July 14th, 2008
New Yorker Magazine, Helps Us Understand A Business Case for Diversity
The early days of Affirmative Action was marked by resentment and Quotas. For some , it also meant unqualified. We now have witness many diverse stars of politics and business.
This morning’s news about the cover for the New Yorker brought back memories of a business meeting I attended for Abbott Laboratories.
Our meetings were festive and exciting, this one had a country fair theme. I entered the ballroom of the hotel where the first night’s “Ice Breaker,” was taking place.
Much to my dismay and shock, a confederate flag was part of the decoration. The meeting was held in a southern state. I went to find the VP in charge of this meeting for Abbott. I was in my first management job with the company.I was not the only black at the meeting but as the first black sales manager in my division,I felt it my duty to speak up.
I was prepared for a confrontation but the VP of US Sales, a job I would hold later in my career, understood my dismay and the flag was removed.
Back to the New Yorker, I bet when the discussion for the satire cover to depict the Obamas as terrorists, there were no blacks in the meeting. I further think, there were no woman. I would hope a woman would have protested a potential first lady shown with an AK47 over her shoulder. I would hope a African American would have protested our first family of Black America, being viewed as potential killers.
I think it was a bunch of white men all of whom felt this cover was right and funny. What are your thoughts?
July 14th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I haven’t had a chance to read this article yet but I do normally like The New Yorker. The covers push the envelope but I think this went too far. According to the artist, Barry Blitt he states, “I think the idea that the Obamas are branded as unpatriotic [let alone as terrorists] in certain sectors is preposterous. It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is.” I’m definitely not surprised by this because hey this is the media. I’m wondering how long is it going to take the media how to cover a black presidential canidate.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
This one is a pisser, for sure and for certain.
Obviously, anyone who believes what is being portrayed on that cover believed it already; the cover will only reinforce an existing mind-set.
For those, backers of Obama for President or no, who know better it’s an opportunity to cry outrage, insult and belittlement on their (Mr & Mrs Obama) behalf, to what end, good or bad, I’ve no idea.
As the Obama’s have taken this and worse on the chin and moved on, I haven’t a need to cry foul for them; they have and will continue to rise above the fray and stay on target. Skin that thick doesn’t come cheap or easy and they have, unfortunately, earned it and wear it WELL.
The bigger picture, so to speak, of that cover isn’t limited to just our future President and First Lady; as you said, the implications of black families (black women particularly), muslims (male or female) and the horrificly unsubtle connection of all of the above to terrorism is breath-taking.
All that said, yes. Yes, I agree in whole that there was likely a table full of privledged, satisfied white men who thought it to be the height of hilarity.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
White America is full of it! Their brand of sarcasm and racial humor is nothing new. When generations of bigots teach their children the same, what do you expect? They will tell you to get over it in a heartbeat, then smile in your face and stab you in your back the next day! You see, their collective guilt is masked by a self-pride that verges on insanity. Their perverted minds have blinded many and kept the flame of hate and racism burning in this country. The bible says, in Psalms 37, that soon the wicked will be no more and you will give attention to his place,.. “but the meek and the righteous will inherit the earth.” (quote is paraphrased) Nevertheless, those who continue to assault and humiliate us will eventually get their just due. Let us have the courage, the discipline and endurance to wait on God to exact his revenge upon a crooked and twisted generation that does not know any better, because they never even applied their so-called Christian manners. Despite their claim to know God and Jesus, these Jerry Falwell types will eventually be held accountable for their evil. And, that day is fast approaching! Standfast, remain firm, lookout, do not be misled, your deliverance is near! Hold yourself erect! Boast in God, man is a liar, let him be found true!
July 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Michelle,Thanks for your comment. I heard the article is well done and supports the Obamas as true Americans.The New Yorker is a heavy read and not to my liking but I will check out the article. If their objective was, is , sales and headlines they acheived.
July 15th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Sadly, no matter what the article “says” what people will remember is the picture and that will translate into something else in their brains. People are pretty much visual and I’m sure the editors and publishers realize this so the question is what was the “true” motive…
July 15th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Charmingdriver, thanks for the insight, your point is a reason we should celebrate the remarkable rise of Obama and hope that our youth of all backgrounds will plan to rise up in their life. The haters are why the USA is in the mess we are now
July 15th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
dbroser, God is Great,and we have much to look forward to, the Gods are ready to run the devil away. The rise of Obama is the begining.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Hi Regina, you have to wonder about the reason, it is obvious to me this cover hurts the image of the Obamas.Thanks for the comment
July 15th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Disturbing problem. I linked here to another angle - that adds to the problem also. Great discussion and thanks Jim and community!
July 16th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Was it “satire”? In Neuro-Linguistic Programming, we have a saying: “The message of a communication is the response it elicits, regardless of intention.” So it really doesn’t matter if it was satire as far as I’m concerned.
Yes, I think the New Yorker owes the Obamas an apology. Where is Carroll O’ Connor when we need him?
July 16th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Ellen, thanks for stopping, progress has been made but we have a lot to do.
July 16th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Hi Ed, thanks for your insight, you have to wonder, who, what, how, when, where and why, all we still need to know is why!
July 16th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Jim, I was terriby bothered by this destructive whole cover image — and yet it was your blog that sparked my own post on the matter. We do have a long way to go — and it starts with each of us. Thanks for inspiring the rest of us yet again, Jim, and all! Ellen
July 16th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Ellen, you are always on the right track, I still wonder, who made the decision for the cover?
July 16th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Jim, I so agree with you about this cover. There were whispers and rumors going around as a “dirty trick” to make many fearful that Barak Obama was secretly an Islamic terrorist. Fact is, I have seen bumper stickers that prove this to be true. What the folks at The New Yorker did was to confirm that way of thinking in their minds. That is the sad part. I also think there were not blacks or women at the editorial table. Thanks for a great blog relating to this.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I’m curious how many of you were around when “All In the Family” made its debut. Norman Lear, Carroll O’ Connor, Rob Reiner and quite a few of the principals went to great lengths *before* the debut to warn people that it *was* satire. That didn’t happen with the New Yorker cover, obviously.
You know … I couldn’t bring myself to go see “Borat” either. Times have changed.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
JD,
The bible says that GOD is gonna lock the devil and his demons up for a thousand years. Just think, the earth will be peaceful with no one to make us tremble, slander us, physically harm us, or ruin God’s Holy Mountain. The Truth is being revealed every day. Soon the merchants of the earth and governments will become a thing of the past. We are truly living in the time of the end. (Daniel 2:44)
July 17th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Robyn, thanks for the visit, so much for the liberal New York media, between The New Yorker and the New York Post, New Yorkers are well aware of the conservative spin.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
ED, I loved All in the family, I was in boarding school,playing football, and we use to all gather around the TV, mostly white guys and myself, Richie and LJ,and laugh our ass off. we all knew of Archie Bunkers but at the time it was shocking TV. Thanks for the memory.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
dbrosers, so true, the devils have had theri head start and now the Gods are at war and soon the world will be a better place.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I don’t think the cover hurt the Obama’s.
For those of you who just saw the cover - you’ll have your own perspective on whether or not it was right or wrong to publish - no big deal.
Now, those who read the article will, if they’re intelligent, will see what the real truth is.
Nuff said.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Morgan, point well taken, the problem is many voters do not read the New Yorker and follow right wing retoric no matter what! Thanks for dropping by.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
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