Although Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama often has The New Yorker on his campaign plane, this week’s issue is probably not on board.
The magazine cover depicts Obama wearing a turban as he offers a fist bump to his gun-toting wife, Michelle. The American flag singes in the fireplace and a portrait of Osama bin Laden hangs over the mantle.
Editor David Remick defended the cover and said, “Satire is part of what we do, and it is meant to bring things out into the open, to hold up a mirror to the absurd.”
The Obama camp called the cover “tasteless” and campaign spokesman Bill Burton said that “the New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Sen. Obama’s right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive—and we agree.”
MCKINNEY WINS GREEN PRES. NOMINATION
On Saturday, the U.S. Green Party chose former Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney as its 2008 presidential candidate.
She is joined on the ticket by vice presidential candidate Rosa Clemente, a hip-hop artist and activist.
McKinney, 53, received just over half of the votes cast at the nominating convention in Chicago.
She entered politics by following her father, an Atlanta policeman who later served in the Georgia State House. McKinney won her first seat in 1988, and later ran for and won a House race in 1992, becoming the first black woman to represent Georgia in Congress.
Clemente, 36, born in the Bronx and of Puerto Rican descent, was raised in one of the nation’s poorest communities, and became an activist and journalist angered by the Bush administration’s response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Of the nomination, she said, “I choose to do this, not for me, but for my generation, my community and my daughter. I don’t see the Green Party as an alternative; I see it as an imperative.”
JESSE JACKSON TO RETIRE?
A group of men known as AmeriCan want Jesse Jackson to step down from his position with the Rainbow Push Coalition following his remark that he wanted to cut off Obama’s testicles.
Jackson apologized and later said he thought the controversy had helped the Obama campaign.
“He didn’t receive any pain, I felt the pain and the embarrassment and the hurt,” Jackson said.
The members of AmeriCan say it is hard to teach young people about respect when they hear comments like Jackson’s. “You can’t tell me that Jesse Jackson has been in the media for over 40 years, that when somebody hooks a mic up to him, that he don’t realize that it’s live,” said Harold Davis of AmeriCan.
Calling Jackson “the biggest player hater,” rapper Nas added that “his time is up…It’s a new day. It’s a new voice. I’m here now. We don’t need Jesse; I’m here. I got this. We got Barack, we got David Banners and Young Jeezys. We’re the voice now. It’s no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain’t helping nobody in the hood. That’s the bottom line. Goodbye, Jesse. Bye!”
( SOURCES: CBS, ABC7, BallerStatus)
( Photos: AP PHOTO )
I sort of understand what the New Yorker was trying to do here, which is bring light to the fact that some ignorant people on America think this is who the Obama’s really are. Its a political satire, and thats what they are supposed to do, shed light on the absurd. I dont think its the best way they could have achieved their message though.
um, nas you won’t be speaking for me given the album title you picked but i agree jesse’s time is up. he really effed up what was left of his legacy. he should step down and move on to something else. the new yorker cover is beyond offensive and innapropriate. i’ve never been a big fan of satire anyway-not dave chappel’s brand which he too realized was not right and definitely not this cover. WTH?
I absolutely agree with Obama’s campaign that it was tasteless and offensive……this cover is SO PATHETIC!!!! Who the F**k thought this was funny!!!
I agree Greg.
I agree Nas. He shouldve retired YEARS ago.
I agree I think The New Yorker could have done a better job with the cover. It will just cause more uncertainty among voters. I have nothing else to comment about Jesse Jackson….and Nas I’m not feeling you either.
Can Jesse take Al Sharpton with him if he sails off into the sunset?
Please, let it be a buy one get one free special.
I saw this this morning on another site.. I think it’s crazy especially for the new yorker.. I don’t see these as being comedic in any way.. very distasteful
About the Obama cover:: pictures like that are always drawn about people in the spotlight and in politics. The cover is very tastless and wrong, but so are Most of the pictures that this magazine draws. I just think people are in a uproar because of so many of the disrespectful things that are said about Obama and his family.
