Another Cartoon Controversy
Published by Matt Glover June 24th, 2006 in Cartoons in the News
Steve Benson, of the Arizona Republic Newspaper, has caused the biggest wave in the cartoon world since the Danish cartoons of Muhammad earlier this year. Any political comment that casts the American involvement in Iraq in a bad light is going to get some criticism, but this one has pressed all the wrong buttons.
And you can see why!
The cartoon is in response to the ‘cover up’ of the Haditha massacre carried out by the US Marine Corps.
Daryl Cagle posted the cartoon on his blog and invited comments. Over 300 responses with the ratio 3 (against) to 1 (for).
Steve’s paper reportedly received 1350 letters in response to the cartoon, and the blogosphere contains a number of sites (for example, see here) calling for Benson’s blood. The Daily Cartoonist also has some interesting thoughts.
Regardless of what you think, it is a good example of just how powerful a cartoon can be when it communicates it’s message well and is drawn with skill. Given that we (cartoonists) have such power, we need to also be aware of the responsibility that comes with it. Power needs to be used appropriately, and sometimes that means offending. But often it doesn’t.
What are your thoughts?
Matt, I happen to think that the “with great power comes great responsibility” argument is crap, frankly. We are living in a time when the administration is doing all it can to whip us into a state of constant fear. It’s the new “cold war”, and it’s a put-up job.
I’m not in a mood these days to be careful what I say and I don’t think Steve Benson should be either. Now is exactly the time when we should speak our minds. I’m not giving into the fear and caution mindset and anyone who thinks I should can bite me.
Of course this isn’t directed at you! Just at those who think Benson “should” be careful or that the Danish cartoons “shouldn’t” have been published.
Tell us what you really think Gerry…;)
I happen to think Benson did a great job. Good artwork that tells a powerful message and provokes a strong response. When it comes to politics, I think everyone has right to say what they think, and war is politics.
The Danish thing I think is a little less clear. It’s hard for a non-muslim like me to understand what the fuss is about, but to cause a response that results in the murder of another human being - that’s going too far in my book. Having said that, the extreme factions in any group make it hard to judge what the true response amongst legitimate people of faith would be.
At the end of the day though, I don’t think the power we have is that ‘great’, which probably diminishes our responsibility somewhat. Benson’s cartoon and those of the Danish conflict must surely be something like 0.00001% of all the cartoons published in the last six months. Very few are able to cause that level of intensity.
Thanks again for your input Gerry!