Obama Monkey T-Shirts A Hot Georgia Item
May 16th, 2008But a major publisher threatens to sue the Atlanta-area bar that’s raking in cash
Scores of people have been protesting the sale of T-shirts, featuring the cartoon monkey Curious George eating a banana with the words “Obama ’08,” at a Georgia pub. But now the bar owner, Mike Norman is facing some new problems as the publishing company that owns the Curious George image is threatening to sue him. “We find it offensive and obviously utterly out of keeping with the value Curious George represents,” said Rick Blake, a spokesman for publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “We’re monitoring the situation and weighing our options with respect to legal action.” Curious George, a popular character in children’s books for many years who now has his own television cartoon series. Blake said that he has not been in contact with Norman or anyone else selling the shirts, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Norman, who owns Mulligan’s Bar and Grill in Cobb County, told the newspaper that he got the T-shirts from someone in Arkansas. His establishment is known for the controversial, ultra-conservative political slogans it plasters out front. This week the number of people protesting the shirts, which they call racist, began to swell. Norman told the Journal-Constitution that while he recognizes the racist roots of the imagery, he has every right to portray Obama as a monkey if he likes. “We’re not living in the (19)40’s,” he said. “Look at him . . . the hairline, the ears — he looks just like Curious George.” One guy called him up and ordered a hundred shirts, said Norman, 63. Should the bar be forced to stop selling the shirts? Watch the video here.
RSS Feed
Newsletter



Good job for the Curious George people and yes the bar should be banned from selling the shirts. Its offensive and horrible, and I find no comedy in it at all. Even if a black person made these shirts, I still would think it is wrong. Thats why I’d never live in the south, too many racists idiots.
That is too stupid. It takes a very stupid person to do something like that. I guess they calling him a monkey. Go figure stupid people,I bet Obama is gonna be laughing all the way to the White House. Now how’s that for a monkey, still laughing?
That is stupid.
That’s lame as hell. I hope none of our brotha’s and sista’s in Ga are buying that garbage. Just goes to show u that ignorance is everywhere. Obama still getting my vote.
4 Part Response Coming At You!
Part 1. The short answer to the question is No. Why would anyone want to force a business to stop selling a product that is earning the business money? That’s a different topic, I know, but I’m a successful Black American man, and I am no more offended by this t-shirt than other ploys that have been launched with the intent to hurt and/or offend black people and other people of color. While I don’t find the t-shirt or what it represents humorous or amusing, I’m not upset by it either, especially not to the point that I want to force a business to stop making money.
Part 2. The reason for my tolerance is my belief that those behind the ploys represent a very small number of folks in our country. We Americans (all colors and creeds) must recognize and reject these divisive tactics and endeavor to make our country the absolute best it can be. I’m not asking anyone to ignore the ploys, but getting riled and countering in kind or in any negative way is counter productive for any of us that stand for a better America. Not to mention retaliating serves the purpose of those behind the ploys…remember it is their intent to keep the flame of hatred burning in America.
Very racist but not surprising. After all, it is Georgia. In other news, Im sure Aaron MacGruder would have a Field Day with the so-called “editor” of this blog, who doesnt seem to know how to spot fragments or run-on sentences. Here is a quick tip: The sentence “Curious George, a popular character in children’s books for many years who now has his own television cartoon series” is a fragment. A fragment is a sentence that isnt a complete thought. Please get your GWAP up BET. If you’re looking for an editor, holla atcha girl. For the record though, i’m not hating the act, i’m just stating the facts.
Although I despise the act, he has a right to sell the tshirts. However, I look at this a blessing in disguise for Obama. All of these people who (I’m sure) are so offended by Jeremiah Wright. Yet, they are not offended by these tshirts. It reveals the true face of racism.
they should be stopped curious george is copyrighted.
1.ALL PUBLICITYIS GOOD PUBLICITY
2. CURIOUS GEORGE IS CUTE
3. WHAT IF IT WAS A BLACK BAR OWNER??
4. ALL OF YOU ARE MORE RACIST THAN THE PEOPLE YOU CALL RACIST THATS WHY YOU JUMP ON THIS WITH ALL YOUR BLAH BLAH BLAH
This just goes to show, that the white americans are going to stick together no matter what. So we as blacks (african americans, whatever you want to call yourself, should get on the ban wagon and do the same. stick together). So many blacks stating if Hilary doesn’t win the nominee there not even going to vote, or if they do, it will be for McCain, we fought and are still fighting for our rights in this country, so why not stick together. GIVE YOUR VOTE TO OBAMA!!!
IT ONLY MAKES SENSE. LETS SHOW WHITE AMERICA, THAT WE DO LOVE OUR COLOR. OUR ANCESTORS FOUGHT FOR THIS, RIGHT HERE. WE HAVE TO EVENTUALLY TAKE A STAND.
This just goes to show you that there WILL NEVER be a black president. YOu think all this racial mess thats goin around is because the rulers of this country loves us black folk. GET REAL PEOPLE PLEASE!!! If they loved us so much there would never be another hung noose there would never be anything called racial profiling. Which really means black or white. If they loved us so much there would be a real punishment for these hate crimes thats directed toward us. Instead they laughin at our A$$. Don;t believe what these white folk portray to be a pretty picture please yall!!! We on our own out here. Trust and believe that!!!
Love you Obama Keep up the good work!!
I agree that it is racially insensitive, but are we willing to give up free speech to have it censored? I have to ask myself that question a lot. Lots of things offend me, but do I want them censored? Many people claim that Nativity scenes are offensive to them and demand that they be taken down and some governments do just that. I am offended when that happens. I do not like some of the words that are used in songs that I hear on the radio but in America we have free speech. Atheists say things about God and people make fun of my Lord, but they, unfortunately, have a right to do so in America. Do we have the right to be offended? Yes, I do. But, in America, we still have the right to say most things, no matter how offensive. It is something to think about especially when we allow offensive language to be freely played on the airwaives. About the only thing I know that you absolutely cannot say is “Fire!” in a crowded place. Its all about the freedom we have in this country.
Although offensive, this t-shirt still is on his side. It clearly says “Obama 08″ I do believe that protraying any black person as a monkey is offensive, but when it gets the word out in support of the man, WHO CARES! The more people that buy this will have to look at the words Obama 08 for a very long time.
What?
hi mr obama please just go on doing your job you are hero and not get upset for the monkey word becoause white people too looks like white monkey and every looks like p? from kams with all my love
A CHANGE is gonna come.
d
d
A CHANGE is gonna come and it’s about time.