Anderson Cooper of CNN titles his recent post "RNC chair candidate sends out controversial Obama song."
Why is is controversial to make fun of a liberal black columnist calling Obama "The Magic Negro?" It absolutely begs to be made fun of.
It all started when Time's columnist David Ehrenstein wrote a piece titled "Obama the 'Magic Negro" back in March of '07. (You will notice that Anderson doesn't bother to link that column, which would have taken all of 10 seconds to find, to make it clear where the song came from). Paul Shanklin (known of his parody songs) then recorded a parody song as satire directed at the Times that played on Rush Limbaugh's show.
To this day there are still leftwing bloggers who use that as example of Rush being a racist, thinking that Rush himself made up or approved of a song calling Obama "the magic negro" himself. Apparently never listening to the song which mentions the LA Times in the chorus several times.
I would think that the column itself would be what is controversial, not the song making fun of it.
But, that's liberals for ya.
The LA Times column reads in part:
The Magic Negro is a figure of postmodern folk culture, coined by snarky 20th century sociologists, to explain a cultural figure who emerged in the wake of Brown vs. Board of Education. "He has no past, he simply appears one day to help the white protagonist," reads the description on Wikipedia.
He's there to assuage white "guilt" (i.e., the minimal discomfort they feel) over the role of slavery and racial segregation in American history, while replacing stereotypes of a dangerous, highly sexualized black man with a benign figure for whom interracial sexual congress holds no interest.
Ehrenstein ends with this:
Like a comic-book superhero, Obama is there to help, out of the sheer goodness of a heart we need not know or understand. For as with all Magic Negroes, the less real he seems, the more desirable he becomes. If he were real, white America couldn't project all its fantasies of curative black benevolence on him.
So, basically saying that Obama is non threatening, unlike most black men, without a past to be afraid of, he appears to help the white man say to himself that he can live with a black such as this.
Now that isn't controversial enough for Anderson to even link or mention that a liberal black wrote it, but the RNC chair sending out the song as the funny parody it is, is controversial.
Right.
—Kathleen McKinley is a blogger whose posts appear at Rightwing Sparkle.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Obama is hiding in Hawaii.
December 26, 2008 - 19:20 ET by superconEmanuel is MIA.
No one knows where the bailout money is going.
Let's drum up some racism because everybody knows that evil hate filled Republicans always sell.
Slow news day.
Why?
December 26, 2008 - 19:30 ET by BarkerWhy does Anderson Cooper hate black people?
WHY?!
→ I'll tell ya, Barker
December 27, 2008 - 10:42 ET by Cool ArrowI think Anderson Cooper hates black people because Prop 8 was so soundly embraced by African Americans.
I'm just sayin.
The left are never
December 26, 2008 - 19:41 ET by bigtimerThe left are never satisfied, they have to keep pounding away with their agenda...the Fairness Doctrine/Rush and others, division of the races purposely, on and on it goes....they are never satisfied, they have to keep up the hate, Divide and Conquer.
Anderson is nothing but a leftist political whore, just another pawn in the game 24/7 for the leftist agenda.
More to come, much more on down the road, this is just recycled old news...the left have no intentions for one second when reporting this all, who started this all and wrote what where for the Rush/Shanklin parody to come from in the first place...we must keep up the bull, it's our job, it's what we do.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Whoa....easy big fella.
December 26, 2008 - 19:55 ET by superconDon't let the hate infect you.
That's what they want.
LOL...Whoa there yourself
December 26, 2008 - 20:06 ET by bigtimerLOL...Whoa there yourself sc....
Where did you get the idea there is any hate in me regarding any of this?
I find this all irritatingly amusing, this issue with Shanklin/Rush is really past old news...and I love to hear the parody Barack the Magic Negro every single time they play it...
It is tiring the msm trying their best to still spin this out of control, without telling the true facts of where this all comes from to begin with....purposely.
Like I said agenda.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Sorry....
December 26, 2008 - 20:18 ET by superconYou seemed a little angry is all.
My mistake.
"I find this all irritatingly amusing, this issue with Shanklin/Rush is
really past old news...and I love to hear the parody Barack the Magic
Negro every single time they play it...
"
I like it too because it is so disrespectful of the Messiahed one and Sharpton.It drives lefties wild.
sc... Only thing I am the
December 26, 2008 - 20:36 ET by bigtimersc...
Only thing I am the least bit angry about is the same old BS with the msm using the same old BS regarding this issue to once again stir up the same old Divide and Conquer BS...while once again OMITTING the true facts of where this all came from to start with.
