Sotomayor Cartoon In The Oklahoman Comes Under Fire

Some women's groups are outraged over an editorial cartoon that ran in The Oklahoman newspaper on Wednesday - it depicts Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor strung up like a piñata with a sombrero-clad President Obama handing out bats to Republican members of Congress.

Jean Warner, the chair of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition, wrote:

She's served on the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit for 10 years, heard over 3,000 cases and written over 380 opinions (but she's of Puerto Rican descent ~~ ergo the piñata image - right? wink, wink).

Not funny; actually stupid and damaging. A picture speaks louder than words and that cartoon sends a message to women of all ages: "Back off. Know your place. Or we'll take a stick to you and teach you a lesson."

Daily Kos poster OKC law dork wrote:

"I'm appalled that [The Oklahoman] would publish a cartoon showing a federal judge who happens to be a minority strung up from a tree... There is a vigorous racist block of voters in Oklahoma who harbor racist feelings toward 'Mexicans' (usually meaning anyone of Hispanic origin) that I believe this cartoon is catering to."

The editor of the Oklahoman, which is considered to have a conservative editorial viewpoint, did not return calls for comment.

Judge for yourself. Here's the cartoon:

Comments

[hatmaker510]

So much anger in these comments. My take on this (as a woman, a feminist, and former resident of Puerto Rico):
I admit my first reaction to this was also to think it was racist. Then I read some sensible explanations and I went back to the cartoon itself. I looked at it with the realization that my own biases ("the media is attacking minorities/women again!") actually clouded my ability to see the real meaning behind this cartoon. I am now able see it for what it is - a political cartoon about the GOP's racism, NOT a racist cartoon.
About the sombrero and pinata: I see this as an intentional generalization. It speaks to how the GOP is digging their own grave, insomuch as they continue to judge Sotomayor (minorities in general) based solely on stereotypes. This over-generalization of the Latino community rests with the GOP, and not the cartoonist.
Sometimes we have to admit we see what we expect to see. I think that's what's happening here.
I would merely say it might behoove some to realize their own biases then go back at look at the cartoon again, with an open mind.

[Flavor]

Your right where this lies, it is the best thing the sore loosers can do.

[SGOWriter]

Everyone huffing and puffing about this needs to take a breath. I agree with the previously posted comment. Edgy? Yes! A tad over the line? Perhaps. But worth shouting OUTRAGEOUS!!!! Hardly. If you're reading this as a depiction of a lynching, you're just trying too hard to make that connection.

[Kenne]

This IS a depiction of a lynching! There is no doubt about it! Any well educated citizen will be able see the racist insinuations of the cartoon. The fact that it shows the lumping together of Hispanic cultural traits is evidence of the bigotry and ignorance of this faction of our society.

[CommonSensePlz]

I don't know if the interpretation is accurate. Those elephants look terrified!!! It's as if President Obama is egging the GOP on in its race bashing of Judge Sotomayor. He knows that if they rip into her, they alienate an ever increasing important voting bloc. I think Obama's nomination of Sototmayor, as well as his appointments of important GOP moderates like Huntsman, is genius. He is paving the way for a re-election campaign, and boxing the GOP in in the South. It'll be interesting to see how the confirmation hearings actually go. I plan on watching them. I think they will be a true test to see if the Repugs are catching on, or if they will just be divided and conquered.

[Buddy McCue]

That's the way I read it too. Obama is taunting the elephants: "Who wants to be first?" I think that's pretty clear.

But the cartoon is a little inaccurate, isn't it? Several Republican figures have stepped forward to take a swing.

[Progress08]

I don't know if it qualifies as racist, but it certainly is stupid. She's Puerto Rican and a Pinata is a Mexican thing.

Oh well it was in Oklahoma and they are largely inbred morons to begin with. If you want your cartoon reade in OK you probably have to use small words and make it racist; otherwise the morons won't bother.

[gbee]

Although I can understand to uproar, the cartoon is basically accurate in it's intent if not terribly astute in it's iconography. True, she is not Mexican and the rope might have been better placed around her waist and not her neck, but the basic idea of her being a Latina offered up by Obama only to be batted about by the Republicans while the press looks on mutely is sound and pretty funny divorced from the obvious insensitivity. Of course inaccuracy and insensitivity is the right's stock in trade so the cartoon really says more about the way they think than it does about anything else in the end.

[Hemkit]

The funny thing is, anyone who's tried to open a pinata knows it takes several good, hard whacks before it even starts to crack. People need to calm down.

