blacks into slavery. blacks were not the only people to be enslaved but they are the only ones who cant get over it.
Great letter.
quit thinking everything about a monkey is black related..what are you paranoid?
John legend , stick to music..
OH PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!! ALL THE NASTY THINGS YOU CELEBRITIES SAID ABOUT BUISH AND NOW YOUR CRYING OVER THIS? GROW UP!!! STOP PLAYING THE RACE CARD WHEN IT SUITS YOU. I AM SO SICK OF YOU CELEBRITIES! WHY DONT YOU WRITE A LETTER ABOUT THAT PIECE OF **** STIM-U-LESS BILL? WHY NO ONE COULD READ IT FIRST?
Debbie:
I hate to tell you that while Africans used their enemies as slaves as did the Greeks and Romans(these people could earn their freedom and even wed their “owners”. However they have said, if they knew what horrors they had created by dealing with European Slavers, they would not. Because the Slavers took it to a different level. They used African Slaves because when thye tried to enslave Caribs, Native Americans etc…they ran away. Where could an African run in America?
Also, Black people are over slavery but what they’re not over is ignorant people such as yourself. so learn some ******* history before you embarrass yourself any further.
Black People have given the monkey comparison through the years too much power by taking it serious The same way they gave the N word power because they let it get to them.
jm - your comment rocks!
RIGHT ON GROUNDCONTROL
Debbie, you ignorant dolt. Yes Africans sold and enslaved other Africans. However, you neglect to point out that only Americans enslaved people in perpetuity and expressly noted in the Constitution that they were to be considered only partially human, with no personal or property rights. You are a sad, lost soul. I hope you “get over” being the pathetic person you are.
John legend (Stephens is his real name) has no business sticking his nose into the NY Post affairs . unless he was there in the room when the caroonist had the concept and said, “I got a idea let me draw a monkey to imitate Barack Obama..
Unfortunately this string proves how racism is alive and festering. That the NY Post doesn’t acknowledge it’s poor taste shows that racism is festering within their organization as well.
Yeal old Al Sharpton wants to stick his nose in to the mix, but where was he when the Duke lacrosse team was accused, tried and convicted of a gang rape charge by a black stripper a few years ago. Did he ever say he was sorry …no..
Unfortunately, the cartoon seems like a veiled threat of assassination . Really bad taste.
lets see… they ran michael richards out of down for saying, omg the dreaded “N” word… Don Imus lost his job MSNBC.. for a Disparging comment… now they want the cartoonist fired, just because YOU percieve the cartoon as racist .. get a life…please
For those of you who don’t see the danger in this cartoon. Please realize that the violence towards our president depicted in this cartoon is what is most disturbing. And will not be tolerated by us Americans.
you must stand in absoulte awe of the hypocrisy of the black community and liberals in general,where where all the protest and crying when condeleza rice was abused constently with cartoons and smears,this is a joke.
bullsh&%. there was so much hatred for bush and all kinds of threats against him - where was mr. john legend’s letter then. pulease. cry me a river.
every night on bet comedy view thier is a least one black comic who makes jokes about white people and every one in the audience just laughs their a** off, now could a white comedian made black jokes at an all white audience.. oh nooo… talk about a double standard.. only in america…
you know what i don’t know what is the big deal on this? I’m an Obama supporter and why do you have to connect the monkey with Obama just let it go for god’s sake, its just a cartoon, what happens to the freedom of speech so from now on we are all going to be on egg shells how we talk to the president? Cmon and it is you who all make this an racial issue when you are comparing monkey with Obama if we were a racist nation Obama would have not been elected as the president just think about that, instead of concentrating on the economy, some people go over the edge about this just let it go……
jol - I stand in absolute awe that you can’t spell “were”, “constantly”, that you don’t capitalize the name of a person you obviously admire and that you can’t use proper punctuation. How is it that conservatives can’t use the English language properly and this liberal who went to (gasp!) public school manages just fine?
Good on YOU! John Legend. I am proud of him for speaking out. people and advertisers should boycott the Post. They have yet to issue a genuine apology and that cartoonist is beyond vile. He is sick.
I personally consider that in the realm of a threat. It is not free speech.
