Letter: Resident Hopes Obama Display Doesn't Reflect Community Attitude

To the Editor,

The picture above was taken on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the corner of 25A and Bennetts Road in Setauket. The truck was parked there as part of a local Tea Party demonstration.

As anyone can see, the message, in the form of a white-gloved minstrel caricature, is that of a large, dark-skinned Afro-American male on vacation, as presumably portraying President Barack Obama.

I understand the right of individuals under the First Amendment to publicly voice their opinions as I am doing here. However, it is disturbing that the individual(s) who took the time to create this display and to park it on a well-traveled road must think what is depicted is both an accurate statement and appropriate for our communities.

President Obama is not inappropriately spending taxpayer dollars for vacations. In fact, all former Presidents have all taken many vacations during their terms in office. The President works for the United States and is paid a salary with benefits including vacation time like most other salaried employees. Quite the opposite of what the image is intended to relate to passersby.

What is most distressing about this visual expression is that its creator(s) must think it is likely to be seen as a widely shared belief in the Three Village/Port Jefferson area. I hope that is not the case and others will view it as the false and culturally demeaning message that it is.

Myrna Lee Gordon

Port Jefferson, NY