'Aunt Jemima' Editorial Cartoon Angers Readers

By: A weekly newspaper's editorial cartoon caricature of a black lawmaker as Aunt Jemima has rankled some people in Cleveland.

The black-owned Call&Post paper portrayed state Sen. Nina Turner as the black Aunt Jemima figure used to advertise a breakfast product line. Some blacks find the character offensive because of its use during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a racist stereotype.

The paper criticized Turner, a Cleveland Democrat, for supporting last month's successful ballot issue to overhaul county government. Some blacks fear the changes will reduce minority political power.

Call&Post associate publisher and editor Connie Harper says the caricature isn't hurtful.

Backers of Turner call it racist and demeaning.