Sunday, February 21, 2010
Political Cartoons can Light a Spark
When I was a child I lived for the Sunday Funnies out of the Asbury Park Press. I can honestly say I was raised on Funky Winkerbean and Blondie. Every week I would read Doonesbury by Gary Trudeau and then look at my father and say, “I don’t get it.” He would say back, “when you’re an adult you will.” To this day most times I read Doonesbury and say, “I don’t get it.” Doonesbury is supposed to be political humor and where I consider myself fairly up to date on current events that cartoon still evades me.
Now that I am a adult I don’t get to read the funnies as much. However, I still consider Funky Winkerbean and Opus the Penguin to be close friends. We have just fallen out of touch. I do from time to time like to look at the one panel political cartoon done in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution by Mike Luckovich one of his most famous cartoons was in the wake of 9/11(http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/opinion/luckovichsept11/). Tell me if seeing that doesn’t stir your heart. Now Luckovich isn’t without controversy. He has taken a stance against the War in Iraq. When the deaths of those killed in the War reach 2,000 he took all the names and created the word “Why?” with them (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonythemisfit/3293309513/). A reply came into the AJC from a 11th grader with this reaction(http://www.floppingaces.net/2005/12/30/freedom-thats-why/). This teenager took all the names and spelled out the word “FREEDOM.”
Isn’t this amazing?
An 11th grader taking the time to do this. My love of current events was born in the witty satire of political comments as a child. This teenager not only connected to a political cartoon but found a way to express himself as well. These two comics always touch me. As well as year filled Statue of Liberty.
Thank you.
Now that I am a adult I don’t get to read the funnies as much. However, I still consider Funky Winkerbean and Opus the Penguin to be close friends. We have just fallen out of touch. I do from time to time like to look at the one panel political cartoon done in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution by Mike Luckovich one of his most famous cartoons was in the wake of 9/11(http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/opinion/luckovichsept11/). Tell me if seeing that doesn’t stir your heart. Now Luckovich isn’t without controversy. He has taken a stance against the War in Iraq. When the deaths of those killed in the War reach 2,000 he took all the names and created the word “Why?” with them (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonythemisfit/3293309513/). A reply came into the AJC from a 11th grader with this reaction(http://www.floppingaces.net/2005/12/30/freedom-thats-why/). This teenager took all the names and spelled out the word “FREEDOM.”
Isn’t this amazing?
An 11th grader taking the time to do this. My love of current events was born in the witty satire of political comments as a child. This teenager not only connected to a political cartoon but found a way to express himself as well. These two comics always touch me. As well as year filled Statue of Liberty.
Thank you.
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