Saturday, November 28, 2009
Media A Word About the Michelle Obama Pictures and Google's Apology
Posted by Charles Mudede on Sat, Nov 28, 2009 at 7:19 AM
My answer to the Michelle/ape controversy:
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1
There is a difference between comparing someone's chimp-like behavior to an actual chimp, and using age-old racial stereotypes to say someone actually is a chimp. The MO chip Photoshop didn't catch her face in a chimp-like pose, they actually turned her into one.
I didn't find it funny, nor did I care that it was done, but I can see where the reaction comes from. It's on par with the cartoon of the two cops who've shot a gorilla who are saying, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."
I didn't find it funny, nor did I care that it was done, but I can see where the reaction comes from. It's on par with the cartoon of the two cops who've shot a gorilla who are saying, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."
4
Because comparing an incurious white man to a chimp is exactly the same as comparing an accomplished black woman to one.
5
Bush displayed less-than-chimp-like intelligence (comparing him to a chimp disrespects the chimp) while he was in the White House, and you gotta admit, he *does* look like the chimp in the photo.
Obama, on the other hand, has always come off as an intelligent class act. Laura Bush did, too, largely by staying quiet and in the background. Let's hope Michelle doesn't mess it up.
Obama, on the other hand, has always come off as an intelligent class act. Laura Bush did, too, largely by staying quiet and in the background. Let's hope Michelle doesn't mess it up.
6
I saw a whole bunch of pics comparing Bush to chimps before the 2000 election. M.Obama's pic had to be manipulated to look like a chimp. Bush does a good job impersonating a chimp without help.
7
This is like those idiots in Australia who performed in black face and didn't understand why people were upset or found it offensive. After all, they were only imitating Michael Jackson, right?
Comparing the facial expression of a white man to a chimp is not the same as comparing a black woman to a chimp.
Perhaps you should do a little more research into offensive racial slurs before posting and making yourself look like an idiot?
Comparing the facial expression of a white man to a chimp is not the same as comparing a black woman to a chimp.
Perhaps you should do a little more research into offensive racial slurs before posting and making yourself look like an idiot?
8
This is the racism of liberals on display:
If it's okay to say George W$ Bush looks like a monkey, why isn't it okay to say Barack Obama does (and he does. More so, in fact).
Sounds like a racial double standard to me.
And Michelle is more of a harpy than a chimp.
If it's okay to say George W$ Bush looks like a monkey, why isn't it okay to say Barack Obama does (and he does. More so, in fact).
Sounds like a racial double standard to me.
And Michelle is more of a harpy than a chimp.
10
@8 For my part, I don't see it as racism (of course, a racist would say that, too...).
I look and listen to Bush and I see a poorly-trained chimp in appearance, expression and thought. When I look at Obama, I see an intelligent man who voiced my own thoughts on the campaign. I can no more see him as a chimp as myself.
I look and listen to Bush and I see a poorly-trained chimp in appearance, expression and thought. When I look at Obama, I see an intelligent man who voiced my own thoughts on the campaign. I can no more see him as a chimp as myself.
12
"comparing an incurious white man to a chimp"
Isn't this offensive to chimps? they're curious, according to the wikipedia.
Isn't this offensive to chimps? they're curious, according to the wikipedia.
13
The insult of the picture does not lay within the similarity of form between one animal and another but lays within the intent projected by the creator.
That intent manifests it self in much more then the image. It goes beyond the image and seeks to use whatever it can to express it self.
Making the comparison between the woman and the ape is a simple and weak attempt at expressing the deeper hate. Most animals have similarities in behavior and appearance to other animals, i have known many people who are "bird like" or people that look like a fish or a pig... These comparisons are not implicitly bad.
The desire to spread the hate is where there is "bad". The image serves as a motivation of a sorts. It allows people who are receptive to that hate a chance to "join in on the fun" by giving them a tangible image to access.
Do we want these things to become benign, do we want them to be destroyed and never allowed, or do we want them to grow.
