Monkeys and Trolls

[ivebeenswank]

the fact that this cartoon slipped by without someone noticing the racial connotations also shows the distinct lack of diversity of the employees of the new york post.

[amazin68]

I agree. Trolls shouldnt be allowed to watch porn.

[NotADood]

I love how Tyka looks at you at the end, like she's offended.

[HowToGetFreebies]

lol animal sufferin

[BluegrassMisfitsBand]

there are many things that I am" ignorant to,"but could you just answer only the question I posed?It is more of an exercise in LOGICAL REASONING than a personal opinion.

[BluegrassMisfitsBand]

according to evolutionist all mankind came from the apes,so why do people that believe that mankind came from apes get upset when someone alludes to this widely held notion?

[maddywoowoo]

If that was a genuine question, I'd like to let you know that there may be some things in this world your ignorant to.

[creeball]

because sometimes people imply that for that particular person (or group), the evolution process stopped there. like "a dumb ape" kinda thing.

[IndiMusicLover]

I'd like to make an inappropriate comment on this video.

[cocooil]

whether it was intentional or not it wasnt very smart to create the cartoon of a chimp bein shot and comparing it to the signing of a bill by a black man. u'd think dat afta all America is goin thru right now, we'd be smarter. nope.

[huntedrasta]

genius again

[PuddyKatz]

the woman should never had kept that chimp as a pet, they are wild animals. People should know this.

[TraySlinger]

Very nice love!

[MusesK]

Niiice. Love your videos, man. Logic 'n expression hit home.

[mczippyd]

ive seen nearly all his vids, and ive watched sum twice i fink even ur voice inspires me, and zee big words... no homo. lol

[dophler]

You are a very fluent speaker, my man. No many people can communicate as well as you can. Nice video too.

[mediawhore]

I think that the comic's artist was saying that congress is a bunch of monkies.

In the sense that they are as smart as them.

People look ENTIRELY too much in to race.

[itstrbo]

not sure if "ENTIRELY" is the adjective I'd use, I mean it's pretty easy to see how that could be a racist cartoon.... it's not a far stretch by any means....

[mediawhore]

Why?

You think that race should matter?

I don't see anything good coming from dividing us and whites and blacks and asians.

I repeat, my people: STOP CARING ABOUT SKIN COLOR AND GET A SENSE OF HUMOR.

[itstrbo]

No I don't think race matters but, racism on the other hand does.... if this artist says it wasn't meant to be racist ok all I meant is that one could easily see how the finger pointers perceived it 2 be...

...those who passively accept racism are just as involved as those who perpetrate it, if someone smells smoke you can't be mad at them for thinking there might be a fire

...racism aside, I just didn't think the cartoon was clever or funny

[mediawhore]

I get what you're saying,

but after the artist publicly addresses that it isn't a racist cartoon, you think people would let it go.

I mean, if he had the audacity to publish a racist cartoon in a national newspaper, I doubt he'd be afraid to announce the intentions publicly.

[huntedrasta]

yo mediawhore, stop defending the media, whore

[mediawhore]

I'm not defending the media, I'm defending the artist.

Where did I even mention any type of media?

Al Sharpton got pissed because he wasn't the first black president,

and decided to put this artist, using his rights and stating his opinion, on blast.

I'm just saying it wasn't right to assume that the comic was racist, even after the artist assured everybody that it wasn't.

Stop trying to turn a discussion about a comic into a rant about the "big bad media", yo.

[huntedrasta]

to tell you the truth, i just felt like making that play on words. and in this case, you were defending the media or at least this one aspect of the media. the truth of the matter is, i don't know whether it was racist and i don't really give too much of a shit, most rich white bastards are racist even in my country we have racist adds with all these white sheep and then the black sheep being kicked out. has nothing to do but anyhow. no offense for calling you a mediawhore, even though...

[majmunko23]

you funny guy

[mrshiftyballs]

the point is he should be aware of the connotations and baggage behind the monkey thing and understand how it might be ambiguous / hurtful to lots of people, despite whatever message he's trying to convey.

if you're not paying attention to those things and throwing out political monkey death cartoons when there's a black guy in office, who are you to say whether or not your cartoon was racist?

