By Larry Childs (MIC’s Strategic Initiatives Director). Art by Robyn
Introduction:
Editorial cartoons offer another important means to capture and communicate about the cruel abuses of this federal government; another arrow in the quiver of resistance. In some instances just a few words and images can capture an entire story. In this cartoon by Robyn, graphic artist/editorial illustrator friend to MIC, she captures an abbreviated version of the following longer scenario which a fictitious ICE agents’ wife imagines.
First image:
An ICE agent, robust and in his 30’s, is seated at the dinner table at home with his wife. They are finishing dinner. While he looks satiated, silverware resting on his plate, attention is drawn to the wife who appears skeptical as evidenced by her half-closed eyes. She is not looking at her husband, rather her gaze is cast toward his goonish mask, and black ops clothing with an ICE insignia, draped over the chair beside him. The couple are not yet talking.
Second image:
The wife, with an emerging revelatory look, directly faces her husband. ‘I’m glad you’re home for weekends, but I thought you were working up in Massachusetts so that you could put away criminals. Now it turns out you are just capturing hard working men and women who came to this country, just like our ancestors, seeking a better life. I’ve also been learning that most entered lawfully, have work permits, and are building our economy…’ The husband’s thought balloon shows a few men and women with brown skin handcuffed in a fish packing plant, surrounded by a half dozen ICE agents. Long white tables are covered by neat piles of expertly cleaned fish and fish labeled boxes are stacked from floor to ceiling behind them. The agent appears startled and confused by his wife's condemnation.
Third image:
The wife, increasingly incensed, begins to question her husband who looks downcast in his chair, eyes averted: She continues: ‘That mask you wear. It’s not about protecting your family from threats by so-called radical, lunatic communists, is it?! If you’re not wearing it for our safety, then please tell me why?’
Fourth image:
The husband finally looks up, ‘You’re right, I’ve been bothered by all this. It's not what I signed up for. They have us wear masks for intimidation, not self protection, and I’m not afraid of retribution. In fact, I’m embarrassed by all this macho pseudo militancy and don’t want others to know it's me mistreating innocent people. That seems the only positive function for the mask.’
Hearing this the wife hesitates, searching, digging for deeper understanding. Then she gets it. ‘Oh honey, I’m sorry to say that your real disguise is, well, a mask of shame.’
Fifth image:
The wife further awakens to the broader national implications of ICE abuses - how the agency threatens our nations’ democratic principles and rule of law. She continues while pacing around her husband, who rises from his chair, reaching for her as she concludes. ‘If Trump had not canned the Civil Rights division and corrupted our judiciary, I’m afraid you would be the one behind bars!’ Husband replies, ‘So true. I need to get another job.’
