Letter to the Editor 2/23
February 22, 2009
To the Editor, ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ We are writing to express our deep disappointment and… To the Editor, ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ We are writing to express our deep disappointment and anger regarding the ‘Slice of Life’ comic featured in the Feb. 18 edition of The Pitt News. It negatively portrayed the Hispanic population and perpetuated stereotypes.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ As students studying Latin American studies and social work, we were shocked to discover that a prestigious University publication allowed such an offensive comic. ‘ ‘ ‘ The cartoon had several racist undertones: Hispanics working solely in the blue-collar service sector, Hispanics unable to assimilate and Hispanics residing in unfavorable living conditions.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ For a newspaper that openly endorsed the first black president, publishing such an ill-humored comic illustrates regression. Minority group oppression should never be the basis of humor. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ In order to build a more tolerable and united society, we should embrace the presence and culture of the Hispanic community. Andrea Marcolla, School of Arts and Sciences Siena Kane, School of Social Work