Toronto Sun's cartoon on Olivia Chow spurs Twitter outrage, calls of racism and sexism

The best editorial cartoons are, by their very nature, intended to cause controversy and create discussion. The best and most-shared cartoons show a unique perspective on an issue in a wry or humourous way.

But did the Toronto Sun go over the line with their cartoon of Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow?

The cartoon, published in Sunday's Sun, shows Chow in a Mao-style uniform literally riding on the coattails of her husband, Jack Layton, who died of cancer shortly after propelling the federal NDP party into Official Opposition status.

Chow is wearing slanted eyeglasses that enhance the shape of her eyes. Chow, of course, emigrated from Hong Kong at the age of 13.

The cartoon, credited to long-time Sun cartoonist Andy Donato, quickly prompted a flood of negative response on social media.

Unlike many other Donato cartoons, Sunday's is not viewable on the Sun website.

Chow was outraged by the cartoon, calling it “disgusting” on CP24.

“Because I am Chinese-Canadian, I must be a communist and have slanted eyes and glasses … and since I am a woman, I must be inferior and therefore not good enough for the job of the mayor so I must rely on my deceased husband. So it is both racist and sexist,” Chow said.

What do you think? Fair comment, too far over the line?

(Image via Twitter)

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