Monkeys, watermelons and black people

Yeah right! So why did he use watermelons instead of peaches or apples???? Because he knew it was racist and got caught. The people should vote his racist A#$ out of office. Sad, but this country have alot of racist pigs like him of all colors, religions, and ethnic groups. This country that I love is full of jokes and yes sometimes it disgust me.....

Did you write an article displaying your disgust when BUSH was called "Monkey boy" by EVERY left wing pressbot in the WORLD? I DOUBT IT. Yet ONE tiny town's MAYOR sends a PRIVATE JOKE via EMAIL and you get your panties in a bunch.GET OVER IT

One question for Mayor Grose. Why did you use watermelons instead of oranges or apples? For furture reference please note that Black people have a saying " That if you don't know you better ask somebody". I am obviously not buying your excuse. The people of Los Almitos got a chance to see the real Mayor Grose. We don't laugh when it is not funny.

I thick Obama right now needs support from the positive people. Let the others snicker away with jokes and such.

Now let Obama's tenure with the presidency become a successful era for America ...well like Clinton he could do no wrong and have billions of defenders of this nonsense worldwide.

If it gets much much worse...well you'll be writing a ton of these type articles.

This will be not just because he is black because look at the beating Bush took all those years.

Republicans are really insensitive, they KNOW what they are doing but deny they know how offensive their actions are, not only to the African American, but to a great majority of Americans! Murdock doesn't know about the ugliness of comparing blacks to Apes/Monkeys?? Yeah, sure! The man is a bigot and a liar!! The republicans, as a whole, are intolerant and hyprocritical!! I believe the majority of Americans are fed up with their self-rightiousness, "principles", and hypocracy!!

On the other hand... the people least aware of racial stereotypes are the people who *aren't racist*. I'd never heard of the watermelon stereotype, nor any correlation between African Americans and monkeys in slurs. Granted I'm from Canada and most Americans consider that a small town anyway, but really... people are just looking to be offended these days. Actually realizing that not everyone is trying to insult them will be a big step for people to move towards a prejudiceless society. Yes, there are still racists and bigots, but the fact a mayor has to resign when he may well have been oblivious to it (really, would you send something that's an obvious racial slur to a professional colleague of that descent if you actually knew what it meant?) is a bit ridiculous.

I am just wondering, for how long will African Americans be slapped in the face and then turned around to and be given a half hearted "I apologize"? Racial insensitivity must at some point be delt with in a harsher manner as it was many years ago. A little racism is just as bad as gross and blatant racism. Are apologies enough?

What worries me at this time in America, is that we are taking something that has become so historically significant, and turned it into an early 1800's spoof. We are allowing major media and polital pundits to make comments, send emails, and jokes and cartoons..... and it's ok???!!!! Wow, this is not what we should be working torwards in the 21st century. And anyone who tells you they did not know it was morally and racially offensive is either dilusional, or just a plain liar.I pray every day that we are not teaching the next generation the new form of racism......the " I didn't know" syndrome,,, once you say that,,, it's all forgiven and forgotten...would anyone dare make jokes of the tragedies that Hitler brought on and say " I didn't know?".. I doubt it,,, I pray for us all

I find no difference in these cartoons than any that have been printed of other presidents and leaders of our country. We all need to lighten up a bit and take a joke. Anyone in the public
has to know they will the butt of many jokes and learn to take it. Ethnic jokes have been directed toward all races and you don't hear them screeming race race race.

I simply don't believe Mayor Grose when he asserts that he was unaware of the association between black Americans and watermelon. As for the Post cartoon, however, I insist that the artist was not associating the rogue chimpanzee with President Obama, and this is clear to anyone who has any knowledge of how our government works. My only quarrel with that cartoon was that it was completely unfunny. Those who pretended to find a racial grievance in it are merely professional offense-takers.