I am so sick of blacks and all the other grievance minatory groups with the white losers who enable then make every comment about Obama or a private picture with a 15 year star like Miley fooling around with friends into a racist action, they and their fake outrage are to the point of absurdity, Bush and Clinton before him got called every name under the sun, but Obama has to be treated with kid gloves or else your a racist, and even when his named is not mentioned and you have to stretch the interpretation of a cartoon to even link it to Obama , you still have the fake outrage crowd out in force. What’s a really sad commentary about the Political correctness of these people is every group is off limits except White Christians. These minority groups who peddle in being outraged so they can line their own pockets as intimidation tactics are going to push to far and you will have anti immigrant and xenophobe political parties steadily growing in America as they have Europe.
Great letter John Legend! that was well written and very profund with the history reference and his inttelcet is amazing shame on u New York post
There’s been a ton of political cartoons just like this that don’t seem to be getting any intention (not that they should anyway). John Legend seems like he’s just trying to “get back at the paper” cause he was personally offended and he just happens to be “known”.
“You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and I hope you experience some real consequences for it. I’m personally boycotting your paper and won’t do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well.”
Given that the cartoon does seem violent, will John Legend write a letter for every political cartoon that pokes fun at politics? Or is this just because he made the assumption that it was directly tied into “african americans being compared to monkeys” (a horrible statement) I do believe there are racist people out there that do in fact think in that ignorant way, but at least have the confidence in knowing that regardless of these petty cartoons we can expect a better future of great diversity.
First of all, Penn does not automatically equal intelligence. Oh, I know, Ivy League and all that. Please…read up on the admissions games played at the highly selectives. There’s a little game known as “URM”….underrepresented minority. The URM game is played like this: if you are a certain minority you get a break on admissions requirements; but if you are an different kind of minority (Asian) you get the opposite of a break (even perfect SATs won’t get you in an Ivy).
Secondly…the NYP did not bring racism into ‘the discussion’ by publishing this cartoon. Once again, the only party bringing up racism is the party that claims they wish it would go away. Well if that is true…then let. it. go. away. Quit bitterly clinging to a victim mentality. Those who can’t let it go are only smacking themselves in the face while the rest of us look on in confusion.
What an idiot. Anyone that sees that cartoon as racist is racist himself/herself. Get a little intelligence and learn to understand context. And get over yourself, John Legend. You’re not that important.
I do give kudos to John for being outspoken but there’s been a ton of political cartoons just like this that don’t seem to be getting any intention (not that they should anyway). John Legend seems like he’s just trying to “get back at the paper” cause he was personally offended and he just happens to be “known”.
“You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and I hope you experience some real consequences for it. I’m personally boycotting your paper and won’t do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well.”
Given that the cartoon does seem violent, will John Legend write a letter for every political cartoon that pokes fun at politics? Or is this just because he made the assumption that it was directly tied into “african americans being compared to monkeys” (a horrible statement) I do believe there are racist people out there that do in fact think in that ignorant way, but at least have the confidence in knowing that regardless of these petty cartoons we can expect a better future of great diversity.
Apology my ass. The Post isn’t a bit sorry for printing that despicable cartoon. They’d do it again in a New York minute. They’re just sorry they’re getting their asses kicked.
oh please they have done worst to Pres.Bush,other political figures and even Condi Rice but this Messiah Obama standards are so pathetic and will have bigger backlash.
O’ please go write a song or something enough with these stupid black celebrities who use every opportunity so they can pimp for Obama, what’s next Oprah going to have the cartoonist on her show to explain how he could even think of implying that the “ONE” ’s stimulus plan isn’t America’s saving grace but a big ponsi scheme that will put America in hawk to the rest of the world along with all the other trillions Obama is throwing around like it’s water and he’s just beginning.
MARIA #23 LOL THATS FUNNY AND SO TRUE, ID RATHER BE A MONKEY THAN BUSH, INFACT ID RATHER BE SHOT BY POLICE THAN BE BUSH LOLLLLLLLL
WTF is up with the NY post… that cartoon is offensive and sick
#76 they don’t have to apologise for anything its a freedom of speech so get over it, it’s not their faulty that some of you link the monkey to Obama, so now you tell me who are the real racists? people who link the monkey to Obama or us who just avoidthe non sense and move on.
