Comments on: Journal Sentinel Columnist McIlheran: African American Comparison to Monkey Not Racist! Just “Provacative”

By: Mr. Buchs Cup

Mr. Buchs Cup — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:26:16 +0000

Well, being “insulting” or “offensive” would certainly qualify as provocative. And to be frank, I have no problem with such activity. People can hurl insults or speak harshly all they want and I could care less - as long as it’s not based in inherent or physical traits over which one has no control, like one’s race or gender.

Which is why the monkey thing is completely different, and the links provided in McIlheran’s article as examples of similar comparisons by Bush detractors ignore the incredible social significance of the context in play here. He acknowledges the usage of “monkey” as a racial slur, yet his links seem to be an effort to immediately side step said acknowledgment. I don’t get what he’s trying to accomplish by doing so, and he kinda undermines his own implied sincerity by doing it.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:48:12 +0000

I want to start off with a couple caveats; 1) I believe this shirt is inappropriate, stupid, and worst of all racist, 2) I really don’t believe that McIlheran is defending racism or this shirt in particular.

Saying that, I also believe that the J/S is an equal opportunity hirer of offensive and insulting writers. So to point McIlheran’s comments and not the likes of Eugene Kane is somewhat disingenuous.

By: Milele

Milele — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:05:08 +0000

Just when I don’t think I can become any more offended by the Journal Sentinel allowing McIlheran to keep his job, he goes and spouts off nonsense like this again.

It’s insulting and embarassing to Milwaukee that this person gets to use the State’s largest paper as a platfom to proclaim his tolerance of racists.