TOOR.
I've ploughed through most of them but, in my opinion, there's no debate to be had. Portraying a black man as the most famous ape in popular culture is clearly racist.
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 4 seconds ago
TOOR.
I've ploughed through most of them but, in my opinion, there's no debate to be had. Portraying a black man as the most famous ape in popular culture is clearly racist.
-------------------------------------
Go on. Why is it racist in your opinion?
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 21 seconds ago
TOOR.
I've ploughed through most of them but, in my opinion, there's no debate to be had. Portraying a black man as the most famous ape in popular culture is clearly racist.
---
You would be surprised, there is a lot more depth to this than one might initially think. I don't think it is very useful to pack racist matters into a neat summary and consider it case closed.
RAP - the headline didn't help. It sets the starting point at 'which side are you on' - rather than 'have alook at this and what do you think'. People like makar clearly have independent thought and can work things out for themselves but TOOR's 'sheep' can't.
TOOR.
It's racist quite simply because the artist is evidently comparing Balotelli to an ape.
If his intention (as he claims) is to show Balotelli as a 'giant who had conquered England' then why not show him, for example, dressed in the Italy kit towering over a cowering England team, or dressed as a centurion towering over Buckingham Palace? Neither of these are great examples but they would have illustrated the cartoonist's point just as eloquently.
The fact that he chose the iconography of King Kong, knowing full well that Balotelli was routinely subjected to monkey chants while playing in Italy, is purposely inflammatory and, most importantly, if I was Balotelli, I would find it extremely offensive.
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 4 seconds ago
TOOR.
It's racist quite simply because the artist is evidently comparing Balotelli to an ape.
-------------------------------
No he isn't. He's comparing him to King Kong, from a film, who like him, was a misunderstood soul, who despite being portrayed as bad, was actually good. Only in this cartoon, Balotelli(King Kong) wins.
You talk about a giant but that's not his intention and that's not what he claimed. King Kong is an excellent example of Balotelli. Just because Balotelli is black, doesn't mean it loses it's meaning and takes on another meaning.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
But if the artist intended to draw Balotelli as a monkey, why not draw him as a monkey. Instead of a human?
-----------
The illustration clearly represents the image of king Kong. who is obviously a monkey/ape.
Who knows the artists intention, but it doesn't take a rocket sconcist to make the racist link. The image of King Kong in his classic pose is an iconic one.
It's guesswork whether the artist was intentionally provocative or not, but this medium by nature is often provocative/controversial so i would be unsurprised if it was intentional.
If this is the case it's worked! The picture has gone global and the artist has the fall back that his cartoon can be. and just as rightfully, be interpreted in a different way.
TOOR.
The Reuters article I read on the subject quotes Gazzetta Della Sport as saying the cartoon was intended to show Balotelli as a 'giant who had conquered England'.
If the cartoonist's intention was to show Mario as a 'misunderstood soul' then the choice of showing him as King Kong (who, whether you like it or not, as an APE) was at best extremely clumsy and moronic. At worst, highly offensive and racist.
RAP
The using of Big Ben instead of The Empire State Building and Footballs instead of Aeroplanes have obviously been chosen to reference King Kong. Mario is therefore clearly being depicted as an Ape. If I were black, I'd find that very offensive.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 13 minutes ago
TOOR.
The Reuters article I read on the subject quotes Gazzetta Della Sport as saying the cartoon was intended to show Balotelli as a 'giant who had conquered England'.
If the cartoonist's intention was to show Mario as a 'misunderstood soul' then the choice of showing him as King Kong (who, whether you like it or not, as an APE) was at best extremely clumsy and moronic. At worst, highly offensive and racist.
---------------------------------------
It wasn't clumsy or moronic at all, it was perfect. I made the link straight away and this is why I couldn't understand the racial link. It wasn't offensive or racist but I can now understand, how it may be seen that way.
Who knows the artists intention, but it doesn't take a rocket sconcist to make the racist link.
---------------------------------------
It takes a racist to make a racist link. I'm not having a go at you Paisleys - you'd have to read all my comments on this thread to see my exact stance so don't jump to conclusions at my first statement here.
Only, and I repeat, only racists compare black people to monkeys that fact that we all understand that link is one thing, actually making it yourself - as a non-racist which I presume we all are - is another thing altogether. It's an easy trap to fall into. Don't fall into it.
It's not a trap, it's empathy. I know people will be offended and I dislike the fact that the illustrator is (in my opinion) using this clearly sensitive subject, which will knowingly offend people, purely to raise their own profile. I perceived the racial undertones in this picture just like many other non-racist people, pretending that I don't doesn't make me less racist.
Only, and I repeat, only racists compare black people to monkeys .
