The latest row over a "genital" cartoon of South Africa's President Jcob Zuma reveals an unwillingness to accept that respect has to be earned and that individuals, especially those in high office who behave in a manner contrary to the norms of society, lose respect and become legitimate targets for satire.
First we had the Spear, a painting by Brett Murray. Now we have the Dick, a cartoon by Jonathan — Zapiro — Shapiro. And this satire of a genital nature has, in both cases, caused the same polarised reaction: support or amused indifference on one side; expressions of outrage on the other.
The intolerant reaction to the 2010 cartoon by Zapiro of the prophet Muhammed was an example of bigotry and ignorance. Zapiro did not ridicule Islam or religion. What he did was to hold up to deserved ridicule those bigots who distort the professed messages from their prophets and, indeed, from their God or gods. He should be hailed for his perception and sensitivity, not damned for doing a good job.
Terry Bell Writes 
Of spears, dicks and satire
July 13, 2012
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The latest row over a "genital" cartoon of South Africa's President Jcob Zuma reveals an unwillingness to accept that respect has to be earned and that individuals, especially those in high office who behave in a manner contrary to the norms of society, lose respect and become legitimate targets for satire.