Jason Collins
Team Member Name: John Cawley
Publication: politicalcartoons.com
Date: 4/30/2013
Cartoonist: Bob Englehart U.S.
Title of cartoon: Jason Collins
Cartoon # 6
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
What is the context?
In this cartoon there are two men in basketball
jerseys with the name Collins on the back, holding
hands while another man looks a little surprised
and disapproving. The spark for this cartoon was
NBA player Jason Collins coming out about being
gay and an ESPN reporter named Chris Broussard
who made a commentary on TV about his belief
that homosexuality is morally wrong (Laird). In this
cartoon the second man, presumably Collins’ husband, is used as a symbol to represent the concept of
freedom to openly practice homosexuality.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about
your issue?
The cartoonist is trying to paint Collins as being
more interested in making a political statement than
he is in performing well in his career. The character
that represents the ESPN reporter Broussard is just
standing there, holding a basketball and looking like
he is uncomfortable that Collins has put the spotlight on his sexuality rather than the game.
Any additional discussion or analysis?
This cartoon is sympathetic to the ESPN reporter,
making a statement that the equal rights of LGBTQ
groups has taken the emphasis away from sports
and has led to the expectation that the media be
politically correct which is causing reporters unfair
strife.
Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of the issue
2) Framing is supportive of or opposed to supporters
3) Framing is supportive of or opposed to opponents
Bibliography:
Laird, S. (2013, April 29). ESPN Reporter’s Anti-Gay Comments Stir Controversy Online. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://mashable.com/2013/04/29/espn-broussard-jason-collins/#0NjDUVPR3PqF
Englehart, B. (2013, April 30). Jason Collins [Cartoon]. Retrieved March 30, 2016, from http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={AFC204ED-3A5C-43D9-9D16-C834F5D7E70E}
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