Dilbert Comic Controversy, What happened to Dilbert Comic Strip? Is Dilbert Comic cancelled?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Mar 03, 2023
Dilbert Comic Controversy
Andrews McMeel Universal, the distributor of Scott Adams' Dilbert comic strip, has announced that it is ending its association with the cartoonist. This follows Adams' racist rant on his online video program, during which he urged white people to "get the hell away from Black people" and labeled Black people a "hate group". Several newspapers across the US, including The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, had already stated that they would no longer carry the syndicated comic strip.
During the episode, Adams discussed the presidential bid by Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, before launching into his tirade. He cited a recent poll by conservative-leaning Rasmussen Reports, which asked a thousand American adults if they agreed with the statement "It's OK to be white". The poll found that 72% of respondents agreed, including 53% of Black respondents. 26% of Black respondents disagreed and 21% said they were unsure. The poll also found that 79% of respondents agreed with the statement "Black people can be racist too". However, the statement "It's OK to be white" has been condemned by the Anti-Defamation League as a hate chant.
On his YouTube livestream program, Real Coffee with Scott Adams, Adams claimed that the results of the poll demonstrated that the country's racial tensions "can't be fixed".
What happened to Dilbert Comic Strip?
The creator of the popular comic strip Dilbert, Scott Adams, has faced criticism and lost distribution for making racist remarks in an online video. The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and other publications have announced that they will stop featuring Dilbert, and Andrews McMeel Universal, the comic strip’s main distributor, has severed ties with Adams. This is not the first time that Adams has made controversial statements, including questioning the accuracy of the Holocaust death toll and making jokes about identifying as Black.
Adams has also claimed to be a victim of racism in corporate America, saying that White creators are disadvantaged. In response to his latest comments, Chris Quinn, editor of The Plain Dealer, has condemned Adams’ remarks as “hateful and racist” and said that the publication will not provide a platform for racist views.
However, not everyone has distanced themselves from Adams. Elon Musk has offered support, refusing to condemn Adams’ comments and suggesting that US media and elite schools are now racist against Whites and Asians as per CNN.
Is Dilbert Comic cancelled?
Yes, Dilbert, the long-running comic strip, has been canceled by several prominent publications due to offensive remarks made by its creator, Scott Adams. The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times are among those that have confirmed that they will no longer feature Dilbert in their newspapers. Andrews McMeel Universal, the comic strip’s main distributor, has also cut ties with Adams.
This incident is not the first time that Adams has made controversial statements. He has previously questioned the accuracy of the Holocaust death toll and made jokes about identifying as Black. Adams has also claimed to be a victim of racism in corporate America, stating that White creators are disadvantaged.
While some have condemned Adams’ comments as “hateful and racist”, others have come to his defense. Elon Musk, the world’s second-richest man, refused to condemn Adams’ remarks and suggested that US media and elite schools are now racist against Whites and Asians.
The cancellation of Dilbert highlights the growing trend of holding public figures accountable for their actions and words. With more and more people speaking out against racism and other forms of discrimination, it is likely that we will see more consequences for those who make offensive remarks or engage in discriminatory behavior as per CNN.
About Dilbert
Dilbert is a well-known American comic strip created by Scott Adams, which made its debut on April 16, 1989. The comic strip revolves around the daily struggles of engineer Dilbert and his experiences in a white-collar office environment. Dilbert has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning numerous books, a television show, video games, and merchandise. Some of the most popular Dilbert books are Dilbert Future and The Joy of Work. Adams received the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award and the Newspaper Comic Strip Award for his work in 1997. Dilbert is available online and is syndicated in over 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries and 25 languages.
In February 2023, Dilbert faced a major setback as hundreds of publications and Andrews McMeel Syndication, its main distributor, dropped the comic strip. This was a result of Adams' controversial video on YouTube, where he advised white people to stay away from black people after a Rasmussen Reports poll showed what Adams interpreted as racism from black respondents. Following this, Adams announced that Dilbert would be available through the subscription service Locals.
Initially, Dilbert's storylines focused on his engineer background, peculiar inventions, and ambitious goals, but the action soon shifted to his workplace where the comic strip began to satirize corporate and technological issues. Dilbert's popularity can be attributed to its relatable workplace themes and setting, which resonates with a large audience. Adams has said that moving the setting from Dilbert's home to his office was a pivotal moment in the comic strip's success. Dilbert portrays corporate culture as a bureaucratic world where office politics and mismanagement take precedence over productivity, leading to hilarious and ridiculous scenarios.
Dilbert Comic Controversy - FAQs
Dilbert is a comic strip created by Scott Adams that satirizes office culture and the absurdities of corporate life. The main character is Dilbert, an engineer who works for a nameless corporation and is constantly frustrated by the bureaucracy and mismanagement of his workplace.
Dilbert was first published on April 16, 1989, and quickly gained popularity due to its humorous take on the tech industry and corporate culture.
Yes, Dilbert has been adapted into other media, including an animated television series that aired from 1999 to 2000, a video game, and several books. Dilbert merchandise is also widely available, including office supplies, clothing, and coffee mugs.
The theme of Dilbert is office culture and the absurdities of corporate life. It satirizes the bureaucracy, mismanagement, and politics of the workplace, while also poking fun at the quirks and idiosyncrasies of office workers.
Dilbert has had a significant impact on popular culture and has become a touchstone for office workers around the world. The comic strip has been translated into dozens of languages and published in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide. Dilbert has also inspired a number of spin-off products and has become a cultural icon for anyone who has ever worked in an office environment.