It saddens me, and makes my eyes roll in the back of my head when I read about persons who use racist stereotypes, then run and hide behind the "Oh I didn't know that was a racist comment" plea. We all know it's bull. When I hear certain terms or words used for another race, I ask someone of that race if it is offensive so I won't use it in the future. But it is certainly known state wide that depicting African American's eating watermelon, and being called a monkey is racist. I didn't hear about the cartoon until one of my very close friends who happens to be a caucasian woman called and told me about it. She came from a rural area and she heard this stereotype before. I think she was more upset then I was. You would think that times are better with the race issue, and the election of our first African American President. But it's not. And that's the saddest thing.

My 9 year old asked me why watermelons are a bad thing for black people.

We know there will also be some number of racist black and white people. Why do we think it makes sense to proliferate these stories to new generations who haven't been a part of racism?

Do we want to share the hateful comments I hear when I travel with my older son to predominantly black schools for his basketball games?

Some people have a vested interest to not having this country move forward...right Mary?

I'm Black and I LOVE watermelon and chicken. White people can associate Black people with these two tasty foods but you know what? They also love both of them. So what's the point? Monkeys are different. Darwin said man NOT Black man evolved from them. Who knows? Maybe White people resent this theory.

White folks need to get out more and Black folks need to recapture our sense of humor. Whether it's the gross misrepresentation of Rev. Jeremiah Wright; Aretha's inaugural hat; or offensive images, white folks really need to get a life.

Even those Black folks who attend church on selected days; i.e., holidays, weddings and funerals, know the cadence, volume and energy that reigns supreme in many Protestant denominations. So, Rev. Wright's, vetted messages, including his unacknowledged quotes from others, is expected. My unscientific, "homegirl" survey found Black women loved Aretha's hat. But again, anyone who even passes by an African American church on a Sunday will see hats that make Aretha's look like a baseball cap!

Now, humor is another issue. In truth, all humor offends someone; in fact, that's what makes it so funny. Frankly, I do not give anyone so much space in my head that I lose my focus. Though my marching days are snugly in the past, I agree that the cartoon that appeared in the NY Pus (sic) was beyond the pale. Fatal shots from white police officers plus a chimp adds up to nothing less than the most vile innuendo.

To be honest, the watermelon one did not bother me; mainly because there were no caricatures of the First Family. Listen, I am Black and I love watermelon and so what?! I also like the color red. Maybe I'm missing something but these cartoons say more about the respective cartoonist and sender. If there is anything about either of these cartoons that is offensive, it's the alleged accusation that the offended were too sensitive.

To each her own. I think we Black folks should be paying close attention to the reaction of our "good white 'friends'". Let's hear them denounce, renounce and reject their people the way they always want us to denounce, renounce and reject ours.

I dont get it. Im white & I like watermelons. How is watermelons a racial stereotype? Maybe it was for a older generation, but Mary, its 2009 and most of us are not as old as you are, and were not raised in racist households, therefore are not aware of these stereotypes.

Come on now Mary, it's a joke kinda like the jokes you laugh at around the office at the Suntimes. remember the one about the white guy that can't dance, or the one about Mexicans and beans and breaking wind. it's strange how blacks can be some of the most racist people next to whites but some of the biggest cry babies. the one reason why we are still were we are in regards to race is because black people keep using it as an excuse or a crutch to get what they want. good case in point the black caucus and their threats on the next elections. why do they have to threaten people, why can't they accept that their own people are guilty of political corruption? Until blacks learn to clean house and stop giving their own people an excuse to either be lazy, incompetent, racist or plain out crooks then we will continue down the same road of racism. it's not being racist to say that 9 out of 10 blacks i know live up to the stereo types of blacks being lazy crooks. Sorry but that is what I've grown up seeing, sure I've met a couple of decent hard working black people but most of them were first generation African, Jamaican, Haitian.

Being able to laugh at these things is a sign that we have grown. How many comedians make jokes about Italians being mobsters? Or Poles being stupid. Or Germans being goose-stepping Nazis?

