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

[confidance government]

I think its hilarious, but my sense of humor resembles a Southpark episode.

It definitely makes sense though that it was published in a Oklahoman newspaper.

[davefoc]

I'm more of a Futurama guy myself, but I thought it was funny also.

I was surprised at the polarization of the opinions on this in these comments. Either one thought it was a horrible racist, insensitive, stupid cartoon or one thought it was funny.

One small comment on "pinata". It might be of Mexican origin but its use in standard American English as a metaphor is very well established. The use of it as a metaphor with the standard American English interpretation is certainly what was intended by the artist. I wonder how many other political cartoons would pass muster if they were submitted to the same level of strained analysis to find something nefarious as has been applied to this one.

[Ergon]

Ooh, a woman of color is being picked on. I think she's a strong individual who probably thought it was funny, and look forward to seeing how well she fills Justice Souter's shoes. Aside from being pro affirmative action, I somehow doubt she will fit the classic 'liberal' mold or that she will turn aside any of the more egregious infringements on civil liberty that have taken place in the last 8 years.

[ZombyWoof]

As for the notion that most Puerto Ricans voted for McCain is concerned, this is just plainly laughable. Daddy Yankee (a very popular Puerto Rican performer) came out as a supporter of McCain and was practically excoriated by the Puerto Rican community in a way that was summed up Fat Joe (another very popular Puerto Rican performer) when he called Daddy Yankee a sellout and even offered to debate him point for point on the issues.

Now that I got that off my chest I must say that we may be missing the real point of this cartoon. I don’t know if the cartoonist is a republican or not but it seems to me that the real point of this cartoon may be that Obama is essentially daring the Republican’s to do their worst to Sotomayor so that the media (all those cameras on the left side of the panel) can present them to the world in general and the US Latino community in particular as mean-spirited and heartless and possibly bigoted and misogynist as well.

[ZombyWoof]

Please allow me (a Bronx born Puerto Rican who grew up in the projects) to put in my two cents. There is no doubt that this cartoon is problematic, we generally do not incorporate piñatas in our celebrations but when we do it’s the same as if an Irish American or Italian American family were to use one at a child’s birthday party; there is no cultural affinity involved and we are aware of the fact that we are borrowing a Mexican tradition. There is a traditional Puerto Rican hat made of straw called a “pava” but if you do a Google image search of “Puerto Rican pava” and then “Mexican Sombrero” you will see that they look completely different.

Some of you out there are probably saying to yourselves “So what? Life is already too complicated and I can’t be expected to go around knowing all the differences between every single Hispanic ethnic group.” And I’d be inclined to agree.

Somewhat.

But considering the fact that so much of American History is intertwined with Mexican history and the fact that Puerto Rico is a US commonwealth and all of it’s citizens are American Citizens by birth whether they are born in the states or on the island you should really try just as I am able to distinguish between the Irish and the English, the Swedish and Norwegians, Indians and Pakistanis or Alabamans and Minnesotans.

[coot08]

excellent post!

[mo19]

Saying that all latinos/hispanics should like Sotomayor is like saying all women should like Palin.

[danonchalant1]

But, Sotomayor is substantive. Sotomayor is a distinguished and accomplished individual. To compare the judge to the soon to be ex-governor is to compare,,, I don't know,,, long sustained success to iminent failure!

[MimiGardner]

Seeing a woman hanging from a rope dredges up some painful history. I suspect a lot of people remember Billie Holliday singing "Strange Fruit."

[raker]

The cartoon is clever and funny. It mocks the Republicans. It's pro-Sotomayor. The professional offense takers ought to give it a rest.

[Name Not In Use]

You are correct. Unfortunately, the pro-Sotomayor crowd has very primitive reflexes.

[dRwOOD]

back handed slap duely noted - not bad for a primitave?? huh

[southernman]

The cartoon is just typical right-wing stupidity and I'm for it continuing . If everytime they pull stupid crap like this they alienate a coupla thousand more voters , then more power to them, keep up the good work. My intelligence is not low enough to in any way agree with their philosophy but if that is how they want to be... go for it

[skippypicasso]

It looks like a lynching to me. It doesn't offend, surprise, or upset me though. I know how venal they are and how low they will go to appeal to what's left of their mob (about 21%). Thankfully I only need to be wary of about 1 in 5 people out there.

[2morrowKnight]

My god this horrible. Absolutely disgusting. Wow.

www.twitter.com/2morrowknight

[nycvagabond]

dude, are you really posting your twitter info on here?

[bronxlcsw]

"Puerto Ricans and Mexicans do not share the same cultural values, and they barely speak the same language, so what do you mean by the Latino community did not forget?

Many in the Puerto Rican community voted for John McCain, so what are talking about"

Wrong again. Obama got 88% of the puerto rican vote. Also, when i have birthday parties at home i usually get a pinata for the kids. I think the pinata has become part of american culture. Much like the Barbecue was originally a Taino indian invention and hammocks from Latin indian cultures as well. Puerto Ricans and California Mexicans along with Chicago Mexicans are all more liberal than the Miami Cuban community or Texas Mexican community.

[proudblackman]

Who cares what people think. It's freedom of speech. If it were a white man h.anging there, everything would be fine. Stop the h.ypocrisy­.

[MedinaM]

Who says everything would be fine if it were a white man hanging there? Or is that you simply assuming?

[Hnorc]

I think this is a great cartoon and I hope the keep it up. Nothing like alienating an entire voting block by assuming all Latinos wear sombreros and hit pinatas. Bravo GOP, bravo.

[hugs4u]

I think it is a very cute and funny cartoon.

[lilymarie14]

I suppose if you're not Latino.

Or a woman.

Based upon your previous posts I'm guessing your comment comes from a deep ha.tr.ed of Mexican immigrants.

[BlueRidgehiker]

I think jimmyjones22 is on to something. But that doesn't mean that we can't still see the racist undertones in this cartoon. The Republicans look frightened because they want to criticize Sotomayor but feel they cannot with all the cameras watching. They fear being called racist for criticizing her. So, the criticism is that Obama is using race in order to shield his choice of Sotomayor from Republican criticism. I think this lines up with Bok's contention that "The president is all about minority life experience," Bok's generally conservative bent, and the constantly reiterated 'reverse racism' fear of Limbaugh, etc.