That intent manifests it self in much more then the image. It goes beyond the image and seeks to use whatever it can to express it self.
Making the comparison between the woman and the ape is a simple and weak attempt at expressing the deeper hate. Most animals have similarities in behavior and appearance to other animals, i have known many people who are "bird like" or people that look like a fish or a pig... These comparisons are not implicitly bad.
The desire to spread the hate is where there is "bad". The image serves as a motivation of a sorts. It allows people who are receptive to that hate a chance to "join in on the fun" by giving them a tangible image to access.
Do we want these things to become benign, do we want them to be destroyed and never allowed, or do we want them to grow.
14
10 FTW.
@8
"If it's okay to say George W Bush looks like a monkey, why isn't it okay to say Barack Obama does"
Because he doesn't. But Bush certainly does. And you only call Michelle a harpie because you know you'll never, ever approach her level of class.
@8
"If it's okay to say George W Bush looks like a monkey, why isn't it okay to say Barack Obama does"
Because he doesn't. But Bush certainly does. And you only call Michelle a harpie because you know you'll never, ever approach her level of class.
15
@8: I see you wanted to throw in the sexism bit, too. Michelle Obama hasn't been nearly as outspoken as many other, recent First Ladies yet, while still pushing issues which either completely jibe with the Administration's goals (encouraging support of health care reform...even if you don't like it, she's not exactly done anything different here than 'supporting her husband'), and things even a troglodyte like yourself could understand, such as organic gardening, personal responsibility and literacy. There's been plenty of criticism about how she's not been outspoken enough. So really, there's no reason to call her a harpy even if you don't like her statements except that you're about to spout your brave sexism on the internet without someone punching you in the throat.
16
I have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, so maybe it's just me, but I just don't see the resemblance. I look at the soulful eyes, the curious forehead, the obvious intelligence of the chimp, and see no connection. The chimp is obviously my close cousin, someone who shares many of my tastes and attitudes. George Bush? I just don't see it.
17
Charles, as a southern grown white boy (with a lot of gradeschool baggage, thanks to some fucking peckerwood rednecks) I must say the Michelle Obama picture mention with "Bush is a Chimp" pic is highly triggering. And now I have to make sure I wasn't posting to the sociological images blog... It churns up the worst self-loathing white guilt baggage I can immagine. So where do we go from here?
@8 you and all the other trolls to follow, who beg the question of racism can get yourselves fucked... or maybe just ride the rail to Tukwila with all the holiday shoppers.
@8 you and all the other trolls to follow, who beg the question of racism can get yourselves fucked... or maybe just ride the rail to Tukwila with all the holiday shoppers.
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@17
Basil is one of the "ass plant" trolls here.There are at least four or five.
Don't pay it any real mind. Kind of like Loveschild--it's a Slog creation to knock up page count. Nobody really believes that crap. A single individual "poster" may have perfect grammar in one post in a thread, and then in another reply in the same thread, not be able to find their asshole with both hands, a flashlight and a nurse.
Basil is one of the "ass plant" trolls here.There are at least four or five.
Don't pay it any real mind. Kind of like Loveschild--it's a Slog creation to knock up page count. Nobody really believes that crap. A single individual "poster" may have perfect grammar in one post in a thread, and then in another reply in the same thread, not be able to find their asshole with both hands, a flashlight and a nurse.
19
@15
Both of the Obama's are America haters. For her part, Michelle's thesis took a swipe at white America, and she even said that for the first time in her adult life, she was proud to be an American only after her husband secured the democrat party nomination (even if he wasn't eligigle - remember, he still won't release his birth certificate). If you look closely at any picture of her, all you can honestly say is, "if looks could kill."
They are both American hating racists.
Both of the Obama's are America haters. For her part, Michelle's thesis took a swipe at white America, and she even said that for the first time in her adult life, she was proud to be an American only after her husband secured the democrat party nomination (even if he wasn't eligigle - remember, he still won't release his birth certificate). If you look closely at any picture of her, all you can honestly say is, "if looks could kill."
