The Oklahoma Women's Network Blog brings us information about an editorial cartoon that ran in yesterday's The Oklahoman. It features Sonia Sotomayor, the incredibly accomplished woman nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by Pres. Barack Obama, as a dangling pinata awaiting a good bashing.
If you'd like to send your comments about this cartoon to The Oklahoman, you can do so by phoning (405) 475-3311.Oklahoma ranks as the 3rd worst state in the nation for women. Much of what holds Oklahoma women and girls back is linked to our state's culture of violence and disresepct for women. Oklahoma ranks #4 in women murdered by men, #1 in child abuse and our domestic violence shelters are full of women escaping violence.
So The Oklahoman today runs a cartoon showing Sonia Sotomayor - a brilliant Hispanic woman scholar, lawyer and judge - strung up by a rope while men with clubs prepare to have at her for believing she's qualified to serve on the US. Supreme Court...
A picture speaks louder than words and that cartoon sends a message to women of all ages: "Back off. Know your place. Or we'll take a stick to you and teach you a lesson."
Regardless of the intent of the cartoonist and the easing effect of the images that make it, contextually, slightly more palatable (e.g. scared elephants), the cartoon still contains very offensive imagery. Certainly, the intent of the artist, along with his overall body of work should be considered when consdering HIM, but not when viewing the CARTOON.
Try thinking about it another way. Imagine if, in 2008, I made a cartoon showing Barrack Obama on a cross wearing a hijab, John McCain standing below him with a whiskey bottle, stakes, and hammer in hand, and right-wing reporters standing around with scared looks on their faces. Now, just because, ultimately, I was trying to make fun of right-wing journalist, does that mean the cartoon is a-okay? Hell no. African-Ameicans, Jews, Muslims, Irish-Americans, and Christians would, understandably, be offended.
Also, little or no attention was paid to national origin when Roberts, Breyer, or O’Connor were nominated. Some attention was paid to Scalia, but he is a darker-skinned Italian with black hair and brown eyes. A wee bit of attention was paid to Alito in this regard, but only to highlight the advancement of his immigrant family. In any case, the VOLUME and OUTRAGEOUSNESS of attention to ancestral national origin, especially in major media, is wholly unique to Sotomayor.