[yerk3]

mediawhore: It doesn't matter what the artist intended to do, the way it came out was way too redolent of grotesque, vintage racism. Your theory that Al Sharpton's motivation in this issue is sour grapes over not getting to be president is absurd and groundless. Al Sharpton has a reputation for calling attention to racism, that's what he's built his career on, and this cartoon smacked of a flavor of racism that he probably remembered from when he was a kid.

[yerk3]

mediawhore: Also, nobody is disputing the artist's right to make the cartoon, so stating that it was his right is kind of irrelevant here. Are you trying to infringe on our right to criticize him?

[huntedrasta]

@mediawhore Sorry we finished this ages ago but I feel I have to add something.

You are angry that Mr Smooth supposedly accuses the artist of being racist.

But he says "I don't know if the cartoonist meant to play the black people are monkeys card"

So anyhow i don't knwo what your bother is. And as for Al sharpton... what evs.

Peace all around.

[Hollow4ever]

the rick ross diss was funny...

[DarkDiamond2008]

"You can't take responsibilty for what you meant to do, you have to take responsibility for what you did do..."

As usual, on point...

[GuerillaPacifist]

I lol'd at the Dusty the cat reference. I'm glad Anonymous stepped up to the plate and saved it. Anon sure loves cats.

Great vid, as usual, Mr. Smooth. I don't really see the humour in that monkey going apeshit and being stabbed then shot.

[dontestephen]

POST MORE OR I WILL FIND YOU AND GIVE YOU A HUG and you do not want a donte hug they are long and unconfortable, trust me they are, so MORE VIDEOS

[joejoe107]

Im glad you made this video "ill" I guess folks thought that some or any part of that monkey thing was kool. I saw that video on some show, I think the MJ BJ morning show, and that was kinda fucked up how they capped that monkey, but I guess it had to be done ya know.

[lyricalswords]

You kick science soooo fast and accurate. Good stuff.

[AAgibsonAA]

haha i agree

[babieolivesteve]

LOL... Thank you for the smile.

[Azzaiel]

forget the monkey, that is implied complicity in an assassination, which i am surprised didn't get anyones attention

[mmike01]

i agree

[richieonce]

BAUCE!!!!!!

[richieonce]

man stop it, u know the difference!

[RaeOfficial]

or maybe you didn't watch the video, and just assumed he was up in arms about obama being compared to a monkey, when really the video touched more on it being unfunny because of the story about the chimpanzee that it's spoofing...

[Styreta]

Because monkey has been used as a derogatory term in reference to Africans for decades if not centuries. Same reason calling bush a nigger has far less of a racist impact then doing the same with Obama.

[illdoc1]

it has nothing to do with saying the stereotype is true, it's simply a matter of recognizing that the stereotype exists. And since there is no similar stereotype relating to President Bush, comparing him to a chimp does not have the same meaning or connotations..

[Winslow1691]

thats so true

[TheMouthonWheels]

I agree with frootbat 31 as well, I am really enjoying your take on life - the video you did about Rhianna and domestic violence was very interesting.

Oh yes, and you're cat is gorgeous.  He/She should have their own channel :)

[LordViczerez]

This bloke is amazing.

[vanquish94]

danm funny but has deep meaning, and i agree, you need to make more videos!!!

[somersetdc]

Who the heck in their right mind keeps a wild animal, a chimpanzee as a pet? This is a horrible idea...chimps are going to revert to the natural state eventually. The woman who owned the chimp should be held responsible for such a stupid choice. She should be put in prison for the remainder of her life.

[dawn1757]

I am with frootbat31, you need to make more videos.

[prodigyat9]

Very well said.

[TravisAndMichelleO]

Art imitating life... "Hopefully"!

[EldeenNur]

amazing vocabulary

[frootbat31]

You don't make enough videos, in my ever-so-humble opinion. ;-)

[Stephy71487]

QFT!

[nappyp33z]

rick ross lol

[crispybluu]

man do i luv you and that cat....fraternally of course!

i'm in 1000% agreement here...a bullet riddled chimp is not at all funny to me.

yay compassion!

boo cruelty!

[ceecee1984]

You are awesome! You always seem to have the perfect response...

[01seay]

I love the way you connect hip hop and your cat in every video ...lol

[SerinaJK]

This spells out the KKK wanting to possibly assasinate our beloved President.. Barack (the blessed) is and just that. Let the assasins (mess) themselves. They're being caught planning it anyway.

Your buddy,

Jen

[leegle]

Some of the realest words come from you, man.