This is nicely written and I strongly agree with his points, but it should be “whoever was responsible,” not “whomever.”
:D
I really don’t think that people realize how insensitive they sound when they are writing these comments. As an African American I am personally more offended going through these comments and seeing people refer to “blacks” so derogatory. Yes, I understand that the cartoon may not really be racist since Obama did not actually write the bill himself but thinking it is about him and then being offended does not mean someone has a “victim mentality” or needs to get over the terrible things that have been done to them in their past! Perception is a personal thing and everyone has a right to see this cartoon in their own way. Instead of insulting ALL african americans or liberals can we not stick to the one person this article is about? I also do not agree that this is “pulling the race card” [a phrase which minimizes the experiences of someone in a terrible way], especially with the history that comes with being called a monkey [aka a negative derogatory word] to african americans. It may not bother YOU but it’s still an insult now because the past is not really that far away yet. I think people can be indignant without being judged so harshly and critically.
-also what is the point of minamizing his PENN acceptance and education galloway ? Just because he is african-american does not mean that he did not deserve that acceptance because of his qualifications that are equal to that of every other non-minority student
i think THAT is playing the race card unfairly
-sorry but that bothers me because I do not want to be judged negatively about the college I attend because I am a minority and therefore that must mean that I was accepted just to fill a diversity quota….the times they are a changing, they are smart students of all races and being an underrepresented minority means nothing to competitive colleges when they have high calibar students applying who are underrepresented minorities.
its not even race related, the stimulus plan is horrible and they are showing ya that by saying even a money could write something like that it has nothing to do with race nd john legend needs to stop being a little ***** about. Black people need to stop trying to play the race card seriously hello slavery was long time ago and no one person alive today had anything to do with it so let the **** go!!!!!!
JM #28: respect is earned my friend. Bush never earned it. He squandered it. Do you realise the amount of blood that “man” has on his hands? Where do you suggest he go? To heaven? MAY HE BURN HE HELL FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE TO THE WORLD IN THE EIGHT YEARS HE WAS PRESIDENT.
#83 why do you always go back? that was in the past so we have to concentrate on the present and the future, why do you have to mention that in the past monkeys were linked to blacks, well if you are living in past then don’t you think Obama would have never been elected the president? Am I right or wrong? Life goes on you have to put that in past and move on and not always think that monkey is meant for blacks heck when I was a kid and I would fight with my sister i would call her a monkey, so now I see that monkey is only reserved for Blacks? is that what you are saying? why do you guys always link monkey to blacks and once again that was in the past lets leave that in the past.
Way to go, John Legend. I definitely agree with what you’ve said. =)
sorry heck i know my history and i know how the black man sold the black man into slavery. can you even read. try picking up a history book instead of a crack pipe. your over slavery yeah thats why your people are always trying to get someone to pay you money because your so over it.
This is a harsh and honest attack to a deplorable and ignorant insult. There is no excuse for that sick cartoon to have been published except for the very reasons Legend pointed out. I’m am so glad people in NY are picketing and putting heavy pressure on the Post. I’ve never like Delonas and now I know why. The man is a racist.
#67 THATs_right….one can never FORGET the past, it is a part of everyone’s makeup, to deny it, or forget about would be an injustice to one’s self. It’s okay to acknowledge, learn and move forward, but never, never forget. We can’t forget about our ancestors being beaten, raped, sold away, stripped of their names, denied education, voting rights, even names sake, come on, listen to yourself, forget about the past? Do you have a connection to your past? How fair is it to ask someone to “leave the past in the past?” (Rhetorical). I’ll never forget, my children won’t forget, and neither will theirs. I don’t believe Caucasians or any other races are evil, but I do believe it is nearly impossible for others to sympathize, empathize maybe, but sympathize absolutely NOT! We can have dialogue without being disrespectful, but please, don’t ask African Americans or anyone else for that manner to “FORGET.”
#90 ok you do’nt want to forget thats fine but don’t bring that history back and cry all the time about it, if we were a racist nation Obama would never been the President we are trying to move on but you always find something to cry about and I never asked you to forget I said move on don’t bring the past, did Obama made any comments about the cartoon? No
@GALLOWAY…ok so you’re angry because you couldn’t cut it in community college and you want to blame minorities for you ignorance and inability to compete? Go to hell. These practices came by way of people like you feeling incapable of competing in not only academics but athetics as well. You need to look yourself in the mirror and give yourself some straight talk. You didn’t do what you were suppose to do, suffer the consequences embasel! You are right, being able to voice your opinion doesn’t mean you’re saying anyting of importance….you proved your point.
