At it again

The Recorder is at it again.

In the most recent issue (note: this is a pdf file), The Recorder published a cartoon. Here's the text of the cartoon:

Panel 1: Polydong 1: "You know...when I eat a bowl of smacks or golden crisps, my urine smells like honey."

Panel 2: Polydong 2: "...Does it taste like honey, too?"

Panel 3: Polydong 1 (faded, focus of panel is on a door barred with chains and a padlock): "I dunno. I'd have to ask that 14 year old Latino girl tied up in the closet." (from under the closet door: "!Yo tengo hambre!")

Panel 4: Polydong 2 (in a bubble bath): "Oh. Tell Jaunita I say 'hola.'"

Beneath the panel: "The Recorder does not support the kidnapping of (and subsequent urinating on) children of any age or ethnicity."

On its own, this cartoon is offensive. In light of what happened in West Virginia this week -- six white people kidnapped, tortured, raped, assaulted, and humiliated a Black woman (including forcing her to eat feces and, yes, drink urine) -- this cartoon is threatening. Furthermore, it is continued evidence of the hostile workplace environment at Central Connecticut State University.

Mark Rowan -- the student editor of the newspaper -- announced that the cartoon was not offensive. He also reported that the person responsible for the cartoon is not affiliated with the university whatsoever (leaving one to wonder why someone outside the university is printing in the paper in the first place). (If you don't know who Rowan is, the Courant published a photograph.)

Student groups are protesting. This blog will keep you posted on things happening on campus as I know about them. Use the comments to update others.