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The Guardian Cartoon of Priti Patel & Boris Johnson

(61 Posts)
GrannyGravy13 Sun 08-Mar-20 12:02:57

As The Guardian is often quoted by many posters on the political threads as the only accurate/acceptable source of news/current affairs.

I am interested to know what they think of the cartoon depicting the Home Secretary as a Bull complete with horns and a ring through her nose especially as in the religion she follows cows/bulls are sacred??

Would it be acceptable to depict a Muslim member of parliament as a pig? I doubt it very much, in my opinion it would be the cause of moral outrage by many?

I have not posted a photograph of the cartoon, as I do not want to perpetuate the humiliating image.

Chestnut Sun 08-Mar-20 18:29:10

I love cartoons. I can think up some real belters but unfortunately can't put the picture in my head onto the paper! However, this one is vile and if that's his style then I hope I never see any of his cartoons again. ?

Dinahmo Sun 08-Mar-20 18:11:44

Joelsnan I suppose it's in the eye of the beholder but no different standards have been applied to this cartoon than have been applied to any other. Political cartoonists are usually hard hitting eg Rowlandson in the late 18th century and his cartoons of Prinny and Mrs Fitz amongst others.

Joelsnan Sun 08-Mar-20 17:23:05

vegansrock
Although I disliked the cartoon, it is in poor taste, the guy who drew it did have the freedom to draw and publish it. That is as it should be.
What concerns me more is the different standards applied to this cartoon. Had this not been a lady of Asian descent, maybe of African/Caribbean descent or of muslim faith, there would have been a media firestorm and potentially street rioting. This thread would have been on page 12 with those quick to throw in the racist card, the same who are justifying and applying simplistic interpretations of the cartoon.

Nandalot Sun 08-Mar-20 17:21:54

As well as ‘ a bull in a China shop’ perhaps it is a play on words - bullying. Also Johnson was one of the Bullingdon set.

vegansrock Sun 08-Mar-20 17:01:26

Is Priti Patel religious? Evidence? Would be being depicted as a sacred animal be more offensive than being depicted as an unclean one? Cartoonists have a long history of mocking political leaders, Should they be censored for fear of causing offence ? Even when there is no evidence of offence being caused?

kittylester Sun 08-Mar-20 16:57:19

I also think it is dreadful, gg

Baggs Sun 08-Mar-20 16:51:07

Depends what you mean by acceptable. In a free society it is acceptable to poke fun, to insult even, political leaders. I saw the cartoon and didn't like it but it did make me think: "Bulls in a china shop", not because I think Patel and Johnson necessarily are that but because I think others might see them as such. Then I shrugged. I favour the freedom of a free society.

So I think it's acceptable in that respect. It's also horrible. I think it will have boosted rather than damaged respect and support for Priti Patel.

Joelsnan Sun 08-Mar-20 15:29:17

Alexa
Based on your premise then a sophisticated muslim should not be offended if represented by a pig?

Alexa Sun 08-Mar-20 15:09:17

Only the more superstitious hindus take old cutoms seriously by old customs like revering cattle. Ms Patel is not a village ignoramus. I guess Priti- Is -As -Priti -Does is too sophisticated to be offended about cow and bull jokes.

Alexa Sun 08-Mar-20 15:05:57

The cartooon.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2020/mar/04/steve-bell-on-boris-johnson-defending-priti-patel-at-pmqs-cartoon

M0nica Sun 08-Mar-20 14:57:35

The Daily Mail, The Daily Mrror. The i, and there is nothing to stop you buying a paper. You get far more news across a far wider range of subjects much more quickly if you buy a paper rather than just rely on the internet.

trisher Sun 08-Mar-20 14:54:57

Steve Bell has drawn cartoons which insult practically every main religion you can think of. They all probably had members who were upset about this, but there is no legislation to protect religious beliefs (thank goodness).

GrannyGravy13 Sun 08-Mar-20 14:53:20

Ha Ha growstuff my neighbors are Muslim, they unfortunately are resigned to the fact that since 9-11 it has been open season on Islam, whether or not you are a peaceful Muslim or a radical!!

GrannyGravy13 Sun 08-Mar-20 14:51:08

I did not find Boris Johnson being depicted as a Bull offensive, as it was not a slur on his religion. (Not sure if he is religious in any way actually)

growstuff Sun 08-Mar-20 14:50:31

Am I one of the "usuals"? Would you mind pointing out whether I have said it's in bad taste or not? I was raising the issue of double standards.

growstuff Sun 08-Mar-20 14:49:09

Did you talk to any Muslim friends about the Charlie Hebdo cartoons?

growstuff Sun 08-Mar-20 14:48:19

Did you find Johnson being depicted as a bull in bad taste?

growstuff Sun 08-Mar-20 14:47:31

MOnica Which reputable newspapers are left, which aren't behind a paywall? Sorry, but I disagree with you. I used to read the Times and the Telegraph, but I'm not going to pay for the privilege.

I actually quote a number of different sources in my posts, and so do other posters. I hesitate to post links to the Guardian because I know that it has a particular bias and can sometimes undermine an argument.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 08-Mar-20 14:34:45

Having just spoken to my Hindu friend, she has said that she finds the cartoon deeply offensive as would any Hindu.

NotSpaghetti Sun 08-Mar-20 14:25:55

Yes, GrannyGravy13 - my point exactly!

GrannyGravy13 Sun 08-Mar-20 14:24:47

NotSpaghetti to portray a Muslim as a pig, or eating pork is an insult against Islam (hence the spate of idiots leaving bacon outside Mosques)

Joelsnan Sun 08-Mar-20 14:24:22

GranGravy13
I found it to be in extreme bad taste.

I note a major hypocrisy overload from the ‘usuals’

trisher Sun 08-Mar-20 14:22:12

It's funny and Steve Bell has a history of using other religions in his cartoons. So it's no more insulting than the others.

NotSpaghetti Sun 08-Mar-20 14:20:30

Just a quick point GG13 - it may be that “in the religion she follows cows/bulls are sacred” but how does that correlate with pigs in the Muslim faith?
It seems to me to be the opposite if anything.
I don’t understand the link you are struggling to make here.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 08-Mar-20 14:18:34

growstuff I am against cartoons which are racist wrapped up as satire