Lets not forget the never-ending litany of jokes and parody of all the past presidents: Bush's ears and "bushisms", Clintons Sexcapades, Reagans foibles, Carters ineptitude, Fords clumsiness, Nixon's lying.....I could go on in ad finitum.

Get over it already. These things are humorous, they poke fun at the past injustices by making a mockery out of them. Don't get defensive, join in and laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing.

It's time to quit being victims. If you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

mary mitchell is race obsessed. get something else to talk about. it seems as if u are the racist mary who always attacks white people.

I'm a little confused. Is Washington DC known for growing watermelons? Because if it is, then I can understand the joke with the economy being the way it is blah, blah, blah........
Somehow I don't think it is and I don't think Mayor Dean Grose does either. So there can be only one reason he did what he did and that is racist. After all, I don't remember any cartoons with potatoe plants growing on the White House lawn when Kennedy was elected president.

Mary - It's a joke, that's all. Who cares? You make innocuous racist inferences to be more than what they are so you have something to crusade against it's pathetic

Eric Holder was right? Anytime People of European descent(White People)get involved in the "Race discussion" we are immediately labeled racists.

If we were to have an honest discussion about race this is how it would go;

White: Black Men need to return home and be fathers to their children.

Black: Racist

White: You need to strive harder in school so you can break this endless cycle of welfare.

Black: Racist

White: You need to be more involved in your children's lives and keep them out of these gangs and prisons.

Black: Racist.

You see this has become a one sided discussion. No longer are there any excuses as to why a majority of black children come from broken homes. Or why the prisons are full of young black men. The time has come when you all need to look deep within yourselves and figure out a path to success than to keep portraying yourselves as the victim.

Shame on you Mary Mitchell, as a successful black columnist you should be a shining light for that path to success but you continue to race bait.

I do believe that Holder state that the United States is a NATION OF COWARDS. There is a big difference between talking and making a statement such as that. My great Uncle fought as one of the first fighter pilots in WW2 and my father was in the Korean War--so apologize!!! Because they fought and served this country and are NOT a nation of cowards. I am sick and tired of black people getting away with HATEFUL comments and when some white person makes a comment which is just talking about race, they are called racist. You want an honest talk of race??? Stop blocking the other side from speaking. This is not a one sided conversation Ms. Mitchell. And calling white people cowards is racist towards white people and everyone else that you are calling a coward.

What people fail to realize is the color of blood is red. I always here the comments that we are monkeys but when the truth comes to life, African-Americans when they get wet they don't smell nor is there hair straight like monkeys so please read your history and stop making comments and plus we don't have to wash our hair daily, or put chemicals in our hair so it want smell, now ask yourself this question what animal is that one called.

The mayor who continued his track record of demonstrating a lack of good common sense, waited a bit before offering his resignation.

Really now. What else could be expected of this idiot?

It's amazing in 2009 the extent people (hopefully, the numbers continue to dwindle) will go to to be offensive and hurtful... Unless you have lived under a rock your entire life, I find it incredible to be unaware of these stereotypes directed towards the African-American race. Even to give the benefit of the doubt to the creator of the offensive cartoon and the mayor sending out on his personal e-mail account a picture of the White House which depicts a watermelon patch in front of it, at the very least, living in a racially sensitive society, you would think they might inquire about the possibility of offending a race of people prior to acting on their instincts to be 'amusing.' We are talking about two professional men here... I am having difficulty believing that they were unaware of the racially offensive stereotypes these images depict. I know that our country has changed in many ways for the better... However, it is somewhat disheartening to think that there are people who still find these racially offensive depictions even remotely amusing. Perhaps, it's just insecurity, the need to put down someone else to allow yourself to hang on to that misguided belief that you are superior to someone else based on the color of your skin or your 'whiteness'. If you don't agree with President Obama and his policies, it is possible to disagree in an amusing fashion without being racially offensive. Perhaps a little creativity is in order, stop falling back on all the lazy and tired and offensive stereotypes. Too easy...