[kyraocity]

LOL Thanks for including the cat on the last bit on "animal suffering" The earlier moment about it and cats--priceless. LMAO!!! Wait, can't do that as a sister. Let me back up a minute.

LOVE THIS: "This is a what you did issue not a who you are issue"

ALso thanks for the Eliz Mendez vlog!!

[BoomBoxUnion]

Damn the cat is finally back.

[ChrisStylezZ3]

Word...I was shocked at that paper. Also the kid still cant find you on facebook. hahahaha. Whats the e-mail. But yeah. I might try and hit you up on twitter.

[phenomenon717]

oh yea, great video, as usual.

[phenomenon717]

Whats your cat's name??

I've seen him/her [No Ru-Paul] in your videos a few times.

Give him/her an identity for your fans.

[illdoc1]

Her name is Tyka

[phenomenon717]

That's a cool name.

Thanks for the response.

[quitejaded]

lol dont feed the troll. :D

[Neverletgorox]

dude its a cartoon relax. your so left wing of course your going to attack in my opinion our only credible newspaper. (since we both live in nyc)

[mdossantos047]

The NY Times are just fine. Top 10 newspaper in the US. But of course, you don't read the "left wing propaganda".

[illdoc1]

What are your standards for credibility?

[DonLangosta]

@Neverletgorox You should pay more attention to something's truth than its bias. It doesn't matter why someone says something. What matters is if it's true or not.

[nahmsain]

to finish my thought... seems like racism is the new patriotism... now if you SEEM to be against Barack Obama... you're a racist.

[nahmsain]

the cartoon wasn't racist. I didn't even hear about the chimp tearing the poor woman's face off before I saw the cartoon, and I knew it wasn't racist.. I see it as an attempt to compare two out of control forces: the maniacal and nonsensical "stimulus" package and a violent attack by an animal gone wild. nothing more, nothing less. seems like racism has replaced patriotism as the new lightning rod. when Bush was in office, if you were anti-war or anti bush, u were unpatriotic

[pimpin4ever305]

unless its rick ross lmao

[AcehighLawnmowers]

I can definitely see how the cartoon could be interpreted as racist, but I can just as easily see it as just a run-of-the-mill, lame cartoon.

What really troubles me, though, (well, apart from the whole "possibly severe racism"-thing) is that suddenly, monkeys are taboo. There's a long and honorable tradition of presidents being mockingly compared to monkeys. With Bush they did it almost constantly. Are we really going to kill this proud tradition just because our president happens to be black?

[ll3l3l3ll]

good video Jay...especially loved the NY Post covers, at the beginning. If anyone can actually crack the NY Post's Tabloid + Conservative approach intelligently, we could restore some common sense in this country, but it is difficult to do without criticizing entertainment, which no one seems willing to do. We should just have a youtube of dumb NYPost covers...

[projectzdragn]

Clearly... Kitty does NOT approve of animal suffering.

[jefgain]

You're the best. Good point, don't feed the trolls.

[mikkstaz]

Good stuff, Jay.

I wasn't really surprised. Anybody who follows the media should know how Rupert Murdoch rolls by now.

[jody808]

that's the Post

[wblstudios]

Nobody at the New York publication 'knew' because they're so far right-leaning. I mean, come on, take a good look at that cartoon, what else could it mean?

[masrock]

Good stuff illdoc. I love animals, but not in the crazy PETA way. The joke was just stupid.

[biohazardx]

well . actually i have no constructive critism of what you said . oh well more boredom ..

[runway313]

J! I love how you referred back to "the how tell people they sound racist" video. I use that approach now whenever I'm in a situation such as that and it works everytime.  let's just hope the media takes that same approach with this artist

[champ3700]

im going to put this on my facebook page...

[Juggurosh]

What bothers me is that the joke stands on its own without the supposedly unspoken link to Obama. One could argue that the people calling it racist are the ones making the link. What bothers me most, however, is that political cartoons have always taken aim at the sitting President. And our Presidents have been portrayed as every animal in the wild kingdom. But now, instead of being able to make a political point that is obviously not racist, we are forced to make every topic about racism.

[illdoc1]

The joke is tone-deaf and hacky with or without the racial connotations..

There have been hundreds of other political cartoons made about Obama that drew no complaints or accusations, so you can't claim that everything's being arbitrarily made into a race issue. Many cartoons about previous presidents have been controversial or considered offensive, so it's not a new thing either. It is happening in this particular case, as it has in the past, due to the crappiness of this particular cartoon.

