Cartoonist and Albuquerque Paper Accused of Racism
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While the Albuquerque Journal is celebrating 50 years of John Trevor cartoons (or here) it is also dealing with an accusation by the Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) for a cartoon that reduces Governor-elect Deb Haaland to a racial caricature.
From the Indigenous Journalists Association:
“The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) condemns the Albuquerque Journal’s decision to publish an editorial cartoon by John Trever that relies on racist stereotypes to depict New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland, a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna. The cartoon appeared in the Sunday, Nov. 8 print edition. IJA calls on the Journal to issue a public apology and explain how the cartoon was approved for publication.”
While not born and raised in New Mexico cartoonist Trevor is a 50 year resident and should be aware of the customs of the local indigenous nations. The IJA notes:
“The cartoon references a “totem pole” to turn Haaland’s Indigenous identity into a punch line. In doing so, the Journal incorrectly attributed a cultural practice of tribes in the Pacific Northwest to a Pueblo woman, and the practice itself was not properly characterized. That choice reinforces the false idea that Indigenous peoples and cultures are interchangeable.Totem poles serve a specific cultural purpose and should not be a punchline. ”
Trevor semi-retired in 2010 but continues to contribute about one cartoon a week to The Journal.
The IJA requests the newspaper initiate some guidelines beginning with an apology, explain what actions will be taken to prevent such content being published in the future, provide education to the staff on the local indigenous culture, and contract with the IJA or other indigenous groups to ensure appropriate coverage of the native peoples.
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