Georgia bar's T-shirt links Obama, Curious George

Wed May 14, 2008 3:22 PM EDT

politics, obama, barack-obama, protest, shirt

MARIETTA — The publisher of the popular children book's series "Curious George" is considering legal action against a Georgia bar owner for selling T-shirts that link Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to the inquisitive monkey.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is upset with Mike Norman, owner of a Marietta, Ga., bar, for selling the shirts which show Curious George peeling a banana with "Obama in '08" printed beneath the image.

"Houghton Mifflin Harcourt did not nor would we ever authorize or approve this use of the Curious George character, which we find offensive and utterly out of keeping with the values Curious George represents," said Richard Blake, the company's spokesman. "We are monitoring the situation and weighing all of our options."

Norman, who began selling the shirts in late April, has said they are not meant to be racist. He said he thinks the Illinois senator and the character "look so much alike."

Bill Nigut, southeast regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, said Norman is being disingenuous.

"He can pretend he doesn't understand what the message of that T-shirt is, but he knows full well that's an offensive and demeaning stereotype used to insult African-Americans," Nigut said. He called on citizens not to buy the T-shirts, but stopped short of calling for a boycott of Norman's business or denying him to speak out.

"His speech is protected, but that doesn't mean that it's appropriate and that doesn't mean it's not hateful," Nigut said.

On Tuesday, about a dozen people gathered outside the bar to object to the T-shirt. The protesters said the shirts are racist and they wanted Norman, to stop selling them.

Nigut said he was not surprised to hear that some in the community might have bought the shirt.

"To say that there are a few people in the community who are eager to have that ... I wouldn't deny that," Nigut said, adding that some could've purchased a shirt as a souvenir of the controversy. "But does it reflect what the vast majority of Cobb County residents believe in? I don't think that for a second."

_____

Associated Press Writer Greg Bluestein in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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{"commentId":1800363,"authorDomain":"greglujan"}

greck

I couldn't find any link to side by side photos, but clicking back and forth, I don't see it the similarity.

Granted, I don't have any pics of Obama alongside a guy in a yellow outfit/hat...

now, I know it's hard for people to keep the rules of political correctness straight as they change so frequently; but I'd say you can pretty much always bank on the guideline that comparing a black person to a monkey is inviting a "racist" moniker.

{"commentId":1800363,"threadId":"264437","contentId":"1488480","authorDomain":"greglujan"}

#1 - Wed May 14, 2008 4:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":1801816,"authorDomain":"coryperry"}

CoryPerry

I used to pass by Mulligan's daily when I lived in Atlanta and worked out in that area. I certainly remember more than a few times that I saw some shady characters coming out of that place.

That place has been rumored as a racial playground for a while now, and this both confirms it and brings it out in the national spotlight.

Wow, to think that in 2008, people are still hung up on race as a motivating factor to base their daily lives on.

{"commentId":1801816,"threadId":"264437","contentId":"1488480","authorDomain":"coryperry"}

#2 - Thu May 15, 2008 12:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":1913146,"authorDomain":"mi-alegria"}

mi-alegria

America will now graphically see and hear what has been said, one-on-one to "Blacks," out of earshot of others; and Americans, many will be appalled at the vitriolic hatred and jealousy that has been gurgling like a Hawaiian volcano for the last 50 years. Just when everyone thought, that "things were better" and that so many "White" women are marrying "Black" men in record numbers. Comments I heard today from my "White" neighbor. That observation is not a harbinger of lessening racial tensions. Miscegenation has been going on ever since they brought those boatloads from Africa.

This is the time for a Black American to have their "hurrah" moment. To ignore, stupidity, bad manners, hatred, ignorance, stupidity oh I said that already.. and jealousy. They finally have a genuine prize.

A Black man with class and substance. Intellectual. Committed. a Constitutional Lawyer (people seem to forget that) a family man with a striking sienna hued wife and two lovely daughters. A millionaire. The American Dream, yes? Yes.

Rise Black America and try to remember all that your grandmothers taught you.You don't have to make any excuses to anyone. He is here. It is his time. It is your time. God has heard all those prayers that your grandmothers said.... "remember?" God has tabulated in the Book of Life, all the prayers to relieve the suffering. I love Black Americans and their culture. As they say" God may not get there when you want him to but He is always on time." Let the Georgia man stew, let him mock, let them devalue and demean the next President of the United States Mr. Barack Obama. No weapon formed against him shall prosper.Believe. Fear not. Have faith. Get to work for the brutal campaign that will take us to November.

{"commentId":1913146,"threadId":"264437","contentId":"1488480","authorDomain":"mi-alegria"}

#3 - Fri Jun 6, 2008 10:53 PM EDT

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Georgia bar's T-shirt links Obama, Curious George

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