[Juggurosh]

Sorry, I generalized when I said "we are forced to make every topic about racism."

My point is more about the implication that we must now censor ourselves because we have a black President. But I admit that it would be no different if we had a woman president and censored ourselves from obscenities towards women.

I didn't see racism in the cartoon, I saw a bland political statement. If I felt anything else, it was about how killing an animal isn't funny either. But as always, good video.

[DesireG]

You are a prime example of what I consider to be a culturally conditioned bigot. My hope is not that you be insulted but rather concerned about where you truly stand in regards to race issues. The fact that you didn't see it as racist, when in fact it was, means that you are well conditioned to operate in a prejudice environment and even take part in racist behavior simply thru your denying its blatant presence. It's this mind set that gave a platform for the holocaust.

[qgaynor]

Did you _watch_ the video?

[ll3l3l3ll]

Woah...bigot is a strong word. I think you should check the dudes other videos. He's not as 'conditioned' as you think he is, and its hard for NYers and people used to how distorted and dumb the Post is to get as outraged as the rest of the country when they have to deal with its b.s. everyday.

[LazarusDurden]

I think you're over-stating things just a bit DesireG. If someone doesn't see this cartoon as blatantly racist doesn't mean they are in the mindset to kill all the Jews. For me the cartoon is racially insensitive, and possibly racist. Yeah the author could argue he was just talking about the monkey in CT, as crass as that is, but if he didn't see the racist connections or chose to ignore them then he should be called out on his cartoon, i.e. why did he chose a monkey over a pig?

[DesireG]

Not everyone involved in the holocaust was successfully conditioned to KILL Jews with their own hands but far too many were conditioned NOT to acknowledge the killing of other human beings who were Jewish. Ya feel me. Peace.

BTW If the pen is as powerful as we make it out to be then when it comes to this we should be at RED ALERT!

[DesireG]

Apologies this statement is to LazarusDurden:

Not everyone involved in the holocaust was successfully conditioned to KILL Jews with their own hands but far too many were conditioned NOT to acknowledge the killing of other human beings who were Jewish. Ya feel me. Peace.

BTW If the pen is as powerful as we make it out to be then when it comes to this we should be at RED ALERT!

[LazarusDurden]

I feel ya DesireG, but I'm merely pointing out that by over-stating things you can get into trouble by turning people away from your argument because of its vitriol. Certainly the cartoon evokes racist imagery, however because someone else doesn't see it doesn't mean they would be complicit in the holocaust. That's where we disagree, which is cool. And no the pen isn't so powerful otherwise this country would be more liberal. Control of the Means of Production = Real Power

[ocsspot]

DesireG, you need to watch the video again - maybe a few times. Your statement/comment is actually the one which is 'conditioned.' I recommend you watch illdoc1's video, 'How To Tell People They Sound Racist."

[DesireG]

hello ocsspot,

What made you think that I hadn't watched the video at least four times already. LOL

It would do you best as well as everyone who visits if you could qualify your statement with a reason as to why my input is "conditioned". Conditioned by what for what.

"I recommend you watch illdoc1's video, 'How To Tell People They Sound Racist.""-

Not only have I watched this numerous times but I've posted it up on my blog. And what makes you think that one approach fits all? LOL

[dauoo]

Who exactly is calling for censorship? Of the many problems with this cartoon, one has to take into consideration the political views of the framer of the cartoon. If you failed to see racism in the cartoon I think a better question for yourself might be; why didn't I see it?

[Realizalize]

i have a years of a german ,satirical journal called "titanic", and some "eulenspiegel", and i go to "the new yorker" and look at drawings and i like "tom touche", and "niktitanik". I never played this card, but it kind of educated me, about their work, way of living, and intensions. So i didn`t link it to racism, but to the context I got of a wacky week.

The appology, though, says it all, and so becomes a nonverbal "counterattack" from conservatives. YTapologetics+limbaugh+billo+G­M and so on.

[alexiscentric]

You are brilliant.

[sisforshayla]

ah, it makes my day whenever i see one of your vids in my subscription box :)

[94fordtaurus]

Good takes. I understand your point about not feeding the trolls at the Post, but I'm still not mad at some well deserved bad publicity coming their way. Newspapers are already having it hard enough--maybe the others will think twice about going the cheap heat route.

