The "Open Door" Policy in China c. 1934

This cartoon was drawn by David Low, but the date is unknown. Just look at these thick, black lines that define the contours. You can almost feel the urgency in the artist's hand. You know, when you have something important to say, you just have to get it down as quickly as possible? The artist is using caricature to tell a story of exploitation. This piece of paper is on fire, labelled "Foreign Influence." On the left, you see a bunch of guys rushing through a door marked 'exit,' and on the right, there is a line of Chinese people being held back. This is not an accident; this is strategy! Low's cartoon reminds me of other political cartoonists who have used art to critique power. It’s a conversation across time, about the dynamics of global politics. Hopefully, it is also a process of reckoning, too.