Racism is alive and well in America and it resides in the American Left.

I just had to send a letter to the WaPo editor about this crap.

Editor, I had the unfortunate opportunity to view the so-called cartoon penned by Pat Oliphant for your November 16th edition. The word "disgust" does not come close to the ugly feelings that piece of excrement invoked. The fact that the Washington Post would even publish that garbage speaks volumes about the racism that is obviously rampant among the editorial board of your newspaper. Dr. Rice has led an exemplary life and should be hailed as a role model for all Americans, let alone minorities and women. That she would be treated like this, even in jest, is contemptible.

The Democrat Party and the American Left in general made all kinds of claims about how racist Republicans and the "Religious Right" are during this last election season. They've wrong. Racisim is rampant in this country but the Democrats and the American Left need only look in the mirror to see its' face. Pat Oliphant's cartoon is just one more piece of evidence.

I guess being a Liberal Democrat means never having to say you are sorry. One can be a bigoted racist and put out propaganda that would make a Grand Kleagle blush and no one(Jesse Jackson in particular) will say a word. This cartoon is some of the most racist tripe I have seen in a long time.

This may sound stupid, but could someone explain why this is racist?
I think the cartoon is hate filled, cruel, demeaning and a whole host of other things.

But am I missing something? In order for this to be racist, doesn't it have to be attacking Ms. Rice on some level based on the color of her skin? If she were white, he could have drawn the same hate filled, cruel and demeaning cartoon.

For example, I see This as being racist because it plays off the stereotype that black women are ignorant and have lots of children. But what is racist about portraying Ms Rice as a parrot? Hateful yes. Racist? I don't know.

Don't get me wrong. I think it's a horrible cartoon and I am amazed (not really) that the Black Leadership in this country isn't up in arms about it.

Andy

In my opinion, it exaggerates her physical features in a way that is reminiscent of the old minstrel shows.

Ok,I can see that now.

I initially overlooked this aspect of the cartoon since political cartoons often involve the exageration of physical features.

However, I now see how easily this cartoon could be interpreted as racist. In my initial post I asked if I was "missing something" and I was.

Thanks

-A