I think people are being overly sensitive these days. Do white people get upset when a cartoon depicts them drinking coffee? (Because it is a known stereotype that White people love coffee). Well, the answer is no. White people don't get upset.

I am a 28 yr old white male from california, I think people are taking this to far. I am not a racist person at all i have alot of black friends and they agree with me that these are just jokes. But When they are in the ppublic eye we seem to take them far more seriuosly, even though as a white person we get called all kinds of name (cracker, whitey, honky, ) PEOPLE EVEN REFURE US (WHITES) AS NOT BEING ABLE TO DANCE, OR WE HAVE NO RYTHM.Well Its just words and we should know by now that words are words , thats it they cant hurt us, only if we let them. I see this as not a big deal cuz the only reason its a big deal is im sure someone is going to sue over this . Take a chill pill people, Its not the end of the world. its just some people making some funnys, we will never get over racial ways if we always are going make a big deal out of little things.

If peope can be so stupid as to suggest they did not know that saying AA people liked watermelon or that AA people have been and contine to be portrayed as monkeys- please do not insult the intelligence of people who know you meant to do exactly what you did. How assinine and loathsome for people in positions of influence to trot out the "I didn't know" mantra. You imbicle- you knew because you would not have done these things otherwise. Eric Holder is right. If we do not confront racism and hate in all its guises- we are indeed cowards and we deserve to have our country's racist past open to condemnation. Do not let anyone tell you that blacks are whining or that Asians are whining or that Latinos are whining when each group has to confront racist attitudes or stereotypes. In this day and age of constant access to information and exposure to the hypocrisy of racism and xenophobia there is no excuse for this skullduggery. Hold these people responsible for thier deliberate actions and count yourself worthy of being someone who stands up to this type of racist action.

I don't understand the "I didn't know about that stereotype" defense; since the entire joke is predicated on that stereotype (Black people like watermelon + Black President = Watermelons on White House lawn- Ha Ha Ha).

What did he think the cartoon meant then? Was it a reference to Obama's gardening prowess? His commitment to organic farming? Please!

I'm not for crucifying every yahoo who makes a stupid ignorant joke behind Obama's election, but that's the lamest most BS excuse I've ever heard.

I was really shocked when I saw the picture this morning of the watermelon in front of the White House. The mayor knew exactly what he was doing.I am really sick of people claiming ignorance and saying they're sorry. I don't buy it anymore, and it needs to be stopped. I don't want to ever step on people's freedom of speech,but how about when they become classless and clueless?

This is very unsettling. Barack Obama, the person, embraces and respects people of all races and creeds. Even the conservative whites in South Africa treated Mandela with more respect than this.

I find it difficult to believe that anyone is unaware of these offensive stereotypes. I can't fathom why anyone would publish a picture of the White House with watermelons growing outside, except as an offensive reference to the stereotype of Blacks liking watermelon.

As for the chimp cartoon, it was in poor taste all the way around. Either it made a racist statement (equating Obama, a Black, with a chimpanzee); or, at the very least, it depicts the President of the United States shot dead. Either way, you lose with this cartoon. Either the cartoonist was making a racist comment, or he was suggesting that the President should be shot. Take your pick, I guess.

Really?
REALLY?!
These people are trying to imply that apparent non-minority adults here in America, in this day and age have never heard of these forms of racial/hatred sterotypes?

You'd have to be less smart as a chimp to believe that one!

But, also, in this day and age, you have what I called the "3 and you're free escape card" now.

Use one of the following three excuses and all is forgiven and forgotten immediately:
1. "I didn't know and was not aware"
2. "I was not trying to imply anything to hurt
anyone"
3. "I used bad judgement"

As Mr. Holder stated, there are cowards in the masses and the excuses are getting really old now. the Internet has broken down the walls of misinformation and briged the gap of ignorance to the fact. Everyone can find out anything about any race on the face of the Earth.

