Confederate flag cartoon stolen from ILR exhibit
‘These reactions are narrow-minded’
When a display of controversial political cartoons went up in Ives Hall following the annual ILR Roundtable, students were quick to react.
Some reported the exhibit to student services and requested its removal. Others have taken things into their own hands. A cartoon featuring a confederate flag has been missing from the exhibit since Friday.
Some of the more controversial cartoons displayed include one with the GOP elephant’s trunk up a woman’s skirt. Photo credit: Priscilla Ruilova
“I’m ashamed and a bit surprised,” said senior Michael Ferrer, one of the roundtable’s coordinators. “I can’t account for all previous years, but I’ve certainly never heard of a reaction this severe [to a roundtable guest artist exhibit].”
He added: “These reactions are narrow-minded and, in some cases, hypocritical.
“Many of the same fundamentalist, right-wing students who have claimed that the concepts of safe space and political correctness are forms of coddling are now demanding the removal of a display because they disagree with its political speech.”
Photo credit: Priscilla Ruilova
Political cartoonists Gary Huck and Mike Konopacki of Huck/Konopacki Cartoons were among this year’s featured attendees at the ILR roundtable, an event which brings together people whose careers exemplify the range of paths available to ILR students. Following the event, the cartoonists’ work was displayed in Ives Hall for students to view.
Gary and Mike’s work deals with topics in politics and labor relations. Some of the more controversial cartoons displayed include one with the GOP elephant’s trunk up a woman’s skirt and another with a swastika superimposed on the confederate flag.
Political cartoonists Huck and Konopacki were among this year’s featured attendees at the ILR roundtable. Photo credit: Priscilla Ruilova
Expanding on the implications of the theft, Michael said: “The experience highlighted for me how wrong it is that people use the idea of free speech as rhetorical ammunition when convenient, only to later discard the concept when it impedes on their interests.
“The reaction to these cartoons has reminded me that free speech, at its best, is about the protection of ideas which would otherwise be suppressed or hushed, instead of about ideas that already hold power via their relationships with corporations or the State.”
Photo credit: Priscilla Ruilova
Ferrer was also quick to point out positive results of the exhibit.
“Many students in the ILR School have expressed to me and to others that they greatly enjoy the cartoons, finding them punchy and current.
“The display has also undoubtedly created a discussion about the content of the cartoons, which is part of what I hoped it might be able to do.”