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UPDATED – A cartoon depicting a Hamas terrorist aired in The Washington Post on Wednesday. Yet, by the end of the day, the cartoon was yanked because those who work for the WaPo along with readers clutched pearls and wept about how racist it is!
Sally Buzbee, the executive editor of the Washington Post, sent an email to staff members on Wednesday night acknowledging their “many deep concerns and conversations” about a cartoon criticizing Hamas that the newspaper earlier in the day published and then deleted.
You see, how dare someone do a cartoon that goes against the preferred narratives! This truly is shades of Charlie Hebdo!
Charlie Hebdo was a long-time satirical publication in Paris, France who dared to publish a cartoon depicting Mohammed. This is the same publication that would skewer anyone and anything no matter the narrative of the day. Then, two Muslim terrorists forced their way into the paper’s offices and murdered twelve people while leaving 11 others injured.
The move by The Washington Post reminds me of that situation. A cartoon by Michael Ramirez was deemed wrong speak and wrong think.
The political cartoon, titled ‘Human Shields’, depicted a large-nosed Hamas extremist with infants, children and women tied to him, as he questioned: ‘How dare Israel attack civilians…’
Now, what did this problematic cartoon look like?
This one… https://t.co/7SgDbljrpC pic.twitter.com/FPtu4ltrik
— EducatëdHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) November 9, 2023
Well, please look again and tell me what is wrong with this picture? Hamas has ALWAYS been known to use their own citizens as human shields. Yet, evidently, those who work for The Washington Post and many of their readers refuse to acknowledge the truth and instead went whining to the paper. Who then caved and gave reasons for yanking the cartoon. Per Opinion Editor David Shipley
However, the reaction to the image convinced me that I had missed something profound, and divisive, and I regret that. Our section is aimed at finding commonalities, understanding the bonds that hold us together, even in the darkest times.
Dear David, the profoundness you missed is the narrative of the day. Hamas is GREAT! Israel is…NOT. Heck the letters you chose to post give glaring examples of that!
The caricatures employ racial stereotypes that were offensive and disturbing. Depicting Arabs with exaggerated features and portraying women in derogatory, stereotypical roles perpetuates racism and gender bias, which is wholly unacceptable.
~Snip
Michael Ramirez’s Nov. 8 editorial cartoon depicted a Hamas representative tying women and children to himself to use as human shields, then blaming Israel for their deaths. Though no one disputes that Hamas hides in civilian areas to evade the Israeli army, this cartoon amounted to an attempt at excusing Israeli war crimes.
First of all, it’s highly evident that no one understands cartoons. Features and or objects are exaggerated to make the point through politics, humor, satire, etc. That is something that has been a product of cartoons for hundreds of years. This is not new people. Get a grip.
Secondly, it was Hamas that committed the war crimes by going into Israel and attacking unarmed men, women, and children.
However, there were some who operate in reality, and understood what the cartoon was depicting.
I care very much about those innocent people suffering in Gaza. Do you think Hamas cares about the Palestinian civilians? Hamas brought this upon them. It is hoarding fuel that can power the hospitals. It can release the hostages and bring about a cease-fire. It can surrender and stop the war. Yet some blame only Israel, which was attacked by a group who slaughtered and rejoiced — and has promised to do it over and over again. — Lets be honest
Does the WaPo think that if they backpedal hard enough, they’ll avoid what happened at the New York Times yesterday afternoon?
When a hiring a handful of Hitler fanbois and October 7 massacre participants as freelance cub reporters just isn't good enough https://t.co/jznKTaQCUc
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) November 9, 2023
Deluded people all over the U.S. and world are gleefully pulling down posters of those whom Hamas kidnapped. They are all apologists for terror. Some try to both sides the issue, including politicians who know better but will walk or push the chosen narrative always. Meanwhile, there are Jewish students on college campuses who feel unsafe because of the virulent anti-semitism that has crawled out from under all the rocks.
