this cartoon comparing betsy devos to ruby bridges is complete bullsh*t

Ruby Bridges is an American hero, known for the courage, resilience and forethought of integrating New Orleans’ segregated school system in 1960. Facing angry mobs of violent white protesters and surrounded by U.S. Marshals, Ruby was known for her fearless demeanor in the face of torment and inhumanity. Norman Rockwell commemorated Bridges in a famed painting “The Problem We All Live With,” depicting Ruby walking with the U.S. Marshals and the word “nigger” scrawled on the wall behind her. This painting is meant to express the terror of the moment, the bigotry and hatred spewed at Ruby, and the innocence of a child trying to get an education. So when conservative comic artist swapped Betsy Devos for Ruby and “nigger” for “conservative in his latest piece, significant concern arose. How could anyone draw a comparison between a woman trying to gut the public school system, a woman who has no teaching or pertinent educational experience to the position which she holds, to a Black girl in the 60s sacrificing her childhood in order to integrate against the same people Devos represents? And who does Devos represent? The extremely wealthy, the privileged white masses voting against their interests for racial unity, the alternative right, the bigots, and those who would privatize education just like they’ve already privatized, monetized, and streamlined public schools to prison. This asinine juxtaposition is lacking historical basis and is also just plain wrong. And I’m sure Glenn is going to feel attacked, and justified, by the attention liberals are paying to his comics, but the fact remains that we can’t let these poor excuses for political thought to exist without significant pushback. Images matter and this one is pure, unadulterated bullshit.

By T. McLendon, AFROPUNK Contributor

Norman Rockwell

Glenn McCoy