'Aunt Jemima' cartoon raises ire

CLEVELAND, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The use of an "Aunt Jemima" image to depict a black Cleveland politician has sparked a racially charged debate in the city, observers say.

The much-despised character, seen by many as a symbol of black subservience to white authority, was used by a weekly Cleveland newspaper with a large black readership, the Call & Post, to caricature state Sen. Nina Turner, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported Tuesday.

The cartoon has raised the ire of Turner's supporters and others who say the Aunt Jemima reference was insulting and uncalled for, the newspaper said. It noted Robyn Minter Smyers, a partner at the law firm Thompson Hine, has started a Facebook group called "We demand an apology for Call & Post's Aunt Jemima."

"This use of a racist caricature crosses a line and demeans us all," she wrote. "We stand together to say we will not stand by and permit the debasing of any of our sisters and brothers in this way."

The cartoon has added to the controversy around Issue 6, a reform measure passed last month through which Cuyahoga County government would be restructured. Turner was the only black politician to endorse it, The Plain Dealer said.