Week 6: Reading Response 2

Making a Visual Argument:
Cartoonists Take On Affirmative Action

LESTER/It's GOT to Be the Shoes

Mike Lester's cartoon sends a message that before the Supreme Court decision was made, there was a standard that had to be met before anyone could enter into certain colleges. Then, afterward, if you had certain racial preferences, you were given a step up to enter in. Do all minority groups depict a successful failure? What really brought on this issue? Was the standard unspoken or is it really that bad? I mean minority failure. This cartoonist provoked me to think this way althougth his message may mean totally something else. Oh yeah, can you tell I'm in the minority? What standards are being addressed?

DRAUGHON/Supreme Irony

Dennis Draughon's cartoon where the Supreme Court Judges are depicted and the only black minority Judge is thinking to himself, "The irony escapes me..." sends a message that might prove the issue at hand. Did the Supreme Court really decide such a matter?! Why? The cartoonist does help us to understand what the issue is referencing. The expressions the cartoonist expresses in the other Judges are interestingly nomatic attitudes with a few obviously staunch opponents. Even a cartoon can tell a thousand stories!

THOMPSON/Daniel Lives on Detroit's Eastside...

Mike Thompson's cartoon tells a story about this issue and why it may have developed. A young black man, Daniel, "lives on Detroit's Eastside where he's forced to witness violence, avoid drugs, resist gangs, withstand poverty, suffer racism, overcome substandard schools by studying hard to get into college (with a little help from Affirmative Action)." With a elder white woman depicted in color contrast to the black and white used in the rest of the cartoonist's picture, saying, "Hey, why does he get all the breaks?!" So is this ruling racial? Yes. The white woman who asks the question why reveals that there are other colors to this picture. Or, other concerns that may have not been addressed. Do we not want the best to excel whatever the color, creed, etc. so forth? Don't we all need a helping hand at some point in our life times? This cartoonist helps me understand why this issue should be addressed.

WILKINSON/Admissions

Signe Wilkinson's cartoon helps you to see how some are chosen to enter in colleges. But, leaves a question about whether other potential students may be left aside to meet a quota (I don't know that there is one). Staightforward cartoon that is simple understood and brings out the point that (to me anyway) not to point fingers at the minority because of this ruling. There are other factors to consider as well. Interesting.

CAMP/Pricey

Dean Camp's cartoon shows that with money and the right amount you can speed your way to into certain colleges. And, the ones without money, struggle to meet the finish line. The more money you may have for college the better the college is? And, all I thought was needed, was an IQ.

In my opinion the most effective cartoon relating to the the issue at hand, is Dennis Draughon's cartoon, Supreme Irony. It simple, but with some complex nature depicts the Affirmative Action the best. I can't help but to wonder how the ruling may have been if there were no minority or black Judges serving in this case. I mean, would have other issues, like Thompson's cartoon depicting a white woman wanting the same treatment for her child(ren). These are surely interesting and frustrating times as we move into embracing diversity and away from superiority in race. I have been on boths sides of the fence, I am half American white and half Alaska native. Why do we have these biases?