@Lis K, neither or you! Y
John was sort of right for speaking up though. What I don’t get is the comment about the stimulus plan. I thought everybody voted for Obama so that everybody can have financial success and not just the filthy rich. 69 percent of the US voted for Barrack, the question is did the artist that drew this picture was he one of the 69 percent, or was he against Barrack? What the **** does the stimulus plan has to do with that crazed monkey that tore that poor lady’s face off??!! My prayers goes out to that lady and the artist that drew that pic.
wake up obamabots! he only got 52% of the popular votes.
ask yourself what that means! tons of people didn’t vote for him and tons and tons of people didn’t vote.
don’t kid yourself.
Shut Up. He’s an idiot and anyone else who protests this. It’s o.k. to “hurt” people in other ways by calling them names or publicly denouncing them but you cant be racist. I mean they are both 100% wrong but amounts to the same thing.
#95, MAYBE YOU SHOULD WAKE UP….HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND JOHN MCLAME IS A LAME DUCK! TON’S OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY DID VOTE FOR HIM, THE ONE’S THAT MATTER! IF ANYONE IS KIDDING THEMSELVES IT WOULD BE YOU AND ANYONE WHO TRULY BELIEVE JOHN MCLAME COULD AND WOULD BE DOING A BETTER JOB. IN FACT, THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAUSE THEY DON’T EVEN BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES. UNFORTUNATELY, I BELIEVE IN MANY REPUBLICAN IDEOLOGIES BUT WHAT I DO NOT AND WILL NOT BUY INTO IS THE HYPORCRISY OF THE REPUBLICAN FAUX LEADERS. IT’S FUNNY HOW YOU ASK OBAMA’S SUPPORTERS NOT TO KID OURSELVES, BUT YOU AND THE REST OF THE OPPOSITION ARE THE JOKES, LITERALLY…GET A LIFE, BECAUSE WE ARE DONE WITH YOUR PARTY RUINING OURS! CHECK THE DATE, PREPARE FOR 2012 BECAUSE YOU’RE GOING TO LOSE AGAIN!
I hope people will continue to use the race card, every day, every minute. It will soon become so deluted noone will care.
John Legend and Obama a very good men.
Each individual’s personal beliefs, recist or no, will show in their perception of things…..such as this cartoon…. I for one took it to mean that those who wrote and edited the bail out were so dumb a monkey could do as good a job…..Why are so many so defensive of Obama’s color? Amazing! Reverse racisism?
White/Catholic/American
I likelaughing at allsides. This cartoon was not so offensive tome because it was not funny. I t made no point to Obama.
Whatever. Get over yourself, John. I’m so sick of people always trying to connect everything to the race of our president. Not everything in this world is intended to be targeted toward Obama or black people. People really need to grow up and get a life.
BLAH BLAH BLAH, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, Tired of the Blacks and their BOOHOO’s,
that cartoon touches the raw nerve of the Darwin-based association between black men and apes. though the discussion about whether Africans are the missing link between apes and humans may be out of the classroom today, it’s still in the media
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19726434.300-racial-stereotyping-persists-in-nonracists.html
“UNCONSCIOUS stereotypes lurking within even overtly non-racist Americans appear to be leading them to dehumanise black Americans in subtle but important ways.
That is the disturbing conclusion of work by psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt at Stanford University in California and her colleagues. They set out to test if any vestiges remain of a racist stereotype that was common a century ago: that black people are more apelike, and thus less human, than white people.
The team subjected 121 university undergraduates, including 60 whites, 39 asians and seven blacks, to tests that used a technique known as subliminal priming. The students were briefly flashed a photo of either an African-Amercian or a European-American face, and then shown a blurry picture of an ape. Those who saw the black face were quicker to recognise the ape, the researchers found. This effect was not seen when whites were shown an Asian face. This …”
in other words…this is not the past, it’s NOW! racism in the media exists
Thank you John Legend
I am a die hard Hilliary supported and I found that cartoon offensive. I am suprise to know that Sillyme is black and did not find the cartoon offensive to her. I dont believe she is black. It has nothing to do with whether you are a liberal. I tend to be Liberal, conservative and moderate depending on the issue.
