NYT apologizes for cartoon poking fun at India’s mission to Mars

The New York Times apologizes for running this cartoon

From the Times of India

Andrew Rosenthal, editorial page editor of New York Times, wrote in a Facebook post: “The intent of the cartoonist, Heng Kim Song, was to highlight how space exploration is no longer the exclusive domain of rich, Western countries.”

Rosenthal said Heng “was in no way trying to impugn India, its government or its citizens”.

I think I’m going to side with the Times on this one. Yes, it contained stereotypes that would elicit complaints, but the overall message is sound – India, who I wasn’t even aware had a space program, is now doing what Western governments have been doing for decades. Welcome to the club.

4 thoughts on “NYT apologizes for cartoon poking fun at India’s mission to Mars

  1. I’m guessing Indians are bothered by the cow. It can be interpreted as India is poor and backward and is in no position to join the elite space club. (I’m aware cows are considered sacred by Hindus but I’m guessing that’s not relevant.) That would be a mis-interpretation but a possibility, perhaps? What if there were no cow, and the person knocking on the door had on a space helmet and space suit labeled “India”? Would that work better?

  2. I gather the fact that Mr. Carl Moore consider cow a symbol of India, if your intention is so sacred then why not a Tiger with India emblazoned on it knocking the d door, considering the fact Tiger the nation animal of India. pls do not justify your point with weak hybrid thoughts….

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