Monday, July 14, 2008

Images of Obama

When does "freedom of the press" become propaganda? This is the cover of the newest issue of The New Yorker. Barack and Michelle Obama in the oval office. Barack as a Muslim. Michelle as a gun carrying militant. Flag burning in the fire place. Osama Bin Laden on the wall.

The sad thing is that there are many in America who believe this type of image to be the real picture.

How do you feel about this magazine cover?

6 comments:

Kindra said...

I think the editor exercised very poor judgment in allowing this cover to pass through. I have heard a lot about this today on the radio & on the web, and mostly people have said that it's making fun of the right wing (especially since the New Yorker is quite liberal) -- but I don't think that's at all how most people are interpreting it.

KG said...

I think that it is meant to be making fun of the far right as well. The unfortunate thing is a lot of people will only see the picture and it will reinforce their already zealous stereotype.

Aaron said...

KG,
Yeah man! This is very thoughtless on the "New Yorker's" part. All though I understand what they are trying to get at, it is just way to sensitive subject and the imagery can be really destructive. Again I know their intentions but this is way to "touchy" during these important times.

It is hard for me (as an O'bama supporter to see this) and I hope this doesn't blow up like some of the other things in the past. I have to give it to O'bama he knows how to "turn the other cheek" like no politician I have ever seen. I hope he does the same.

NPR has an interview about this that is a worthy listen. The guests are Anthony Bradley, Eric Brown, and Mrs. Tempest from "angryblackwoman.com." Good stuff that deals with this subject and some other hot racial topics. Check it out when you get a chance.

appreciate you bro!

KG said...

Aaron,
Thanx for the heads up on the NPR interview. I will try to check out.

As I've said, I understand that the intent of the New Yorker was not bad, but I feel that the imagery will continue to feed the very extremism that it is seeking to poke fun at. It just doesn't seem productive at all to me.

Is there anyone out there who thinks that people are overreacting to this image?

JP Paulus said...

i think the satiric point would have been beter made if around the border was the face of conservative know to perpetuate such things against Obama, like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity.


Then it could be clear who they are making fun of.


Editorial cartoons generally don't make for good covers...

KG said...

Yes, the joke here gives the impression that it is about the Obama's and not those with radical views about the Obama's.