I don’t agree that the cartoon was intended to be racist. Presidents are criticized all the time. It comes with the territory. As public figures, they expose themselves to the public’s opinions.
If this cartoon were to pertain to former President Bush, I don’t think anyone would be complaining.
Yes, the cartoon was rude & deragatory. Just don’t go around claiming it’s blatant racism when there’s isn’t any concrete proof that it is.
……………..IS THIS IS 2009?
(or am I mistaken?)
This is just rich coming from John Legend. Didn’t he wear a Kuffiyah - traditionally Palestinian checkered white and black scarf to the Super Bowl? That is now equivalent to wearing a swatsticka. Peoples ignorance is amazing. The hypocrisy on Legends part is amaziing. Was he truly ignorant about what he was promoting?
I thought in this new enlightened age of Obamma the Messiah race was not an issue. But it certainly comes out a lot more.
You people make me sick, John legend is talking about this cartoon being indorsed by a major newpaper. Did you guys see where the cops killed the monkey and the other cop said that they will have to find someone to sign the next stimulas bill. they should not have put the caption on the cartoon. I wish someone would investigate, I think that news paper was taken over by Rupert Murdock all part of fox. Remember the American people have been told all these years that these newspapers are all liberal. I always knew better, but the right wing sold that lie real good. The US news and World report is not a liberal magazine, The National review is not liberal has always been ran by the right wing. I could name a whole lot more information servise organization that have had right wind lending all alone but have been sold to the american people as liberal. Why do you people think the war was not reported on like all other wars. I bet they will start reporting everything about the war now. which is a good thing. But these news organization protected President Bush, Did not do any investigative during the time he was President. Thats why we the American people do not know what happened to all the money and why are we so indebted to communist china. I thought the right wing always hated china because they were such bad communist. I dont see them asking question about why we are indebted to them. But they hate Barack Obama a true American.
A very clear and well written letter
It’s not hatred that kills people.
It’s indifference.
LYNN, you are 1000% correct.
The “Liberal” media myth is total horsesh_it
What’s the BIG Deal, isn’t that where monkeys come from anyway, AFRICA, same as where blacks did!!!
THE NEW YORK POST NEEDS TO BE BOYCOTTED BY EVERYONE!!!
THIS WAS CLEARLY VERY RACIST…..
For the Post to deny that is even more outrageous!!!
Great letter Mr. Legend…I hope heads do roll, and that we all keep talking about this until they do.
It is amazing how many people have come ‘out’ of the closet with their blatant racism since the election.
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
BOYCOTT, What a bunch of CRAP!!!, Let’s BOYCOTT, OPRAH & BET, which promote the RACE ISSUE every chance they can!!! Same ole Same Ole Whining from Blacks!!
“groundcontrol @ 02/20/2009 at 5:26 pm President Obama doesn’t write legislation. Congress writes legislation. The monkey is not supposed to be the President. The monkey is congress. Maybe Pelosi or maybe Reid. Someone the artist obviously thought was deranged.
It was an obvious source for a joke since the shooting of a deranged monkey wrecking havoc was so prominently in the news. ”
*************************************************************
Thank God! Finally, someone who actually has an understanding of the basic structure of our government (something we ALL should have learned in 5th grade.)
We have a SEPARATION OF POWERS in the US, with three branches of government — the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. The President is the Chief Executive. He does NOT draft legislation, the legislative branch does (the US House of Representatives and the US Senate). It is so sad that the majority of those who were so elated to have a black President haven’t a clue as to what the President actually DOES.
The cartoon can’t be about Obama if Obama is not the one who wrote the Stimulus Bill. And he was NOT. He is not constitutionally empowered to draft legislation. He can lend his vociferous support and he signs final legislation into law (or can withhold his signature), but he CANNOT draft legislation.
