Playing the Race Card

When we created Obama Waffles as our first edible collectible, the logical choice was to place Barack Obama on a box of waffles—because he waffles. If we had this idea four years ago when John Kerry was running for office, nobody would have made a fuss.

But, because Obama happens to be bi-racial, we've been accused of intentionally using racial stereotypes by folks who either do not understand political satire or who like to hide behind the race card in order to silence anyone with whom they disagree.

Ironically, as they make their point they, in turn, freely use stereotypes—some which are extremely racist—in their criticism of us. Here are a few examples from the mailbag:

“What absolute rednecks . . .”
"Typical skinheads . . ."
“You guys are nothing but KKK rednecks . . .”
“A bunch of confederate flag worshipers . . .”
“Hillbilly trash . . .”
“Inbred racist piece of white trash!”

And then there’s this comment: “It does not surprise me that you both are from Tennessee. Nothing good happens when family members f--- each other and you are a prime example of that!”

Now who's making racial stereotypes?

Comments

[james]

We studied your political satire in class. At first, I thought it was only a joke meant to make a political statement. After we learned more about the evolution of the minstrel comedy and the characictures of blacks in American society and how it has been used in the past, I changed my mind and have decided that your satire is racially offensive. Even if you didn't understand that when you made it.