I can’t say I am surprised that The New Yorker chose to depict Barack Obama as a flag-burning Muslim. Even if the editor David Remnick thinks its satire the message goes over folk’s head. I was watching a CNN report on the elections on Friday where a reporter went around to various cities to take the pulse of its citizens about the candidates. His last stop left Campbell Brown, the reporter and the audience stunned into silence. Here’s what happened: The reporter asked the older white woman why has a life-long Democrat she’s decided to vote for McCain. Her reply was “Because I think he’s a Muslim.” The jaw-dropping statement came from her male friend who said that he doesn’t think a black man could make change. That is, unless he has a cup in his hand.

This statement just goes to show how deep racism runs in this country (and I believe we are just touching the tip of the iceberg). But whether the staff of The New Yorker know it or not they’ve started a different kind of storm when it comes to Michelle Obama.

We already know that the presumptive nominee’s wife is disliked because she is a strong, smart, beautiful and opinionated sister. But when people of all backgrounds hear her speak, they actually like her. And there is no question as to her American roots. So now the type of American she is is suddenly at issue. By giving her an afro and an Ak-47 and dressing her in fatigues we’re suddenly reminded of Angela Davis and Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard). Yes, fist-waving, power to the people, Black Panthers who were on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. This may be just as frightening to the unenlightened then the possibility of Barack being a Muslim.

We were already tired of hearing Michelle being depicted as an angry black woman. This depiction takes that accusation to new heights, suggesting that she may be violent too. Now people will be even more afraid of her. This is simply ridiculous and insulting. But I fear this is just the beginning. We’ve got a little under four months to go in this Presidential campaign. The race deck is just being shuffled and we better get ready for how ugly America decides to play this hand.