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Campus Paper Wrong to Publish N-Word Cartoon

By Beverly Mount
Black College Wire

Beverly Mount says cartoon "was not just a racist act, but one of ignorance and immaturity."

More than 50 angry students have protested in front of the offices of the Independent Florida Alligator newspaper at the University of Florida in response to a controversial cartoon that showed rapper Kanye West holding "The Race Card." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says in a text bubble, "Nigga please."

Some administrators joined the students in protesting the Sept. 13 cartoon, and even University President Bernie Machen asked the Alligator staff to print an apology. But according to an opinions article posted Sept. 19, the Alligator staff does not feel as though it has done anything wrong. In fact, staff members feel they have shed light on an issue that needs intensive care.

The editorial cartoon should not have been published. In an argument, a person may hear something he or she does not like, but blocks it out. Whatever message the cartoonist and the Alligator were trying to send was lost in translation because of the impact the word carries. They used a racist term that has no place in intelligent conversation.

Mike Gimignani, editor of the newspaper, said one of the reasons it separated from the university was to become "independent," and to be able to exercise true freedom of speech, however the staff saw fit.

Andy Marlette, student illustrator at the paper, said he did not intend for his cartoon to be seen as racist.

Marlette said the term "nigga" was taken from popular rap lyrics and comedians.

But rappers do not represent the entire black community. Yes, there are some black people who use the terms "nigga" and "negro" in acknowledging their peers, but many blacks use the terms in an effort to desensitize the hurt and humiliation they carry from 400 years of captivity and servitude.

Marlette said he put "Nigga please" in the cartoon because he could picture a black woman saying that to a black man. That is just not a good enough reason to start up controversy.

To many, this was not just a racist act, but one of ignorance and immaturity. Sometimes when people are in a position to force their opinions on others, they may act without thinking about how that opinion may affect others.

It brings me to an old saying: "To whom much is given, much is required." With a weapon as powerful as a pen, a person has to act responsibly.

Beverly Mount is a senior public relations student at Florida A&M University who writes for the Famuan. She can be reached at [email protected]

Posted Sept. 26, 2005