| Monkey Shirt Racist? Thread Closed
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:24:33 PM | Well, here we go again. As if we needed more calls of racism agaainst Barrack Hussein Obama, we've got more of them coming out.
Bar Owner's T-Shirt Offends Obama Faithful
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Updated 18 hrs ago
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Posted By: Michael King
Reported By: Jennifer Leslie
MARIETTA, Ga. -- A Cobb County restaurant with a history of raising eyebrows is at it again. The owner of Mulligan's Bar and Grill in Marietta is accused of waging a campaign of racism against Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama.
This controversy is about a t-shirt for sale that compares Obama to cartoon character Curious George.
Bar owner Mike Norman, has a history of being politically incorrect. Protesters on Tuesday said Norman has gone too far this time.
After marching out front, protesters confronted Norman and asked him to stop selling his t-shirts.
Norman said he is surprised the shirts have drawn so much attention, since he said he finds nothing wrong with using the image of Curious George.
"I saw the cartoon on TV, and I looked, and this was the ears and the hairline, and the big smile, and Obama has all three," Norman said.
But the comparison was so offensive to several civil rights leaders that they organized a protest.
"A monkey eating a banana -- that's a historical stereotype of how African Americans have been depicted on a number of occasions," said Rev. Dwight Graves of the SCLC.
Norman's customers came to his defense. They are used to seeing provocative messages on the sign out front -- some of which target illegal immigrants.
"We don't need these things to happen any more," said Adelina Nicholls of the Latino Alliance for Human Rights. "Not with Latinos, not with African Americans, not with any kind of immigrants."
"There is a contingent of folks, red, yellow, white and black, that walk around wanting a reason to be mad, to get their feelings hurt," Norman said. "If I did that, I'm sorry."
Norman said he has sold out of his stack of 50 t-shirts. He was planning to donate the money from the shirts to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. But MDA officials said they do not want Norman's money. They said that their attorneys were drawing up a letter asking him to stop using the name of the MDA in connection with sales of the shirts.
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=115877&catid=3
Come on now, seriously? Can't we have some good fun here? It's kind of funny, and well, it makes a statement too. There is nothing racist about this in my opinion. It's just poking fun at a public official and using his freedom of speech to make a statement. Talk about ridiculous. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:32:28 PM | If you actually read the article that you posted yourself you would've read this which is the reason why it is considered Racist as I'm sure the bar owner himself knew damn well (although you yourself may or may not have realized the reference):
"A monkey eating a banana -- that's a historical stereotype of how African Americans have been depicted on a number of occasions," said Rev. Dwight Graves of the SCLC.
In European Soccer stadiums, it is not uncommon for black players to be subjected to Monkey chants from the opposing team's fans.
Should we make a big deal out it? No, not in my opinion. Some things will never change. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:40:04 PM | | Freedom of speech is a right! Not a privilege! Are we supposed to compromise our rights because someone reasons negatively? No one should dictate boundaries for freedom of speech. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:43:17 PM | Trust me, I read the entire article, and I think it is completely ridiculous. I understand the entire idea and I've worked closely with many people who are diverse, so I know a thing or two about racism and discrimination. Personally, I don't think this is racist, I think this is all in good fun, I do think that there is a long history of people being extremely thin skinned. Even people in my own group of people who are traditionally discriminated against I feel go too far in this kind of activism. There is a point where you have to choose your battles, and I think this is one of the battles that the supporters of Barrack Hussein Obama and other should choose to not take up because it is ridiculous.
I'm fearful of the day that any word we utter has some stigma of discrimination. It doesn't seem too far away. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:44:04 PM | Well, I'm not arguing about his right to free speech. I'm just answering the OP's question as to whether it is Racist, which it clearly is.
You are right about choosing battles though. Maybe the protestors have not much else to do? I fully agree with the MDA for not accepting his donations from the proceeds though. Good on them. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:48:41 PM | | No one thought it was racist when the movie "George of the Jungle" was played by Brandon Frazier, a very good looking caucasian. He swung around on vines, did the monkey dance, made sounds like a monkey, and ate bananas, but there were no protests in front of movie theaters. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:52:38 PM | | maybe if the owner was black...................................? | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:55:27 PM | Actually this will be the 1st of many storys that come out. When Obama gets president every joke etc will be considered racism. Al Sharpton will make sure of that. So Jay Leno best be prepared for other material than the latest with the President. Poking fun at any caucasian will be legal,poking fun of a african american president will be considered a act of racism. Punishable by 30 lashes of Sharptons Italian suede belt. Look for that bill to be passed in early 09. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 3:59:05 PM | sooo ive seen alot of george w bush/curious george analogies in recent times but ohh right hes white and an axis of evil, barack hussien obama is the protected son of liberals no one can bash him, hillary is still free game though | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:05:30 PM | To the posters above, I'll quote it again,
"A monkey eating a banana -- that's a historical stereotype of how African Americans have been depicted on a number of occasions," said Rev. Dwight Graves of the SCLC.
What's not to get? Ummmm....since when have Caucasians been historically depicted in a derogatory manner as monkeys??! Your arguments are invalid.