Btw...just what exactly do you mean by saying this..."I like it too because it is so disrespectful of the Messiahed one and Sharpton."
Are you just joshing here?
I see you've been here for over 2 years, I just don't know you, that is why I am asking.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
No offense.
December 26, 2008 - 22:07 ET by superconSincerely.
Hey sc....same here....and
December 26, 2008 - 22:32 ET by bigtimerHey sc....same here....and none taken.
I was just curious what you meant exactly by that line, I didn't quite know which way to take that or how you meant it....know what I mean?
Hey it's been a long rough day for me and a few more to come, so if I seem to be short or disagreeing to just disagree, I apologize.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
The song is funny.
December 26, 2008 - 22:48 ET by superconI like it because lefties always play up racism and it's hilarious when their own words can be thrown back in their face.
It put's them in the position of saying "you racist...how dare you repeat my own words..."
It was almost as good as when Jesse Jackson said he wanted to cut off Obama's nutz on camera.It's so sweet because we all know what would happen if someone else said it but because it came from Jackson we all get to witness the hypocrisy of convenient outrage.
David Ehrenstein was very prescient when he wrote his article
December 26, 2008 - 20:13 ET by OxyConThat is the role that Obama played, the role of the "Magic Negro".
Obama had script writers like Jon Favreau write his many screenplays, which he then read from the teleprompter like some Disney animatronic gasbag.
Then David Axlefraud directed the whole charade and used various locations and historic articles as props the way all good directors and set designers do.
Then the American populace at large, behaving like the ADD aflicted morons many of them are (along with alot of help along the way from the Obamedia hacks at ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, MessNBC, CNN Washington Post and NYT), behaved like they were participating in a season long episode of "American Idol", rather than a Presidential election, while choosing the fabled, mythical, Obama.
*btw, I thought felons were prohibited from seeking the Presidency, so why is it that Obama, who bragged about comitting the felony of cocaine possesion, is allowed to be President?
"*btw, I thought felons
December 26, 2008 - 23:16 ET by ckc1227"*btw, I thought felons were prohibited from seeking the Presidency, so
why is it that Obama, who bragged about comitting the felony of cocaine
possesion, is allowed to be President?"
Shhhh...cocaine use is only an issue if a lib feels like Bush just had to have used cocaine sometime in his life, whether he has or not. That Obama has admitted using cocaine is just not a big deal.
Lets hope he hasn't climbed off the white horse the same way he has stopped smoking cigarettes.
"Libs never let you down. You don't have to talk to one very long before the stupid comes out."
"The Magic Negro"
December 26, 2008 - 20:45 ET by JerIf the intent is to lay this matter at the feet of Anderson Cooper, it should also be fair to note the following:
a. In Cooper's short, four-paragraph blog note, two of the paragraphs were devoted to Mr. Saltsman defending his actions in sending out the CD containing the parody and explaining his intent and motives for doing so;
b. True, Cooper does not link the LA Times article, but he does make it clear the Times piece was the original source and even provided a brief synopsis of the central thesis of the article, and
c. Finally, Cooper makes no editorial comment about the parody or the CD other than a brief reference to the subject-matter.
So, if this is a rekindling of a controversial issue, one should consider the recent actions of Saltsman, the RNC chairmanship candidate, and not just the reporting of same by The Hill and Anderson Cooper.
Jer
I wouldn't say "clear"
December 26, 2008 - 22:23 ET by Kathleen McKinleyAnderson devotes one sentence to the column : "Its title was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column about Obama’s appeal to those who feel guilty about the nation’s history of mistreatment of African-Americans." Never mentioning that it was a black liberal that wrote the piece, which explains much of the parody. For all the reader knows, it is a fellow "racist Republican" Like "Limbaugh." Which is just what they want you to think.
He also says of the song, "It's title is drawn from......" No. The entire song is drawn from the ridiculous column. It's one thing to make up a song based on the title of an article and quite another to make a parody based upon the entire article.
If one isn't aware of the article and it's contents and one doesn't listen to the song, just sees the title, then it does look racist in nature, doesn't it? It does look bad for the chairman of the RNC to send it out, doesn't it?
It's all about things NOT being clear sweetie.
It's all about things NOT
December 26, 2008 - 22:50 ET by JerIt's all about things NOT being clear sweetie.
Well, doll face, calling me "sweetie" does take the edge off my inclination to argue the point.
