Why My Comparing Obama to Felix the Cat Is Not Racist

I read this with incredulity.

So it's racist to compare President Obama with Felix the Cat? Oh dear, the seemingly dead body of political correctness just twitched. Let's try logic, shall we?

1. Black cats are proverbially lucky.

2. Felix the cartoon character was a black cat, not an African-American cat - in other words, he was not one of the (quite numerous) 1920s figures in popular entertainment that mocked the mannerisms of the descendants of slaves.

3. Obama is a lucky president -- so far. Compare his first six months with Carter's and Clinton's if you don't get that bit.

4. As for the word "black", it's the same one used by the Congressional Black Caucus and the Harvard Black Alumni Society, among others.

The piece made an important point about the biggest threat to Obama's presidency: the seemingly uncontrollable deficit. That's the issue the Huffington Post should be focusing on, not politically correct claptrap.

Comments

[Mug O Joe]

I think the racist accusation comes from whether - had Ferguson compared Bush to Donald Duck (which does seem oddly apt) - he would have said: "Firstly, Donald Duck is white". I doubt it.

I should also point out to Mr Ferguson that black cats are proverbially lucky if they cross your path. They're not lucky themselves. Dark night, black cat, speeding car. Bad luck.

[TeakLipstickFiend]

Your comparison may not be racist, but it's certainly insulting to say that has achieved what he has through luck (and the implication could then be that a black man couldn't possibly be intelligent or hard working). And you think he's lucky to be President in the middle of a financial crisis? Your idea of luck is very different from mine. Furthermore, your pathetic excuses above show that you are woefully ignorant. Political correctness is not dead and never should be. It exists for a reason - and you have just illustrated why.

[OlDirtyHastert]

Dear Mr. Ferguson,

I can’t begin to tell you what a huge thrill it is to see you blogging here at the Huffington Post. I’ve been a devoted admirer of yours for many years, and deeply appreciate all of your outstanding work. You are way funnier than Jimmy Fallon! I love it when you open your show with all of those singing and dancing puppets. The yodeling monkey is my favorite, but I really love the shark, too! Speaking of animals, I never knew that your cat was named Felix. That’s such a nice name. I don’t know why anyone would be offended by that. But I’ve got a suggestion for the next time you bring out Felix to do your "What did we learn on the show tonight, Craig?" segment. How about: “We learned that making thinly veiled racist references to the American President isn’t a very smart idea!” That would be a really great way to end your next show. Take care!

Your Biggest Fan.

[billstewart]

I've compared Bush to Alfred E. "what, me worry?" Newman - and there's nothing racist about comparing Bush to a clueless white guy. And there's still that "Bush or Chimp" picture web site, but there's nothing racist about comparing him to the apes he's descended from.

So Felix? He was always smarter than the dogs he dealt with.

Meanwhile, since the Republicans kicked out their old-style conservatives in favor of demagogues like Rove and Limbaugh and Glen Beck, their remaining supporters resemble nothing more than a bunch of angry parrots. I tawt I taw a puddy tat?

[ItHadToBeSaid]

The debate as to whether the article was r.cist could go on indefinitely. But even if Niall can't bring himself to admit that it was, indeed, r.cist, he certainly ought to be man enough to admit that it was, at the very least, disrespectful.

President Obama's accomplishments of the last six months are attributable to intellect, insight, skill, and leadership ability -- luck had little to do with it. You should at least acknowledge THAT. But it seems you'd rather join a long line of 'Amerrrrrkans' who prefer to continue showing the most outrageous forms of disrespect, then attempt to 'walk it back' when called on it. Better judgement dictates a showing of respect for the Office and the man who holds it, not comparisons to cartoon cats or constant backhanded references to skin color.

But again, this IS Amerrrrrka. Not surprising, but still disappointing.

[alexhoward]

When somebody writes an article entitled "Why I'm Not A Racist," it is past time for them to be ejected from all serious political discourse.

[Ohioan730]

"politically correct claptrap". You should have just left well enough alone, Fergie. Now I think you use racial slurs when there aren't any minorities around.

[JustinAddison]

I think the "luck" phase of his career is coming to a close now (I sure agree with the Clinton/Carter comparison, they were unmercifully hammered early on). Obama seems to be establishing himself as hard-working and honest, and that will soon overshadow the memory of good breaks he's had over the last year or two.

[bpollen]

Felix is Latin for happy, not lucky. It is the source of "feliz" as in "Feliz Navidad" which is Spanish for merry Xmas. And a black cat crossing your path is considered to be UNlucky, even if it IS named Happy.

[YankeeCanuck]

No, it's latin and its "lucky".

[alexhoward]

Not in most of the world, actually. Mostly, black cats are considered good luck. The US is an exception.

[GoBarbara]

dude, you mentioned black.

[amir rahim]

"Black cats are proverbially lucky."

In Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches; in other cultures they are considered to be good omens.
--wikepedia

[luciusmalfoy]

the word felix means lucky. It's latin.

[GrahamInCanada]

From: http://www.best-cat-art.com/black-cats.html

If you live in the United States, or most European countries, then black cats passing in front of you will likely make you believe that no matter how dismal things are now, things are going to get worse. If however you live in the United Kingdom, or in Japan, black cats crossing your path will probably make you smile, and think that good fortune is on its way.
Black Cat

Live in Germany and you will probably believe that black cats crossing your path from right to left, is a bad omen. But from left to right, and the cat is granting favorable times for you.

In Italy

[itproinct]

It's almost comical to watch so many people here line up and take shots at Professor Niall Ferguson.

Niall Ferguson is easily one of the keenest minds out there, with an ability for telling it straight, as unlikely and uncommon as that may be these days.

Watch the "The Ascent of Money" or read some of his writings sometime and some of you may appreciate his candor and intellect too - www.niallferguson.com.

To Niall - Don't get to caught up in the bogus "Felix the Cat" explanatory crap, it is a distraction that is way beneath your attention and effort - thanks for trying though...

Please continue to keep up your good work.

[Quitcherbichin]

Praise God!!!! Can I say that on this blog?? Oh well I did it anyway. FINALLY...an article authored by someone on this blog that MAKES SENSE. Thank you Mr. Ferguson. You hit a home run.

[YankeeCanuck]

Amen to Quitcherbitchin: "FINALLY...an article authored by someone on this blog that MAKES SENSE. Thank you Mr. Ferguson. You hit a home run."

Niall Ferguson is a brilliant historian and wide-ranging thinker. He recently wrote a definitive history of WW II "War of the World."

THis is a man who thinks deeply and makes sense. He also has taken the time to explain himself--despite the small-mindedness of the complaint.

[Alan Hope]

Right, he thinks deeply. By comparing the president of the US to a cartoon cat. I guess it takes years of study to achieve that level of insight.

[Dailyfare]

Also, as a reputed professor of history, your a$$ should know better. Actually, I think you do know better, you just wanted the attention.