Where Mr Holder got off track was calling people cowards. I think there is quite a lot of talk. There has been in the past, and will be in the future.

It's this sort of thing that is not helpful in having a constructive dialog. People who address it in these terms should not be viewed as making a positive contribution to any discussion.

Perhaps he should provide some specific definition and goal of what should be achieved as opposed to a relativistic "we'll know it when we get there" attitude. If you don't have such a stated goal, then you create an environment where you endlessly accept any party bringing up any claim merely to get attention. This encourages shake-down artists to generate false claims and innuendo for the sole purpose of enriching themselves.

i am a northern white woman (wAy north) and I knew....

I'm a white woman and grew up in small, rural town with almost no minoritiy residents. A lot of racial stereotypes and slurs simply weren't part of my experience.

Fast forward several years and I'm living in Chicago and talking with one of my close friends, who is black. We were discussing what we were going to bring to an upcoming BBQ, and she lamented that she wouldn't have time to cook anything. I suggested that she bring a watermelon (my go-to dish for summer parties when I'm feeling lazy). My friend emphatically refused, saying she wouldn't be caught dead carrying a watermelon. I was confused, because I know she enjoys watermelon.

She literally had to spell out the issue to me, because I never would have figured out the watermelon/black people connection on my own. We compromised -- she brought the food I cooked, and I carried the yummy watermelon myself.

Don't even get me started on all of the jewish stereotypes of which I was ignorant.

""""U.S. Attorney Eric Holder stepped on some toes when he said we need to talk more. But he was absolutely right.""""

Mitchell, you are delusional. The fact that you honestly believe we can discuss race in today's overly PC society is absolutely asinine and ignorant to say the least. If there are many blacks out there who are offened by such frivolous "JOKES" then that should shed some light on the techiness of this particular subject.

Moreover, why is it ok for comedians like Chris Rock and David Chappelle to make the same kind of remarks, but nobody else can? If blacks are so sensitve to these kind of issues, then where is the outrage with aforementioned comedians for doing that? Hypocritical?

Bottom line is, you can't even joke today without someone crying foul and/or racism. And, let me preface this by saying that it goes BOTH WAYS. This should be enough proof as to why this issue should never be broached: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_%22niggardly%22

It's a shame that there have been people fired for using a word that HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RACIAL CONNOTATIONS WHAT-SO-EVER. That said, do you still feel like we can have a civil discussion about race?

I get so tired of this ignorance, that I don't put much energy into responding. Any fool in their right mind knows that watermelons, monkeys, and fried chicken can be offensive to black americans. Would it be funny if we drew pictures of prominent white americans and placed cottage cheese, diet coke, and a comment of how nosy they are in a newspaper. No because that would be stereotyping. The owner of the New York Post should not have been made to apologize, because it wasn't sincere.

Oh look, Mary Mitchell with another racism column harping on age old stereotypes that are used daily with every ethnic origin on Earth. Sure, black people like watermelon...and Italians love spaghetti and the Godfather, and the Irish like-no, love-drinking, and Asians can't drive, etc. etc. I don't remember the last time, if there ever was one, that an Italian-American or Irish-American took up so much space in a newspaper column to complain non stop about meaningless and trivial stereotypes about their own ethnicity. We are all proud of our backgrounds and comfortable enough to be able to approach such things with a sense of humor. Something you clearly seem to be lacking Ms. Mitchell. The truth is every ethnicity endured some sort of stereotype that others use to define them, and by taking offense to said stereotypes is in essence giving into the very racism that was said to be no longer with the election of President Obama.

Much ado about nothing. It's a dumb watermelon joke for crying out loud.

I just read about this on a blog here in DC. What a nerd that mayor is.

http://muckbreaker.blogspot.com

Did Obama wrute the Stimulus?
Answer: NO

The cartoon had nothing to do with him. Racist like yourself are the ones to blame. Besides, he is half white too ya know.

