“This cartoon serves no purpose aside from spreading xenophobic rhetoric and ideas.”
“Slander, racism, blatant misogyny and ignorance — all neatly wrapped in one cartoon.”
“It reflects a sick, bigoted, racist, sexist mindset.”
“The cartoon was appalling and offensive.”
The editorial cartoon we ran on Oct. 18 has attracted a lot of criticism.
While we want the Star-Telegram’s editorial page to showcase opinions from divergent points of view, we also strive to maintain a high level of respect and quality of thought.
The cartoon we published on Oct. 18 did not fulfill that aspiration. I take full responsibility and apologize for the decision to publish it.
Moving forward, we will work harder to maintain the highest standards of sensitivity and fairness on our pages that the readers of the Star-Telegram expect.
On Thursday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published a cartoon that is racist and transphobic. Dallas lawyer Lee Merritt called it out on Twitter, and then we posted here. Things took off, and the lack of editorial judgment touched a nerve among the newspaper’s alumni. A group of 54 former employees signed an open letter to the newly installed editor of the paper.
From the alumni letter:
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram will argue that in publishing this cartoon, they are somehow performing a public service, providing a space for all viewpoints.This is both dishonest and morally bankrupt.
The Star-Telegram does not, in fact, give a megaphone to all voices, or at least we hope not…
Read the article and the letter in full.