We’re really surprised a Boston newspaper ran a racist cartoon. Super surprised

The Boston Herald is in everyone else’s headlines today for all the wrong reasons, and deservedly so. News broke yesterday that the White House intruder that most thought was only able to the front lawn, was actually able to penetrate the East Wing, meaning either someone made a major typo in their incident report, or there was a major mainstream news cover up going on.

Regardless, the Herald ran the following cartoon, shamelessly playing off of the unfortunately common stereotype that correlates African-Americans with a watermelon obsession.

 

 

Nice *sarcasm*.  While speaking on a radio show hosted by the Herald, the cartoonist, Jerry Holbert explained that he meant nothing by the use of the watermelon flavor, and that he is just a big fan of watermelon in general.  Adding that he doesn’t think in racial terms so the thought didn’t cross his mind.

What is extra interesting is the information that another publication with which he submitted the same cartoon, The Syndicate, late last night phoned Holbert to inform him of the change that they made, making the flavor of the toothpaste raspberry, noting that they felt it would avoid any confusion or thought of racial undertones.   Holbert in the same phone interview admitted that he probably should have mentioned this to the Herald.

Of course, the backlash came early and often, and the Herald was forced to apologize for running the thing.

His [Holbert’s] cartoon satirizing the U.S. Secret Service breach at the White House has offended some people and to them we apologize. His choice of imagery was absolutely not meant to be hurtful. We stand by Jerry, who is a veteran cartoonist with the utmost integrity.

Maybe the Herald should have taken a little more responsbility considering at the end of the day, he may have drawn it, but they RAN the actual cartoon.