Keywords: racism, Obama, Rupert Murdoch, N.Y. Post, bigots, first Black president, Black president, Barack Obama, cultural competency, multicultural misstep

Did the New York Post compare President Barack Obama to an ape? Many people are asking this question after the newspaper ran and is standing behind a cartoon of a gunned-down ape, alluding to the idea that it is Obama. The Post is owned by conservative billionaire Rupert Murdoch.

The cartoon, drawn by the Post's regular cartoonist Sean Delonas, ran in the Feb. 18 issue of the newspaper. It features two police officers standing over a bullet-riddled ape and a caption that reads: "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

Civil-rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton called the photo "troubling at best … given the historic racist attacks of African Americans as being synonymous with monkeys."

In a statement, Post Editor-in-Chief Col Allan defended the cartoon and took a swipe at Sharpton, saying: "The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist."

What Allan refers to stems from an incident where a pet chimp attacked and mauled a friend of its owner in Stamford, Conn., earlier this week. The story garnered national headlines--especially because the animal was known by many in Stamford, including the police who wound up shooting and killing it.

Dr. Lorraine Cole, YWCA USA CEO, issued a statement shortly after the cartoon ran: "I think this cartoon is inflammatory, inappropriate and irresponsible. It recalls deeply offensive negative stereotypes of African Americans characterized as monkeys and is seemingly directed at our first Black President who championed the economic-recovery stimulus bill. It also brings to mind racially charged police brutality incidents involving Black men who were recklessly shot by New York City police officers."

Meanwhile, Wednesday wasn't the first time Murdoch and the Post have been in the spotlight for hateful cartoons.

Close Window x • In July 2007, the newspaper ran homophobic cartoons, which depicted openly gay former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey wearing a bikini and a "Miss New Jersey" sash over his shoulder. McGreevey was holding a sign that read: "Resign or Else"--a blackmail threat against Miss New Jersey Amy Polumbo who, at the time, faced public calls to forfeit her crown after someone threatened to expose scandalous photos of her drinking and partying.

Close Window x • On Oct. 27, 2006, two days after New Jersey legislators voted to grant same-sex couples civil unions, the Post published another cartoon of a man walking up to a marriage-license booth with a sheep, wearing a wedding veil.

Close Window x • On Oct. 5, 2006, in the aftermath of the former Florida Rep. Mark Foley scandal, the Post ran a cartoon depicting McGreevey "comforting" the ousted congressman, who resigned after sexually laced e-mails and text messages with teenage male pages became public, and saying, "Look on the bright side Foley, you'll have a best selling book." There was a sheep in the background.

All of these photos were drawn by Sean Delonas.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) launched a call-to-action campaign to stop Delonas' homophobic cartoons from appearing in the Post.

So why, despite all of this, does the Post continue to employ Delonas?

Well, it's simple; look at the management. Prior to Murdoch's purchase of the Post, it had been viewed as a politically liberal publication. That changed during the "Murdoch years." Murdoch purchased the Post in 1976 but was forced to sell it in 1988 in accordance with federal regulations limiting media ownership.

Political friends orchestrated a buy-back in 1993 that granted Murdoch a waiver from the cross-ownership rules.

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