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, by your definition, the cartoonist is guilty of racism.
He hasn't been depicted as an ape at all. He's been depicted as a character. If he were being depicted as an ape, surely hanging from a tree munching on a banana would have been more obvious that King Kong?
------------
Yes, it would be more obvious... but the the character which is depicted (Balotelli-Kong) can be interpreted as an ape, because Kong is an ape..
If I was playing charades (god forbid!) and I did the King Kong film. then I would more than likely act as a monkey and try to swat planes... because he's a giant ape.
TOOR.
Fair enough. As usual, we'll have to agree to disagree.
JB
makar is right it's empathy, empathy and awareness.
I am aware that racists throughout history have compared black people to monkeys that is why the illustration can be be perceived by non racits as having a racial connotation.
makar- the cartoonist is a multi-award winner so I don't think he needs the raise in profile.
King Kong was a fictional gorilla - one of the analogies has been the black/white conflict. It's only one analogy - there were many political and even personal ones associated with the fil director.Racists have run with this and here we are talking about this one interpretation still.
If people are offended then the only way to me that they can be is by saying Balotelli is portrayed as a monkey. He isn't, he's portrayed as himself.
The cartoonist is as guilty of racism as Disney in the Little Mermaid portrayal with the Jamaican crab.
JOHNSON.
Mario maybe portrayed as himself but he is being compared to a monkey, and black people don't appreciate being compared to monkeys as it's RACIST!
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
He isn't, he's portrayed as himself.
-------------
He's not. He is being portrayed as Balotelli-Kong.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 22 minutes ago
Only, and I repeat, only racists compare black people to monkeys .
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, by your definition, the cartoonist is guilty of racism.
-------------------------------------------
Wrong. He didn't compare him to a monkey. He compared him to a character, King Kong, which happens to be a gorilla, who shares the same issues as Balotelli. If it were a white person, people wouldn't make the link and would understand it. Balotelli being black shouldn't change that and in fact to treat it differently because Balotelli is black, could be considered racist.
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Page 15 of 21
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posted on 28/6/12
TOOR.
I've ploughed through most of them but, in my opinion, there's no debate to be had. Portraying a black man as the most famous ape in popular culture is clearly racist.
posted on 28/6/12
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 4 seconds ago
TOOR.
I've ploughed through most of them but, in my opinion, there's no debate to be had. Portraying a black man as the most famous ape in popular culture is clearly racist.
-------------------------------------
Go on. Why is it racist in your opinion?
posted on 28/6/12
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/6/12
shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 21 seconds ago
TOOR.
I've ploughed through most of them but, in my opinion, there's no debate to be had. Portraying a black man as the most famous ape in popular culture is clearly racist.
---
You would be surprised, there is a lot more depth to this than one might initially think. I don't think it is very useful to pack racist matters into a neat summary and consider it case closed.
posted on 28/6/12
RAP - the headline didn't help. It sets the starting point at 'which side are you on' - rather than 'have alook at this and what do you think'. People like makar clearly have independent thought and can work things out for themselves but TOOR's 'sheep' can't.
posted on 28/6/12
posted on 28/6/12
TOOR.
It's racist quite simply because the artist is evidently comparing Balotelli to an ape.
If his intention (as he claims) is to show Balotelli as a 'giant who had conquered England' then why not show him, for example, dressed in the Italy kit towering over a cowering England team, or dressed as a centurion towering over Buckingham Palace? Neither of these are great examples but they would have illustrated the cartoonist's point just as eloquently.
The fact that he chose the iconography of King Kong, knowing full well that Balotelli was routinely subjected to monkey chants while playing in Italy, is purposely inflammatory and, most importantly, if I was Balotelli, I would find it extremely offensive.
posted on 28/6/12
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 4 seconds ago
TOOR.
It's racist quite simply because the artist is evidently comparing Balotelli to an ape.
-------------------------------
No he isn't. He's comparing him to King Kong, from a film, who like him, was a misunderstood soul, who despite being portrayed as bad, was actually good. Only in this cartoon, Balotelli(King Kong) wins.
You talk about a giant but that's not his intention and that's not what he claimed. King Kong is an excellent example of Balotelli. Just because Balotelli is black, doesn't mean it loses it's meaning and takes on another meaning.
posted on 28/6/12
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/6/12
But if the artist intended to draw Balotelli as a monkey, why not draw him as a monkey. Instead of a human?
-----------
The illustration clearly represents the image of king Kong. who is obviously a monkey/ape.
Who knows the artists intention, but it doesn't take a rocket sconcist to make the racist link. The image of King Kong in his classic pose is an iconic one.