I do believe Cooper's blog item is essentially fact-based and straightforward. Ehrenstein is indeed black, but do you know for a fact he is liberal, or are you simply making that assumption? To the best of my knowledge, he is primarily an entertainment reporter--not a political columnist. He may indeed be a raving leftist. I'm simply not aware of his ideological leaning.
Finally, I have never considered Limbaugh's treatment of the issue to be racially motivated in any manner. I did question whether his flogging the story was in good taste.
Jer
Jer...sweetie...to the best
December 26, 2008 - 23:05 ET by bigtimerJer...sweetie...to the best of my knowledge as a phrase you seem to like to use...she got you good!
Kathleen made my night!
Just couldn't help myself...this was as Noel says...delicious to watch.
Carry on Jer...if you dare...which you will...which will become more amusement.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Really, sweetie...I mean, bt?
December 26, 2008 - 23:27 ET by JerReally, sweetie...I mean, bt? I don't remember ever calling Warner "sweetie".
Jer
Now Jer...that was a very
December 26, 2008 - 23:34 ET by bigtimerNow Jer...that was a very poor response.
Matters not, I'm still smiling with Kathleen's response to you and how you handled it....heheheehahahahhabwahahahahaaahahaha...still laughing Jer...hey Jer, you are the best!
She got ya' good!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt...
December 26, 2008 - 23:51 ET by JerNow Jer...that was a very poor response.
It might have been better if I had read your post more closely. I thought you were saying or implying that "sweetie" was a term I liked to use often.
Sorry for anything I've ever said which may have seemed over-friendly, patronizing, or inappropriate in any manner.
Jer
LOL Jer.... ...I thought
December 26, 2008 - 23:56 ET by bigtimerLOL Jer....
...I thought you were saying...
There you go...thinking again. ;-)
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt,Jer expects us to
December 27, 2008 - 13:47 ET by Chris Normanbt,
Jer expects us to give the media, including Cooper, who's liberal bias has been documented here over and over and over again, the benefit of some kind of "doubt' he stretches and contorts to raise. Why does he think his alternate more-generous judgement of words and details will somehow negate the avalanche of documentation that has gone on here? The bottom line is: there is no doubt left for which to give any benefit...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
WRONG...'Camel Breath'
December 27, 2008 - 17:14 ET by JerHmm...mizflame [convincingly] informs us that Ehrenstein is indeed a liberal; GN informs us that Anderson Cooper is not necessarily the author of the blog entry in question; fine, but now Chris "Carnak" Norman informs us what I expect from everyone else at NewsBusters.
[note to self: do not turn over remnants of depleted stock portfolio to Chris Norman]
Accepting arguendo that Cooper is an 'every fiber of his body' liberal [although it has been reported that he is a registered Republican], don't you think it fair and reasonable that words be construed and statements judged objectively, and, unless ambiguous, only in the context in which they are spoken and written. Do you believe Brit Hume was capable of straight reporting? I do. Do you believe the late Tony Snow was capable of conducting unbiased interviews on Fox News Sunday? I do. So what does the alleged "avalanche of documentation" about Cooper--who may not have even been the author--have to do with the plain meaning of the words in the article?
Jer
Flail away, Jer. Your
December 27, 2008 - 19:06 ET by Chris NormanFlail away, Jer. Your efforts and tactics, while totally ineffectual, are kind of amusing in their hopelessness.
If you don't "expect" us to accept your interpretation of the words and events instead of the poster's, then why do you bother to come up with these implausible alternate interpretations? It really doesn't take a "Carnac" to see that - unless that's your idea of a withering insult.
By the way, why do you put your name at the end of your comments? The reader can plainly see your name at the top. Is it a sort of "signature" at the end of your proclamation - like "this message was approved by..."?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Flail away, Jer. Your
December 27, 2008 - 19:07 ET by JerFlail away, Jer. Your efforts, while ineffectual, are somewhat amusing.
Glad I can bring a little joy to your life, Chris. And like Rush says, "hey, it's just entertainment."
By the way, why do you put your name at the end of your comments? The reader can plainly see your name at the top. Is it a sort of "signature" at the end of your proclamation - like "this message was approved by..."?
Mostly, force of habit. My very first comments here [which were my first at any website] were an exchange with Noel who ended all of his posts with his initials, so I did something similar to that. Why don't you ask him his reason for doing so? Plus, I think it provides a helpful "break" in the event of a postscript, tagline, etc. If it bothers you, I'm afraid you'll just have to live with it.
Out of curiosity--and I certainly have no problem with it--why do you use your full name [first and last, anyway] as your screen name? It appears that very few do so.
