Offended by the image, not so much the truth behind it
Here we go again. There are cries of outrage over particularly biting cartoon about a troublesome issue people wish would go away. This time, it’s from Jacksonville, Fla., and the Times Union.
Some readers were shocked and angered by a Friday editorial page cartoon depicting a black man with a smoking gun in his hand standing over a bullet-riddled victim.
“I didn’t see nuttin’!” said a little girl standing nearby. “Now that’s a good little ho!” said the gunman. Both the shooter and the child wore T-shirts saying “Don’t Snitch!”
The cartoon carried a caption: “The new rule of Law!” A billboard in the background depicted more black characters under lyrics, “Rap your life away.”
Expressions of outrage came quickly, including from the local president of the NAACP.
“Highly offensive and racist,” is how Charles Anderson described the cartoon.
Personally, I find the practice of encouraging people to not report what they know about crime to be highly offensive. Complaints are focusing on the use of the word “ho,” but I suspect that if that word never appeared, some people would be complaining anyway because it just looks bad and reminds us of the serious issues that are not being addressed. One of the issues is how many black people degrade other black people, and the pervasive message that to be a law-abiding citizen is somehow like being “white.”
I’m not going to accuse the NAACP of not being concerned about the underlying issue. But they aren’t solving anything by attacking a cartoonist or a newspaper who had the audacity to be critical this destructive attitude. They should reserve this energy for fighting those who in real life call women “hos.”
And an anti-kudos to the newspaper for backtracking and apologizing for doing its job.
Here’s the image that so offends everyone:
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Now thats quality satire. There needs to be more of this in todays world. We are turning into a society that is afraid to say whats really on our minds, out of fear of hurting someone or some groups feelings.
Nice to see someone have the guts to point out the 800lb gorilla in the room. Not so nice to see it have the usual result.
You dasn’t talk about that! THAT’S RACIST!!!
Bill Cosby, where are you?
Vonster: Do me a favor and don’t take my side, OK?
Heh, wow. I don’t know what’s funnier, the article and the cartoon, or Mr. Dennis’ comment.
I think this mindset exists in Peoria more broadly than the numerous unsolved murders. I read the police blotter in the paper and it seems to come up often enough incidents that read to me me more like intimidation rather than just the immediate crime in question. It is also this mindset that gets me to question the whole ‘crime is down’ mantra the the Chief likes to repeat. Is it really down or do we just have more people not ’snitching’.
Bill: Chicken.
Yeah, the Journal Star often reports on a recent shooting, stabbing, or battery, followed by the news that the victim had absolutely no idea why anyone would have wanted to shoot or stab him. He has no idea why someone would have invaded his home to go after him with a baseball bat.
Random violence is rare. There’s usually a reason behind it (i.e, drugs, domestic disturbance, etc.).
When you read about all these people who are simply clueless about their attackers or the reasons behind the attacks, you realize a sad reality: the “no snitch” philosophy is alive and well in Peoria.
Unfortunately, this overstates the actual level of random violence in our society and contributes unnecessarily to fear. So, the PJStar is doing a disservice by printing the transparent claims made by these “no snitch” victims.