Cover funny as HELL. And if it cast a doubt on who you should vote for then you my friend need to do some more reserch. Anybody shaken that easily needs to rethink their reasons for voting
There’s political satire and then there’s garbage. This garbage/smut. The New Yorker got it wrong!
Now Devil’s Advocate question:
Would you all find this cover offensive if it showed McCain in the same light? Or would it be funny to you then?
Just a thought.
I think the magazine cover is cute. Barack should not be off limits from satire. Unfortunately some fools wil interpret is as reflecting reality.
And we still need Jessie despite his flaws. It ain’t over.
The New Yorker should be ashamed. The simply want to get tounges wagging, to hype their magazine. And when did Michelle’s hair ever look like that? When did she ever carry a gun? The older I get , the more I realize that black people have to work over time to get their respect. The reality is when Obama wins the election there will be so many offensive things that he and WE will have to encounter. It’s part of openning those doors.
For Jesse, I’m still trying to understand why he threatened to cut Obama’s balls off?! Who says that? I think he needs to lay low for two years. Maybe I missed something, but what is he suppose to retire from?
ummm… that cover is so tasteless and nas I will not have you but I agree jess should have been gone years ago.
@ #11, Good Question! I don’t have any respect for McCain. He mistook Iraq for Iran, so just imagine the White House going up in smoke if he wins. If it were he and his wife on the cover, it wouldn’t sting as bad, but I would still feel they’re out of line. I don’t think it would be funny even if it’s McCain. Its just tacky, even if it was Bush.
Nas I am with you all the way! Jesse Jackson should be ashamed of himself… and he calls himself a reverend!
What exactly is Jesse retiring from? I didn’t even know that he had a job. He definitely needs to sit down and STFU. I never thought much of him anyway. He always seemed like someone of low character. The adultery and the child outside of his marriage only further diminished any credibility that he might have had. Jesse, Obama and his people told me to tell you, “Hi Hater!!!”
Nas is so annoying and ignorant. “I got this,” “Jeezy got this.” Who exactly are they uplifting? To even put himself on the same wave length as Obama, oh please.
i think they went a little to far…. just a little to far… In a time like this.. in our history to have a Black man get this far in a country ran by White men.. is fantastic and all the things that have been coming up against this man is his journey to the white house is absurd!!
even tho.. they may think its just a “funny” cover.. the problem is we are still trying to convince a lot of people that a black man can properly run this country. This magazine is in the offices of so many high class white business in NEW YORK and ALL OVER THE COUNTRY… why take the risk of fueling more negative energy towards the situation. So Many people are going to see this magazine and rest these kinds of thoughts deep in the back of there minds… rather it be fake or not.. just think bout all the junk we read bout stars.. how most of it is fake.. but secretly we believe it anyways… this is just to far…
Jessie Jackson didnt make it any better.. right now is the time for us as a People and a nation to come together and support one another… how do you think it looks to the rest of the world when.. (Until Now).. the highest man in black politics comes up against the one man that can change the course of history forever..
where we as a people will finally be in our American history books, as leaders, not slaves and run-a-ways…
do you understand…
get it together people..
please..
this whole campaign has been “ready for a change” but honestly… are we really??
it just makes me so mad….
Obama doesn’t laugh at much and that is a problem. I think the cover is satirical. They are clearly making fun of all the rumors about Obama, but leave it to Obama and supporters not to see that.
These are the same people who thought that Hillary wanted Obama assisinated so it doesn’t take much.
My problem is that if Obama does become president the late night shows would need a committee approval before they do any joke about Obama. they would be all very unfunny because they would be severely censored for fear of offending. Even now no one in comedy dare touch Obama because they know the supporters would decend on them like voltures and start eating their “bigot” skin. So we would be left with a country on edge where every joke or satirical commentary would be off limit.
One more reason to vote McCain. At least with him we can make fun and he doesn’t care. I like the idea of being able to make fun of my leaders without feeling like I’m walking on nails.