Jer
Jer
December 27, 2008 - 19:17 ET by Noel SheppardJer,
Good evening. Actually, as you've probably seen, the vast majority of my comments here are written as if letters to the recipient. I despise the abysmal writing, lack of capitalization, poor punctuation, and just plain really atrocious style that's become acceptable at message boards.
If you want someone to take what you're writing seriously, do so in some form that at least loosely resembles English. Heck, I even proofread my comments before AND AFTER I post them. As I imagine you do the same, they should just call us old-fashioned. :-)
ns
Hello, Noel... Heck, I
December 27, 2008 - 19:38 ET by JerHello, Noel...
Heck, I even proofread my comments before AND AFTER I post them.
Me too, Noel. In my case, I think it is, at least in part, a product of proofreading copy for my dad's newspaper many years ago. But, I am practically mortified when I notice I have posted something with a glaring grammatical or spelling error.
Jer
→ Jer
December 27, 2008 - 18:25 ET by Cool ArrowDepleted means empty.
Thus, we all possess the remnants of these depleted stock portfolios.
BTW, there isn't much left in the Vanderbilt portfolio, but I imagine Anderson got at least something.
CA,Can you figure out
December 27, 2008 - 18:49 ET by Chris NormanCA,
Can you figure out what the heck "Jer" meant about not turning over the "remnants" of a "depleted stock portfolio" over to me - and just why in the hell I would want them? I think Jer is getting a little out there today...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
If you're confused, why
December 27, 2008 - 19:14 ET by JerIf you're confused, why don't you ask me, Chris?
Jer
"...but I imagine Anderson
December 27, 2008 - 18:59 ET by Chris Norman"...there isn't much left in the Vanderbilt portfolio, but I imagine Anderson got at least something."
CA,
Really good sartorial taste and an ability to decorate?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Cool...Depleted means empty.
December 27, 2008 - 19:26 ET by JerDepleted means empty.
Are you suggesting I should have said "considerably depleted", or "rapidly depleting", instead of simply "depleted"? Maybe so.
BTW, there isn't much left in the Vanderbilt portfolio...
Uh-oh...I guess my school will be hitting me up for more money.
Jer
→ Jer
December 27, 2008 - 19:34 ET by Cool ArrowAlthough built by the Vanderbilt family, Anderson Cooper does not own the school just because his family name is on it.
Cool...
December 27, 2008 - 19:50 ET by JerSince I know you couldn't possibly believe I am under the impression Anderson Cooper owns Vanderbilt University, what exactly is your point?
Jer
→ Sorry Jer
December 27, 2008 - 19:55 ET by Cool ArrowI guess my school will be hitting me up for more money.
I guess I just took you at your word, being as you're so precise in your communications. (as noted earlier)
Gotcha ;-)
Okay, Cool... You "got
December 27, 2008 - 20:20 ET by JerOkay, Cool...
You "got me" [extracting arrow from torso]. But, for the record, I was referring to attempts [which occasionally fail] at grammatical precision. I'm sure the meaning of my posts is not always clear. :-)
Jer
→ Relax Jer
December 27, 2008 - 20:27 ET by Cool ArrowI'll admit I really had to reach to feign a misunderstanding of your post.
You just looked like you could use some comic relief.
Jer... What a lame
December 27, 2008 - 19:07 ET by Clear thinkerJer...
What a lame argument. John McCain is a registered Republican and he's a liberal!
Al Gore Wants You & Your Money!
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
To the best of my
December 27, 2008 - 05:25 ET by Dan The Man 2To the best of my knowledge, he is primarily an entertainment reporter--not a political columnist
That statement is a bit strange when you consider Oberman who pretends to be a reporter also. So dont rely onthe fact some yoyo is primarily something or another. It defeats your arguments.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
I agree; that's never a
December 27, 2008 - 10:15 ET by motherbeltI agree; that's never a valid argument.
Too many liberals take their pot-shots and say "just kidding!"
Jon Stewart is famous for using the excuse "It's a fake news show!!"
And Olbermann, who is unintentionally a comic entertainer, claims that what he does "is really journalism."
Finally, a Jackasss Award to all the politicians who go on shows like Stewart, and Letterman, and continue to blur the line!
The pop-idolization of politics continues apace. So much that now the WaPo is talking about Obama's "chiseled pectorals."
Not just liberals, motherbelt...
December 27, 2008 - 17:30 ET by JerToo many liberals take their pot-shots and say "just kidding!"
And, likewise, a favorite fallback tactic of Limbaugh [along with "hey, it's entertainment"] and O'Reilly.
