What Fresh Hell Is This — The New Yorker Obama Cover

Posted on 14. Jul, 2008 by Karen in Misc

My first thought as a Black woman when I saw the latest cover of The New Yorker magazine was “WTF”.  My second thought was if I was Muslim, I would be thinking the same thing (but maybe leaving off the “F”).  Slamming two ethnic groups in one picture in the name of satire is a pretty amazing accomplishment these days.   

I’m familiar with this publication’s pithy use of cynicism and wit to make a point.  But what exactly is the point of this cover?  Is it that there are racial stereotypes that continued to rage through our country like an uncontrolled virus?  Duh.  Did we need a tasteless, offensive and just plain tacky magazine cover to convey that message?  I think not. 

I read somewhere today that “real” New Yorkers would get the point of the cover.  This brings the memory of Dorothy Parker to mind.  She was quintessential NYC and a writer for The New Yorker for many years.  If she were here – this witty but cynical woman who left her entire estate to the NAACP — I just gotta imagine she’d be letting loose one of her favorite quips: 

What fresh hell is this?

We’re all trying to answer that question today.

 

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9 Responses to “What Fresh Hell Is This — The New Yorker Obama Cover”

  1. Jane

    14. Jul, 2008

    “Real” New Yorkers is code for the enlightened elite. The slam was not against Blacks and Muslims. The intended slam was against those who are not enlightened and elite. The hoi polloi, if you will.

  2. Karen

    15. Jul, 2008

    Jane–

    That may be what the intended slam was but really–how many un-enlightened and un-elite read, or are interested in reading The New Yorker?

  3. Jacqueline Wales

    15. Jul, 2008

    I totally agree. When I saw this in my mailbox the other day, I wondered if the New Yorker had taken leave of its senses. It is offensive, and I don’t care how satirical it’s supposed to be, I don’t get why they thought it would appeal? I’m one of the most liberal and liberated women I know, and certainly can take the jokes, but this was just downright ugly…..

    WTF…….Shame on them, to quote someone else I like a lot.

  4. Madeleine Phillips

    15. Jul, 2008

    My jaw dropped so far when I saw this that it felt unhinged. While I could go on about this, Karen, I have to say that you have put it as succinctly as anyone possibly could: WTF!

  5. Karen

    15. Jul, 2008

    Jacqueline–Frankly, I’m glad I’m a “former” subscriber to The New Yorker because I would cancel my subscription. You are so right–this was just ugly.

    Madeleine–A lot of us are walking around with unhinged jaws this week! And for the first time I’m glad for text lingo because, well WTF.

    Karen

  6. WomenBloom

    16. Jul, 2008

    Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve dropped into another dimension because of the severe cognitive dissonance something sets up. This was one of those occasions. I thought I’d fallen back into the 60s or 70s somehow.

    Don’t they have a committee or something who vets these things? It’s hard to believe in 2008, someone still thinks this is OK.

  7. Karen

    17. Jul, 2008

    I hear ya’ Allison. Twilight zone ‘08.

    Karen

  8. michelle of bleeding espresso

    18. Jul, 2008

    Yeah I’m with you. I really can’t imagine what anyone involved in this was thinking other than let’s get some cheap publicity.

    They certainly did get a lot of people talking, but has that translated into sales? I wonder, especially when you offset any additional sales by the number of people who surely canceled subscriptions. I certainly would have but then I’m not a sophisticated “real” New Yorker either (and proud of it if it means I would’ve appreciated this cover) ;)

  9. Karen

    18. Jul, 2008

    Amen, Michelle!

    This week I’m proud to say that I’m a “former” New Yorker subscriber. If tacky and offensive is on the cover, you do have to wonder how many people get past it to the inside content. I sure didn’t.

    Karen

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