The Racist Obama-as-Joker Posters

[RobinFinderson]

Here is the image. It has gone viral, and whether conscious or not, I think it feeds on racism:



Why the Joker? What does the Joker have to do with socialism?

To me, the Joker's whiteface is the racial key. The image says, "He acts white on the surface, but beneath the facade he is still a nigger."

Am I totally off base, or does this poster seem particularly racist to others as well?

[JohnnyLingo]

No. People like you desperately look for racism and grasp at straws.

Let it go. Leave the accusation of racism for real racist situations, not stuff like this.

[Hallelujah]

Here is the image. It has gone viral, and whether conscious or not, I think it feeds on racism:



Why the Joker? What does the Joker have to do with socialism?

To me, the Joker's whiteface is the racial key. The image says, "He acts white on the surface, but beneath the facade he is still a nigger."

Am I totally off base, or does this poster seem particularly racist to others as well?

Didn't Heath's Joker character have a white painted face and a red smile? And Heath was white, last time I checked, so why paint his face white?

Here's a question for you. Can you disagree vehemently with Obama and not be considered a racist?

[Sleeping in EQ]

Here is the image. It has gone viral, and whether conscious or not, I think it feeds on racism:



Why the Joker? What does the Joker have to do with socialism?

To me, the Joker's whiteface is the racial key. The image says, "He acts white on the surface, but beneath the facade he is still a nigger."

Am I totally off base, or does this poster seem particularly racist to others as well?

I don't think you're off base at all. Of course, blacks-as-clowns or as physically amusing, but mindless entertainers is an idea that goes back to at least the old minstrel shows. Here it's doubling with the inverted black face and the creepiness of clowns.

The Joker as an absurd, insane, suit wearing, and criminal clown is being invoked here too.

One thing socialism has to do with the Joker is that it's yet another "ism" that right wingers don't have a clue about. Still, "Socialism" seems to be standing in for "Terrorism" here--it's gesturing to it if you will. The implication is that socialism is terorism.

[JohnnyLingo]

One thing socialism has to do with the Joker is that it's yet another "ism" that right wingers don't have a clue about. Still, "Socialism" seems to be standing in for "Terrorism" here--it's gesturing to it if you will. The implication is that socialism is terorism.

Now this is an argument I can get behind. I agree that the poster equates socialism with terrorism, while assuming Obama is, in fact, a socialist.

I don't agree with that message.

[Guest]

It was created by a history major at Illionis - by a student of Palestinian descent...

Alkhateeb says he wasn't actively trying to cover his tracks, but he did want to lie low. He initially had concerns about connecting his name with anything critical of the president. "After Obama was elected, you had all of these people who basically saw him as the second coming of Christ," he said. "From my perspective, there wasn't much substance to him."

Alkhateeb, of Palestinian descent, follows Middle Eastern politics closely and says that although his views on foreign relations align with the Democrats, he prefers Republican ideals on domestic issues.

[Hallelujah]

I don't think you're off base at all. Of course, blacks-as-clowns or as physically amusing, but mindless entertainers is an idea that goes back to at least the old minstrel shows. Here it's doubling with the inverted black face and the creepiness of clowns.

The Joker as an absurd, insane, suit wearing, and criminal clown is being invoked here too.

One thing socialism has to do with the Joker is that it's yet another "ism" that right wingers don't have a clue about. Still, "Socialism" seems to be standing in for "Terrorism" here--it's gesturing to it if you will. The implication is that socialism is terorism.

FWIW, this looks more like the joker than a minstrel show clown. Or am I wrong?

[SoCalCoug]

It's not as good as the Obama-as-Hitler posters. Now, there's a classy statement.

[All-American]

Something can be immoral, stupid, or wrong without being racist. I find the poster to exemplify the former three and not the latter one.

They're making Obama out to be a major villian. They did the same thing with bush and Cheney, making them out to be Darth Sidious and Darth Vader. Those were wrong too, and not because they were racist (though one wonders if it would be considered racist to compare Obama to Vader). It is wrong because the President deserves more respect than that. You can disagree or even oppose the President without demeaning our country's highest office.