UNC Tar Heel Readers Need a Tutorial in Satire
On the back page of its March 29 print edition, UNC's Daily Tar Heel published the following syndicated editorial cartoon from Tribune Media Services about the death of Trayvon Martin.
Caption: This wasn't about race. I shot because I felt threatened...
Skittles are full of high fructose corn syrup.
The reactions to this bit of satire provoked mass ire on the campus of UNC as evidenced by today's letters to the Editor. Here's a sampling:
Physics major Ashlyn Sanders writes,
The innocent slaughtering of a young male due to his race is not just an issue for the demographic of people it involves, but is an issue for all of the human race. It is a social justice issue that clearly isn’t being understood in this context.
As a result of publishing this cartoon, one is forced to question the DTH’s integrity, maturity and sensitivity to issues affecting many students, and the general public.
Recent graduate Maeva Williamson writes,
As a recent UNC graduate, I am completely appalled that you would allow such a horrific cartoon to be displayed in the DTH. I thought the DTH was supposed to positively reflect our amazing university and community, but you have done the total opposite. I am truly ashamed that this paper is associated with my great alma mater. How dare you allow this cartoon, which in my eyes pokes fun at the murder of Trayvon Martin?
Furthermore, to suggest that race is not a factor in this case is ludicrous. This cartoon is a complete insult to the Martin family and all their supporters who are seeking justice for the murder of Trayvon. He was robbed of his future in this world by a cowardly man who acted out of hatred.
- Comment (4)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (0)
Comments:
May '10
Re: UNC Tar Heel Readers Need a Tutorial in Satire
They also haven't heard of the Twinkies defense.
Re: UNC Tar Heel Readers Need a Tutorial in Satire
I just had a scary thought- if there are now Occupy Wall Street classes, if this story doesn't go away before next school year (it seems there's a story like this every week- remember Kony 2012?) perhaps students will be enrolling in a Trayvon-related course next semester.
Re: UNC Tar Heel Readers Need a Tutorial in Satire
How about Sociology 466: Hoodies, Memory Politics and Urban Violence in Postmodern Intersectional Contexts?
Apr '11
Re: UNC Tar Heel Readers Need a Tutorial in Satire
Amazing what people are "appalled" about.
I am appalled that so many blacks are killed by other blacks for petty slights. I am appalled that we're trillions in debt. I am appalled that so many liberals want to lynch this Zimmerman fellow before the facts are known. I am appalled that, should Florida decline to charge him, riots aren't unlikely and Zimmerman may well find himself facing federal charges just to appease the mob.
A cartoon in the paper? Not so much.