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National Iranian American Council – Sept. 6, 2007
NIAC protests Dispatch cartoon depicting
Iranians as cockroaches
The Columbus Dispatch published a cartoon on September 4, 2007 depicting Iran as a sewer on a map of the Middle East with cockroaches crawling out of it. By publishing this racist cartoon, the editors of the Dispatch have insulted and propagated hate against the Iranian American community.
National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Board member Dokhi Fassihian sent a letter to the Editors of the Dispatch protesting their action. She wrote: "The bigotry demonstrated by the publication of this cartoon not only betrays the mission to inform your readers, it endangers our country at an extremely sensitive time in our nation's history by serving to further divide us at home and thrust us toward further conflict abroad." Text of the Letter:
Dear Mr. Marrison,
A cartoon published in the editorial page of your newspaper on September 4 has depicted Iran as a sewer on a map of the Middle East with cockroaches crawling out of it. By publishing this shocking cartoon, the editors of the Columbus Dispatch have insulted and propagated hate against a large segment of the American population that traces its roots to an ancient and proud civilization.
Iranian Americans have been living in the United States as early as the 1950s and 1960s, first as students, then as immigrants seeking a better life. In a short period of time, they have established themselves to be one of the most successful and highly contributing immigrant groups that have recently settled in this country.
It is a community that boasts among its members both the founder of eBay – Pierre Omidyar – and the world’s first female space tourist – Anousheh Ansari.
Up until the late 1970s the United States and Iran enjoyed a close alliance. Many Iranians immigrated here to escape the turmoil of the Iranian revolution of 1979 and to demonstrate their opposition to the turn of events in that country. Nonetheless, Iranian Americans are proud of their heritage despite the dispute that grips the United States and Iran today.
The American people, 80 percent of whom oppose military conflict with Iran, deserve better from your editorial page. They expect content that explains the complexities and challenges America faces in the world. They demand information that describes how the rest of the world perceives us, and explores how best to make peace with the people of the world.
The bigotry demonstrated by the publication of this cartoon not only betrays the mission to inform your readers, it endangers our country at an extremely sensitive time in our nation's history by serving to further divide us at home and thrust us toward further conflict abroad.
Dokhi Fassihian
Member of the Board of Directors
http://www.niacouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=880&Itemid=2
Californian – September 13, 2007
Hundreds contact Ohio paper about anti-Iranian cartoon
Dianne Hardisty
There's nothing "local" anymore. With the Internet, a letter to the editor, an editorial and even an editorial cartoon can sprout legs and trot across the globe to provoke protests.
Just ask Glenn Sheller, my colleague at The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, who recently published a cartoon by conservative Michael Ramirez in his Opinion section. Ramirez, a syndicated cartoonist, depicted Iran as a huge drain with cockroaches crawling in and around it.
The cartoon caught the attention of the Columbus chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which sent out an e-mail alert contending the cartoon demeaned all Iranians and was reminiscent of Nazi propaganda. Sheller received hundreds of protest e-mails from around the world. Their tone ranged from civil to threatening.
Sheller denies the organization's characterization of the cartoon and notes the irony of equating it with Nazi propaganda. After all, it's Iranian President Ahmadinejad who is calling for the destruction of the Jewish state and who denies the Holocaust ever happened.
It doesn't take much to trigger an international controversy these days. Letter to the editor writers in Bakersfield, who touch hot-button issues, such as animal rights, can provoke responses from people thousands of miles away. Their commentary is posted on special-interest Web sites, where visitors are urged to send protest letters. Sometimes the letters already are written for them…..
http://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/columnists/dianne_hardisty/story/236147.html
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