Honestly, I don’t see how this could be viewed as anything but offensive. Now the question, do I do more harm by showing it? Does the New Yorker feel vindicated because it’s gotten more visibility than any cover in years (can you clearly describe any other cover of any other New Yorker? Maybe an antique one with Uncle Sam Needs You on the Cover?)
The New Yorker defended the choice by saying it’s meant to make fun of how white conservative republications are trying to position Obama. But you wonder if they really just believe in the old adage from the marketing field, “even bad publicity is good publicity.” The problem is, is it good for us? Is it good for our society, for our image in the world, for how we get along with one another in our day to day lives where we hope to rise above bigotry and prejudice and violence? It more makes me feel like we’re falling into a sink hole. At any rate, here is the immediate response and discussion it generated, from two of my favorite anti-racism blogs, Racialicious (same blogger as antiracistparent, which I really like) and allaboutrace. I added one from culturekitchen as well. (Liza’s really hip although the analysis is from guest blogger Andrea.)
