Georgia man selling Obama "monkey" shirts.

[Erin Elizabeth]

I just found a video on msnbc.com about this and it's disgusting. A couple of stories:

http://www.ajc.com/wireless/content/metro/cobb/stories/2008/05/13/mulligans_0514.html

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/254694

The owner of Mulligan's Bar and Grill in Georgia has caused quite a stir, leading to protesters outside of his establishment because he has been selling T-shirts that depicts cartoon chimp Curious George peeling a banana, with "Obama in '08" underneath.
The owner of the Georgia Tavern insists that the shirts weren't meant to offend and has described them as "cute," but protesters disagreed, saying that it is a racist slam against Barack Obama.

Several people as well as community groups held protests outside of Mulligan's Bar and Grill on Tuesday. Those groups included, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Nation Of Islam, and the Cobb Immigrant Alliance.

Norman, who has been described as "ultra conservative" answers his critics with even more controversial statements, such as, "We're not living in the '40's. Look at him . . . the hairline, the ears — he looks just like Curious George."

Here's an AP video about it on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbZp17hl9tY

Just astounding. I really shouldn't be surprised. But the guy tries to claim he saw the "ears and hairline and big smile" of the Curious George monkey and it reminded him of Obama and he didn't think it was offensive. Suuuure. Also he says the proceeds are going to charity. Why do I think HE'S the charity?

Sickening. Racism is certainly alive and well.

Edited to add: sorry, I didn't realize this had already been discussed.

[sniffa]

1. WTF? Why is this the first DU has heard of this!?

:grr:

[Erin Elizabeth]

2. I don't check here every day and was afraid it had already been

hashed out, argued over, and done with by the time I posted it! You guys are FAST here.

Lovely, isn't it?

:sarcasm:

[AspenRose]

6. Actually it's posted in the video section

There you'll find email addresses to the folks who own the images to Curious George in case you want to drop them a line *hint hint*

[Erin Elizabeth]

8. thanks!

[deadmessengers]

17. It's been posted at least three times, now.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3307231&mesg_id=3307231

can't find the other one, but I know I've seen it at least twice already.

[jefferson_dem]

21. Here.

I share your outrage...and I just might go pay these fuckers a visit!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=131944&mesg_id=131944

[Window]

30. It was posted several times yesterday, complete with his email addy, etc.

There was even a poll I participated in in their local paper.

[MediaBabe]

35. Maybe because DUers are so busy making sure everyone knows how much Hillary is hated

There just aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with that and the real news out there.

So much to do... so little time.

What will happen to the guy now? Will his t-shirt business destroy his bar business? Will an online campaign to cease and desist be enough? Will HE go online and sell them secretly? And WHO would buy crap like that, anyway? I don't know anyone who would. No one person!

[BlooInBloo]

51. White folks have a pretty good blockade on reports of racism.

[graycem]

55. Actually

it was posted about yesterday, and several people defended it, and said they were selling these in the same vein as the way G.W. is labeled a chimp. The person claimed people should've been outraged when it was done to Dubya because it was disrespectful, as if the same message is being implied. Yep, defended this racist garbage, right here on this progressive website. I haven't been around but a couple of months, still, I was pretty shocked.

[gulfcoastliberal]

3. Disgusting

nt

[Erin Elizabeth]

4. What? You had a completely different response before.

[JuniperLea]

5. This was all over DU yesterday and this morning...

Until "The Endorsement" knocked it off the pages...

Somewhere there's a thread with links to complain to the company that holds the copyright to Curious George... I love that little guy! I hope this jackass gets his pants sued off!

[Erin Elizabeth]

7. That first story I linked to is about how the creators of Curious

George ARE considering a lawsuit, thankfully.

Sorry, I didn't realize it had been talked about already, I wasn't around for about a day.

:hi:

[JuniperLea]

16. No worries...

I understand. I don't come anywhere near here on the weekends! I need to breath fresh air and live IRL! LOL!

[Erin Elizabeth]

28. YES. I've been turning off the computer every day

at a certain time, in fact, I'm way past my normal deadline right now.

[populistdriven]

24. CONSIDERING? for fucks sake sue the bastard until he crys for his momma

[JuniperLea]

9. here you go...

