Posted by:
steve benson
(
)
Date: November 10, 2017 06:56PM
It's always interesting, entertaining and baffling to get feedback from readers on cartoons. The following has come in response to a cartoon I did recently about that mass murder rampage of Christian believers in that little town in Texas:
Here's the 'toon:
https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/14c4c2ade50ac2d41b3b3f080e3a3b8cd04568f3/c=19-0-3817-2856&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2017/11/07/Phoenix/Phoenix/636456785126778557-Benson-Jesus-Guns-11-08-17.jpgHere's hearin' from the readers:
A. I Don't Like It
*Complainer #1 (under the subject line “disgusting”):
“How dare you use Jesus. Liberalism and socialism lead to Communism. Keep Jesus out of your sick views!!!!!”
*My reply:
“Did Jesus tell you to command me not to use Jesus? Did Jesus tell you why he was so interested in cartoons that feature him as being a non-violence advocate? What, exactly, did he tell you in that regard?
“The cartoon wasn’t about 'liberalism and socialism leading to Communism.'
"Rather, it was about the use of guns leading to the death of innocent congregants assembled to worship in a Christian church In Texas. (It’s been all over the news).
“Jesus is the Prince of Peace, right? So, holster your piece and follow your Master of Peace.”
_____
*Complainer #2:
”I was appalled when I opened the newspaper and on page 17A the most degrading attempt to picture Jesus as seen by the person that must have been looking in the mirror when this reproduction was made.
“You apparently believe this caricature cartoon depicted a humorous situation with guns on his head to represent the crown of thorns was supposed to be funny or entertaining, Wrong
“Well Benson, I for one wasn’t impressed by your lack of knowledge, ability, and insulting cartoon you are being paid to put in the paper. But again the low life reporting by the media showed its true colors and can do and say anything it wants with no fear of ever being wrong. The editor of this paper better wake up when letting such an atrocity appear that insults not only the church, those that lost their lives but many millions of people that believe in a religion. Cartoons should not be in news section of a paper, maybe in the funny paper, and this wasn’t funny.
“You can stop my delivery of paper to my home 1306 E. Louis Way as I don’t need trash to read , there is enough of it on TV and other media.”
*My reply:
“Jesus is the Prince of Peace. I doubt he would advocate the use of gun violence against worshipping Christians assembled in that small Texas church.
“That’s what the cartoon was about and was synchronized for publication within the context of that news event.
“Thanks for writing.
“Steve B.”
_____
B. I Do Like It
“Steve,
“I realize that you are probably being crucified for today's political cartoon, but I thought that it was great! Another poignant commentary from you. My only criticism is that you didn't give Jesus any armpit hair.
"I'm Jewish--and we Jews do have armpit hair, just not horns. :-)
“Best, . . . “
*My reply:
“So far, so good.
“My daughter asked me about the absence of armpit hair, too. And she’s not even Jewish. ☺
“Shalom.”
*My reply:
“Thanks.:)
“(P.S.—I’m an atheist)”
[Note to RfM readers: I made a copy of both the reader’s letter and the cartoon for my daughter and brought them home. She liked it].
_____
C. I Don't Get It and Would Like an Explanation
*Confused Reader Seeking Understanding:
“Mr. Benson,
“I wanted to ask you about your cartoon published today. What were you trying to convey by putting guns in the crown of thorns?
“Regards, . . .”
*My reply:
“Jesus: Prince of Peace
“Guns: Ungodly, Bring Him Sorrow”
_____
D. I Don't Get It But I Don't Like It
*Confused Reader Who Has Made Up Their Mind Anyway (under the subject line, ‘your editorial cartoons”):
“As a retired artist my wife and I have been subscribers to the Arizona morning paper since 1955 This is before you became the liberal editorial cartoonist for the Arizona Republic We really enjoyed the editorial cartons from this time...but your liberal cartons lack a complete understanding of a point you try to make. In order to understand your meanings could you possible put a small caption under the cartoon to explain the point you are trying to make? Thank you for understanding our problem with your cartoons.”
*My reply:
“Well, being the retired artist that you are, you no doubt realize that you are able to express your own views through your art because this is America. I happen to do the same thing as a currently working artist, also expressing my views in America.
“Please make note of the fact that it is not my job—or the job of any other editorial cartoonist, for that matter—to draw your points of view for you. Editorial cartoonists work on the opinion pages as individual commentators with their art signed as such, not in the news section as reporters.
“Despite your opinion that you possess “a complete understanding” of certain issues--as opposed to what you regard as my incomplete understanding of certain issues (none of which you identified, by the way), I happen to disagree with your point of view in the general sense (since you weren’t specific about what views you were talking about).
“Again, welcome to America, Land of the Free, Home of the Differing Points of View.
“Best wishes in drawing your own point of view and thanks for writing.”
*********
Another day in the deep, shallow and middle end of the ink bottle. I don't get it. :)
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2017 02:21PM by steve benson.