It does not surprise that you haven't posted my earlier comment. I guess this blog isn't up to a genteel discussion on race after all.

Yes, because of ancient and past history, the NY Post, whether they meant any harm or not, was WRONG. And how dumb is that California mayor?......So having said this Mary, lets also have an article telling your readers not to call white people "whitey's", "crackers", the "H-----word", "those white mother f------", and "you people"? What's your opinion on that?

As a Jew growing up in Chicago I lived with the "Hebe" remarks. Serving in the Marine Corps I lived with the "sheeny" remarks. Working in Chicago after the Marine Corps, I sold advertising for the Sun-Times and lived with the "Jew-Boy" remarks.
Here I am retired in a nice little community in Arizona and I continue to live with the "JEW" remarks.

Suck it up colored people. Suck it up shines. Suck it up because it ain't going to go away.

Nice article, especially when our corrupt mayor is meeting with rapper Ne-YO.....as in.....you know the word. You are your own worst enemies as you are the only ones still whining about race issues!

There are jokes about every race or nationallity,
So if Black (brown) folks can't take A joke.
Too Damn Bad !
Get the hell over your selfs already.

58 million+ voted for McCain, not obama.

get used to four years of this.

I would like to address the issue of illegal cigarettes sold to miners in the urban area
mainly on 63rd in western. like today i was walking by with my video camera in was taking some shots of a store called western food an when of them one saw what i was doing he turn and attack me because i had them on film selling to miners an with out a license addition with keeping drug dealers in there store this makes it unsafe to walk by

you forgot fried chicken.

The type of stereo types that have surface only proves that the country needs a CHANGE. A change to educate, a change to treat others as you would like to be treated, a change to grow up and mature, a change to set an example for our children, a change to research race relations. Of course there are some that just refuse to be educated, or change. "Change must come, but change is not easy."

For years people have made fun of presidents which have depicted their most personal issues
But now it's all about race
Carter and peanuts
Clinton
Bush and Texas
Let's step back a little and apply fairness
Everything is not about race
As a society we've ridiculed everything from the pope
to Christ and I this
K it's all disrespectful
But to know use the race card for everything is even more shameful

Please...I don't care what small county you are From know Americas history!!...Monkeys were definitely used to imitate us african Americans...I am only 24..I am sure that these adults have been around longer than me to know that what they did was racist!!...They should Be held accountable for their actions....I know if I were to say something of their race I would be all in the media!!...GROW. UP....

I am not a child and know that racist people in their circles of friends circulate these kinds of images and thoughts. But to actually print them, in 2009, shows a level of retardation that boggles the mind. Grow up!

i didn't know any thing about watermelon,chimp until i read this article. i'm in the mid 30s. am i suppose to know the past? there are lots of things that i don't know.
yeah, it's racist if you purposely do it.
if you don't know about it, you're not. it's just a picture.
why don't people look at his past. if you're a racist, you're a racist for life.

this is only another tactic to devide the nation. Look at the real issues instead this nonsense. I hear people talk about white trash, cracker, or whitee all day long. I don't need a self esteem lift of such comment by making a nonsense issue out of it. get over it, a black man is in the white house. we, the white people, put him there. get over it. put your energies toward something contructive not destructive. that will increase self esteem.

well if the shoe fits. Right?

Both articles are offensive to ALL people, and in my opinion, are racist.
I hold the editors or public relations of each media accountable for allowing such offensive material to be published & distributed to the public. Isn't the news supposed to be proof-read by the editor, or someone in charge before it is printed & released for publication? Apparently, the newspaper editor & publisher agree with the cartoonists' racist ideas, and depiction of what he (the cartoonist) apparently thinks about Black people in particular. What is the message of the cartoonist; what is his point? Let him explain what his concept is and what his idea is that led him to produce such an offensive portrait of what is going on in his sick mind. He should have to publicly explain his drawing.

