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Alledgedly Racist T-Shirt Likens Obama to a Banana Eating Monkey, Gets Sold in Georgia Bar

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by Alex.
Categories: Political, T-Shirts That Shouldn't Exist

Obama Monkey T-Shirt

I was trolling Digg and Cafepress to see if I could find any interesting campaign related t-shirt, and instead found something to file under T-Shirt That Shouldn’t Exist.  What I found surpsing was some of the user comments in response to the bar owner’s assertion that, “. . . the hairline, the ears, he looks just like Curious George.”  Have a look:

I support Obama and I think this shirt is hilarious. I would love to wear one and see peoples reactions. This is just the kind of thing we need to open up discussion on racism.

Really?  I’d never wear a shirt like that, whether I support Obama or not, because the shirt is in bad taste.  The next comment, however, cuts to the truth with a heavy dose of sarcasm:

Yeah, that’s racist as hell. Nobody ever made fun of Bush by saying he looks like a monkey.

Phew, that almost went over my head.

So is there anything inherently racist or offensive about comparing a person to a member of a different species?  After all, the current president has been lampooned in much the same way.  What makes this t-shirt racist is the racist lore from which it draws it’s imagery.

[StraightFromTheA via Digg]

2 Votes | Average: 2.5 out of 52 Votes | Average: 2.5 out of 52 Votes | Average: 2.5 out of 52 Votes | Average: 2.5 out of 52 Votes | Average: 2.5 out of 5 (2 votes, average: 2.5 out of 5)
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 12 comments.

spork

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/

Karmel (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.

Alex

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.

kaliband

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

Alex

Comment on August 27th, 2008.

I think that would go over a lot of people’s heads dude ;)

Shawn (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?

Funny T Shirts

Fun Shirt Guy (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

xok (indie clothing) (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.

Esteban (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:

TDJ (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

Dan

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!

http://www.tee-toons.com

soge shirts (2 comments.)

Comment on October 2nd, 2008.

Pretty racist and not funny if you ask me.

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