When I first read an article about this "product," I shook my head.
It's not exactly history making to lampoon a political candidate – “Saturday Night Live” is famous for it - the recent Sarah Palin - Hillary Clinton segment became an instant online smash. Cartoonists offer up exaggerated caricatures of candidates, and shows like “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” thrive because of them.
When it's all in fun, that's great. Even the candidates have a sense of humor about themselves - Sarah Palin said of Tina Fey's impression, "I thought it was hilarious. I thought she was spot on." (She did not, however, hear any of it, as she admits she had the volume down the entire time.)
This product, however, is simply disgusting and crosses the line of humor.
Sold for $10 a box at the Values Voter Summit from last Thursday to Saturday (when booth reps were informed the box was covered with "offensive material"), the Obama Waffles went like hotcakes.
LOVE that the folks "eating them up" were Christians attending an American Values and Focus On The Family - James Dobson sponsored event.
You know, I can get past the thinly veiled Aunt Jemima-ish reference. "Waffling" is a much overused term in politicking - I, myself, have likened McCain's constant position shifting to waffling more than a Grand Slam Breakfast - but there is much, much more than the front of this box to stir controversy.
Take the box top, for instance:
Obama is pictured in Muslim headwear, and while you cannot make it out in the picture, that red area next to him instructs people to "face toward Mecca for tastier waffles."
Yes, those fine, upstanding, wonderful, Christian Republicans are still beating the Obama-is-a-Muslim drum. (Pssst, you can't have it both ways. You can't say he is a Muslim and then get your knickers in a wad over his Christian former minister, Mr. Wright.)
The box also contains these wonderful images and words:
On the back, a sombrero-ed Obama is cartooned in stereotypical Mexican dress, with a recipe called "Open Border Fiesta Waffles" which can serve "4 or more illegal aliens."
That recipe offers the helpful tip: "While waiting for these zesty treats to invade your home, why not learn a foreign language?"
Continuing the racist stereotype - the box also contains rap lyrics.
Bob DeMoss, one of the two writers who created the boxes, and who was happily moving the product, had this to say when questioned about it being racist. "We had some people mention that to us, but you think of Newman's Own or Emeril's - there are tons and tons of personality-branded food products on the market. So we've taken that model and, using political satire, have highlighted his policies, his position changes."
Um, sorry Bob. Paul Newman and Emeril Lagasse are selling salad dressing, pots and pans, and spices - you know, actual products from their own lines.
And I dare say they would both kick your sorry ass up a notch if you even tried to do something racist with their images.
BYLINE:
Linda Sharp has contributed to numerous publications, both on the web and in print. She is also the author of “Stretchmarks On My Sanity.”
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