Cocaine Princess here.
I like to read the comics in the newspaper every morning while enjoying a bowl of cold cereal or a can of Slim Fast. I usually try to steer clear of all the negative and depressing pieces of news so I go straight to the Lifestyle & Entertainment section and then head on over to the comics.
My favorite is PEANUTS. I love the entire Peanuts Gang in particular Snoopy, who sits on top of his posh dog house at his typewriter clacking away at the keys in the wee hours of the night, "It was a dark and stormy night..." and his yellow hippie best friend Woodstock is never far behind.
On Tuesday the editorial section of the paper was filled with readers fuming about the comic strip "Family Circus" stating it was "offensive, sexist, old fashioned," to even someone writing, "shame on Bill Keane."
This was the second time readers complained about a Family Circus cartoon (The first being on June 16th 2009).
The day old newspaper was lying in the recycling box. I went to retrieve it and re-read the cartoon to see what the fuss was all about.
Personally I wasn’t offended by it probably because I didn't read too much into it but apparently some others were. Now I mind you the ones who were offended are the same group who agreed with the school board banning the book “The Golden Compass” in 2008.
Let's rewind back to a cold day in February '08. Hmm, I was only 5 months into blogging.........
[2/1/08]
Controversy erupted when the Catholic School Board decided to ban The Golden Compass from their school libraries. Students were not even permitted to bring the book to school.
I decided to write a letter to the editor stating it was in my opinion wrong to ban the book. After my letter was published a fury of letters were unleashed against me including one from the always lovable Poodle Lady.
I am boldly against any form of censorship. I realize morals and values vary from family to family but I don't believe it's right or fair to allow someone else to decide for you what is and what isn’t offensive.
Getting back to the cartoon, I understand the readers point of view but I hardly think it's anything to get worked up over. Some readers even went as far as to say the paper should stop publishing the Family Circus strip. To quote Charlie Brown:
Good Grief indeed! Ban the adorable and popular Family Circus?! Here's some advice, if you don't like it, don't read it. Why spoil it for the rest of us?Below are both cartoons. So I ask you my lovely ones, do you find either one of these offensive, sexist or old fashioned? Should Bill Keane bury his head in the sand out of shame?
And here is the other:
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My loyal and dear readers it's finally Friday!
There is a commercial that airs up here where the voice over says, "We have two seasons, winter and July."
Laugh if you must but he ain't kidding. The weatherman promises this weekend to be hot and sunny so I'll be absorbing and seizing the outdoors as much as I can.
Whatever your plans are have a stellar weekend.-x
XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess
16 comments:
I definitely don't see why either is offensive.
I think they are both funny. I think part of Family Circus' charm is that it plays on old school thinking sometimes...and I think that is completely intentional.
Do you read Mother Goose and Grimm? The Colombian Coffee Company sued the creator for human rights abuse after Grimmy " questions if the Colombian crime syndicate puts parts of the body of Juan Valdez in each can of coffee. "
From one of your Lovely readers.
Anonymous at 12:20,
I do remember that and thought it was all in good fun however the coffee growers didn't see it that way.
Good for you, standing up against censorship. Even if those cartoons were offensive (which they were not) they should still have their place.
Two seasons, winter and July? Well down here in south Florida, we also have two seasons: summer and January. I have spent many Christmas Eves at the beach in my shorts and sandals. :)
To the anonymous person who sent me the comment asking not to publish:
For starters it's not a bother and why would you think you're not welcomed?
Second, I'm not understanding your words. There seems to be a misunderstanding or perhaps you're confusing me with someone else because I'm not clear who you are, what it is you're trying to say to me or about the "forgiveness" part. Did you write something to me in the past? I'm totally confused and lost, truly. Please, if you can some clarity would be appreciated.
P.S. Glad you saw a rainbow and yes our summers are really short.
Take care, stay well.
Respectfully Yours,
CP
Apparently I dont get any of it, b/c I find it hilarious and true, so I suppose if that is offensive they should stay in their own house, I mean really... whats next - They're going to be offended because you're too pretty too? Or maybe just too young? LOL What a bunch of jackholes!
I like the Golden Compass- it's one of my daughters favorite movies. I remember the controversy, and that made me want to see it even more. It is sad to see how many people in this world truly are so closed minded as to take a fictional story and turn it into something evil and bad. Maybe, they just aren't looking at the beauty of things right? Hugs Princess!
I agree. These are all funny and worthy of a laugh any time.
Bambi at 1:10,
It wasn't too long ago I finally got around to watching The Golden Compass. I liked it too.
CP: I see NO reason why people would get riled up over either. Especially the Family Circus...can we just stop it with the nucleur over-reacting to everything? It's DOLLY for F sake. That isn't sexist...its a humorous slant on childhood. Believe me, I threw a ball farther than my older brother once. ONCE. and he wanted to bash my skull in.
12:20, A week earlier creator Mike Peters offended Pringles by suggesting "the inventor of the potato crisp Pringles tube had his ashes buried in a Pringles can and Betty Crockers's ashes are in every cake mix box."
Anonymous at 10:07,
I remember that also.
I thought both were funny. It always cracks me up when people go on these rampages about cartoons. I always think to myself, "It's just a stupid cartoon." But you're right; don't ruin it for the rest of us. If you don't like it, don't read it. Haha. But I guess we all know that it just doesn't work that way.
CP, I also wanted to let you know that I started following Jenny Mac's blog as a result of seeing it on here. Very cool.
CC at 11:39,
Thank you for mentioning me on your your post! Your new layout looks great.
CP... it's seriously ridiculous that all people have to do with their time is criticize CARTOONS -- I wish I had the time to be so petty --
My dad always said "Consider the source" :)
neither of those things are offensive in the least...
people need to unclench and get a grip..
Slyde at 4:24,
Like everyone else, you are right.
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