The nomination of Thomas Nast to the New Jersey Hall of Fame as another opponent. Assemblyman Scott Rudder (R) has openly requested the founding father of editorial cartooning to be removed from the list.
“Thomas Nast’s depictions of Santa Claus are beloved, but his portrayal of Irish Catholics was deplorable,” Rudder, an Irish-American, said. “Nast’s inclusion on the public ballot for induction to the Hall of Fame is not only insulting to New Jersey residents of Irish descent or Catholic faith, but to people of every group that has been victimized by bigotry and stereotyping. I have asked the executive director of the Hall of Fame to have him removed from consideration immediately.”
Critics claim that Nast’s cartoons of the day were anti-Catholic and anti-Irish.