Deseret News | Utahns' Obama monkeys racist?

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Utahns' Obama monkeys racist?

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Mr.Duke | 10:22 a.m. June 14, 2008

I think its a great idea and take no offense whatever. I can't wait for "the secomd coming" to pick the man in the yellow hat for his running mate.

gather $$$ while you may | 10:25 a.m. June 14, 2008

Hmmm, lots of free publicity for the Lawson's product. They may have to wade through hate mail, but they will surely find some gold out of all this.

info advantage | 10:33 a.m. June 14, 2008

Excuse me, when did "the Church" become part of this? Does anything that happens in Utah automatically reflect on the LDS as an organization? If not, what's the connection here? Is Obama's Utah campaign leader LDS? Are the makers of the doll LDS? What gives?

Comments continue below

Bonnie | 10:37 a.m. June 14, 2008

That sock monkey is not funny and it simply feeds the hatred found in the "black church" whose leaders are/were Rev. Wright etc. Let us rise above all this meaness. I won't vote for Obama, but I won't pass on an email talking about him OR, buy a stupid sock monkey. The only way to stop this is not to pass it on. "As I have loved you. Love One Another".

Obama is the Racist 6:40a.m. | 10:37 a.m. June 14, 2008

Sitting in a black church listening to black hate speech for twenty years indicts Obama as a racist notwithstanding his protests to the contrary. It is extremely unlikely that Obama never heard his hate-spouting pastor mentor deliver a hate speech. I am waiting for either pictoral proof or the testimony an eye witness that he sat there during some of those hate speeches, which he adamantly denies. Proof will surely surface--maybe as an October surprise. The truth will out. Exibit a modicum of fairness. Obama is a racist.

No fruit to judge by | 10:40 a.m. June 14, 2008

It would be nice if among all of these whinings, judgements, belittlings, castigations, and stone-throwings, someone stepped forward and actually did something productive like run for office themselves. It's nice and cosy to sit around flapping our lips and spouting our opinions, but it's our own fault the shape the nation is in. Too many talkers, too few doers. We the People would be better served if we started acting locally to make positive changes.

liberal larry | 10:59 a.m. June 14, 2008

Let's see, Howard Cosell got in trouble, twenty five years ago, for saying, "look at that little monkey" in reference to a black football player. That's probably about right, Utah, is twenty five years behind the rest of the nation, especially in terms of racial understanding.

Why the Fuss? | 11:28 a.m. June 14, 2008

What is all the fuss about? Anyone under the age of 55 does not remember the popular sock monkey doll - a cute, soft toy made from a man's sock and without any offensive reference. No one is forcing anyone to buy the Obama doll. Leave it alone, and it will go away.

Of greater concern is the way Senator Obama uses his race when it is beneficial, attracting celebrities and voters of the same color, then preaches universal brotherhood. A confusing strategy for a presidential candidate. A candidate who refuses to salute the American flag or pledge allegiance to our great nation.

Let's focus on what is important.

Thomas Paine | 11:28 a.m. June 14, 2008

Why does everything have to be 'racist'? Racism has nothing to do with it. I wish people would use some common sense and stop looking at everything as a racist, sexist, ect.
If someone doesn't like Obama and likes to make a Sock Puppet Monkey, then the 1st Ammendment gives that person the right to do so. Racism has nothing to do with it. Bad taste, however, has everything to do with it.

Jake | 11:31 a.m. June 14, 2008

Utah and the LDS church are nearly the last barrier in this great country that still chooses to divide people on race, religion and politics as a rule. The unfortunate part of this is neither the culture of this state nor the church will acknowledge the issue but just choose to stand up token examples of progress while all along ignoring the issues.

wrz | 11:46 a.m. June 14, 2008

We all sprang from monkey, didn't we? So, what's the big deal?

I think TheSockObama looks more like a distant cousin than B. Hussein Obama.

Dear OBAMA ACCUSERS | 11:48 a.m. June 14, 2008

FIRST, Obama did NOT "listen to hate speech for 20 years". YOU are the precise people this smear campaign is aimed at, NOT the candidate? Don't you get it?