If it was a picture of Hilary Clinton in a KKK uniform, it would be just as Racist and yes, should be protested just the same. Imo, it crosses the line. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:18:20 PM | Initially, I find this dismaying, but I've seen editorial cartoons depicting G. W. Bush as a monkey.
No protests then...
The truth is that no matter how politically correct you may be, SOMEone out there is gonna be offended.
I plead the First.
Amendment, that is. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:26:43 PM |
Trust me, I read the entire article, and I think it is completely ridiculous. - ezzee
> Barack Hussein Obama and his followers and hangers-on must be getting desperate. If this is racist, imagine what will happen if he gets into power.
> Best wishes - Soul Union. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:38:48 PM | | Yeah whitey is always keeping the black folks down... come on... its a damn shirt.. but i guess liberals have nothing better to do than try to tell ppl how to live their lives. cant wait for Mccain to get elect so all this damn election stuff stops | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:43:20 PM | Now THIS one IS an issue of Freedom of Speech! Personally, I do hate racist expressions of all kinds. But the shirt seller IS entitled to his freedom of speech, and that's a fact. Also, I think SOME ( NOT most!) of these protests of racism are taking things a little too far.
I would personally not own a shirt like that. But a while back I did get an email picturing Curious George and George Bush side by side -- and they DID look a lot alike! (Maybe that was "racist" against George Bush!)
Even though I am a right-winger -- I had to laugh at the e-mail, anyway.
If this is racist, imagine what will happen if he gets into power.
I think we all know EXACTLY what will happen! We will have the first President of the US that no one will dare to criticize for ANY reason!
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:44:12 PM | Amazing that people can be deluded enough to interpret a cartoon picture of a monkey depicting a black man as not being racist.
Of course, these people can fool themselves into thinking global warming is a myth, that two of eash animal were once on a boat, that all the languages came from the tower of babble, and other such nonsense.
Just exercising my freedom of speech to say that you're lying to yourself if you feel this isn't racist. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:50:06 PM | Amazing how DELUDED some people can be --- believing that global warming is real! Believing that the ark was a BOAT! (and not knowing that remains of the ark have actually been found!) Look it up on Google!
And how DELUDED some people are who don't know anything about SECULAR world history and how it realates to Biblical accounts of linguistics!
I don't know what that has to do with a tee=shirt, though! Maybe some people are too inept to post their stuff on the correct forum! Are just looking for a chance to take a RUDE off=Topic Cheap Shot (or 2 -- or 3) to show how DELUDED they really are!
And how BIGOTED they are THEMSELVES of others who aren't exactly like them!
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:52:27 PM | | it doesn't seem racist to me. i recall george w. being compared to a monkey because he looks similar and no one thought anything of it. why is it any different now? i would never have looked at it as a racist thing...just cracking jokes at politicians in general. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:52:57 PM | THANK YOU get_mad_baby....I give up on this thread, its almost as if they just skipped over my posts where I QUOTE exactly from the article why its Racist. 
Here, I'll even quote myself:
What's not to get? Ummmm....since when have Caucasians been historically depicted in a derogatory manner as monkeys??! Your arguments are invalid.
Stop mentioning the George Bush cartoon, that argument is invalid. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:56:02 PM | | Wow I am truly amazed that some people on here really don't get it. The monkey shirt is a racist act. Furthermore just because we have the right to speech doesn't mean that they we should say whatever comes to our mind. Have some self respect not only for yourself but others too. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 4:56:53 PM | Thanks for missing the point which is... People can lie to themselves.
Sure it's a racist shirt. The uncaring, selfish ones here have made excuses that it's not. This t shirt is reminiscent of Jim Crow era mentality. Which I had assumed we'd evolved out of such a barbaric mindset. Apparently not. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 5:11:58 PM |
What's not to get? Ummmm....since when have Caucasians been historically depicted in a derogatory manner as monkeys??! Your arguments are invalid.
Actually, miniwheat, I guess I can spell it out for you, but it is not something I normally share, so you should feel privileged. That and maybe your assumptions will stop. I am actually comparing myself and placing myself into the group as a person with a disability. And we are traditionally discriminated against. In fact, we are still one of the most discriminated against groups on the planet.
Wow I am truly amazed that some people on here really don't get it. The monkey shirt is a racist act. Furthermore just because we have the right to speech doesn't mean that they we should say whatever comes to our mind. Have some self respect not only for yourself but others too.
I have plenty of self respect. I can't have self-respect for others though. That would be impossible. That's like telling me to masturbate so someone else can have an orgasm. Just isn't possible.
However, I'm assuming your saying we should have respect for others, which I have no problem with. Part of the reason I don't listen to much of todays music. I've got better things to do then listen to black people call each other the n-word, listen to anyone turn females into sex objects or call them the b-word and the w-word, including female artists themselves. and just make a total mockery of just about everything.
But that doesn't mean that I have to protest everything. Tell me, how many people like the movie Forrest Gump? If you did, I call you discriminatory against people with disabilities as that portrayed people with disabilities in an unrealistic aspect. The aspect often called a Super cripple.