They are both American hating racists.
20
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EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21
Michell as "harpie" ????
God, are you stupid.
I have been in many business ventures with many powerful and talented and well educated, well groomed women - and - Michelle Obama is at the top, absolutely the top of any list.
Her every move is grace, humor, wit, intelligence and natural elegance.
She is a perfect mom, fashion maven, fitness leader, accomplished professional woman - the best education and job background - and the list goes on.
America has never had a first lady of this prime caliber, ever.
The best - and maybe the reason he is president. Cause I think she backs him to the hilt.
And with no disrespect, they seem deeply in love. Good sex never hurt anyone in life ... and good is my guess.
God, are you stupid.
I have been in many business ventures with many powerful and talented and well educated, well groomed women - and - Michelle Obama is at the top, absolutely the top of any list.
Her every move is grace, humor, wit, intelligence and natural elegance.
She is a perfect mom, fashion maven, fitness leader, accomplished professional woman - the best education and job background - and the list goes on.
America has never had a first lady of this prime caliber, ever.
The best - and maybe the reason he is president. Cause I think she backs him to the hilt.
And with no disrespect, they seem deeply in love. Good sex never hurt anyone in life ... and good is my guess.
22
More from 21 -
Eleanor Roosevelt and Michell Obama are both in the sme league.
FDR had Eleanor at his back and a better political mate would have been hard to find.
Fast forward - in this era, upon the death of FDR, Eleanor wins the next election as President, riding a tide of popularity akin to her famed husband.
Eleanor is to the left of things, admits it, and America is launched in new directions by the two term First Woman President ...
Don't we wish ...
Yes, I love Eleanor. (closet woman lover as well)
Yes, have been smoking and had a good dinner, and about to launch to a party -- feeling fine, indeed.
Eleanor Roosevelt and Michell Obama are both in the sme league.
FDR had Eleanor at his back and a better political mate would have been hard to find.
Fast forward - in this era, upon the death of FDR, Eleanor wins the next election as President, riding a tide of popularity akin to her famed husband.
Eleanor is to the left of things, admits it, and America is launched in new directions by the two term First Woman President ...
Don't we wish ...
Yes, I love Eleanor. (closet woman lover as well)
Yes, have been smoking and had a good dinner, and about to launch to a party -- feeling fine, indeed.
23
we sure was enough insulting depictions and comparisons before.. that goes with the bipartisan politics. I was not upset about any of it...I think the left is full of limp minded monkyes who are easily shaken.
And Michelle's rear and can be compared favorably to the rear end of a horse.
Here is proof of it: http://newsbird.files.wordpress.com/2009…
And Michelle's rear and can be compared favorably to the rear end of a horse.
Here is proof of it: http://newsbird.files.wordpress.com/2009…
25
Why is there a difference?
Thellong, racist history of comparing blacks to monkeys, for one.
Stereotyping one wealthy white man as a chimp has resulted in no lynchings of white men, no hate crimes against Caucasians.
Stereotyping blacks as animals gave racists the excuse to treat them as such for nearly two centuries.
Comparing apples to oranges doesn't make 'em oranges.
Thellong, racist history of comparing blacks to monkeys, for one.
Stereotyping one wealthy white man as a chimp has resulted in no lynchings of white men, no hate crimes against Caucasians.
Stereotyping blacks as animals gave racists the excuse to treat them as such for nearly two centuries.
Comparing apples to oranges doesn't make 'em oranges.
27
The most popular image of Hillary Clinton on google search is her head photo shopped on a lingerie clad woman's figure. It seems to me that too many people are turning the Obamas into sacred cows, so to speak. They're also the first people to play the race card whenever they get backed into a corner on substance. Basically, I agree with this article. The Obamas are the "first couple," and they deserve to be lampooned and criticized.
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