Cobb bar protested as racist for Obama T-shirts (poll on the left ...Marietta tavern owner Mike Norman says the T-shirts he's peddling, featuring cartoon chimp Curious George peeling a banana, with "Obama in '08" scrolled ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5946696 - Similar pages

Curious George Obama T-Shirt! - Democratic UndergroundCurious George Obama T-Shirt! ... A bar owner in Georgia is selling t-shirts with a picture of curious george eating a banana with a big smile on his face. ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3278577 - Similar pages

Cobb bar protested as racist for Obama T-shirts - Democratic ...You Know Cat It Has Long Been Held By Many That Curious George Is A Racist Screed, Binka .... Some have objected to Curious George for another reason. ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5949749 - Similar pages

Cobb bar protested as racist for Obama T-shirts - Democratic ...Bush is Curious George.. but then Bush isn't even curious about anything. ... If that's really Curious George... KamaAina, May-13-08 02:09 PM, #1 ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3278980 - Similar pages

Once again - Curious George! - Democratic UndergroundOnce again - Curious George! ... Site search, Web search. Once again - Curious George! Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x124047 - Similar pages

Democratic Underground - If that's really Curious George ...If that's really Curious George... ... If that's really Curious George... KamaAina, May-13-08 02:09 PM, #1. Big Forums, |-- Latest Breaking News ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3278980&mes... - Similar pages

Rush comedy = Obama/Curious George comparison.. - Democratic ...Mar 5, 2008 ... As many times as bush has been compared to Curious George ... I read Curious George and Dr. Suess book as a child; I read them to my ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4918305 - Similar pages

Democratic Underground - That can't be Dubya because this is ...That can't be Dubya because this is Curious George and Dubya is about as ... That can't be Dubya because this is Curious George and Dubya is about as ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3307231&mes... - Similar pages

Democratic Underground - There was a tombstoned poster who used to ...I hope the Curious George people... DangerousRhythm, May-13-08 10:21 AM, #4. There was a tombstoned poster who used to like posting “Curious George” pics ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5946696&mes... - Similar pages

Democratic Underground - Cobb bar protested as racist for Obama T ...Why picture Obama as Curious George? "Look at him . . . the hairline, ... You Know Cat It Has Long Been Held By Many That Curious George Is A Racist Screed ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5949749&mes... - Similar pages

[beachmom]

10. I diaried this on Kos. The publisher of Curious George are now threatening to sue the guy

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/14/14433/4197/21/515600

Curious George publisher may sue over T-shirt
Cobb bar selling shirts combining book character's picture, Obama's name

By JAMIE GUMBRECHT, CHRISTIAN BOONE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/13/08

The publishing company that owns the Curious George image says it is considering legal action to stop the sale of a T-shirt depicting Barack Obama as the monkey from children's books.

...

Rick Blake, a spokesman for publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which owns Curious George, said Wednesday that the company didn't authorize the use of the character's image, but hasn't been in touch with anybody selling or manufacturing the shirts.

"We find it offensive and obviously utterly out of keeping with the value Curious George represents," Blake said. "We're monitoring the situation and weighing our options with respect to legal action."

[OmahaBlueDog]

34. Wouldn't that shirt technically be considered political parody

and, hence, protected under the first amendment?

I'm not arguing -- I'm asking the question. If you are a lawyerly type, please chime in.

[FrenchieCat]

11. Who gives a shit? We called Bush chimp for years......

is there supposed to be some kind of significance here, cause as an AA, I don't see it.

Really, ignoring this kind of shit is really the only avenue.

Making a big thing out of it, will only allow racists assholes to go for that kind of thing, cause they want is a reaction anyways.

Let it fucking sink.

[Erin Elizabeth]

13. Let it sink?

So it's ok with you if we go back to depicting African-Americans as monkeys eating bananas?

Alrightie then, ROFL! Well, you have fun with that, but plenty of people find it plenty offensive and I'm damn glad the publisher of Curious George is exploring legal action. That's sick.

Yeah, it's significant and if you can't see why, I really can't help you.

[FrenchieCat]

14. Looks like the right person is handling it.........the one who can sue....

However, I don't think this needs to be publicized any further.

As I am of color, I can tell you that to make a big rukus about this beyond what has already been done is not a good thing. I don't need to hear about this nonsense on my evening news. That's what I'm saying.

Let it sink is truly what I mean.

[JuniperLea]

19. I guess all those kids read far too much into those nooses too...

Jeez.

[knixphan]

12. wasn't Malloy tearing this guy a new one?

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JuniperLea]

18. News Flash: Bush isn't black

So if someone posted pictures of him as a monkey, eating watermelon or fried chicken, it wouldn't be a racial slur.

More news for you: Obama is black.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DemVet]

26. Neither is Obama.

He's half black.

Seriously, why is it racist to call a black man a monkey but not a white man?

[JuniperLea]

27. For the same reason it's not racist to tie a noose around a tree in a white man's front yard

And it's not racist to burn a cross in a white man's yard.

What, did you guys just fall of the turnip truck?

[DemVet]

43. Far more white men...

...in the old west were lynched than black people. Fact.

[JuniperLea]

44. And my Irish ancestors were slaves...

Chased by dogs and beaten to within an inch of their lives. I don't have a problem with it. But I don't get to say who takes offense to what, nor do you. I see a swastika as an ancient pagan sign; I'm not Jewish, and I wasn't alive at the time of the Holocaust so it has no real emotional attachment for me, but I sure as hell wouldn't paint one on my neighbors wall, and I certainly understand why a segment of the human race finds it offensive.

