Explained: The outrage over the racist cartoon mocking Indian crew of ship behind Baltimore bridge crash

Explained: The outrage over the racist cartoon mocking Indian crew of ship behind Baltimore bridge crash
FP Explainers • March 29, 2024 https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/racist-cartoon-mocking-indian-crew-...

An American webcomic posted an illustration of the Baltimore bridge collapse incident showing the ship’s Indian crew wearing loincloths ahead of the collision. This came a day after US president Biden praised the team for their prompt Mayday call

An out-of-control cargo ship rammed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in six presumed fatalities on 26 March.

The Indian crew on the ship is receiving praise from US President Joe Biden, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and other prominent figures; yet, a “racist” cartoon that depicts the tragedy has sparked controversy.

Let’s take a look.

The racist cartoon

An American webcomic has posted an illustration of the tragic event the day after US president Biden praised the ship’s crew, the majority of whom were Indians, for their prompt Mayday call.

The animated film, which was aimed at the ship’s crew, depicts dishevelled men wearing only loincloths ahead of the collision.

An audio clip of people cursing at each other in English with a heavy Indian accent was also included in the cartoon.

The video was posted on X with the caption, “Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact,” by Foxford Comics.

With 4.2 million views and more than 2,000 comments, the image has become widely popular.

Criticism

The narrative has drawn criticism for both undermining the ship’s crew and for its racist portrayal of Indians.

Indian economist Sanjeev Sanyal shared the cartoon and stated that a local pilot was probably in control of the ship at the time of the tragedy.

“At the time that the ship hit the bridge, it would have had a local pilot. In any case, the crew had warned the authorities which is why the casualties were relatively few (for such a disaster). The mayor in fact thanked the Indian crew as “heroes” for raising an alarm that limited casualties,” he said.