Cartoonist Ramsey to speak April 7

April 3, 2011

By STEVEN NALLEY
citybeat@bellsouth.net

Of all the cartoons Marshall Ramsey has drawn over the past decade, his favorites aren’t merely meant to get laughs.
He said his absolute favorite cartoon was a September 11 cartoon of an American bald eagle. Each feather of the eagle is an individual human face, symbolizing solidarity among Americans of different ethnicities, creeds and origins in the wake of tragedy.
“The Katrina cartoons also mean a lot to me,” Ramsey said. “My favorite cartoons are always the ones that move people, the ones that they choose to keep.”
Marshall Ramsey is scheduled to speak at the Mississippi Horse Park on Thursday, April 7. Beginning at 11:30 am, Ramsey will speak about ‘Mississippi Captured in Cartoons.’
Ramsey said he will display and tell the stories behind his favorite editorial cartoons from the past decade. He also said he would talk about why he loves Mississippi, and as such, he said he is looking forward to visiting Starkville.
“You can’t learn about Mississippi by sitting behind a desk,” Ramsey said. “I really look forward to my trip up 25, because I have so many friends in Starkville.”
With his extensive background as a cartoonist, writer, speaker, children’s book illustrator and cancer survivor, he is sure to inspire his audience with his imaginative and ingenious views on life and politics. Bricklee Miller, facility manager at the Mississippi Horse Park, said she and the rest of the staff look forward to hosting the event and hearing Ramsey speak.
“I enjoy Ramsey’s clever cartoons in the paper every morning,” Miller said. “I have heard him speak at a conference in the past, and I remember him being a gifted speaker that leaves you with an enthusiastic attitude.”
Ramsey’s cartoons have appeared in USA Today, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and 450 other newspapers. His work has also been seen on CNN and CSPAN. Ramsey currently resides in Jackson, Mississippi, is a part-time cartoonist for The Clarion-Ledger and is syndicated nationally by Creators Syndicate.
He also owns Tiny Wheels Media, a company that provides humorous and inspirational content. Ramsey was named a Pulitzer Finalist in 2002 and 2006.
This event is open to the general public for $20 per person and to GSDP members for $10 per person. Please RSVP to Tasha Hill at lhill@starkville.org or 662.323.3322 by no later than Tuesday, April 5.