New York City is dealing with an over 200% RISE in anti-semitism attacks since October 7th. Yet The Washington Post is afraid of offending Hamas supporters. Yesterday, Deanna reminded us that it was the 85th Anniversary of Kristallnacht, yet the WaPo is horribly afraid of offending terrorists.
Meanwhile, this is Michael Ramirez’s latest cartoon.
House censures Representative Tlaib for her use of a slogan that calls for the elimination of Israel. Michael Ramirez: Blinkered 11-09-23, by @Ramireztoons https://t.co/TvnB0DN3v7 pic.twitter.com/I7z7U8NtqG
— Michael Ramirez (@Ramireztoons) November 9, 2023
Cue the pearl clutching mob whining about ‘MUH HAMAS!’ in 3…2…1.
People like Nick Gillespie may not like political cartoons, but he is correct in that banning one because someone doesn’t like that opinion is risible. In my opinion WaPo’s banning of this cartoon because reasons goes against our First Amendment rights to free speech – which INCLUDES opinions!
UPDATE: Michael Ramirez has responded. He won’t back down, and will continue to publish his work at the Las Vegas Review Journal and at WaPo.
“When the intellectually indolent try to defend the indefensible, they always seem to resort to playing the race card. They’re trying to claim that this caricature is a racial exercise, when in its specificity, it is Ghazi Hamad, who is a senior Hamas official, who went on Lebanese television praising the brutal Oct. 7 attack and systematic slaughter of women, children, and men and pledged to do it over and over again until the annihilation of Israel.”
He’s absolutely correct.
Feature Photo Credit: Stomping on free speech via iStock, cropped and modified
Cameron says: Wow….look at all that democracy dying in the sunlight.
[…] Victory Girls […]
John Shepherd says: Under the law of armed conflict using human shields is the war crime. When a military chooses to hide among and operate from non combatants they assume responsibility for what happens not the other party.
GWB says: It’s also not a war crime to kill civilians in war. What is against LOAC is deliberately targeting them or using disproportional force – such that civilians will be killed in a manner unnecessary to the military objective.
(And a valid military objective is the surrender of the enemy, by applied pressure to the civilian population.)
NTSOG says: Apparently it’s racist to tell the truth about Hamas.
GWb says: The move by The Washington Post reminds me of that situation.
Except they didn’t even need to shoot anyone. Just cry and whine. Pathetic.
was seen by many readers as racist
So, you’re admitting that a lot of really ignorant and stupid people read your paper and are vocal about their stupidity?
This was not my intent.
Why is that even relevant? Only to cover your backside by virtue signaling.
understanding the bonds that hold us together
Has NO ONE noted the irony of that phrase in connection to the cartoon?
portraying women in derogatory, stereotypical roles
Being tied to a war criminal as a human shield is stereotypical? WT Actual?
this cartoon amounted to an attempt at excusing Israeli war crimes
No. It has nothing to do with any alleged Israeli war crimes. And, btw, waging war that impacts civilians is NOT a war crime, in ANY case. It is only a war crime if 1) the enemy is attempting to separate combatants and non-combatants, and 2) any civilian casualties are incidental to valid military objectives. (IOW, they are not inflicted as an intentional and disproportionate result.)
Features and or objects are exaggerated to make the point through politics, humor, satire, etc.
But, but, but… big nose! That’s anti-semitic! (Boy, they should look at some of the left’s cartoons, and the stuff in the Middle Eastern press!)
virulent anti-semitism that has crawled out from under all the rocks
Honestly, it hasn’t been under those rocks for a while. It’s been wandering about, just waiting to pounce. But no one wanted to see them.
Cue the pearl clutching mob whining about ‘MUH HAMAS!’ in 3…2…1.
What do chickpeas have to do with this? Oh, wait….
And good on Ramirez for standing firm. He’s a good guy from all I’ve seen.
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