06/22/2023
Today the QC Times made the decision to publish the above cartoon. I believe everyone from Democrat to Republican should be appalled at the decision to post this cartoon. I believe the artist must have some racist thoughts showing a bubble with the thought of asking a person of Indian descent and asking that person to “get them a slushee apu”. When I was made aware of this disgusting cartoon, I called a member of the local friends of India organization and apologized for the hate spewed by this cartoonist and the QC Times. The friends of India are a large part of our local community and deserve better then what was spewed at them by the editor of the QC Times.
The QC Times has all the 1st Amendment rights to publish this cartoon. While I think it shows an extreme lack of judgement, I stand behind anyone’s rights to free speech. I was always taught by my upbringing though just because it can be said doesn’t mean it should be said. With that said I stand in solidarity defending our local community of Indian decent citizens. Citizens who work hard everyday in our community and have a love for our country and community beyond belief.
I had the opportunity to speak to the editor (Tom Martin) this afternoon. His staunch defense of HIS decision to publish the cartoon was “ We are not making racist cartoons, the cartoonist” and I assume him as editor(since he approve the cartoon).” Are saying MAGA republicans are all racist”.
Well I would guess the cartoonist and editor making this point on Vivek’s recent visit to the quad cities. The event featured many citizens from a wide range. This day ended with the Scott County Republicans in the evening. I can report that not one person asked for his birth certificate or called him Muslim. I can see the artist point on those politically charges assertions from the past. One thing I can definitely tell you and I can’t believe the cartoonist had this message in his heart but never have I heard someone ask him to “get him a slurpee APU”. I can’t believe the QC Times stands behind this cartoonist and the editor has the audacity to defend it.
Seeing the QC Times is attacking such a great citizen who has taken the risk to run for office tells me he’s making waves and the QC Times is scared their agenda is in trouble.
To our Indian community I’m sorry and over time the cartoonist and editor will understand just how hurtful their decisions were.
TRUTH
Senator Scott Webster
Please share to show we as QuadCitizens are better then this. I don’t even want to post the cartoon but I have to for context…
