Newsflash: Likening Obama to a monkey makes you look like a racist

The BBQ Pit
1

I’m talking to the idiots behind this idea.

Here’s a picture of the Obama Monkey Doll.

Look. I know our educational system sucks. And I know we haven’t been taught history very well. But surely people understand why it’s not cool to compare black people to monkeys and apes, right? Surely we understand that it’s not just because it’s offensive to compare human beings to animals, but because not that long ago serious scholarship argued that black people weren’t even humans.

[quote=“The Negro: What Is His Ethnological Status?” written by Rev. Buckner Payne in 1867]
“… Adam and Eve being white, … they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro…”

“*t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”

“[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him … through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation. The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”
[/quote]

When I hear about things like the Obama Monkey Doll, the gullible, rainbows-and-lollipops part of me wants to believe that people are just stupid in a “Lord, they know not what they do” kind of way. The more cynical, but still forgiving part wants to think that these people are just being provocative. I would hate to think that racists would be so bold and out in the open, because it makes me lose all hope of Obama winning. And if he does win, it makes me very afraid what else is in store.

When Michelle Obama has to shield her daughters’ eyes from this kind of garbage, I wonder if she still feels proud of her country.

2

Of course, on a visceral level I totally agree with you.

On the other hand, W. has been likened to a monkey for at least ten years. Do we have to stop that, too? I don’t want to.

ETA: (I can’t even really look at that thing without seeing GWB.)

3

Is there a sock monkey version of McCain, too?

4

[QUOTE=Larry Mudd]
Of course, on a visceral level I totally agree with you.

On the other hand, W. has been likened to a monkey for at least ten years. Do we have to stop that, too? I don’t want to.
[/QUOTE]

But did the Chimp stuff start before we had experienced his presidency and discovered how stupid he is?

It’s not a rhetorical question. I really don’t remember.

That said, you’ve made me think.

5

I’m quite disappointed at the quality of racist humor I’ve been hearing. I was hoping by now there’d at least be a couple of funny racist Obama jokes, but if there is, I haven’t heard them.

6

If they keep up this steady stream of racist bullshit, you think people will get sick of hearing it? Is there a possibility for some good coming of this?

7

[QUOTE=monstro]
But did the Chimp stuff start before we had experienced his presidency and discovered how stupid he is?
[/QUOTE]
I made a little poster in late 1999, modifying a portrait of him by morphing it with a chimpanzee, adding a banana being pulled from his suit jacket, and a caption: “Banana Republican.”

Of course, up here we didn’t have to experience his presidency to discover how stupid he is - his palpable unsuitability for office was probably the dominant note of coverage of the race, starting with the Republican primaries.

8

[QUOTE=Larry Mudd]
I made a little poster in late 1999, modifying a portrait of him by morphing it with a chimpanzee, adding a banana being pulled from his suit jacket, and a caption: “Banana Republican.”<snip>
[/QUOTE]

I don’t suppose you could post that picture, could you? It sounds hysterical!

9

The makers of unfunny, political crap you don’t need had to come out with something ever since this stopped selling. Idiots.

10

[QUOTE=Cat Fight]
The makers of unfunny, political crap you don’t need had to come out with something ever since this stopped selling. Idiots.
[/QUOTE]

Actually, even though I’m female and I like Clinton quite a bit, I think that’s funny! In fact, I would have loved it if during her campaign she’d shown it and said “You betcha, Washington! Watch out, 'cause Hillary’s coming!”

11

I’m baffled. Is there anything at all about Obama’s facial appearance or demeanor that even suggests a monkey? I think simian stereotypes are insulting no matter what, but as someone mentioned, GWB probably comes closer to that sort of offensive comparison than Obama does.*

*Nevertheless, I’m pretty sure I’ve never joined the crowd referring the the current prez as ‘the chimp’

12

[QUOTE=monstro]
But did the Chimp stuff start before we had experienced his presidency and discovered how stupid he is?

It’s not a rhetorical question. I really don’t remember.

That said, you’ve made me think.
[/QUOTE]

I don’t think it did, until later. Though W. was never known for his intelligence, whereas Obama is known to be articulate and smart.

The feel I’m getting from the Obama remarks is that people are trying to be clever, coming up with racial things that they can easily cover their asses over. You know, “Calling him a monkey isn’t racist…Dubya was also called one!” or “Baby Mama” isn’t racist–it’s used for white people, too." Yeah, maybe no one is trying to be racist and offensive, but it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.

13

[QUOTE=Freudian Slit]
I don’t think it did, until later. Though W. was never known for his intelligence, whereas Obama is known to be articulate and smart.

The feel I’m getting from the Obama remarks is that people are trying to be clever, coming up with racial things that they can easily cover their asses over. You know, “Calling him a monkey isn’t racist…Dubya was also called one!” or “Baby Mama” isn’t racist–it’s used for white people, too." Yeah, maybe no one is trying to be racist and offensive, but it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.
[/QUOTE]

Cosign!

On one hand, I agree that we should be able to poke fun at the guy if only because he’s a politician. Plus, it only seems fair that the Republicans be able to have a chance at fun after 8 years of “their” guy getting hammered. Obama supporters shouldn’t be so hypersensitive that every insult or slight is perceived as racism. We will hurt his chances if we get upset at the drop of a hat.

But on the other hand, I don’t think shit should be allowed to slide either. And Obama=monkey borders on shit. Maybe in a vacuum it’s funny. But entirely too many people believe that black people are monkeys. Why entertain those jerks by creating toys for them? I just don’t get it.

14

[QUOTE=El_Kabong]
I’m baffled. Is there anything at all about Obama’s facial appearance or demeanor that even suggests a monkey? I think simian stereotypes are insulting no matter what, but as someone mentioned, GWB probably comes closer to that sort of offensive comparison than Obama does.*

[/QUOTE]

Obama looks a lot like a sock monkey, but sock monkeys don’t really look like real monkeys. Both sock monkeys and Obama have big months (in proportion to face size), small eyes (again in proportion), long skinny faces (and body frames), and prominent ears.

http://www.topnews.in/usa/files/obama.jpg
http://a7.vox.com/6a00c2252042438fdb00d4141d5def685e-500pi

15

[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun]
Obama looks a lot like a sock monkey, but sock monkeys don’t really look like real monkeys. Both sock monkeys and Obama have big months (in proportion to face size), small eyes (again in proportion), long skinny faces (and body frames), and prominent ears.

http://www.topnews.in/usa/files/obama.jpg
http://a7.vox.com/6a00c2252042438fdb00d4141d5def685e-500pi
[/QUOTE]

Does he look like Curious George too?

16

[QUOTE=monstro]
Does he look like Curious George too?
[/QUOTE]

No. Curious George’s face is too round, and his eyes are too big. No resemblance, really. Obama definitely looks more like a sock monkey than Curious George.

17

I question whether the writings of the Rev. Buckner Payne were regarded as “serious scholarship” even in 1867.

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[QUOTE=Terrifel]
I question whether the writings of the Rev. Buckner Payne were regarded as “serious scholarship” even in 1867.
[/QUOTE]

I think Bob Jones University’s science department is named after Reverend Payne.

19

[QUOTE=monstro]
Does he look like Curious George too?
[/QUOTE]

Curious George looks like someone else.

20

Damned thing is… by itself, if you can ignore the racist overtones, undertones & around-the-corner-tones, The SockObama IS cute!