Reaction to ‘Dilbert’
Regarding “Houston Chronicle will cease publishing ‘Dilbert’ comic strip after racist rant,” (Feb. 25): Mark up another disappointed reader learning that Houston’s Hearst newspaper is following the herd in dropping Scott Adams’ “Dilbert” cartoon strip over his comments some deemed offensive.
As an 83-year-old retired CPA who has worked inside countless client companies large and small, I found it amusing how cleverly Adams portrayed and embellished common management and staff foibles and events.
The sanctimonious Chronicle honchos should recognize that a large portion of readers are themselves able to discern the wheat from the chaff and need not Chronicle censorship to avoid contamination of our skulls.
C.E. Sylvester, Houston
The article about the cancellation of the comic strip “Dilbert” due to the racist remarks of Scott Adams contains a statement that needs further examination.
The article states that Adams “erroneously conclud[ed] a poll had found ‘that nearly half of all Blacks are not OK with white people.’ ”
In the poll in question, 1000 American adults were asked whether they agreed with the statement “It’s OK to be white.”
Fifty-three percent of respondents who identified as Black agreed with the statement.
Twenty-six percent of Black respondents disagreed, and 21 percent were not sure. To me, saying that one is not sure if it’s OK to be white is still saying that one is not OK with white people.
I distinctly disagree with Scott Adams’ reaction to the poll and strongly disagree with his opinions about African Americans.
I also think that the poll question itself may have been open to misinterpretation, depending on whether one was familiar with the negative associations of the phrase.
I had been unfamiliar with it until I looked it up on the Anti-Defamation League website.
“It’s OK to be white” is listed as a hate slogan on the website. It is said to have been used by white supremacist groups after being popularized as a trolling campaign on 4chan.
This opens the question: Did the Rasmussen poll knowingly or unintentionally troll its respondents by asking whether they agreed with the statement ‘It’s OK to be white?’
Robert Allen, Elgin
The Chronicle showed it is more than just words and hot air by dropping Scott Adams’ “Dilbert” comic strip after Adams’ racist rant on YouTube.
Among several horrid comments, he called Black Americans a “hate group” and suggested that white people should “get the hell away” from them.
The Chronicle made its stance clear on racism. “Dilbert” had to go.
Wayne Herbert, Houston
I view with some alarm this or any other newspaper taking such a stand as dropping a comic strip that, to my knowledge, has never brought scene or word about segregation or integration, or anything else regarding race relations.
The strip’s syndicator has been quoted as commenting, “We are proud to promote and share different voices and perspectives. But we will never support any commentary rooted in discrimination or hate.”
The Chronicle itself announced “We believe strongly in upholding values that recognize the dignity of all our readers.”
All this was regarding comments Scott Adams made on YouTube. What Mr. Adams says he believes, and the comic strip he produces involve two entirely different venues.
The one has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
To my knowledge, the comic strip has never ventured into racial issues. I believe banning the “Dilbert” comic strip is unfair and without merit, and unquestionably represents a dangerous step toward unwarranted and highly suspect censorship.
Harold Young, Cypress
It seems to me that an institution that relies on the First Amendment’s protection would respect and defend Scott Adams free speech rights.
Free speech is just that, we don’t have to agree, but that doesn’t mean we can cancel those whose thoughts and opinions differ from our own.
If you had not canceled the “Dilbert” strip, I doubt that many of your readers would have even been aware of Mr. Adams’ remarks.
Roy Nelson, League City
As a longtime subscriber to the Chronicle, I was disappointed on Sunday morning to see the “Dilbert” series in the weekend edition.
I’m glad that, since, the paper published an article explaining its decision to no longer print Dilbert, as the personal views of the creator are highly offensive to the good folks in Houston, Texas and the United States.
If there had been silence on the subject, it could only have been interpreted as the Houston Chronicle agreeing with this person’s statements and views. This is a time when good people step up to do the right thing.
Hate has no place in our community, our state or our country.
Michael C. Solis, League City
Scott Adams has it made for life. All he has to do is establish residence in Texas, then run for any state office. He would win hands down.
Joe Jackson, Cypress
I’ll miss “Dilbert.” This comic strip pokes fun at all aspects of our society. Those of us who cannot take a little ribbing need to reconsider our values. Robert Lyle Williams, Houston