Our editorial cartoon that ran in the Feb. 9 issue (“The evolution of the redskin in America”), sparked several angry and concerned responses from readers, directed either at the Emerald or at the cartoonist, Frank Silva.
While the individual reactions are respected, I feel as though there was some misinterpretation of the cartoon’s point. The images depicted were not intended to debase Native Americans, but instead to provoke outrage that the term “redskin” still survives in today’s lexicon.
The Emerald’s editorial editor, Michael Kleckner, and I approved the cartoon for publication, believing that its harsh reality would make people think about how little the white-dominated culture has progressed in eliminating this degrading term. We apologize if that commentary was not made clear.
The cartoonist also wished to respond to those hurt or offended by his work, and those comments are printed below.
Jack Clifford
Emerald editor in chief
Racial insensitivity and the rights of indigenous peoples are issues I care deeply about. The point of my cartoon on Feb. 9 was to bring to light the history of a word as insensitive and derogatory as any in the English language. The cartoon was also meant to stimulate awareness among readers of the repulsiveness of the fact that pop culture celebrates and markets this utterly insulting slur in the form of a mascot for the nation’s capital’s professional football team (the last team to desegregate, I might add). I hope the cartoon has inspired a healthy discussion regarding this insensitive hangover of the 20th century. What do you think? Please send comments to [email protected].
Frank Silva
Emerald cartoonist
