Paul Benson
Reporter
On Monday, October 1st, a protest was held outside the News Gazette building. The protest was in response to a cartoon released Sept. 25th that commented on the #MeToo movement and more specifically, the Kavanaugh hearings. Rally organizers believed this cartoon to be in very poor taste – to say the least.
The cartoon was titled “Teen Angst in the Era of #MeToo.” In the cartoon two teenagers are sitting in a car. A sign outside the vehicle indicates the two are parked at “Lovers Lane.” The boy teenager has a thought bubble that reads, “Wait – what am I doing here? This could come back to haunt me in 30 years when I’m up for a big position.” While the girl’s thought bubble reads, “What’s he waiting for? Doesn’t he like me?… What’s wrong with boys these days?”
Among the protesters were State Rep. Carol Ammons, County Clerk Candidate Aaron Ammons, as well as Democratic County Board Candidates, Tanisha King-Taylor and Mike Ingram. They all gave short speeches addressing equal representation of women in positions of power, and also suggesting some female representation on the all-male-editorial-board at the News Gazette. During her speech, Carol Ammons said “sexual assault is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s a human issue. What does the current climate teach women and girls about coming forward to speak about their victimization? Death threats, suspicion, ridicule, and scorn. Motives questioned and credibility attacked.” Ammons also made the point that it doesn’t matter how long it takes for a person to tell their story. Victims will tell their story when they know it is time for them to tell their story. A protester pitched in with, “and we all have a story to tell.” Ammons took what the protester said and then repeated it into the microphone.
Protesters held signs that said “End Rape Culture,” “Sexual Manipulators Are Sexual Predators,” “I Believe Survivors,” “I didn’t give my permission,” and “The News-Gazette Supports Rape Culture,” among others. Cars honked in support as they drove by. People on the street stopped to say hello and provide support to friends and strangers alike taking part in the protest. There were a few chants at the protest, including “Rape culture isn’t funny, apologize or lose our money!”
Even Parkland students were riled up about the cartoon. “I think it’s a failed attempt at humor. It’s somebody who tries to make a joke, but their joke, not only is it not funny, but the message of the joke is terrible,” one male student said. He then pointed at the male thought bubble in the cartoon, “if the only reason you don’t hurt somebody is how can this affect me in 30 years, that’s garbage. Your response should be how are my actions gonna directly affect this person now, near future, and distant future. Not myself in 30 years. That’s terrible.” One female student stated “I don’t find it appropriate, especially in journalism, for anyone to make light of a situation that… I find to be very serious and something that I know affects a lot of women in America.” When asked if the News Gazette should hire female editors to their all male editor board she said “Absolutely, definitely. Women should have that voice in every sense. I wish that there was more of a female voice even in the editing of the Parkland newspaper. ” Another male student briefly said “You must have consent, that’s what I’ve been taught throughout my entire life.” When asked about the cartoon another female student said “It’s obviously offensive in every way, shape, or form. It’s definitely not something the News Gazette should have put out by any means.” From the Parkland students who were interviewed, all seemed to agree that the cartoon was in poor taste.
The cartoonist, Robert Ariail, wrote a response to the backlash he’s received for his cartoon. In the short opinion piece, he fails to apologize and instead claims his cartoon was misinterpreted, stating “if people are interpreting it this way, then I have failed in communicating my idea. But that is it.” Parkland students and the people of Champaign seem to disagree that he failed to communicate. People interpreted it to be in poor taste, not because he failed to communicate, but because of the sexist overtones and the notion that consent is something to be afraid of.
To the News Gazette’s credit, they published a letter to the editor from a concerned health educator, Guthrie Hood. “When we expect others, whether it be a sexual partner, a physician, a trusted friend or someone else, to receive our consent before touching our body, we are giving ourselves the inherent respect we are due as a human being. Similarly, asking for consent from others is evidence that we respect and value them as a human being. As long as we perpetuate the notion that consent is something to be scared of, we will continue to have young men and women who shy away from discussing it rather than embracing it as part of healthy interpersonal relationships,” Hood explains. This is a very important message especially for young adults. Consent is simple: always ask and always consider the other human being.
