yesterday i did a quick slate illustration for an article titled how black people use twitter, which could have been called hashtags started by black teens, or some less flameworthy title. i woke up to this wonderful email:
subject: A brown bird?
Dude, you are RACIST. I’m calling Jesse Jackson now.
i was pretty entertained, and not sure whether the person who sent the email (anonymously for the most part) was actually offended, sarcastic, or just being an ass. starting out, i figured this article and illustration would probably drum up some conversation, both positive and negative, and while this illustration isn’t going to win any awards for concept, is it offensive? do you, dear reader, find it racist?
slate: how black people use twitter, by farhad manjoo.
while mulling this over and chatting with slate, they sent over this hilarious illustration remix by www.innyvinny.com (check out the rims on that twitterbird!):
sincerely,
your racist illustrator.
p.s. jesse, let’s do lunch!
p.p.s. since you didn’t ask, this is how i look as a twitterbird (full disclosure, i need a haircut):
10 Comments
As someone who knows you personally, I can attest to your flagrant racism. Also, the Eben Twitter bird is awesome.
Also also, your new blog is slick.
Now I’m remembering that conversation we had about Thierry Henry. Everything is so clear now.
Ok. I’m free for lunch next thurs. Let’s meet at Katz’s. 1pm. Oh yeah u thought I was gonna say Sylvia’s? Figures damn racist.
Ps. They have fried chicken at katz’s right?
I am not sure I agree with you, I recall your complexion as much lighter then #E2BAA1, in fact I would probably put you more at the #F0DBCD end of the spectrum. Unless of course you got a tan, in which case you are totally a racist!
You’re adorable in twitter bird form! =D
I look like a plucked chicken!
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
You and Jesse are making me wish I could go to lunch.
you’re welcome to join us.
I saw something about Sylvia’s…I’m on the opposite side of the country.
Unless there’s a Sylvia’s in L.A. If so, I’m down.
Dude, there isn’t enough hair on that twitter bird to really reflect what you look like. or i guess, more appropriately feathers? red feathers all over the damned thing. maybe a red furry sweater?
3 Trackbacks
[...] alex eben meyer /// sketchblog Skip to content « slate: how black people use twitter [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kory Westerhold, Will F.. Will F. said: @getwrite http://eben.com/press/2010/08/11/slate/ [...]
[...] Eben Meyer (either for serious or in jest) that they were going to call Jesse Jackson on his arse.His reaction?i was pretty entertained, and not sure whether the person who sent the email (anonymously for the [...]