Shane Pangburn’s cartoon “Dormant Life” in the Aug. 22 DE is the most obvious expression of open bigotry that I’ve ever had the displeasure to read. There’s nothing funny about portraying the residents of an entire region as dumb yokels. It is bigotry, plain and simple!

By Gus Bode

This fellow Pangburn was born ahead of his time. Hitler could have used him in 1933. Portraying entire groups of people as stupid is the first step on the road to the gas chambers. First, they are belittled and demonized, then executed. For the longest time, I was puzzled about the bad attitude that many of us “locals” have toward SIU. Now I’m beginning to understand why. Any institution that shelters and enables this kind of racist bigotry is a cancer on our region.

I do not object to Pangburn’s right to express his opinion. But I do have a right and an obligation to object to its bigoted content.

I’d also like to remind Pangburn that in Illinois, even the poor on food stamps are required to pay income taxes. In other words, money that should be used to feed and clothe poor kids is being used to subsidize Pangburn’s education. And then he turns around and treats them like scum. Best of luck to you. You’re going to need it.

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James L. Desper Jr.

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