So black people like watermelon, who knew? I'll bet they like chocolate, too, and beer, and pistachios, peanut butter, and stuff that's sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, too. EVERYONE likes watermelon, especially the seedless kind you can just wantonly devour without spitting. Winners have the luxury of being gracious, why sweat the small stuff?

Obviously stupid to send this on when you're in publick office...

I'm Irish - I still occasionally see the "all Irish are drunks" references. I know we're not. I know it's an over-used stereotype. I don't give it much thought. I let it go.

Might want to try to the same thing...then again some people have a vested interest in keeping this stuff alive.

George Bush was cartooned as a monkey for eight years. White mobsters with low IQs were called apes or gorillas thousands of times in movies. And when I was little I looked at everything without color. I learned racial barriers from blacks and latinos. I did not dislike them wanting rights, I disliked them wanting special rights. (and being given those special rights by the govt.

In both cases these people lied. If they did not know the stereotype, why did they use these? Whatever these insecure people feel they can get away with, that's what they do and then say "I didn't know."

Ms. Mitchell will you please tell these so-called ministers & alderman to exhibit the same ferocity regarding the THOUSANDS of JOBLESS Americans in this state that has a jobless rate of 7.6%, and a possible TAX increase!. I am a 57 yr old Black female jobless for 10 mos and its sad to see all these ministers & alderman on TV voicing their empty indignation regarding Mr.Burris. Mr.Burris is a lawyer and a lobbyist of which both professions have a reputation of choosing their words carefully, Mr. Burris intentionally withheld certain information, he's not going to resign so why all the TV profiling from these people when this state is in a economic crisis. Mr.Burris will survive whether he's a US Senator or not & he has stated that repeatedly. With the economic crisis and job loss this state is experiencing I wish these ministers would speak to you and ALL other media outlets about what they are doing to help the JOBLESS find Jobs with job fairs, seminars with businesses hiring, and job assistance programs. Ask them about that Ms.Mitchell because I sure haven't seen 1 minister or 1 alderman on TV talking about the THOUSANDS of JOBLESS black folks in Illinois and their communities AND what they are doing about it, where's the priorities of these ministers & alderman????. SHAME ON THEM!

If watermelon stories were the reason for the 70% of black births being to single mothers, or the reason kids kill each other about every day in the city, maybe I'd start to protest.

SOLVE THE REAL PROBLEMS FIRST!!!!

It is good the President has a plan to feed us once he is done spending any future earnings we might make. Perhaps the rose garden will be transformed into a rattan forest so we can build huts for growing homeless population.

"I will go over legislation line-by-line to avoid earmarks". 8000+ earmarks in his budget. You have been duped. And you are worried about watermelons and monkeys? Really?

President B.O. created a number of new jobs in my neighborhood. I see the illegals working on the new highway every day. Yet my US-born neighbors are all out of work.

Your future is being flushed down the tubes, and you are worried about congress being depicted as a monkey (yes, congress wrote the stimulus bill, not Pres. B.O.). Are you really worried about how a Republican Mayor views the President? Because I have worse news for you: he is galvonizing the opposition (see Gallup poll, disapproval rating doubled over first month).

There is now way that the government can bail out enough homeless, jobless, newly poor to get him re-elected in 3 years. 8 years of Pres. G.W. don't look so bad now. FYI -- Congress gave power to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, not the President. Look at Barnie Frank and the Community Reinvestment Act.

Consider these thought in 2012.

Mayor Grose would lead us to believe he really didn't know of the watermelon stereotype. Question: How'd he come up with the watermelon landscape?