There are people out there who believe YOU are so gullible that you'll believe ANYTHING without checking it out. Apparently, they are right about YOU!

Now, if you think Obama's church is bad, let's start on the LDS church by picking out short sentences from your clergy!

Oh! But that's not fair, is it? We can't base our beliefs on the Mormon Church by listening to a few statements out of the many good ones - can we?

Well, that's exactly what's been done to YOU!

If Mitt Romney ever gets close to national office, it's going to be interesting when snippets of HIS religion are brought out.

Why not read transcripts of Wright's FULL sermons?
Too hard, I guess.

Got any more hoax emails to forward? I'm sure you do.

Anonymous | 11:59 a.m. June 14, 2008

We just celebrated the blacks and the whole thirty years in the priesthood and now look what we have done. We sure look pretty bad right about now. I am saddened about the level of recism that has existed in the church and culture of Utah.

John | 12:08 p.m. June 14, 2008

From now, until November, anything that does not paint Obama in a shining, perfect light, is going to be declared racist.

The real racists are just about everyone in this blog who simple refuse to let it go. Its a disgrace to see so many people who presumably are old enough to vote, going off at the slightest hint of race.

Let it go and racism will go with it. 300 million people, some are going to be racist. Either grow up and learn to ignore it, or just shut up about it.

Grimble | 12:15 p.m. June 14, 2008

Why the Fuss, you need to get your information from somewhere else besides Fox News and moonbat chain emails. Go to Obama's website and you'll see a video of him leading the senate in the pledge of allegiance with his hand over his heart.

Can you name one instance of Obama "using race"?

You and Thomas Paine just don't get it. Depicting black people as monkeys has a long racist past. Saying "just get over it" is extremely insensitive. If you were Mormon and saw a tarred-and-feathered Joseph Smith doll, or you were Jewish and saw a doll of concentration camp prisoner, would you say "What is all the fuss about?"

Anyone | 12:20 p.m. June 14, 2008

who doesn't understand just how racist this 'toy' is, is a clear example of how entrenched racism remains in this society.

For those who bring up the Bush comparisons, it's completely different. Texans (even fake Texans who are really from Connecticut) don't have a history of being considered lower on the evolutionary scale (i.e. monkeys) than white people. Kind of ironic that blacks are considered to be less evolved than whites by people who deny evolution; that's inconsistency for you.

Julia | 12:21 p.m. June 14, 2008

When are we as a church going to step up and stop racist attidutes and the inherent racial culture?

My sisters and brothers, many of you embarass me!

John | 12:28 p.m. June 14, 2008

How many times have you seen President Bush portayed as a monkey? Too many to count I'm sure.
If your white, your a racist. Got it now.

if the sock fits | 12:32 p.m. June 14, 2008

if one resembles a monkey then one must expect some good natured ribbing on occasion. (likewise if one resembles a pig, goat, bulldog, etc etc)
if one does not resemble a monkey then a jopke based on that premise should falll flat and not concern one.
if one resembles a monkey and is teased for it it would not be racial, however (unless in fact one was a monkey)

Re: Woww | 12:34 p.m. June 14, 2008

If you do want to join the KKK I believe Sen. Byrd (D) of Va. has vast experience in this area.

James | 12:34 p.m. June 14, 2008

Big deal people get over it already. The LDS are attacked and mocked everyday and I don't see anyone coming to our assistance or putting the rightfully racist tags on the anti's. Geesh get over it as us LDS have had to and will continue to carry this burdon for all the world. It just a sock, no harm no foul so let us focus on real issues.

Fall in love with Obama again??? | 12:51 p.m. June 14, 2008

In the universal present sense, itï¿½s a matter of subjugation through dehumanization, a practice that has its historical roots that crawl all the way back to when the first white person saw the first non white people and called them savages. In a way, such subjugation, the intellectual practice of reasoning that a person can be less than a person, partially justified invading a peopleï¿½s land, butchering them, enslaving them, etc.

Why not? Theyï¿½re savages or monkeys.

Update the practice to a time when there are mixed societies, where laws should provide people of all color with the same rights and priveleges, again the imagery and the underlying intent behind it continues to justify heinous behavior against people of color.

