American's don't read our newspaper

Atlanta (CNN) -- A Spanish-language newspaper in Georgia has drawn bipartisan criticism for publishing a doctored photograph depicting the state's new governor as a Nazi.

El Nuevo Georgia Editor Rafael Navarro said the picture was meant to call attention to Hispanic issues -- and grab the attention of residents and politicians who often ignore the Hispanic community.


"Americans don't read our paper because they can't read Spanish. They don't read our news, our editorials and the opinion of the community. But if they see a picture, they'll get it," he said.


The photo illustration, published in the paper's January 6 edition, shows Republican Gov. Nathan Deal wearing a Nazi uniform, a swastika armband and a Hitler-like mustache.


The accompanying story, entitled "Repression in the Age of Deal," recaps an ethics investigation against Deal and talks about the governor's past financial troubles. The full-page article also quotes local community leaders forecasting tough times ahead for illegal immigrants in the state.

Common Sense is troubled by this in several ways.

First, characterizing Deal as a Nazi in the context of an article about alleged financial improprieties is not only offensive, it's raciest in that it seeks to inflame Hispanics when in fact Mr Deal hasn't done anything.

Second, asserting as an excuse that "Americans don't read our paper because they can't read Spanish" begs several questions.  Is this paper published in Georgia, a state in the United States of America, somehow exempt from being part of America?  Does the paper exist in some sort of extraterritorial sovereign land where it exist apart from the rest of the country?  What about the many Americans who are multilingual and do read Spanish?  Are they not Americans?

This kind of inflammatory to trash is in fact protected speech even if the paper declares itself as non-American.  But it is not helpful or civil.  It does not in any way address Hispanic issues or interest.  Rather it seeks to divide and inflame, one assumes for financial gain. 

Just a bit of common sense.