Political Cartoons

Something that I thoroughly enjoy looking at is a political cartoon. Is it because they can be funny and make caricatures out of political figures? Is it because they’re short and easy to understand? Well, no and no. I like political cartoons because I think it’s a good way for people to speak their opinions about political issues, and it also has the look of being simple, but is likely more complex. For example, Thomas Nast drew his cartoons to look realistic and reflect his political opinions and how they would be in a realistic world. A specific cartoon about Chinese Exclusion Act shows Columbia, a symbol of America, defending a Chinese man who is on the ground shriveled up away from an angry mob of white men. Behind Columbia and the Chinese man are derogatory phrases about the Chinese that media had published. While it seems self explanatory as to what Nast is trying to convey, he plants a lot information in the background of the cartoon. This cartoon in particular shows a colored orphan asylum that is falling apart and was likely raided by the mob of white men who are after the Chinese man. There is also a noose which was used for lynching, and a phrase on one of the white mens’ signs saying “Our Rights.” The failing colored orphan asylum and the noose are signs that white men had moved from tormenting one minority to the next. They are focusing now on this new threat to their white supremacy, the Chinese. Lastly, the phrase “Our Rights” is meant to show the white supremacy that infested society. That phrase is also a signal that there weren’t  rights for Asians, specifically the Chinese, in America.

I believe that looking into political cartoons are a very good way to become involved in the community and ensure that one’s voice as a citizen is heard. Using art or a different way to convey your stance or opinions can often be stronger than writing. When I see political cartoons and people expressing themselves in ways that feel most comfortable to them, it makes me really happy because it’s a reminder that engaging as a citizen can happen so many different ways and by so many different people. Thomas Nast likely wasn’t the most popular person at the time for his cartoons like the one described earlier, but he still fought to get his opinions out to the world and, as a citizen, he exercised his freedom of speech for the community to see.

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