The management of the Boston Herald have officially rendered an apology to President Barack Obama on Wednesday after the newspaper came under the censure of the public for its publication of a cartoon which has been deemed to be racist.
The cartoon in question, created by the company's cartoonist Jerry Holbert, depicts the president brushing his teeth, while an intruder into the White House, who is showering asks "HAVE YOU TRIED THE NEW WATERMELON FLAVORED TOOTHPASTE?" The image also has a tagline which reads "WHITE HOUSE INVADER GOT FARTHER THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT."
Shortly after the paper hit the streets on Wednesday, readers took to social media to vent their anger over the contentious cartoon. Critics say Holbert was playing on a negative stereotype that Afro-Americans love the brightly colored fruit. Although this stereotype has ceased in popularity since the 19th century when it is believed to have originated, it continues to have a social impact on African-Americans today.
The Boston Herald has noted that "His [Holbert's] choice of imagery was absolutely not meant to be hurtful. We stand by Jerry, who is a veteran cartoonist with the utmost integrity."
Meanwhile, Holbert has also issued a statement to "apologize to anyone I offended who was hurt by the cartoon." "It was certainly, absolutely, not my intention," he explained, "I wasn't thinking along those lines at all."
According to the cartoonist, his choice of watermelon was inadvertent as he had encountered a watermelon-flavored Colgate toothpaste for kids in his bathroom sometime before engaging in his work.
Meanwhile, the other subject of the cartoon, Omar Gonzalez, a 42-years old Army veteran who breached the White House security momentarily before he was arrested on Sept. 11, has been charged with illegally entering a restricted area, wielding a deadly weapon and unlawfully possessing ammunition. Gonzalez is expected to appear before a District Court later today.