As for being critical of the Post or of ANY paper that seeks to criticize our government — that is one of the principles on which this nation was founded — a FREE PRESS. That freedom includes the age-old tool of political satire. No one said a peep when the press bashed Bush. But the right of the press to criticize a sitting President doesn’t apply only when YOU dislike the President. The role of the press should be that of a neutral, equal-opportunty basher. If you fail to understand the critical nature of such freedom, then take a look at any third-world dictatorship where the GOVERNMENT determines what information is disseminated to the masses.
If you disagree with the editorial position of any paper, you have a right not to purchase it. But the answer is not to muzzle the press when it doesn’t take the position the government in power WANTS it to take. Once you do, you have taken the first step toward totalitarianism.
Please… has anyone ever heard the saying, it’s so easy a monkey could do it? I think that is the theme of the cartoon. I am so sick of people playing the race card, it wasn’t intended to be racist & I don’t think the NYP should have apologized.
That what I was thinking of when I saw the comic strip.Its like it was monkey business with all the pork / wasteful spending in the bill.But, I really believe this outrage is meant to distract us from the real issues like wasteful spending and the obvious fact that we have a empty suit in office.Say something in any way critical of Obama and then your racist.So sick of this race card being pulled out.
We focus too much on the negative that even when something was not intended to depict racism, the social norm is to assume that it is. I think in order to stop racism, people need to stop making everything about race - people are just empowering the idea of racism.
Cartoons that have been more offensive has been published and accepted when it is about a white politician. Are we no longer trying to strive for equality? If so, then why is it offensive to publish a cartoon about an African American politician when we’ve done much worse to a white politician.
We should never forget our past, no matter who you are. The past makes us who we are today, but should not control us and our way of thinking. Why is it racist to call Obama a monkey when we call Bush a monkey? The association of apes and African Americans does not exist nowadays. If you walk out on the street an ask any one other than an African American person this question: “when you hear the word ape, do you think African American?” or the question “do you think African Americans are apes?” i am sure the answers you get is no. I understand that there are ignorant people out there and there are racist people who exist in today’s world. But our society as a whole has come very far - we’ve elected an African American person into office and we have many powerful people in our society who are African American.
If the concern was truly about an assasination threat to our President, then I agree, this cartoon should not have been published. Unfortunately, the focus has not been about the fact that the cartoon depicted a killing, it was that the ape was meant to depict an African American. Also, would people find this cartoon offensive if the racist theory was not in the media? I am sure no one would’ve noticed this cartoon if it was not all over the media.
I have to ask: Why is it when a white man is falsely accused of a crime it is just *shrugged* off, but if an African American man is falsely accused of a crime it becomes a racist act? Why is it if an African American hires an African American instead of a white man, it is okay; but if white man hires a white man instead of an African American, he is racist? Why is it if an African American hits a white man, he’s a bad person; but if a white man hits an African American, he’s not only a bad person but he’s racist? A person is a person is a person, whether s/he is African American, Chinese, Japanese, European, Indian, Caucasian, Hispanic….etc
#108 WHAT THE *** U TALKING ABT HOW IS THAT SAME AS A SWATSTIKA???? UR GAY GET A LIFE U IDIOT
TRISH UR A *****, JUST COS THEY COME FROM SAME PLACE DONT MEAN THEY HAVE TO BE THE SAME OR THOUGHT OF SAME, ONE IS HUMAN ONE IS ANIMAL. SEE ITS RACIST LIKE U THAT MAKE THIS WORLD A HORRIBLE PLACE.
This is yet another reason why I admire John Legend. He used sincerity and heartfelt emotion in response to a disgusting, reprehensible and irresponsible action by a newspaper that should have known better. I am embarrassed to know that first, someone drew the picture and second someone published it and then the zinger is that there are actually people out there who don’t see it for what it was. “So easy a monkey could do it?” come on lopz are you serious???? That’s really what you think the satire was???? Oh my gosh…How much pondering did it take to come up with that one???
#119 you’re an even bigger idiot, you prat. Claming equality for all men, equality for black and white while it’s been demonstrated that for now all we can get is equity, which is a bunch of crap if you ask me, and in the meantime, you despise gay people ?
Get some logic, you idiot.
some of the comments after #103 are only justifying Atty. General Holder’s assertion that America is a “nation of cowards”. the research supports Legend’s p.o.v. NOW DEAL WITH IT. the cartoon was racist. like most things regarding racism it’s complex.
it’s never A=B and C=B so A must = C when it comes to race in the real world. there is history and context and power structures and nuance.