[AxelDC]

There are too many things wrong with this image to even discuss. First of all, it looks like a lynching. Second, this is Mexican imagery of pinatas and sombreros being painted on a New York Puerto Rican. Then, why is Obama wearing a sombrero, and inviting Republicans to assault Judge Sotomayor?

Of course, Oklahoma is not exactly known for its diversity or political sensitivity.

[lrhoke]

Actually, they are fairly sensitive when it comes to diversity. Their editiorial page is conservative but they have been fairly progressive on immigration and diversity issues , especially for an otherwise conservative paper. They have repeatedly rebuked the legislature for a draconian immigration law
that was passed a couple of years ago and have criticized the legislature for "english only" laws and other similarly xenophobic attitudes. I'm liberal, and I often don't like things on their op-ed page but do want to give credit where credit is due. I saw the cartoon before knowing of any controversey and didn't have any problem with it. Fact is that her ethnicity is part of the discussion (and mostly positive save for morons like Newt and Rush), and nominees are generally batted
around like pinatas during confirmation hearings. This is being overblown in my opinion, and
while the Oklahoman does have a conservative bent, they have been progressive in recent years
on diversity issues.

[Kohimama]

I am tired of the outrage over everything. That's got to be the most overused word this year. Yes, the cartoon is funny and satyrical, a little over the edge, and true. She is getting bashed like a pinata. So what? Let's get outraged over things that really matter, like child abuse, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, etc. Geez.

[astral66]

Appalling.

[Archivist1000]

Well, I am sure Judge Sotomayor FEELS like a pinata right about now ...... I bet she got a chuckle of it.

[lilymarie14]

No. Unfortunately I'm sure she got it.

[rwext]

she got it and thought it funny

[lgg]

it is never funny to say, "hey guys let's beat a woman like a pinata"

i don't know whether to be outraged at the cartoon or at the fact that it is a fairly accurate depiction of the mentality of the right wing.

I'm mexican so i can say this...
this cartoon is kind of like a freudian slip or a projection of how the repugs actually think AND ACT (at times):

1. obama is a sp*c lover, (see the hat?)
2. intelligent women of color should be hung by a rope and beaten with sticks

I don't care if the cartoonist was just being ironic.

The problem is that irony is mostly lost on the neandrathal who would take this type of image as an affirmation of their violent and racist tendencies.

I fear for Sotomayor and her family during these times. The right wing "news" outlets have branded her as an enemy and that is no laughing matter.

[johnr49]

Judging by his website, the cartoonist is definitely right wing and anti-Obama: in addition to his other cartoons, including one for June 2, which sickeningly compares Obama to Dr Tiller's murderer, the website's "Bok's Best Links" include Town Hall and the Drudge Report.

Having said that, this cartoon may be the exception to the rule, as his explanation under it concludes: "David Broder thinks the president once again has republicans right where he wants them."

[KauaiJohnnie]

While I can see that some might be offended by this cartoon, it's only because they are looking for a reason to take offense. Political cartoons are, by definition, suppose to be offensive -- to get you to think.

I believe this cartoon succinctly demonstrates the situation. I'm sure that Judge Sotomayor would agree. I'm also sure that she is more than strong enough to "hang in there" and take the weak hits that the "Ruslicons" are trying to land.

The judge is "out there", and Obama has issued a challenge that the Republicans are failing to capitalize on. Failing because Judge Sotomayor is a steel-lined pinata. She won't break. And Bok seems to know it. Look at the fear on the Elephants faces. Not a single ELECTED official has the guts to step up.

I think this cartoon shows the "Rushlicons" for the cowards that they really are.

I think its a good (not great) cartoon that has nailed the political context of the situation.

[hairyhuman]

and I just thought it meant she might like a good spanking. :)

[LADY2CNTX]

Minorities hanging in a tree is NOT funny.

[hairyhuman]

Since that's not the point of the cartoon,.... are you saying "majorities" hanging in a tree IS funny?

[NedroidPrime]

So, I take it the ones that just portray her as being against a wall for a firing squad are ok?

Seriously, there was no tree depicted, so there goes that reference. It is an accurate portrayal of what is going on with her nomination. The pubs are attacking her, O initiated it by nominating her, and he is Latina (hence the pinata).

Man, you guys really need to simmer down some. Not everybody that disagrees with you (us) is a r@c1$t...

[2008FedUP]

It's enlightening for ALL of America to see this racism spewing out. The hoods are off. Sickening!!!