All of this goes quite a bit more in depth, but this should give you the basic understanding that calling a black person a monkey, or depicting them through drawings or toys, is itself demeaning and wrong. I really wished I didnï¿½t have to explain this, but apparently I do.

But a commenter at Plunderbund unearths some interesting information. The owners of the company, David and Elizabeth Lawson, hail from Jordan River Utah. David Donated $2,300 to Mitt.

Wow?!?!?!?

Political Naivete II | 1:02 p.m. June 14, 2008

Those of you justly condemning racism--right on. I join you wholeheartedly. It has no place ANYWHERE in American society, deliberate or accidental. We all need to be more sensitive to the thoughts and perceptions of others. I don't believe for a second that saying so makes me "PC" or a "liberal"--but if that's the judgment some arch-conservative is going to pass on me, so be it.

BTW: The poster who said I was neither a liberal nor a Dittohead nailed it right on. I'm a staunch political independent and no slave to either GOP/Rush or Democratic drivel. I tend to be morally conservative and socially liberal. Politics is NOT religion--I pick and choose what I think.

As for the LDS connection--no, far from everything in Utah should be connected with the church. This is a political issue. Yet members should have some sympathy with being chronically misunderstood and stereotyped, as well as some historical awareness of what it's like to live in fear of violence, with no hope of justice.

There are some similiarities to the Black American experience and the Mormon American experience. IF--and that's IF--the puppet-makers are LDS, they should certainly know better.

What?? | 1:02 p.m. June 14, 2008

According to the reasoning of Fuel to the Fire at 10:08 a.m., Jeremiah Wright's racist church should be burned to the ground along with the destruction of the KKK. Way to go Fuel to the Fire--fair, intelligent thinking on your part which would solve the race problem once and for all.

John, buy a clue | 1:03 p.m. June 14, 2008

This conversation begins and ends with a definition of racism. The conversation about the image is necessarily very short, after you define "racism."

In order to view this image as not racist, you have to frame your definition to exclude certain aspects of the history of race. The image is reminiscent of past concepts of race that were presented in all sincerity and with the mantle of science, claiming that people of African descent were of lower quality than people of European descent, and the "proof" was made by showing physical similarities between blacks and monkeys. So, if that's the benchmark, then the image does perpetuate the idea that black people are inferior to whites. Of course, to be relevant, one has to be aware of this historical point.

The other perspective (meaning, the other definition) is one of subjective intent and perception. If four-year-old children view this image, they're probably too young and inexperienced to perceive anything other than a cute monkee sock.

I believe the apologists are too young and inexperienced to understand the perjoritive nature of the hand sock.

It is offensive to all people, and repugnant.

Bush and Obama are fair game.

But racism?

gf | 1:07 p.m. June 14, 2008

sad,

and it adds more fodder to the racist state image many around the world have of us.

Dear John | 1:10 p.m. June 14, 2008

People of African, Indian, Asian, and European descent are all racist.

Excusing it does not make it go away.

Ignoring it does not make it go away.

Just like children, we must politely redirect and educate race based thinkers to be aware how the messages they are sending are being recieved by others.

If I ever did anything to offend others, I wish someone would let me know and allow me to make amends, instead of crassly telling them to get over it.

If the person wants to make socks so that people could fall in love again with Senator Obama, I wonder why he donated the maximin amount to Governor Romney's campaign fund?

If your white, your a racist is a cop-out and a poor me attitude.

MTM | 1:15 p.m. June 14, 2008

It's a shame that anything you do or say is taken as offensive by someone. They said it wasn't racially motivated, then so be it. The NAACP is wrong again - what a surprise. It's a choice to taken offense at something.

Jonny Canuk | 1:23 p.m. June 14, 2008

The whole raciest thing is simply a means for the so called abused to get their bit of air time. I personally would have a big passenger ship permanently moored at LA and NY and if anyone complains about being an "AMERICAN" then give them free passage back to whichever country their heritage truly is.
This Black American crap is overdone and out of place in this world. It is so seldom that a lineage is pure to a country of origin that it is hardly worth discussing.Just what percentage of natural blood do we need to be called a Natural National? Isn't that what really decides Origin? So people born in America are Americans. Those born in Africa are African. Natives can declare themselves native with 5% blood lines. Blacks do the same if the situation suits them. With his white heritage, just how "African" is Obama? If anyone was brought here illegally then certainly give a free ride home. I think the boats will sit there empty for a very long time?