#85: All presidents earn respect when they are sworn in as president. And who are you to decide who goes to heaven and hell?? For what it’s worth, I disagree with 95% of the junk that comes out of Obama’s mouth. But it doesn’t really matter if I agree with him or not, he’s my president, and he deserves respect simply because he’s president of my country. Bush never got that same respect and I think it’s ridiculous.
I will continue to boycott the NY Post. I have not read the paper since the publishing of Tawana Brawley’s name in its rag. As a rape victim, her name should NEVER have been known. Also, they way they described the teens in the Central Park jogger case. Some of the teens have been declared INNOCENT because of recent DNA evidence. When they give the paper out for free, which I have seen them do on Wall Street, I don’t take it! I would urge ALL to do the same.The paper is clearly racist! They offer no apoligies for any of the damage they cause. The half-assed one they gave was just that! I would think that such a cartoon would appear in a southern newspaper. Not to slam southers but they have historically been less than sympathatic to all people non-white. To print such a picture in a city where the backgrounds of every indiviudual is the most diverse in the world is crazy. What type of response did they think they were going to get? Or was there intent clear all along, to sell more papers.
Well said. Some of the media outlets in this country are currently taking a leave of their sense.
Bush never got that same respect?!!! well in America his approval rating only dropped AFTER his re-election and the economy went south. i knew in 2000 that we were in trouble. of course the rest of the world hated Bush because he was an imperialist but that doesn’t mean he didn’t get respect in the U.S. i don’t know where that is coming from.
I agree with # 8 # 25 and #30 I don’t think the cartoonist was talking about oboma anyway
Mr. Legend,
You’ve written a great letter that really expresses why the Post made a grievous and obvious error in publishing that idiotic “cartoon.”
Thank you so much for your eloquence! May the editors of that sorry “newspaper” wake up and realize that being responsible journalists is more important than publishing anything for — what? — shock value? Can’t even think of any reason they would publish anything like that.
Love dignified John Legend and his music….
Boycott any media that is tied to Murdoch!!!!
@ # 114What’s the BIG Deal, isn’t that where monkeys come from anyway, AFRICA, same as where blacks did!!! >>>> I hope you don’t procreate…Africa is where everyone came from, learn YOUR history!
#53 heck @ 02/20/2009 at 5:41 pm
Debbie:
I hate to tell you that while Africans used their enemies as slaves as did the Greeks and Romans(these people could earn their freedom and even wed their “owners”. However they have said, if they knew what horrors they had created by dealing with European Slavers, they would not. Because the Slavers took it to a different level. They used African Slaves because when thye tried to enslave Caribs, Native Americans etc…they ran away. Where could an African run in America?
-
Who are “they”? The blacks who sold their own people into slavery? If your answer is “yes” then may I ask: “did you talk to them and was told this?”
Pundit,
Well said!
-
Freedom of expression is a right here and well practiced by all members in this country, thereby makes this country great.
THANK YOU MR. LEGEND!! NOW…WHERE ARE ALL THE OTHER AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WHO SUPPORTED OBAMA DURING HIS CAMPAIGN? WHERE IS JAY-Z, BEYONCE, SEAN COMBS, RUSSELL SIMMONS ETC…BECAUSE I REFUSE TO HEAR THAT AT THIS POINT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS CARTOON. WOW THAT GOES TO SHOW THAT OUT OF ALL OF THEM ONLY ONE HAD ENOUGH BALLS TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT. THANK YOU MR. LEGEND!
@twostrikes @ 02/20/2009 at 10:03 pm, thanks for the link…so maybe science can prove that altough some believe they aren’t prejudice (conciencly anways), many are. Including African Americans (and I am an African American.
I for one, will not buy the new york post again. They have shown their true colors. I wish rational -minded individuals will say no to those idiots. And to those who sponsor them, I will no longer buy their products. People need to post their sponsors for all to see.
