Just when you think the Buffalo News can’t sink any lower in
diminishing its credibility as a reputable, unbiased news organization, they
print something that confirms for most of us that not only are they
disreputable but that they are racist and sexist.
On Friday, May 9th, the News’ editorial page contained an
editorial cartoon as well as an article that confirms the foregoing
statement. A part of the cartoon
featured me, highlighting my support for the Superintendent and playing a word
game with my name by separating it into two words, NEVER and GOLD (standard),
to punctuate their disdain and disrespect for me. Now, I will not further address this part of
the cartoon in this article, because as a public official I understand that criticism
is a given, whether it is fair or unfair.
However, my concern and displeasure with this cartoon is in
response to the second panel of the cartoon that features a child seated at a
desk, holding a report card with a D+ grade and a caption that notes “our
standards for Buffalo Public Schools”. The
caricature of the child is that of a stereotypical Black male, bordering on a
third-world, big eyed, obviously perplexed and failing elementary student as underscored
by the D+ grade on the report card. The insinuation
is that this child represents all the children in the so called “failing
schools”. Even though the ethnic breakdown
of the School District’s population is 50% African American, 21.5% Caucasian, 17.4%
Hispanic and 7.2% Asian/Pacific Islander this child is portrayed as
representing all the “failing children” in the District.
This is insulting! This
is biased! This is an unfair slap in the
face to all of our children. I ask members of this City, not just African
American residents, but everyone who is offended by this type of racial
profiling by a newspaper that has for over a year created, distorted and
slanted the news regarding the Buffalo Schools, to contact the Editor and share
your displeasure with this type of character assassination disguised as reporting.
It is
only when people remain silent that this type of yellow journalism will
continue unchallenged.
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