Caricature discriminates against foreign groups

In the last two weeks, I have heard many people express their patriotic views about this country, discussing the punishment that the perpetrators of last week's tragedies deserve. The most forceful sentiment I've heard thus far was in a letter published in the Exponent stating, "foreigners who don't want to be in this country should get the hell out." These passionate sentiments reached a new height when I read the Sept. 20 issue of the Exponent and saw an obvious instance of ethnic discrimination. On page six, a caricature of what is presumably Osama bin Ladin is depicted wearing a comically large turban and a white robe. The caricature's bulbous nose and malevolent black eyes attest to the artistic skills of Mr. Mike Martins, the illustrator. I'm sure Mr. Martins feels that his interpretation of Middle Eastern cultures is hilarious, but he seems to have forgotten that America is comprised of several distinct ethnicities and nationalities, some of whom wear turbans and traditional dress. As the son of Mexican immigrants, should I expect mockingly grotesque caricatures of Hispanics mounted on burros if our country ever enters into a conflict with a Latin-American country? Mr. Martins' artwork reminds me of the similarly grotesque Japanese caricatures that were prevalent in the American media during the second World War. In the name of civilization, I implore the Exponent and the Purdue student community to have the courage to rise above the discriminatory tactics employed in Mr. Martins' artwork. This is not a time to produce ethnic divisions among the diverse peoples of this great nation. Mr. Martins and the Exponent staff should keep this in mind, otherwise perhaps anyone who didn't enter America by walking across the Bering Strait 11,000 years ago "should get the hell out."

Eduardo Moralez

School of Liberal Arts

Entertainment industry pulls through in time of need

Market forces cause more harm than help

Police, firemen deserve praise for serving others

Caricature discriminates against foreign groups

New generation should stray from selfishness

Americans should exercise gun rights

Retaliation should come between two extremes

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