I would like to add that I have seen worst satirical cartoons of Bush and no even batted an eye or cried “offensive.” What dies and made Obama so freaking special?
He’s black @ Sigh.
I saw this earlier this morning on MSNBC and was very offended. I guess it’s becuase I have so much respect and admiration for both Barack and his wife Michelle. But I need to detach my emotions from the situation.
I just feel like they are disrepecting the two of them because they’re black. However, they make so much satire of the Bush administration, that I can’t even get upset. It comes with the territory. Like someone posted earlier, this is just the begining and it’s going to get worse. They also did this obviously because they knew it would stir up controversy and increase sales.
In my opinion what the New Yorker chose to ignore is that “political satire” is often lost on your average American who still views Obama as the black man with the funny name….This is not what Obama’s campaign needs, but maybe its better it happens now, rather than closer to the election….
SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE NAS A REALITY CHECK…..yes you have demonstrated the ability to make SOME SONGS which educate and enlighten the listener…HOWEVER…Rappers are not political activists in disguise….When rappers elimate advocating the killing of men and women who look like them…or the destruction of the community through drugs and the ill treatment of women in their songs then maybe they would have a pot to p*** in…..until then stop exaggerating the importance of men who appear to only be concerned with making money at all costs irrespective of the damning effects on THEIR PEOPLE and THEIR COMMUNITY..So the SNOWMAN is the voice of whom Nas…hmmmm??
MCKINNEY needs to sit the fuck down! No one is going to vote for her. She’s stealing votes from the Democratic party. Why would she do that?? The sad thing is she used to be Democrat so she knows where those extra votes could end up.
@ #24 THANK YOU!
David Banner and Young Jeezy are not our voice! They are the voices of destruction within the black community. He was ignorant for that statement.
While some will understand the cover picture of The New Yorker as a satire, the masses while miscontrue it otherwise. I prefer to side with those who see the offensiveness that it portrays in more ways than one.
That is just horrible why would people go that far.?I don’t find anything funny about the cover at all I hope Obama let their asses have it They can keep hating her will be president Obama ’08 yes we can
@WillPwr – co-sign!
and if the New Yorker wants me to just get over it, show me the McCain “satire” – asap.
break it down #18 and #24…nas, as if boo
WOW New Yorker.
Good for Ms. McKinney.
*Sigh* Jesse Jackson
I understand the cover and I can understand why people would offended by the image. I think it is inappropriate to question one’s patriotism. But this is politics and if Barack is going to run for president and take over the white house (which I hope he does) his campaign is going to have grow some thick skin fast. His opponents are going to pull all the stops and throw shade on him in every way. He is just going to have to fight it and move on.
all is fair in love, war and politics!!!
I get the cover. The problem is that, there are those that won’t get it.
I didn’t even realize Jackson had a gig to retire from…..
I think if Barak does not make a big deal out of it we shouldn’t. From now up until November 4, 2008 there is going to be someone who is going to try to relate him to being a muslim. Because there are some small minded people out here who will agree with it not because it’s true, but, because they just want too believe that about that man. And the reality of it is it shouldn’t matter if he is, but, he’s not. Because this administration along with the media has done such an awesome job of distorting the islam faith that people just automatically associate it with negativity.
Mr. & Mrs. Obama seem to be very careful in there skin and so something seems like it wouldn’t bother them.
That carictature of Barack and Michelle is ridiculous. These people will not get off this man. He’s going to be the PResdient so just get over it.
~Sparkle~
I agree #11
Let’s face it Obama is not so special that he should be treated any differently than any other politician…I admit the picture is a little offensive but I have seen WAY MORE offensive cover of Bush and people (black people) just laughed, agreed, and moved on.
He is still in the process of running so the media really haven’t started pulling all their guns yet, if he wins, the first mistake he makes it’s gonna be a media frenzy with WAY MORE derogatory images…it’s just part of that world, it’s wrong but it is.
All i’m saying is calm down people and stop trying to relate everything somebody says or does that you do not agree with back to him being black.
