While listening to KPCC today, I heard the program, AirTalk with Larry Mantle. THis is a show aired on NPR, so you expect a little bias from the "left," but is that always good. Here's the issue...taken from the AirTalk web page on www.kpcc.org
"The latest New Yorker cover depicts Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in a turban, fist-bumping his gun-slinging wife. Obama's campaign has condemned the rendering as tasteless and offensive. Even McCain's campaign agreed. The New Yorker says it's simply satire. Is it really offensive - or is it just funny? Could it have a negative impact on Obama’s (italics added- this is actually published on the KPCC website. WTF?) campaign? If so, is that fair? Should we be concerned that it might play into the fears and ignorance of the voting public? Or should we all just lighten up?"
I was in general agreement with the host that this cartoon is satire. It is obviously making fun of all the attacks on Obama from those who would have us believe he is Muslim, too black, un-American, elitist...or whatever. I was a bit turned off by the fact that Larry Mantle was amazed that one couldn't see it as merely funny satire. " I can't believe that there are really people that believe that, but I guess there may be," he said after talking to a caller who was offended by the article. There are still lots of charged emotions built into our society, and these images repeat the same images that have conditioned our society. It is a matter of perception.
The thing that is not ever said is this: It doesn't matter to the opponents of Obama if it is satire or not. Their message has gotten through loud and clear, and with the great help of the "left-leaning" media. Good thing Jon Stewart is on vacation right now or millions more people who wouldn't read the New Yorker would be bombarded with the image as well. The people who run the presidential campaigns are advertising people. They understand and have studied the effect of repeated images on people. Like my man Prose quoted to me from Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, "sixty-two thousand four hundred repetitions make one truth." "The McCain" people are lovin' that Obama's image of a terrorist who rolls with Angela Davis is gettin plastered on TVs everywhere. Much greater than the 1 million readers the New Yorker (who has more readership in Los Angeles than anywhere else, no doubt our Larry Mantle is one of them.) gets monthly.
The bottom line is that this campaign has issues of race and historical context that many people have strong emotions about. The cover of the New Yorker was put out for one reason: to sell copies. To make money. Controversy sells. Racism is easy. Everybody has an opinion. So, you still wanna be in show business?
I don't really like Carlos Mencia either.
Starting his career as a radio DJ, Earl-E has been rocking the airwaves, blessing dance floors, and prolifically producing hip-hop music since 1992. His analog approach employs heavy use of samples, found sounds, and turntable experimentation, making what he calls, "beats inspired by life." He pulls from an extensive vinyl collection of hip-hop, reggae, house, funk, soul, jazz and more for his mixes. He also plays a mean harmonica.
