Flora & Fauna (2)

Arent these comics sort of insulting to those who are misfortunate to be in such a situation? Its sort of like making fun of the poor or mentally disabled.

I don't see it as making fun.

Everyone thinks Zanta is great, but no one seems willing to care about the lack of mental health help in this city.

Should Toronto bloggers completely ignore all the bad things in the city? Let's all pretend that Toronto is free of any problems, shall we? Then we pretend to be middle class brats.

I was responding to both comments made about the comic, Greg. I honestly don't see the work to be "making fun" of anyone with a mental disability. There isn't any judgment anywhere, just a description. Maybe you just dislike the style?

Geoff,
Wow, Dude, I am with ya on that, and I know you and I have disagreed on this comic before (no hard feelings)...but you echoed my thoughts exactly, I think his comics are on here to simply incite, they are certainly not creative or well-drawn. Also, with all of the crooked politicians and crooked capitalists who are sucking the life out of our continent (and created most of the homeless this comic likes to ridicule)...why on earth would you go after societies victims? Hey, I know, let's pick on the unemployed or starving kids next, or even better, uh, how about? "Guy Hating, Frigid Rape-Victims" "Self-Loathing Suicidal Teen Cutters", "Mono-Breasted Cancer Cuties", "What's Shakin' with the Cerebal Palsy Gang", "Abused Woman Who Just Don't When to Shut-Up", "My Parents Went on Vacation and all I Got Were These Cigarette Burns"?

I agree that these illustrations seem to serve no purpose whatsoever. Actually, I find it kind of creepy that this artist is spending so much time observing mentally ill street people with all the compassion of an entomologist.

I sure hope the portrait sitters are being paid for their time!

I find these comments very revealing, that you can pick out and create these detailed scenarios of "victims." What makes a portrait of "post-traumatic stress disorder veteran" in your comment any different from these portraits, except that you are assuming it would be a hypethetical equivalent and that you have enlightened us all? You are also taking a really patronizing and arrogant stance when you call these characteres the victims of society. I also dont think that the point is to do some kind of research project on people, and just because a person goes out and interviews a homeless person and posts it on a blog with a photo doesnt mean its not exploitative. I also find the characature of "Guy Hating, Frigid Rape-Victims" original and disgusting.

I moved to Toronto three years ago from a small Canadian city (with its own social welfare issues) and for maybe a week I found the large homeless issue to be overwhelming maybe even as much to write a journal entry. After a while I was more concerned with the causes that led to the symptoms than the symptoms themselves. The total lack of context in these portraits turns the subjects into some sort of freak show. I would really love to see a comic that was the result of research into an issue. Just go talk to a social worker and start from there. Maybe you find homelessness to be so overwhelming/saddening that you must express yourself. Well if anyone wants to be part of the solution then try and take some time to learn more about the issue.

I just want to set the record straight on blogTO's view of these comics. As a general rule, we're interested in promoting local Toronto culture and providing insights into issues relevant to Torontonians. We do not make a habit of publishing content that doesn't further this mandate or is hurtful or exploitive of a minority or defenseless group.

In looking for a comic to add to blogTO, we gave Jason Kieffer wide range to come up with something that might fit within our editorial mandate and add insight, humour or otherwise contribute positively to our ongoing conversation about Toronto.

After publishing the latest two comics from Jason we have informed him that we don't feel it is something we want to continue to support, but we will keep them on the site b/c we do feel they have raised important issues and dialogue that we have no interest in muzzling.

We'll leave it up to Jason himself to explain or defend his comics in this space if that's something he feels he wants to do.

I agree with Geoff's evaluation of this comic.
I can't see an interpretation of it as anything other than someone taking pleasure in other's misfortune. Disgusting.

"The comic seems to be as dispassionate as can be, yet people are reading all sorts of hate into it. Is the only acceptable acknowledgement of the homeless/mentally ill/what-have-you white liberal guilt? I don't see any judgement or comedic spin in this rendering, yet it offends some nonetheless."

rek, I agree.

While I don't really care for this series, I note that if the illustrator had instead taken a photo of the subject and placed the same captions below, it would be seen as a sympathetic appeal rather than ridicule.

Wow, the medium IS the message!

The criticisms of this comic are sterile and boring. I find this comic interesting, and I don't think it 'makes fun' of the homeless, it's tries to be purely descriptive. I've seen this guy myself, and have noticed some of the same things about him (knocking over newspaperstands/ cursing God).

As a social worker myself, I find that the discomfort that most people feel looking at this comic probably results from their own disengaged fears and insecurities regarding the neglected, mentally ill of our city. I also object to the apparent sentiment expressed in these critiques that the only acceptable emotional response to the mentally ill is pity. These people generally don't need or want your pity. They need and want your understanding. Few people laugh more at the mentally ill than 1)the mentally ill themselves, or 2) social workers. The reason for that is that when you work with them day to day, laughter is survivalism.

Get off your ridiculous high horses. Jason, kudos to you for actually looking at these people and taking note. It's more honest than the self righteous crap I read in these critiques

It's ironic that you're accusing me of being sanctimonious considering the tone of your criticisms. What makes you think you have an enlightened understanding of the life of a mentally ill person? Have you spent any considerable time at places like CAMH?

The fact of the matter is that these people are "crazy". They suffer from a disease that works like the diseases of many other organs, except the afflicted organ happens to be their brain. The neural disruption (visible under a microscope) that occurs in the neocortex and hypothalamus of these people offsets their behavior and creates a perception of the world that is inaccurate. Much like how the pancreas of a diabetic inaccurately percieves his/her bloodsugar. Jason's portrait is an honest interpretation of someone he sees in his neighborhood, and it's admirable in that he actually looks at these people and forces you to look at them rather than what most people do, which is look away. If a depiction of these people and their 'craziness' makes you uneasy or feel guilty, then that speaks more to your ignorance and lack of understanding than it does Jason's. I think the majority of the criticisms of this comic ironically mirror the attitudes of their writers. You don't like someone looking at these people and having an honest reaction because you yourself are stymied at how to react. Most people refuse to look, and so refuse address the problem of the homeless mentally ill in Toronto.

I commend Jason for looking and forcing other people to look. If you feel there are missing pieces then stop bitching and fill them in yourself.

Well, I look forward to seeing whatever else Jason Kieffer draws and publishes. Even if I have to go to another site to view it. I like, and support, local Toronto comic artists. I looked forward to each of his strips here at BlogTO.

Unlike some, I find it difficult to be offended by comics.