Then if we wish to discriminate for color lets all get a color . Or all just be Americans brought up under different circumstances?

Deseret Dawg | 1:30 p.m. June 14, 2008

It looks like the Lawsons' Sockobama website is being targeted with a DoS attack right now. When you visit it, you get a "Exceeded Allotted Bandwidth" message.

When I visited the "progressive" ThinkProgress website last night, I saw "progressives" planning this attack on the Lawsons' website. Nice to know how "progressives" really feel about free speech.

"Progressive" is nothing more than a synonym for "Communist". The lefties only want free speech for themselves. Anything they disagree with is labeled "racist" in order to discourage and repress free speech.

Floe | 1:40 p.m. June 14, 2008

It just breaks my heart to see that we the people of Utah label presidential figures in a racist way. Maybe it wasn't done intentionally to be racist but I still feel extremely embarrassed that here in the beehive state things like that continue to occur. But a monkey? It was racist. I've been planning on voting for Barrack Obama for awhile now and now that our own people of Utah made such a mess of this so-called joke, I'm much more inclined to vote for Obama. Why can't we all just get along? What's wrong with us? It's all about greed and money and that's sad.

Utahn's as a People | 1:43 p.m. June 14, 2008

You have a long way to go
Newly to Utah 5 years ago
I am really not able to say anything good about the Mormons in my locallityIgnorance seems to be the main problem
No one wants to hear nor learn
This starts with the Attorney General and the Govenor down to the next door neighbor
Utah is a state full of criminals

Valerie | 1:57 p.m. June 14, 2008

You BET it is racist. I just returned from a trip to UT and the first question I was asked was "how many black people did you see?" Utah IS a racist state. People who say they won't vote for Obama because his is "Muslim" really mean they won't vote for him because he is a black man.

Mr. A. Sock Obama Doll | 2:25 p.m. June 14, 2008

I am very offended that everyone is being racist against sock dolls. I am a sock doll and I dont appreciate this at all. Please try and show a little tolerance.

Sincerely Mr. A Sock Obama Doll

Clues for sale | 2:26 p.m. June 14, 2008

Does it ever occur to anyone living in your whitebread world in UT that being "racist" isn't limited to legislating against other races or physically assauliting them. Any of the ways you marginalize, minimize, exclude, insult and neglect people because they don't look just like you is racist. And intended or de facto offends people and limits their right to live freely and with the same opportunities.

Bottom line: you guys who only recognize the legitimacy of old white men of the power class or families with lineage don't recognize it when you do it or even when it's done to you. But the rest of us won't put up with it!

Hi Moderator, please post | 2:29 p.m. June 14, 2008

I do not envy your job today. How do you differentiate from offensive posts, when the article is about an offensive enterprise and all apologists posts are offensive, and I'm sure plenty of the anti-monkee posts are being deleted also.

Please post this, because I would like to meet some of these apologists and have a face to face, heart to heart with these bigots, but I will never have the chance. I will never know if I work next to them, because they don't have the courage to tell me my child is a "dirty Ugly Baby", or even as cute as a "Monkee".

Signed,

Steven Bettesen
Born and raised white Utahn returned missionary LDS father of two of the most beautiful African American girls in the world.

It's different with Bush | 2:32 p.m. June 14, 2008

When Bush is charicatured, as all nationally known figures are, it's based on their specific identifying features. People who resent being held hostage to a president of inferior intelligence who was placed in office by cronies of his father and his family in a crooked election are angry and are expressing their reasonable outrage.

It's a world different when someone has enraged a populace by their own acts than tarring someone with stereotypical insult when they haven't done anything to remotely deserve it.

re:Mr. A. Sock Obama Doll | 2:38 p.m. June 14, 2008

You just don't get it, do you?

