By claiming the image was a an exaggeration of mis-conceptions about the Obamas, the artist implied that those exaggerated characteristics were BAD. Here are the rediculous BAD things people are saying about them. I think a lot of folks could rightfully be offended by the list of BAD things because from a certain perspective several of the BAD things are actually part of a patriotic history essential to American progress in the 20th century.

The assassination of black leaders does in no way imply that they deserved it or that they and their movements should forever be thought of as BAD. All we ever get taught in school about the Panthers was that they were scary. There was a LOT more to it and a lot of folks who know that should not accept the execution of the satire, even if they can get with the general premise.

And this is the primary place I think this cartoon fails in it's message: it's insensitivity to the fact that the Panthers are still heroes to a lot of people.

It might be hoho funny to white elites (Elites to self: "OBVIOUSLY she is not as BAD as a Panther is! She's so well assimilated."), but not so much to folks who appreciate the Panthers (to self: 'I WISH she was able to be as forceful as they were.'). To me the Panthers are as apple pie as the Minute Men. I realize most other don't agree. Yet.

Kind of like saying 'She's as horrid as that rogue Patrick Henry'!  The Americans and Brits of post-Revolution 18th century would get very different things from that.

Personally, I find no offense to myself and totally get the point of it. But, I definitely have spoken with a few folks that were offended precisely for the reason I state above. If they had green skin in the cartoon to further exaggerate their BADness, how would Martians feel about it?

'vini, vidi, excreti' - Joe the Plumber