You are reading Alledgedly Racist T-Shirt Likens Obama to a Banana Eating Monkey, Gets Sold in Georgia Bar. You can leave a comment or trackback this post.
Comment on August 25th, 2008.
To ignore the racial undertones of this shirt is to ignore the history of dehumanizing blacks in America as sub-humans and the constant comparisons of them to primates from Africa. It’s just short of calling black people savages.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207163811.htm
http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/06/a-quick-remedial-course-in-racist-iconography
http://blackademics.org/2008/06/13/on-political-monkeys/
(1 comments.)Comment on August 25th, 2008.
Well I dont think the tshirt racist but thats because I am from india and well I dont get discriminated nor am I familiar with that racist history. But I wouldnt wear the tee if in favour of Obama even though the monkey is kinda cute.
Comment on August 26th, 2008.
Spork: That blackademics link does a really good job of explaining the exact reason why this shirt is racist. Thanks for posting.
Karmel: It’s interesting how racism manifests itself differently in various places. I can totally understand your innocence to this, but in the Western world certain symbols like monkeys and bananas are insulting. Much the same way as a pig might be insulting to a Muslim person.
Comment on August 27th, 2008.
I wonder what other people think of an Obama t-shirt I recently discovered:
“MikeHunt is for Obama!” You can see it at http://www.mikehunttees.com or myspace.com/mikehunttees
Comment on August 27th, 2008.
I think that would go over a lot of people’s heads dude ;)
(1 comments.)Comment on September 11th, 2008.
Went over my head. But that Obama shirt is clearly racist. Why else would they use the curious George iconography?
(1 comments.)Comment on September 12th, 2008.
I don’t find it racist, I think it’s funny as hell. With all the mug slinging campaign between them two I think a little funny shirt is the least of his problem
(2 comments.)Comment on September 16th, 2008.
That’s a low blow, but I agree with Alex… it would go over a lot of people’s heads.
(1 comments.)Comment on September 18th, 2008.
That is an easy joke and racist too. I prefer t-shirts that are creative. Like this one for instance:
(1 comments.)Comment on September 19th, 2008.
I think its a pretty funny t-shirt. Its kind of supporting Obama, as well as an Anti-Obama…considering the fact that there is a Monkey on that t-shirt.
T-Shirt Design Junkie
http://www.tdjunkie.com
Comment on September 21st, 2008.
As I have stated to others in the past, t-shirt design is SO subjective. What someone sees as offensive may be seen as “cute” by another. This particular Obama shirt raised controversy because someone wanted to see it as controversial. “Subjective” is the key word I believe! Personally, it is a unique design at a unique time of our political voting process. It’s more iconic than offensive I think. Keep up this great site….very informative. All the best!
Comment on October 17th, 2008.
Ofcourse it’s a racist shirt. Anybody with an ounce of american history in their heads could see that. Great site. Keep up the great work.
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Comment on February 2nd, 2009.
Racist or not, i like george! Hahaha. =P
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