You know what, eff what they said about it being satire. That is b.s. McCain who is apart of the Bush administration has damn near sent all of our youth off to die, drained our economy and in essence is killing America himself. Which… if you think about it is really what Osama wanted to begin with. Yet I see no depictions of McCain dressed up in a turban and praising Osama bin Laden. I hate throwing up the race card in seemingly non-race issues, but it’s hard not to think that it’s just a bunch of upset YT’s trying to build on the fear of Americans who are opposed to Obama for some dumb reason like above and influence them not to vote for him. Joke or not, it’s not funny and they need to sit down.
Nas is my boy, love Nas to death and while I agree Jesse’s time has been over for a LONG time, way longer than before he made that ignorant ass comment… I for one do not want to be represented by Young Jeezy’s or David Banner’s because neither one of them are doing nothing for the race but still popularizing “thug life”.
#37.
I’m not sure if you know this or not, but The New Yorker BLASTED the Bush Administration when he was running against John Kerry. They were VERY pro Kerry/ anti-Bush. Even going as far as Officially endorsing Kerry & shunning Bush.
They even depicted Bush as Nero on a cover. Nero was known to be a tyrannical leader, who was responsible for the executions of his own family members and the persecution of Christians.
So it’s not a black/white thing. I wish black people would stop getting all up in arms & offended when one of ours isn’t viewed in a positive way. But when a white person is shown in a negative light..it’s funny…no one gets upset of offended. Everyone is not going to be for him, everyone is not going to agree with his views. That’s politics. This man is running for public office, he has to take the good with the bad…the supporters with the nay-sayers.
This is not “satire” this is SABATOGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This magazine should be fined and ashamed of themselves for such irresponsibility
I see the gloves are coming off people are lining up to take nasty shots at Barak Obama.
But they will not be successful.
The truth will shine thru this election unlike the past 2 presidentail campaign robberies.
FIGHT THE POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!
VOTE BARAK OBAMA 08
some YT folks are just a DISGRACE to be even included in the human race.
@24 Thank you. Typically when I go at Nas ppl get real crazy. I’m glad someone else agrees that he is not as important or insporing as he thinks he is.
somebody pls ask nas to kindly stfu…..i hate it when these illiterates try to mix it up with the big boys
“we got me, we got david banner, we got jeezy”….what?
boy STOP!
^^^Inspiring^^^ Spell check…
A question to the Concreteloop family:
What would be a good idea for a caricature as a rebuttal to the rendition featured on the New Yorker magazine?
Let your imagination run wild!
“Scurv”
“Amerikkka’s Most Outspoken Artist”
#33….took the words right out my mouth…the cover woulda been hilarious if the american public wasnt made up of morons that truly believe the BS
…and that mckinney lady is a dumbass
Not only is it tasteless and offensive, it’s disrespectful and albeit prejudged satire or not. The media though the either don’t like to admit it or refuse to acknowledge it, has a responsibility to be correctly informed and present correct and true information. This cover depicts a hidden fear most people feel whether Black, White, Asian, Hispanic etc for anything different then themselves which turns into unfounded hatred.
Just because he is trying to work with Muslims doesn’t mean he is Muslim and so what if he is Muslim-The acts of the few doesn’t portray the hearts of the many…Malcom X learned that on his pilgrimage to Mecca…I am a Christian but I believe we can learn some things from the Quran and Muslim teachings for instant how to pray without ceasing.
Anyway IMO the ad is ridiculous and not the least bit funny, frankly its quite sad.
I’m sorry, but there are plenty of different ways to make fun of Obama — and this isn’t it. Are you calling him a terrorist? Are you saying he supports the war? If anyone should be wearing a turban, it’s Bush and McCain – two of the most worthless people on the planet. There are ways to make fun of people and then there’s just pure foolishness.
The problem is this country doesn’t know anything about black people, and if they did they would know how to make fun of us the right way.
