Letter: A Response to the Criticisms of an “Offensive” Comic

The following was submitted by blog reader Kevin Froleiks because we don't have word count limits on letters. Take that TNH! (Just kidding, don't fire me.) This may appear in Tuesday's TNH, but cut down to 300 words.

Last week, in the Friday, April 30, 2010 issue of The New Hampshire, there were two letters to the editor complaining about the comic strip on page 3 of the Tuesday, April 27th issue.  The letters, although making different arguments, both focused on how “offensive”, “unfunny”, and “juvenile” the comic strip was.  I would now like to give my criticisms of those criticisms.

The first letter expressed how appalling it was that a comic strip was printed in last Tuesday’s issue that referenced intercourse with a “TWO-year-old” and mistaking a foreign woman for someone with a mental retardation.  The comic, in question, revolved around two gentleman discussing sexual fantasies.  One says to the other that he would enjoy sexual intercourse with Cindy Lou Who from   “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss.  The second gentlemen responds with utter horror and points out that Cindy Lou Who is “only two” and then confesses that his sexual fantasy would involve Ms. Swan, a popular character from MAD TV, whom the first gentlemen mistakes for having a  mental retardation.  Before we continue, I would like to ask all of you to think about this premise.  It is quite silly, isn’t it?  Anyway, let’s move on.

The issue with this comic strip should not be that it was offensive, but rather that it was inaccurate.  Cindy Lou Who is not actually two years old.  Dr. Seuss tells us that Cindy Lou Who is “no more than two”.  Perhaps the comic’s artist, Colin Hayward, was suggesting that Cindy Lou Who had recently celebrated her 2nd birthday.  However, because Cindy Lou Who is fictional, she cannot age.  If, hypothetically, her fictional character could age then she would now be in the neighborhood of 55 years old as she was “no more than two” in the year 1957.  If you think about it that way, wanting to have sex with Cindy Lou Who is a lot less weird than your friend who bought a calendar with the sole purpose of counting down the days until Miley Cyrus turns 18…you know the guy…we all have “that friend”.

The second letter began with similar comments as the first, calling the comic “offensive” and “unacceptable”.  The letter then explained how there were two articles in last Tuesday’s issue about programs that SHARPP provides on campus and argued that this comic strip undermined the efforts by groups such as SHARPP.  I think that it is safe to say that a comic strip couldn’t possibly undermine the efforts of an organization that focuses on preventing and providing education relating to sexual harassment and sexual violence.  Organizations like SHARPP do an incredible amount of good for the UNH campus.  I would argue that they do so much good for our community that nothing as simple as a comic strip would ever be able to undermine their efforts.

To conclude, offensive, juvenile, and undermining works have their place.  However, a lot of people can miss out on the enjoyment of such works, especially if they cannot refrain from over analyzing them.  That being said, a lot of people can also find the humor in the absurdity of the offensive content.  There have been many works that have undermined a certain organization in the past.    The writers of “South Park” undermine a different social group or institution with a 30 minute cartoon every Wednesday night at 10pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Comedy Central.   The Jungle, written in 1906 by Upton Sinclair (available in its original, uncensored version for $7.95 on   amazon.com) completely undermined the meatpacking industry and led to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration despite the books obvious, socialist undertones that President Teddy Roosevelt did not approve of.  Apparently Colin Hayward’s comic strip, “They Both Seem Nice”, undermined an organization with only 3 panels of illustration…that’s pretty impressive, if you ask me.

At this point you may be asking yourselves, “Is this guy being serious?”  Well…you caught me, dear readers; I am not being serious, because we are talking about a comic strip, and taking a comic strip seriously would undermine its point.

Kevin Froleiks

Three Videos That Define My Weekend

Okay, so most of you have probably heard this by now, but I had this song emailed to me a few days ago before it got posted anywhere. I heard the original MC (yeah, I call her MC) version about 45 million times this weekend, which may or may not have been a good thing. It was a good thing because girls dancing at parties love it and it was a bad thing because it gets fucking annoying after one and a half plays... Is this remix any good? I can't decide. The best line by far is the one about the hockey team: "beat the piss out of UMaine" (cough Maine Guy cough.)

I posted this next video because on Friday night I got "Mclovin'd." Fuck UNH cops... Only in my situation I was about 30 seconds from leaving a party when the cops pulled up. Then everyone at the party booked it and I got separated from my lady friends. (YES FRIENDS IS PLURALIZED ON PURPOSE)... Seriously.

And I posted this last video because it is fucking hilarious and it makes me feel better:

I declare there is nothing better than Cartman singing "Poker face."

Stay classy, not UMassy.

The Golden Ticket

On Tuesday I had a bunch of packages arrive with some flyers and business cards I made to help advertise the blog around campus. I will probably put up the flyers on different bulletin boards all over campus within a week, so if you see one point it out to a friend. The business cards will also be distributed in various locations, mostly in the MUB and other buildings on tables, or where ever the newspapers can be found. (On top of the trash units, the couches near HOCO, the half-wall around the food court ect...)

As for the t-shirts, I have decided like I originally planned, to put off ordering them until winter break. I think it could be a great way to kick off the spring. That was my original plan, I just got a little excited last week when I got such good feedback. Before winter break I will post the final designs (I am still working on a few) and I will allow you to vote on your favorite one. I will also be saving some of the business cards and the week before the shirts will be available some of the cards will have some special offers like a dollar or two off and maybe even one or two for a free shirt. I also have a couple other "goodies" for free on their way. I know that may seem like a long time, but it will be worth it. Think of it as your golden ticket like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... or South Park... or The Office:

So seriously do any of you have great ideas like me and Michael? I feel like self promotion would be a lot more effective if I didn't have to include the 'self' part. If any of you have some golden (and cheap) promotion ideas let me have it! I'm tired of spamming all of the UNH facebook groups...

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Vote or Die

To all UNH students,

I know every single one of you reads this so I feel it is my responsibility to remind you all to vote for the student body elections. Polls are open today and tomorrow on blackboard, but go do it now so you don't forget. It is very easy and if it takes more then 2 minutes I don't know how you go into college. Or even finished middle school for that matter.

Simply go to Blackboard, click on the webcat student services tab, click the continue button to access webcat, click the student elections link and vote. I just casted my vote for the Chris McGown/Brendan Jones ticket. I made a difference and so can you! I can't wait to be roaming the streets after the votes are tallied exclaiming my excitement for our new student body president. 

Stay classy, not UMassy.

April 20th

As I sat in my classes today I wondered why they seemed so empty. Then I remembered what the date was. Happy 4/20 everyone! But what does 420 really mean? Some people believe it was started because today was Hitler's birthday. But he was a total loser and therefore something this awesome can't possibly be associated with him. The most widely excepted reason, according to wikipedia, is that in 1971 students at San Rafael High School in California would meet at 4:20 (when afternoon detention was dismissed) at the school's Louis Pasteur statue to smoke some weed. The tradition caught on and eventually became a "holiday" for people across the country. Have a good day, make smart decisions and be thankful we're not at Liberty University.

Today's Youtube Pick: 

Stay classy, Not UMassy.