July 23, 2008
The above cartoon drew outrage from one of the Spec’s readers. She doubted I had the guts to respond to her email sent through this blog, but after I sent her a response, the email bounced. So here’s her email and my reply:
In the newspaper that was published on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 You included a drawing titled “In the end it wasn’t hard to find Radovan Karadzic.” Why is it that you drew him with bloody hands? Radovan Karadzic didn’t kill anybody himself. You guys are sick. For you to draw that means you don’t know anything about him, you just know the bullshit you hear that the western world feeds you. Why aren’t you a little more Canadian and a little less racist. Bush entered Iraq illegally and over 600 000 thousand civilians were killed strictly by American bombs and American bullets. Why don’t you draw him with bloody hands?
What you drew is rude and disrespectful and I as a representative of the Serbian people, deserve an apology. Now either you’re going to man up and write me back, or you’re going to sit behind your desk thinking of other ways to release your life troubles in your drawings.
P.S this led to a canceling of the Hamilton Spectator within the Serbian community and i highly doubt that the head of the spec would like to hear that.
Dear (Name omitted),
Thanks for your email.
I understand that emotions run high in the aftermath of the Bosnian War, particularly in the Hamilton area among people from the Balkan Region.
In no way was the cartoon meant to insult Serbians, but directed, quite pointedly, at Radovan Karadzic, who is facing war crimes charges.
I presume neither of us will ever agree with each other with regard to what we think of him, but that is the beauty of living in a country where freedom of opinion and expression are constitutionally guaranteed. You have every right to disagree with me, and even cancel your subscription. Although, I’d suggest you continue subscribing and include yourself in the dialogue on this issue by writing a letter to the editor.
May I post your comments on my blog?
Best Regards,
Graeme MacKay
Editorial cartoonist
The Hamilton Spectator