Questions linger over controversial New York Post cartoon

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."

Media attention has swirled around the inflammatory cartoon in last Wednesday's edition of the New York Post. The image of two police officers, one holding a smoking gun, standing over a chimpanzee with two bullet holes in its chest, was enough to catch some attention.

Yet, the caption that read, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill" was enough to make you cringe. It was quite clear as to what the cartoonist and publication were implying with the racial connotations of monkeys, guerillas, chimps and etc. (his-torically used by racial bigots in reference to black Americans) used in conjunction with the coun-try's first black president signing his first significant piece of legislation.

On Tuesday, New York Post Chairman Rupert Murdoch released a statement apologizing for the cartoon. The statement reads, "Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted. I can assure you, without a doubt, that the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation. [The cartoon] was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such. We all hold the readers of The New York Post in high regard, and I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community."

Oh Rupert…does he really expect people to believe this nonsense or is he just pulling the sweep-it-under-the-rug damage control campaign? Whatever his motives, they did not seem genuine to me. I'd much rather hear from the cartoonist himself. Or better yet, the editor who looked at the image and gave the OK to run it in the paper. These are the individuals people should be hearing from. Not only is Murdoch the chairman of the New York Post, but he is also the chairman of a number of companies including Fox News.

Prior to this outlandish occurrence, I was unaware of the fact that Fox News and the New York Post were all a part of a hugely successful media conglomerate called News Corporation. After learning this, it became quite understandable how such an image could have found its way into a world-renowned publication. I will not label Fox News, the New York Post, or even Rupert as racists. However, I will say that over the years theses media outlets have been insensitive at times. From some of the outrageous far-right propaganda of Fox News, to some of the belittling front-page headlines featuring "certain types" of music entertainers, the writing has been written on the wall for a long time.

As for the New York Post, there are highly intelligent and cultured individuals at its helms. It is very hard for me to accept that such individuals could look at the image in question and not atleast consider the racial implications. With that said, I do not see the publication of the cartoon as racist. Rather I see it as a misguided ploy to bring attention to the publication and sell more papers. Whether the motive was to sell more papers, to elicit a backroom laugh or there was just no mo-tive at all -- apology rejected! Til next week, Peace!!!

YA HEARD TRIVIA

Name the film that received the most awards at this year's Oscar Award ceremony.

Be the third person to e-mail me the correct answer and receive two free AMC movie tickets cour-tesy of the News & Messenger.

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.