Keith | 2:39 p.m. June 14, 2008

This is unfornunate that the LDS church is being brought up in these posts. The LDS church would never nor has never participated in racism or seperation of individuals for any means on any level. The church stands for all things good and does not toil in evil.

Deseret Cat | 2:46 p.m. June 14, 2008

Hey Deseret Dawg,

Do you have any evidence that you can produce (a link perhaps?) here that shows the ThinkProgress people planning the attack?

That would be very much appreciated.

Broader effects | 2:57 p.m. June 14, 2008

This discussion and the defense of the monkey= black man image as harmless fun should be brought to mind each time a tech firm or large corporation balks at relocating to this state. Could anyone as a corporate decision maker honestly ask their black employees to move to this environment?

Yes, people have a right to say whatever they want. But there are consequences and we all suffer as a result of the attitude that condones and excuses behavior such as likening blacks to monkeys and attacks those who see it as inappropriate.

Farleydog | 3:07 p.m. June 14, 2008

the the racist here is Mr. Hussein Obama if you think he is a good American ,you had better look long and hard at yourselk in The Mirror. To be support him is Morallaly wrong he beliefs in letting babies die and he will be held up in judement on this ,and his WIFE don.t even get me started to compare him to Jackie Kennedy is just plain stupid and very wrong.And he wants to rewrite almost all of our laws and will tax the everything we have out of us after we fill the car with Gas at 10.oo a gallon so America WISE up do your homework Obama is all wrong for our country black,white yellow or purple his veiws to not jive with mainstream America

How Embarrassing | 3:12 p.m. June 14, 2008

Sometimes I am so embarrassed to live in Utah.

White people who defend this are probably the same people that argue that it is ok to use the N word.

Bush is compared to a chimp because he is about as smart as one. There is no history of white people being compared to monkeys in a racist connotation. Blacks have been compared to monkeys as a form of racism, which is why it is racist. Seriously, some people in Utah really need to take some racial sensitivity classes.

Re: Utahn's as a People | 3:16 p.m. June 14, 2008

Let me know where I can pick up your keys when you leave, I'll trade places with any whiner who wants to leave Utah.

Always the race card | 3:22 p.m. June 14, 2008

The man is running for President. He should not be viewed as a black man running for President just as much as McCain or anyone else running as a white president. If I have a black bumper sticker on my car and print don't vote for Obama, is that also racist.

Lets stop using the race card. Vote for the best person you feel is running for office. Don't vote for anyone just because they are or are not black or white.

wrz | 3:21 p.m. June 14, 2008

"If your white, your a racist. Got it now."

You got that right, John. Plus, Blacks can never be racist. It's part of the definition.

Anonymous | 3:22 p.m. June 14, 2008

It appears we have a double standard. It's okay for African Americans to refer to each other as "black" the "n" word, "colored", etc but have no tolerance for those of other races using those words. I don't know if sock doll was intended to be racist but the posts here that defend and attack it are clearly an intolerance of the Lawson's freedoms. To see "progressive" people attack their website is criminal. To assume the Lawson's are LDS is indefensible (frankly, I hope they aren't and I can't imagine why they would want to be). Racism won't go away. I hope there aren't many of you out there who are voting for McCain just because he's white and I hope many of you out there don't vote for Obama just because he's black.

Anonymous | 3:24 p.m. June 14, 2008

I moved to Utah 5 years ago, i'm in my late 40s and frankly, until now i've never knew 'monkey" was racist. Get rid of your hypocrisy--people have been referring to Pres Bush as a chimp for several years. Does this mean i have to get rid of my Curious George collection, just to prove I'm not racist?

cindylouwho? | 3:33 p.m. June 14, 2008

How would we be reacting if the Lawson's were from, say, Illinois (Barack Obama's home) and we knew they belong to a Christian church, not the LDS church, and we knew they were Democrats supporting the Obama campaign. Would it be racist then?

Suzy | 3:42 p.m. June 14, 2008

The other day I saw "crackers" on the grocery store shelf. I was offended. I don't care what the intentions of the store manager was. I was offended. He should have known better. He should have been more racially sensitive.

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