THAT'S WHY HE CALLED THEM COWARDS, BECAUSE HE
KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY
DOING, REMEMBER HE IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, HE IS
PRIVY TO INFO WE DON'T GET, HE KNEW THE COWARDS
WOULD COME OUT FROM UNDER THEIR ROCKS!
THEY ARE LIKE THE LITTLE BOY WHO THREW A ROCK,
AND THEN SAYS I DIDN'T THROW IT, VERY POOR TASTE!
THEY ARE COWARDS, AND THE TRUTH HURTS!

I try everyday to read your column on my blackberry but it never appears. The mobile website redirects me to your blog. Someone needs to fix this.

Why hasn't this been addressed- it is much more blatant. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE_SkiLrLsw

I have forwarded your complaint to the appropriate department. Thanks for letting me know.

I agree with you. But we don't need an article telling readers not to call white people racial slurs. All ethnic and racial slurs are unacceptable.

But I can't recall seeing any of the negative words used to describe whites appear in a mainstream newspaper. As for "you people" that's an equal opportunity put-down.

Dear Mary......

I noticed that you didn't complain about the nappy headed boy on the packages of "Dixie Boy" firecrackers. I think you should have . It is a terrible image which equates Black men to loud noises and gunshots. Can you do a column on it please.

A Fan

Last I heard, Obama is mixed race, not entirely black, Chicago blacks, even wondered that during his run for office.

So even the headline is wrong.

Ever hear the saying, ignore a pest, and it will tire and fly away, but not this columist, hungry as usual for stirring up more hate than what it's worth.

By the way Mary, three more are dead in the neighborhood this week, when shall you apply your writing and turn it into a positive makeover on black on black crime and really make a difference.

And when is Dylan coming to the people house.

Just once cover a story without stirring the bee hive.

Sadly, none of this should surprise anyone...I, for one, believe that insterad of getting better, race relations have gotten worst since Barack has moved into the Whitehouse. You can feel the resentment everywhere - on the street, in the workplace, etc.

Bigoted people are not going away, and they will always use the same old euphanisms to claim ignorance...:oh, I'm sorry, I didnt know..." BS.

We must continue to rise above the level of mediocracy that these types choose to continue to wallow in...

Los Alamitos mayor Dean Grose had to resign for sending an email containing a picture of the White House lawn as a watermelon patch. What is so offensive about liking watermelon? Are the PC Police going after food now, too? I'm half Polish and I like perogies and kielbasa...is that ok?

Why do black people in this country feel that they have sole ownership being victims of racial insensitivity? White people get it all the time! With the exception of Bill Cosby, every black comic over the past 30 years has made anti-whitey jokes a part of their comedy routine, and no one has ever done a thing to oppose it. But let Michael Richards or Don Imus say something anti-black and LOOK OUT!

Every person who came here and wrote something like "How are watermelons racist?" is a moron. If the mayor wasn't making a racial stereotype, then please explain just what the joke in the cartoon was supposed to be?

I just hope that President Obama does have a watermelon eating contest there. Hell anyone with a bit of sense would eat watermelon for the nutritional value (not to mention the sweet taste. I even heard that Myurbanevents.com is going to start a blog on where to buy the best watermelons in Chicago. Also I hope that President Obama will have a barbecue on the front porch and stick out a few lawn chairs.

Oh and don't forget to serve some sweet tea for the southerners.

Peace

correction: S-a-t-i-r-e

A slur is a slur. Satire it is not. If President Obama were a peanut farmer like former President Carter, I suppose there would be some basis for the comparison or depiction of the White House that Mayor Grose used. That still would be insulting.

However, President Obama was not a farmer, and this is a good example of how the socially insensitive are always calling someone what they are. (Sending it to his African American compeer- that's arrogant.)

The large house and farming image together,suggest a plantation. Plantations are by and large associated with racists and oppressors. That is a ridiculous comparison, associating the idea with someone who is liberating and inclusive.

The larger insult is that it also suggests that one has no class and will degrade the White House. For who would plant a crop on the front lawn of the White House? That is suggesting the President is tacky. (There goes the neighborhood.) The truth is all know the President is most tactful and a good model of class.