NY weekly shows Obamas as 'Sanford and Son' actors (terrible racism and bigotry alert)

Associated Press ^ | May 5, 2010 | Frank Eltman

[Zakeet]

A weekly newspaper photo depicting President Barack Obama and his wife as characters from the TV sitcom "Sanford and Son" was intended as political satire and not a racist commentary, the publisher said Wednesday.

Phillip Sciarello, publisher and part owner of the Smithtown Messenger on New York's Long Island, defended the decision to publish the photo, but added the newspaper would run a retraction in its next edition for anyone who might have been offended.

The photo spread features "before and after" shots of the last six presidents and their wives, starting with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and ending with the Obamas. The "after" photo of the Obamas is a shot from the 1970s show, with Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford and LaWanda Page as Sanford's sister-in-law, Aunt Esther. She is seen standing ready to box Sanford; the characters often verbally jousted as part of the show's story line.

The "after" photos of the other presidents feature their images as slightly older than when they took office.

The controversy prompted the Brookhaven town board to remove one of the Messenger's sister publications, the Brookhaven Review, as an official newspaper, meaning it will no longer publish town government legal notices.

"The reference to racial stereotypes is where the line was crossed," Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko told Newsday in Wednesday's editions. Lesko, a Democrat, did not immediately return a call for comment.

A Suffolk County legislator, DuWayne Gregory of Amityville, said he will propose a resolution to drop the Messenger as an official county paper at next week's meeting of the Legislature.

[Zakeet]

Stuff like this involves racial stereotyping and therefore crosses the line ...

... and stuff like this does not!

[wiggen]

I see Obama more as the racist Archie Bunker.

[Notwithstanding]

[onyx]

EXCELLENT.

[RWGinger]

Those photos of Manchelle and Aunt Esther are hilarious.Separated at birth

Libs are either completely stupid or they think the world is. They saw nothing wrong with the crap they threw at President George W. Bush ( oh yes I miss him) and seem not to understand the term Double Standard

[Notwithstanding]

The publication issued a statement to PIX 11 News that will also appear as a retraction slated to appear in Thursday's publication. "The publisher of the Smithtown Messenger regret any offense taken by our readers at the photographic political satire depicting the current and past presidents on the editorial page in the April 29th, 2010 issue. While we have grave disagreement with the policies of the current Administration, we hold the office of President of the United States in great respect." "We also hold dear the principles of freedom and tolerance upon which our great Nation was founded. We are mindful that the satire seemed to some in poor taste. At the same time, we reject the notions that elected officials, at any level of government, or any race, creed, or color, can hold themselves above the law… or immune from satire. This week the President himself caused some controversy by joking about sending deadly "predator drones" against the Jonas Brothers. We are confident he was not serious, as we are that our satiric content meant no disrespect. We Thank you for your continued readership, and as always, invite your comment or constructive criticism. Our apologies to all concerned."

[expatpat]

Where’s the photo in question?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I don’t see anything racist about it.

[Notwithstanding]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2507459/posts?page=3#3

[smalltownslick]

How’s it racist? Good grief, Sanford and Son was genuinely funny! Everyone loved it, everyone laughed. It’s not a stereotype, it’s a TV SHOW.

[Busta Rhymes]

BWAHAHAHAHA !!!!!

I think it’s HILARIOUS !!!

[funfan]

Maybe they should have used the white and black couple on the Jerffersons would that have been better?

[Notwithstanding]

Shut up you Big Dummie

Fish-eyed fool

Watch it, suckah

[RummyChick]

he has quite a grip on her

making over ester
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_6vkj6v4o

[RummyChick]

be sure to check out esther’s walk at 1:40..reminds me of some of the pictures of Michelle standing.

[mojitojoe]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2507459/posts?page=3#3

I thought I saved the pictures and even made a GIF out of them, but maybe not because I can’t find them and don’t have time to search right now. See pics in post #3.

[bobby.223]

.....”it’s right here damn it woman. Larry Sinclair didn’t have any problem findin’ it, so you shouldn’t either”....

[the invisib1e hand]

At least Sanford and Son had good music.