I pretty much agree with everyone thus far that has stated that things are going to get worse for Barack in the months to come. The picture is definitely offensive, but it serves a purpose too. The New Yorker is simply trying to increase their sales. Barack is a smart man, he is fully capable of handling this situation just like the controversy that has surrounded him before.
As far as the Nas comment is concerned, I agree with him wholeheartedly. In his defense, I think most people are suprised that he is referencing David Banner and Young Jeezy, but he has his reasons. David Banner has been an advocate for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and has donated money to various foundations that support the youth in the Mississippi and Louisiana areas. While, Young Jeezy has donated a fully serviced van to a handicapped child. Now, I’m not sure how often Young Jeezy gives back to the community, but David Banner has been helping disadvantaged people in Mississippi for some time. Nas is simply saying that it’s time that our generations’ role models, which for some people are rappers (ie David Banner), need to step up their game and take care of one another.
and its not that I don’t get it-and I’d like to give more credit to the population and say that many will get it, its just that I think its tasteless.
lol@33..when I read the title of this post, I thought ” retire from what?”
Jesse’s time may be up, but I don’t think David Banner or Young Jeezy would be the voice for black people
Jesse Jackson needs to retire and so does Al Sharpton.
The New Yorker know they are wrong for that and it’s not even funny. Would they do that to John McCain no because he is a old white man. That magazine seem racists to me.
Nas needs to shut up because he does not speak for me, concreteloop family and so forth. Why on earth would he say that we already have Yung Jezzy and David Banner?
The cover is not funny, but expected from the New Yorker.
Jessie has a job?
Nas please shut up (and I almost never say that). I know David Banner gives back to his community and all but I don’t want him, Young Jeezy or you speaking for me.
The caricature was funny… but honesty people, how many people will understand that it was meant to be funny? Not many… a lot of Americans are not that educated to understand the picture and they may believe what they see rather then try to understand that the New Yorker was actually poking fun at all the things the Obamas have been called by the American (some of the ) people… But, I would like to see what they will do for McCain…
Congrads to Ms. Kinney! I too am African American and Puerto Rico (borica morena) grew up in BK (Brooklyn) so big ups for wanting to take a stand… hopefully, we won’t turn our backs on you when we disagree with a comment you may say when you get older (Jesse Jakson)
Thank you Black British Girl! Yes, those rappers do make songs good, but they also make bs songs as well, so they cannot and SHOULD not be the voice of reason for us… Now, before we all jump on diss bandwagon for Jesse Jackson, let us remember that when there were no leaders he was the one people turned to, don’t disrespect him now by turning the cheek on the man… yea, we all know that as our elders get older they sometimes miss the point, but if it were not for the elders we would not have the rights that we have now. And Jesse Jackson is an elder… Why do we denounce our elders as soon as they say something we do not like? Last time I check he was hueman…
We need to reach an undersstanding with our elders and young people;we need a medium.
*Peace
personally i just think rev. jackson is just jealous cuz obama really has a chance of winning this race
If you don’t like what the New Yorker does…then don’t purchase the publication…don’t go to their website…and don’t support any of the other businesses that the company has. If all people who oppose the cover did that…The New Yorker would get the message and never do it again.
But you also gotta think….who is their customer? If it’s John McCain supporters…The New Yorker won’t suffer.
If David Banner and Young Jeezy are the “new voice”, we might as well remain VOICELESS. Nas can’t be serious!!
@ #44 Lance Scurvin, checked out the website….nice work.
Do you mean a satire depicting the Republican nominee or a rebuttal to The New Yorker?
The New Yorker cover will cause more uncertainty BUT you best believe this was done on purpose. Don’t think for a second that they had good intentions, they know good and well the masses hardly ever get sarcasm and satire, they take everything literally. It always amuses me to see the media playing “dumb”, like they don’t know why people are so shocked, they’re so innocent.
Yeah it is a failing magazine so right now they’re doing anyhting to generate interest. Even if it means stopping this low. The editor of that magazine would sell it’s own child into a child sex ring just to generate sales.
Low down dirt ass racists!!!