John Legend Blasts NY Post Racist Chimp Comic

February 20th, 2009 by Castina

Al Sharpton isn’t the only high-profile figure up in arms over the NY Post’s publication of a controversial comic strip, which allegedly features President Barack Obama as a chimp being shot dead in the street.

Post editor Col Allan has defended the cartoon, which ran in Wednesday’s paper, saying: “The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington’s efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist.”

But R&B crooner John Legend isn’t buying it. On Friday, the “Green Light” singer wrote an open letter blasting the editor of The Post.

Here’s what he had to say:

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?

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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2 Comments, add yours

2 Responses to “John Legend Blasts NY Post Racist Chimp Comic”

On February 21st 2009, Angela Reid wrote:

Well said. I echo John Legend’s communication which calls each of us to a higher level of responsibility. We are intelligent beings & our actions are deliberate, measured by our motivation and our ability to challenge wrong.

Through honoring the past, living in the present, with the expectation of change for the future. The call to accountability resounds.

Sincerely,
Angela Reid
On February 24th 2009, Jessie L wrote:

I have to agree with Mr. Legend on this issue. This was in pour taste, hurtful, and not to mention idiotic. This cartoon makes all white people look as though we are still fighting in a race war, and raises issues that need to be dead and buried. I am appalled at this kind of humor, Mr. Editor and I too find you completely responsible for what was published in your paper. I also will be boycotting the New York Post until this situation is rectified. You and the creator of comic strip are nothing more than raciest degenerates who clearly were making a point about our President and the chimp that was shot, not matter how you look at it, that was the message that you sent out.