Notre Dame Cartoon Promotes Gay Bashing

[SzczerbiakManiac]

from GLAAD

GLAAD Demands Apology and Retraction of Dangerous Anti-Gay Cartoon
January 14, 2010 by Adam @ GLAAD

On Wednesday, 13 January, The Observer, the student newspaper at Notre Dame University ran an incredibly troubling cartoon that promotes violence against the LGBT community.

The cartoon depicted a conversation between two figures. The conversation read,

"The Mobile Party" from The Observer January 13, 2010

"What's the easiest way to turn a fruit into a vegetable?"

"No idea."

"A baseball bat."



As many people know, "fruit" is often used as a derogatory term for members of the LGBT community.

This type of advocacy of anti-LGBT violence must stop. It isn't funny. What's more, it promotes hate crimes, which are all too prevalent in society today.

The cartoonist had posted on his blog—though it's since been removed—his original version of the cartoon. In the original version, it shows that the punchline read, "AIDS" instead of "A baseball bat." The paper, he reported, preferred "not to make light of fatal diseases."

The Observer made a dangerously misguided decision that promoting violence was somehow superior to making fun of HIV/AIDS. Both versions of the cartoon were abhorrent.

GLAAD contacted The Observer immediately upon seeing this cartoon. The Editor in Chief Jenn Metz relayed a tearful and what appeared to be heartfelt apology by phone. She explained that she was not present when the decision to run this cartoon was made, and that she was incredibly upset that others on staff had made that decision.

Metz plans to run what she describes as a "full retraction and apology," in Friday's edition of The Observer. GLAAD will watch for that retraction and apology. Additionally, GLAAD asked Metz to ensure that the staff responsible for running this cartoon—both the cartoonist and editor who decided it was fit for print—be reprimanded.

GLAAD has also reached out to the office of the President of Notre Dame University, and called upon that office to issue a statement condemning violence and this cartoon that promotes violence. We await response from the University on how they plan to address this type of violent dialogue from continuing to be advanced on campus.

We'll update this post when we receive Metz's written apology and when we hear back from the University.

The Observer issued this "apology"

Responsibility for offensive comic
By Editorial Staff
Published: Friday, January 15, 2010

The editors of The Observer would like to publicly apologize for the publication of "The Mobile Party" in the Jan. 13 edition. The burden of responsibility ultimately lies on us for allowing it to go to print.

There is no excuse that can be given and nothing that can be said to reverse the damage that has already been done by this egregious error in judgment.

The Observer, though an independent newspaper, is representative of the community of the University of Notre Dame and the values it so cherishes: family, understanding, service, respect and love.

Allowing this cruel and hateful comic a place on our pages disgraced those values and severely hurt members of our Notre Dame family—our classmates, our friends. For this, we sincerely apologize.

Unfortunately, the language of hate is an everyday reality in our society. Earlier this week, surprising comments made by Sen. Harry Reid about President Barack Obama's accent and skin color were made public and caused uproar. Now, at Notre Dame, a comic strip including hurtful language was printed in this publication, also causing—and rightly so—serious concern. It becomes clear that hurtful language is still present among some circles, and, too often, it's not until comments like these become public that their true hatred is acknowledged.

The truth is, these comments should not be made at all, and we will not allow our pages to be a forum for such hatred. Publishing commentary that seems to encourage or support hate against fellow human beings is inexcusable.

We must, however more forward, and look to promote instead a culture of acceptance and support for all.

The Office of Student Affairs and the Gender Relations Center, as well as student groups like the Core Council for Gay and Lesbian Students, have worked tirelessly to foster an educated community and an environment of acceptance and love. We would ask that those currently working toward ending discourses of hate on campus continue to do so. We greatly thank you for your tireless effort.

On our part, we must practice more responsible journalism and editing. That this comic was published reveals holes in our editing practices, which are currently being addressed.

In reevaluating our policies, we hope to ensure The Observer will be able to recover from this low point in its almost 50-year history and once again be able to serve the Notre Dame and Saint Mary's community with the dignity it deserves.

We would like to thank all of those who have called, e-mailed, written and visited our offices this week in outrage.

The content of "The Mobile Party" is in no way representative of the views and opinions of The Observer or the Editorial Board. We hope that as we work together to address this serious issue, we will be able to regain your trust.

We vow to continue to represent the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College in a way that is respectful and accepting of each member of our community.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Was your use of quotes on "apology" meant to imply that you aren't happy with the apology? It seems like a pretty unequivocal apology and admission that the cartoon was completely inappropriate and should not have been published at all.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Yes, I consider it to be a lame apology.

[Tref]

The apology, as they say, is worth the paper it was printed on. The most troubling aspect of this is that it was ever thought to be acceptable humor in the first place. I wonder how many read and approved this cartoon before it was printed and what does it say that apparently no one questioned it.

[Alex]

Other than the fifth paragraph, which is a pointless diversion, what would you be looking for?

Here's the "apology" from the cartoonists (how such a strip needs three creators is a bit of a question). I'd say the quotes are a bit more appropriate on that one as their explanation doesn't really make any sense.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Tref

...and what does it say that apparently no one questioned it.

Not knowing anything about that particular operation it is possible that nobody paid sufficient attention to notice it, just dumping the comic into its normal spot and moving on.

Or that the person/people responsible just didn't get it. I was always surprised in college at the weird pockets of naivety you'd run into. I recall one woman who became the laughingstock of the dorm for a while when it was discovered she thought an orgy was a big scary monster (ogre).

Or they just didn't think it a big deal until the **** hit the fan.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

The editor has resigned and the strip has been pulled.

The President of Notre Dame has issued a statement on the matter as well.