20140821_markwiggett

Some facebook readers took exception to the above cartoon's apparent suggestion that black people were only interested in soap operas and disinterested in current affairs, while many more (black and white) readers defended the cartoon as being funny, non racist or - according to some - true.  

One reader (Jimmy Ramokgopa) illustrated his complaint by reworking the cartoon and steriotyping a white family's misplaced priorities, with the following annotation:
"Hi, most of us [people from the black community] weren't impressed by that "Generations" cartoon. So here's an edited version as a response. I'd appreciate it greatly if you post it on your page." 
 Again, some readers agreed with him, while others saw the humour in both versions and took no offence.

 
These criticisms of the original cartoon (as opposed to the lack of outrage at arguably more inflamatory cartoons from the past) illustrate a heightened sensitivity amongst some readers as to how race is depicted in cartoons, especially since Zapiro's controversial 'Presidential Penis' cartoon, and Dr Jack & Curtis' 'Congress of Clowns' cartoon.

In the hope of remedying any unintended hurt, Mark Wiggett responded to the criticism by depicting a white family of 'Generations' watchers in his next cartoon.