[RocAha8ter]

Always on point!

[MeLaDammit]

wait... Obama is crashing the dollar?????

*sigh*

[UnderDaGroundAndMore]

Wow! Amazin America Media. Everytime U have big political decision the NEWS is full of stange stories always used to take people away from the real thing we should care about!... THE JOKE Call Stimulus, Bail-out... hello you still there... Obama and Co are crashing the dollar like in 1930 but U are talkin about this story and you know why 'cause da media GOT YOU! Caribbeans Are In A Revolution Against Bankers, Corporation, Government, Expensive Life... America? Still In Front of the tv I Guess.

[PinotNoir1975]

sexy.....the cat that is..

;)

[toneb94]

Good piece Jay!!

[DelCalle]

Blast Ron Christie!!!!! Did you see this interview on AC360?

[XillaEntNet]

great piece!

[LazarusDurden]

Didn't we go through all this mess back in the Primary when that idiot in West Virgina was selling Curious George T-Shirts and then claimed it wasn't blatantly racist?

[djbryce]

Jay Smooth...always entertaining, always on point. Glad to have u back on The Tube.

[OM07]

illdoc you need to make vids more frequently, the masses are missing common sense that you possess....

[dauoo]

Does anyone else hear a death rattle coming from the Right? Hmmm... I wonder what kinda of guy this Ruppert Murdoch is?

[onmugen]

Nice Commentary.

[sonic2batt]

There doesn't seem to be any bipartisan ship going on in congress. All the democrats are passing the bills with little input from republicans

[DIRTYDUNNZ]

NY Post released a pseudo-apology today. The "Sorry If You Were Offended..." type apology.

[Z200a]

Gosh, this video was a big surprise.

I really didn't know there were any intelligent, reasonable people making videos on YouTube! Glad to know there is at least one!!!

5 stars. And, thanks.

[roccafellarecords]

Jump cut much ?

[illdoc1]

It's the ROC!!!

(ROC=Really Obvious Comment)

[lydellb]

It's his thing, he always does that.

[MeLaDammit]

BOOM! Roasted. (c) Michael Scott

hehe

[MUSTSEEVID]

those who dont live in ny need to get up on the accusations, bad cartoon, nypost, and obama and the stimulus.. lol so funny illdoc.... ithink!?

[abishopobispo]

Keep the videos coming.

[aquaviann]

You and your kitteh are full of awesome.

[SquallCloud]

More importantly! Two videos in two weeks!

[consumatron]

Good to see the commentary vlogs back! You're one of my favorite subs.

[WorldPeacePrincess]

NY Post!!!?? >_>"

[MUSTSEEVID]

so racist.. think

[D0NPIERRE]

look how he put rick ross in there indirectly saying 50 done smashed da bawse!

[AugustEighteenth]

Loved it..specially the kitteh in the end

[TheArtOfTheComment]

In a perfect world, you would host a show on network TV watched by millions. But it's an imperfect world, so I'll take these brilliant and incisive commentaries where i can get them.

[CmplxBsc]

well said.

[SpacemanRam]

And this is why Jay Smooth is the best blogger on youtube, without a doubt.

[sterfbeejotch]

Jay! What's good man? Your vids always make my day, keep em coming.

[bendymind]

ditto. People like Jay should talk more and more often.

[g1air1mo]

Murdoch media: never ceases to amaze

[bendymind]

I don't think it does. Not anymore. I'm not all amazed that this type of thing continues to appear again and again and again and again and again... and that we're all going to be talking monkey comics for a while while other even more insidious atrocities keep happening all over the rest of the world... at our behest. Not amazed.

[sanderjm]

I chuckled at the ending of the video...this doesn't happen to often...chuckling that is.

[1Sw33tBerrie]

Racist against monkeys, LMAO ! I do think that the cartoon was a racist act and in very poor judgment. But I am not going to join a boycott or rally against the NY post. However, I do wish someone at the post would have pushed the "Is this PC or racist" button before accepting it for publication.

[TABULOUS1]

*nodding* @ "take responsibility 4what u did"

[noble54321]

i never knew that he was on current tv nice touch dude

[fishboots]

about damn time man

[JehxOne]

omg make more vids man

[The610925]

Nice

[touchme1234]

disturrrrrrrbing story