How many people liked Million Dollar Baby? If you did, I again call you discriminatory against people with disabilities. As she laid in that bed and decided "I want to kill myself." she is being portrayed as useless and not wanting to be a burden, an aspect that is called a Good Cripple.
How many people out there liked the movie Peter Pan? You did? Guess what, your discriminatory against people with disabilities. Captain Hook portrayal of hating people and wanting to do away with people is the final aspect of how people with disabilities are portrayed. It's called the Evil Cripple.
In fact, according to research and media portrayals, by me just bringing up any of these aspects, I am considered an Evil Cripple because I am going against the grain.
But I choose not to say anything against these because I think there are better things I can use my energy on, and I also think that at some point you have to say ok, fine. I may not like them. But I'm not going to stand in someone else's way and prevent their first amendment to say and do what they would like to do. I realize that this is in fun, nd this is to make a point. It's not calling him the N-word. It's saying that I disagree with him and I think his views are like a trained monkey.
Gain some thick skin here people. It isn't a big deal. If you are calling this racist, then I would hope you are also calling the professional sports teams, at least in the USA, racist for their use of Native American logos and nicknames. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 5:13:38 PM | Come on now, seriously? Can't we have some good fun here? It's kind of funny, and well, it makes a statement too
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portraying a black man as a monkey eating a banana is funny? sorry dude but it isnt funny to the black man or anyone with enough common sense not to want to get punched out.
theres a young man at work who overheard his boss on the radio telling another foreman that they were going to give the job to themonkey
meaning the black guy
this is just ignorant and totally uncalled for behaviour
it doesnt even rate up to racism as it is obviously from some meathead who thinks hes being funny at the expense of another person or group of people.
how do you think most white people would act if all of a sudden they were all characterized as sheet wearing slave masters
some may not care but im sure a lot of people would take offense to it
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It's just poking fun at a public official and using his freedom of speech to make a statement
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um using an animal to portray him especially an animal that was used a long time ago to portray all negroes and slaves ( the monkey signifying they werent human , just animals.) shows not only a lack of class but obviously a lack of intelligence as well
poking fun of a politician is fine as long as you attack his portfolio and not his ethnicity
in the end tho this guy probably helped obama win a few more of the racism votes by his stunt
hmm i wonder what a guy selling shirts with the star of david on them and cracking a joke about ww2 and a giant parasite in the middle with a smokestack in the background would fetch for freedom of speech polls
is that freedom of speech or is it some ones attempt ot get a response from a culture? | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 5:17:08 PM |
Freedom of speech is a right! Not a privilege! Are we supposed to compromise our rights because someone reasons negatively? No one should dictate boundaries for freedom of speech.
I absolutely agree with this and the rationale is simple. If freedom of speech isn't protected, those who would otherwise be continually oppressed through harrassment and discrimination would never have a chance to voice draw attention to their predicament.
Freedom of association is also a right, which means I am free to shun anyone who gives voice to the opinion that other human beings are lesser than they--especially on the basis of race.
Providing aid and comfort to racists is, to me, a betrayal of the principles that America stands for. I don't see anything cute or funny about it.
So yes, the idiot who's doing that has a right to say whatever he wants. However, he is not entitled to any further attention from me. | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 5:18:10 PM | What's not to get? Ummmm....since when have Caucasians been historically depicted in a derogatory manner as monkeys??! Your arguments are invalid.
"Ummmmmm...... " don't forget that the Jews are called in SO MANY words === APES and PIGS in the Holy Qu'ran. Not "depicted" as looking like them -- or being like them but actually being APES and PIGS! In so many words.
The Holy Qu'ran is a religious book that is thousands of years old. I'm sure at lest a few Jews are Caucasians. (My Grandparents certainly were!) So, is that close enough for you?
ALL Racism is WRONG -- NOT just SOME! | |
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| Monkey Shirt Racist?
Posted: 5/14/2008 5:38:54 PM | Stop mentioning the George Bush cartoon, that argument is invalid.
i read the original post and responded based on that. when a thread starts up, i only read the OP and base my initial opinion on that and not what others say. furthermore, since a monkey was used to describe george w. should everyone assume that all white men from texas are monkeys? should we assume that all bar owners from the south are racist?
many times, racism exists due to people's own insecurities and sensitivities and perhaps if people weren't so consummed with seeking out an issue to label "racist" the issue would cease to exist. it is the reason used when things don't go a certain way...i mean heaven forbid that someone is turned down for a job because someone who is better qualified was chosen instead. i find it odd how people of the same race can call eachother the same derogatory names they fight to opress; the same names even unintentionally hinted by a white person, are suddenly wrong, a political issue and cause to protest. popular rap and hip hop songs are riddled numerous times with the bad "N" word (which i find offensive) yet these same protesters and activists aren't boycotting the artists or causing a frenzy over it. using it as "art" is just as derogatory if you listen to the songs. the situation is a giant contradiction. if it's wrong for caucasians then it is wrong for all! | |
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