It's guesswork whether the artist was intentionally provocative or not, but this medium by nature is often provocative/controversial so i would be unsurprised if it was intentional.
If this is the case it's worked! The picture has gone global and the artist has the fall back that his cartoon can be. and just as rightfully, be interpreted in a different way.
posted on 28/6/12
TOOR.
The Reuters article I read on the subject quotes Gazzetta Della Sport as saying the cartoon was intended to show Balotelli as a 'giant who had conquered England'.
If the cartoonist's intention was to show Mario as a 'misunderstood soul' then the choice of showing him as King Kong (who, whether you like it or not, as an APE) was at best extremely clumsy and moronic. At worst, highly offensive and racist.
RAP
The using of Big Ben instead of The Empire State Building and Footballs instead of Aeroplanes have obviously been chosen to reference King Kong. Mario is therefore clearly being depicted as an Ape. If I were black, I'd find that very offensive.
posted on 28/6/12
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/6/12
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 13 minutes ago
TOOR.
The Reuters article I read on the subject quotes Gazzetta Della Sport as saying the cartoon was intended to show Balotelli as a 'giant who had conquered England'.
If the cartoonist's intention was to show Mario as a 'misunderstood soul' then the choice of showing him as King Kong (who, whether you like it or not, as an APE) was at best extremely clumsy and moronic. At worst, highly offensive and racist.
---------------------------------------
It wasn't clumsy or moronic at all, it was perfect. I made the link straight away and this is why I couldn't understand the racial link. It wasn't offensive or racist but I can now understand, how it may be seen that way.
posted on 28/6/12
Who knows the artists intention, but it doesn't take a rocket sconcist to make the racist link.
---------------------------------------
It takes a racist to make a racist link. I'm not having a go at you Paisleys - you'd have to read all my comments on this thread to see my exact stance so don't jump to conclusions at my first statement here.
Only, and I repeat, only racists compare black people to monkeys that fact that we all understand that link is one thing, actually making it yourself - as a non-racist which I presume we all are - is another thing altogether. It's an easy trap to fall into. Don't fall into it.
posted on 28/6/12
It's not a trap, it's empathy. I know people will be offended and I dislike the fact that the illustrator is (in my opinion) using this clearly sensitive subject, which will knowingly offend people, purely to raise their own profile. I perceived the racial undertones in this picture just like many other non-racist people, pretending that I don't doesn't make me less racist.
posted on 28/6/12
Only, and I repeat, only racists compare black people to monkeys .
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, by your definition, the cartoonist is guilty of racism.
posted on 28/6/12
He hasn't been depicted as an ape at all. He's been depicted as a character. If he were being depicted as an ape, surely hanging from a tree munching on a banana would have been more obvious that King Kong?
------------
Yes, it would be more obvious... but the the character which is depicted (Balotelli-Kong) can be interpreted as an ape, because Kong is an ape..
If I was playing charades (god forbid!) and I did the King Kong film. then I would more than likely act as a monkey and try to swat planes... because he's a giant ape.
posted on 28/6/12
TOOR.
Fair enough. As usual, we'll have to agree to disagree.
posted on 28/6/12
JB
makar is right it's empathy, empathy and awareness.
I am aware that racists throughout history have compared black people to monkeys that is why the illustration can be be perceived by non racits as having a racial connotation.
posted on 28/6/12
makar- the cartoonist is a multi-award winner so I don't think he needs the raise in profile.
King Kong was a fictional gorilla - one of the analogies has been the black/white conflict. It's only one analogy - there were many political and even personal ones associated with the fil director.Racists have run with this and here we are talking about this one interpretation still.
If people are offended then the only way to me that they can be is by saying Balotelli is portrayed as a monkey. He isn't, he's portrayed as himself.
The cartoonist is as guilty of racism as Disney in the Little Mermaid portrayal with the Jamaican crab.
posted on 28/6/12
JOHNSON.
Mario maybe portrayed as himself but he is being compared to a monkey, and black people don't appreciate being compared to monkeys as it's RACIST!
posted on 28/6/12
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/6/12
He isn't, he's portrayed as himself.
-------------
He's not. He is being portrayed as Balotelli-Kong.
posted on 28/6/12
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/6/12
comment by shortlightandugly (U13938)
posted 22 minutes ago
Only, and I repeat, only racists compare black people to monkeys .
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, by your definition, the cartoonist is guilty of racism.
-------------------------------------------
Wrong. He didn't compare him to a monkey. He compared him to a character, King Kong, which happens to be a gorilla, who shares the same issues as Balotelli. If it were a white person, people wouldn't make the link and would understand it. Balotelli being black shouldn't change that and in fact to treat it differently because Balotelli is black, could be considered racist.
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