[Hugabear]

52. Please do not tell me you're actually making that comparison - SHAME

There probably were more white men lynched in the old west. SO WHAT?

People in the Old West were usually lynched for committing CRIMES like rustling, murder, etc.

Blacks were usually lynched simply for being BLACK.

[Erin Elizabeth]

29. historically white men haven't been insulted by being

compared to monkeys. However, black men have.

Is that so hard to understand? Do you not know the history of this?

[cici4691]

37. But didn't we ALL evolve from primates? So what is the big deal?

I do not understand how one president can be subject to ridicule and compared to a monkey and it be ok but not for the other. Again, the Dems are going to be in for a long 4-8 years if they are going to be getting upset at things like this directed at their President. I think after what we've hurled at W for 8 years we'd be be ready for some heavy duty shit being hurled back.

[Occam Bandage]

45. Comparisons to apes and monkeys have been used for centuries to justify dehumanizing treatment

of blacks--from slavery, to lynchings, to segregation. There is a difference.

[muryan]

39. I find your ignorance of racists refering to AAs as monkeys

very hard to believe.

[cici4691]

41. No, that is not what I did

I am talking about this reference as applied to this presidential candidate and in this particular instance. I am simply pointing out that the chimp metaphor has been used for the current CIC and folks, like myself, used it with great glee. Now it's all of a sudden off the table?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

56. There is no way that you're

this fucking stupid. I understand what you're doing and that's fine. That's what ya'll do. But for the other so called progressives or liberals that are agreeing with you. Let me explain this again. If Barack Obama acted like a complete moron the same way Bush Jr has. Then you might almost have kind of a point. Since Barack Obama carries himself like an intelligent and eloquent candidate the comparison is racist and makes no sense. Also this particular asshole has a history of doing this kind of inflammatory shit.

[Raine]

20. Bush is the one who looks like a monkey

that's why I've called him chimp for almost 8yrs now.

[ecstatic]

23. You're sort of raining on our parade here! nt

[Doctor_J]

25. I think it's great

there are a lot more people who will be repulsed by this than will agree with him. People like this guy need to get as much TV time as we can give them. Why do you think the MSM is ignoring this?

[Dr Fate]

33. I cant say I think its great- but I agree with your analysis..

Most moderate voters are certainly trying to move beyond this kind of stuff...

[graycem]

57. I agree with you

to a point. Especially last night on AC 360, he said why are people not showing this man's face and telling everyone his name. And he proceeded to do that lots during the discussion of it. But then Obama has purposely tried to keep the racist vandalism out of the news because it could potentially degrade things even worse if people, especially the rabid Republicans, try to turn this election into some sort of race war.

I find the shirt appalling and hope the copyright owner sues him for what he's done. That will hurt him more than the words of people he's offended.

[DU GrovelBot]

31. ## DON'T DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v4.1
==================



This week is our second quarter 2008 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Whatever you do, do not click the link below!

[Dr Fate]

32. This kind of thing is going to turn-off moderates big-time.

Despite the past few weeks, plenty of folks are really trying to move beyond this stuff who dont appreciate this kind of thing...

Overt racism against Obama could turn a lot of moderates against conservatives.

[Rosemary2205]

36. There are doubtful any moderates in Cobb Co Georgia. That's Puke central.

[Dr Fate]

46. But maybe moderates can hear all about Cobb County on the internet & other media.

n/t

[MediaBabe]

38. I dunno. Maybe they are Moderates because they don't stereotype

Maybe they use their heads and only dislike this one boar instead of hating a whole group of people who are not even involved.

Just my opinion. Moderates are cool.

[Dr Fate]

47. Racism among Southern Conservatives is hardly a stereotype.

But you still have a good point.

Still-I could see informed moderates putting 2 & 2 together on this one.

[NashVegas]

40. Almost As Much As These?

[Dr Fate]

48. As much or more. n/t

n/t

[Catherine Vincent]

42. This conservative prick knows damn well this would offend people!

Someone should take that teeshirt and shove it up his bunghole.

"We're not living in the '40's. Look at him . . . the hairline, the ears — he looks just like Curious George."

:mad:

[NoodleyAppendage]

49. Not to stereotype further, but the bar owner has certain features favored by the white supremists

First, his bar is more of a biker bar. Second, his head is shaved clean, and third, he has groomed an elongated goatie. The latter two physical features are often used by whites in the prison system to identify with the white supremist movement.

I could be wrong, but he certainly looks like that's the look he's going for. Or...he could just be a racist asshole.

J

[NashVegas]

50. How Did You Feel About the "Bros Before Hos" T-shirts?

Did you protest those, as well?

[aquarius dawning]

54. That's different. Hillary isn't black.

[Texas Hill Country]

53. that guy is some serious dumb.