“Most frustrating are the misdeeds and failures of governments — our governments, our public servants — that infuriate us, the political outrages and scandals that make us want to shout, ‘They can’t do that!’ But there’s the non-rub, the real point, the place where I have it good. I have my own reserved soapbox. I get to say it in published cartoons. And for creative pleasure, the little black ink bottle contains everything from a picture of a pompous politico down the street to a drawing of planets swirling around in space. It’s the ideal occupation — always the same but always something new.” - Herbert J. Block [2] |
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“Block believed in and practiced the support of the public interest, and promoted social responsibility in drawing cartoons that skewered, exposed, and in some cases, savaged political corruption and over-the-top capitalistic greed.” |
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“Herblock believed in the greatness of America. His life and work was, in itself, an exercise in freedom of speech, freedom of the press and equality. Herblock used his talents to present important questions and challenges that words alone cannot: We must vote, meet our civic responsibilities, pay taxes and expect the best of our elected government officials to work on behalf of all the people. The clarity of his message and artistic style were perfectly fused, providing transparency, a humorous and telling look at our leaders, ourselves and the world.” |
“Over the past three centuries, editorial cartoonists have been the watchdogs of political change...Block united in a single mind irony, outrage and a mastery of symbolism. He knew that there are no more predictable constants in any society than hypocrisy, opportunism and exploitation, and he described the political cartoon as ‘essentially a means for . . . puncturing pomposity.’” - Emily Ruf, TMI Consulting [4]
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His responsibility was to speak for the common man and to them. Herblock bore this great task over the course of his career. While fighting for the common man and the preservation of American government, he impacted many around him.
Editorial cartoonists play a role in shaping public opinion. Herblock set the stage for editorial cartooning throughout his career. His ink bottle sparked change in the country. His efforts to improve the political process and preserve the responsibility of the government and the public they serve was Herblock’s greatest impact.
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"He just felt he had to be the conscience of the nation."
- Vice President of The Herb Block Foundation, Jean Rickard [5]
Cartoons and Images courtesy of The Herb Block Foundation