WWaw im impressed well done
Raise ur voice
If Americans are shy about discussing race, a big reason is the culture of intimidation promoted by people like Al Sharpton in the name of racial sensitivity. “Frank discussion” requires a willingness to trust that one’s interlocutor is acting in good faith. If Attorney General Holder is serious about promoting racial candor, let him use this incident to make the point. That would show a bit of courage on his part.
the only thing I would like to add is that Legend failed to mention that the cartoon is printed in black and white. that’s obviously racist too. so until the NY Post starts printing in full color, I will be boycotting their tyrannical and bigoted drivel.
NO MORE MONKEYS!!! NO MORE RACIST BLACK AND WHITE NEWSPRINT!
Im so over these blacks seeing racism everywhere. Someone could just shut them up. Or put them in a cage for God’s sake.
Jen…only if you join us tool!
WELL SAID JEN, TIRED OF THE BLACK AND THEIR WHINNEY CRAP!!!!! THEY LOVE TO PLAY THE RACE CARD ALLLLL THE TIME!,, If BLACK Men were so Proud to Black why are they Always With White Women!!!!!
wow he’s a great writer. great argument
Pat, go to hell….what were you left for an African American male? It’s your fault it was thick, long and strong enough, or you weren’t handsome, intelligent, or good enough…don’t know if you’re a man or a woman, but I’m pretty sure you were dumped for an African American, you sound like crap!
Are you for real? You are the one turning this into a racist cartoon. I subscribe to the Post and I saw this before all the outrage. It never occured to me that it was about BO. He didn’t put the stimulus package together, it was Reid an Polosi. Those two idiots. I think the black community is far too sensitive. Get on with it, you have a black president, be happy. Most people living today had nothing to do with slavery and don’t know what it is you’re talking about. I think the piece had to do with dummies putting the political package together, it’s filled with pork like 4 BILLION dollars to Acorn. Get serious why don’t you. People didn’t mind taking Bush through the coals because he was white, right?
Man, Sexy and Smart! The lady who owns his heart is a lucky girl.
John Legend hit it out of the park with this one!!! Nicely written Mr. Legend!
we need to boycott john stephens ( legend is his stage name) records.. stick to your sorry music…
Trish,Debbie,Jen and Pat are the most insensitive @ssholes!
Do you guys actually read what the f_ck you right?
You are the f_cking racists!
I am disgusted by the article, but even more so im disgusted by the ignorant comments on this page, YOU PEOPLE ARE SICK , FOUL INDIVIDUALS, our President as well as all Americans deserve to be respected, and this depiction was clearly drawn out of ill will , It’s time for everyone to stop beating around the bush when it comes to racism.
ABSOLUTE MAGNIFICANTLY PUT MR.LEGEND!!
IT’S A SHAME IN HOW WELL EDUCATED INDIVIDUALS TRY TO GO AROUND THE TRUTH OF WHAT THEY REALLY MENT BY THIS “PIECE”.MR.DELONAS SHAME ON YOU AND TO EDITOR AND EVERYONE WHO THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A ‘FUNNY’ “PIECE” TO PUBLISH!!!! MAY YOU REALLY REGRET WHAT THIS CARTOON HAS CAUSED AND MAY YOU REALLY LOVE AND TRY TO BETTER THIS COUNTRIES UNITY THAT WE SO DESPRITELY NEED!! STAND BY OUR PRESIDENT AND STAND BY YOUR COUNTRY. THE BATTLE THAT AWAITS THIS COUTNRY NEEDS TO BE FOUGHT IN UNITY NOT SEGREGATION, WE ARE ALLLL IN THIS TOGETHER!!!
I could not have said it better myself!!!!
JL is right. People have to play the hand they are delt. If they are delt a racist hand, they have no choice but to expose the racisim for what it is. Using the term “Playing the race card” is just a ploy to make Black people feel guilty about standing up to racist. Don’t fall for it. White people need to stop being racist so that Black people won’t have to respond. With all the cruel and inhumane treatment we have endured through the centuries, we just want to move on.
Lopz723…People have to play the race card because this country THRIVES on the oppression and degradation of the so-called MINORITIES. John Legend’s letter was well written, insightful, and…TRUE! I think it’s easier for us to forget that the “1st americans” used the RACE CARD to control, abuse, and enslave well, EVERYONE ELSE. Black people can’t ever forget about the RACE CARD…How can they when The Post employs cartoonists who draw reminders for them?
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