ALL NEWS

Utah delegation responds to ‘repugnant’ Salt Lake Tribune cartoon

Apr 16, 2021, 10:16 AM | Updated: 1:25 pm

burgess owens is subject of controversial salt lake tribune cartoon...

Rep. Burgess Owens R-Utah, talks during an interview at his West Jordan offices on Monday, April 12, 2021. Photo: Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Members of the Utah congressional delegation released a statement Thursday responding to a cartoon illustrated by the Salt Lake Tribune.

Delegation responds to Salt Lake Tribune cartoon

Pat Bagley, the Tribune’s editorial cartoonist, drew a Ku Klux Klansman with a torch, pointing and saying the words, “They are coming to your neighborhoods,” alongside a depiction of Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, pointing and saying the same words at the US border. You can see the Salt Lake Tribune cartoon in Bagley’s tweets, a little further down in this article. 

Utah’s Republican congressional delegation, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Mitt Romney, Rep. Chris Stewart, Rep. John Curtis, and Rep. Blake Moore issued this joint statement responding to the cartoon in the Salt Lake Tribune.

The Salt Lake Tribune recently published a repugnant ‘cartoon’ comparing Congressman Burgess Owens, our esteemed colleague and only black member of the Utah delegation, to a member of the Ku Klux Klan. This racially charged, perverse political statement is beyond the pale. We ask that The Salt Lake Tribune immediately take down this horrific image, issue a formal apology, and hold themselves to a higher standard.

The Utah Republican Party joined the statement. 

Bagley, Tribune on Owens

Both Bagley and the Tribune continue to stand by the cartoon, though the Tribune did not issue any formal response. Instead, the paper published an editorial addressing Owens’ stance on immigration and border issues. 

‘It’s chaos down here’: Rep. Owens shares experiences at border

The @sltrib and @Patbagley compare me to the KKK, the radical hate group that terrorized me in my youth, because I am one of many sounding the alarm of the trauma being faced by women and children crossing the border. This is pathetic. #wokeracism,” Owens wrote on Twitter Thursday.

We have heard of “mansplaining” now we have “whitesplaining” from a white man comparing a black man, who grew up under Jim Crow laws, to the KKK. Awful tone deaf @sltrib @Patbagley. Expect an apology but I won’t hold my breathe. [sic]”

 

More from the cartoonist

Bagley responded and said if any of Utah’s other federal representatives had said similar things about immigration he would have drawn the same cartoon. 

“If Sen. Mike Lee, Mitt Romney or any other Utah pol had said this about immigrants they would have earned the same cartoon. Treating Owens any different on account of his race would be, uh, what’s the word…

“If you don’t want to be dunked on for using an age-old white supremacist talking points then don’t use white supremacist talking points,” he continued. 

 


 

He also added that his best defense is Owens’ own words. 

“By defaming me, the entire Utah congressional delegation endorses Owens’ hateful QAnon rhetoric. Read his own words and decide.”

 

 

Bagley added that while he can’t speak to the Black experience, Owens’ words have been used to stir up irrational fear in white people. 

” I can’t speak to the Black experience (obviously). But I can speak to the effect the words @RepBurgessOwens used have on White people. From time immemorial they have been used to stir up irrational fear and animosity.”

Former Rep. weighs in

Former Utah Representative Mia Love, who served in the same district that Owens represents, alleges Bagley periodically relies on racially-charged tactics in his cartoons.

It’s sad to see this. Anyone (including me) can disagree with Rep. Owens’ statements about people at the border. But if you meant to target @BurgessOwens with this cartoon, let me assure you, other black Americans are hurt by it as well.

“Does Pat Bagley claim that he is not racist or sexist? As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and his are often filled with racially charged and misogynistic messages,” she wrote on Friday.

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

All News

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now....

Allessandra Harris

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Plan ahead

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Utah delegation responds to ‘repugnant’ Salt Lake Tribune cartoon