Is there a climate of fear
that leaves the local cartoonists too timid to poke fun at these often larger-than-life figures?Jamaica used to have a great cartoonist, Urban Leandro,
who took his swipe at politics but also at many aspects of local life. A wonderful anthology of his works are now available, "The Best of Leandro".One of the local blogs, Barbados Free Press did a puff for their own political cartoons. (see link). But why should they be alone, even though we know them to be our local "mavericks" when it comes to getting in their licks?
The best "cartoonist" in Barbados is really not a drawer, but a sharp-witted commentator, "Market Vendor", whose wit and irreverence in his oral digs are never matched by any images in a local paper.
I will have to think why the standard fare here is so much about "playing it safe" or "with a straight bat", to borrow a cricket image.
4 comments:
Barbados too small and the percived risks too great.
In large countries polticians are too busy and their resourses too sparce to bring them to focus on their (numerous) detractors.
A single minister is likly to be freindly with every other minister in government and if the pivate sector wants govermnet contracts then they have to kowtow to the powers that be.
Gio,
I think you are part right, though in larger countries there are more resources to deal with the media, and a whole machinery of "spin".
The personal and commercial interconnections play some part, it's true, but I am not sure that stops partisan or neutral ribbing of politicians.
I also think there is some "national" characteristic that says whether or not people feel that they have to be deferential to politicians. This can be high in the Caribbean, but not insurmountable.
You are right in that it is not insurmountable, but I think that respect for politrickans as little to do with it. I think it has more to do with fear (as described above) and many other associated inhibitors
E.g:
Libel laws and perceived independence of the judiciary.
General despair and despondency, no one feels they can make a change
The unwillingness to cross the "thin brown line" which stop politicians telling on each other for fear about what will come out about you or what your colleagues will do to your political career
"Is there a climate of fear
that leaves the local cartoonists too timid to poke fun at these often larger-than-life figures?"
the answer would be yes
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