tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25473451.post4738256980699174221..comments2024-03-17T19:22:37.877-04:00Comments on Mike Lynch Cartoons: Thomas Nast: Cartoonist, Icon and BigotMike Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06589354018554341768noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25473451.post-45534935840437074932012-01-04T17:06:31.192-05:002012-01-04T17:06:31.192-05:00Here's my column on the Nast controversy; I...Here's my column on the Nast controversy; I'd like to hear what you think...<br /><br />http://imprint.printmag.com/graphic/nast-irish/MichaelDooleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11808875021364967092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25473451.post-64235699412619814282011-12-14T13:31:33.141-05:002011-12-14T13:31:33.141-05:00I suppose we should remove any positive reference ...I suppose we should remove any positive reference to any notable slaveholders in our nation's history as well, then?<br /><br />Lampooning cultural or ethnic stereotypes because his political (and thoroughly corrupt) targets were predominantly Irish seems classless and ignorant by today's standards - but even in WWII our government produced wildly insulting propaganda mocking the physical and cultural stereotypes of our enemies.<br /><br />Nast's cartoons need to be considered in the context of his day. To do otherwise would be revisionist and dishonest.KevinKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764453052923207537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25473451.post-4340811117634244212011-12-04T17:20:51.871-05:002011-12-04T17:20:51.871-05:00Mike
I don't have too much to say about his an...Mike<br />I don't have too much to say about his anti-Catholicism other than to say, being smart and accomplished doesn't make someone all-knowing or even wise. I'm sure he know understands better what bigotry leads to.<br />I will say, though, think you're off the mark with the statement..."Racist immigrant humor was, unfortunately, typical back then; a staple of the cartoon and the music hall -- just like flatulence jokes and getting hit in the nuts is part of popular humor now..."<br />I don't understand any comparison racism and flatulence jokes. I'm nonplussed about this. One is morally wrong and repugnant, the other is, well, just hot air. Bad people are racist. EVERYONE is gassy.Dan Reynoldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03493924652749248285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25473451.post-65675226238508155382011-12-02T05:43:46.197-05:002011-12-02T05:43:46.197-05:00Nast's anti-Irish cartoons went beyond depicti...Nast's anti-Irish cartoons went beyond depicting them as music hall drunks and Steppin McFetchit fools. They were not only deeply offensive from a graphic point of view, but upheld, most often, the teaching of Protestant religion in schools and promoted the notion that Catholic politicians were absolutely beholden to the Pope -- which may have been true to an extent, but no moreso than Protestant politicians would vote their religious convictions. <br /><br />It's not just a matter of going along with the prejudices of the time but of actively campaigning to uphold them when they are challenged. That's quite a different thing.<br /><br />Though I bristle each year when the award in his name is bestowed, I think he belongs in the hall of fame because he did, indeed, transform cartooning, and to a greater degree than DW Griffith transformed cinema. But, like Griffith, his promotion of toxic, actively racist attitudes needs to be footnoted whenever his name is mentioned.<br /><br />As I used to say when presenting his portion of the history of cartooning, I acknowledge his greatness and I hope, wherever he is today, that he's nice and warm.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16807727819590358834noreply@blogger.com