Jer
I've never heard Rush
December 27, 2008 - 18:56 ET by Chris NormanI've never heard Rush Limbugh use that tactic - except in the cases when the media was trying to do what Cooper was trying to do - take what was an obvious joke to everyone, strip away the humor and satire, and report it as if it were straight news to make an issue of it. I do recognize here one of your favorite tactics: to try to dismiss a liberal sin by blithely proclaming that "conservatives all do it too" - with absolutely no reference.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Then you haven't listened
December 27, 2008 - 20:06 ET by JerThen you haven't listened to Limbaugh very much, or perhaps not closely enough.
And here's another favorite tactic of mine: pointing out absurd comments--like the one you just posted.
Jer
The answer
December 27, 2008 - 10:19 ET by mizflame98Ehrenstein is indeed black, but do you know for a fact he is liberal, or are you simply making that assumption?
Well, his blog gives a real insight into his political leanings as well as his bio. BTW, he also advocated shooting Justice Scalia because he didn't like the decision of the DC gun ban case. Yeah, he smacks of liberal.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
Thanks, mizflame...Ehrenstein
December 27, 2008 - 16:14 ET by JerThanks, mizflame...
Ehrenstein smacks of more than mere "liberal"--radical leftist provocateur comes to mind. So does "total friggin' moron". Whatever working relationship he has with the LA Times should be severed by his employer immediately.
Jer
LOL-Good thing he didn't call it Obama, the Chocolate Messiah
December 26, 2008 - 21:25 ET by R D HelmAnderson Cooper is the textbook definition of self-loathing, guilt-ridden, lilly-white liberal.
I could probably take him to some night spots around the south side of Atlanta I have been known to frequent that would cause him to soil himself should I venture off to retrieve a beer and leave him by himself.
LOL-I have often done that with lilly-white, holier than-thou lib relatives and friends when they come to visit, particularly from up north. Its always fun to see their reaction. :-)
So, basically saying that Obama is non threatening, unlike most black men, without a past to be afraid of...
And that is just it. Obama is spending God only knows how much money to keep his past hidden from view.
You have to wonder why.
-Dave
That's how Socialists
December 26, 2008 - 21:42 ET by SpaceManSpiffThat's how Socialists control people, with FEAR. They'll preach that Republicans rule with FEAR, but it's they, themselves that use it as their primary tool of control.
Ecomony = FEAR
Depression = FEAR
Economic Inequality = FEAR
Racism = FEAR
War = FEAR
Poor Education = FEAR
Forclosure = FEAR
Climate Change = FEAR
When people (voters and constituants) are preoccupied with FEAR, they jump at whatever solution is presented, completely missing real problems and actual solutions.
Spiff, what happend to the six-string?
December 26, 2008 - 23:51 ET by R D HelmLOL-Did you give it up? Smash it into toothpicks?
What?
-Dave
I think it's pretty safe to
December 26, 2008 - 23:08 ET by ConservativeRexI think it's pretty safe to assume that if ol' Anderson Cooper had this on his show, it was only seen by a handful of people.
Statiscally speaking. The Amen corner, as it were.
I say it's about time Conservatives came up with some satire of their own. Keep it up.
In Texas, we call folks complaining about this parody Spots.
Cooper didn't write that post
December 27, 2008 - 06:05 ET by GNKathleen McKinley should have examined the blog a bit more before she published this. The 360 blog has a lot of contributors. When Anderson blogs they include his name in the title of the post and he signs it. This post was just written by someone on the CNN or 360 staff, maybe an intern since the correspondents and producers identify themselves in their posts. Whoever is stuck working in the office over Christmas, I suppose.
David Ehrenstein is black. Asking why it is acceptable for him to say some racial remarks in a article that can become offensive when a white man uses them as a basis for a mocking song about a black man is like asking why it's acceptable for blacks to use the N word but not for whites to use it.
Regardless, something becomes "controversial" simply by causing controversy. The original column was noticed (and it was actually referred to on 360 once or twice in analysis sessions) and some people didn't seem entirely thrilled by it, but it didn't actually stir up controversy thus it is not and was not controversial. If the song is stirring controversy, it is by definition controversial. In the determination of whether something qualifies as controversial it doesn't matter if the thing is actually offensive, since the concepts and questions are separate. For instance, if a group of whites put on a black minstrel show it's an offensive act, but if nobody who would be offended finds out it happened or for some reason no complaints are raised then the show isn't controversial despite being offensive.
Maybe GN should have examined his reply
December 27, 2008 - 09:58 ET by Kathleen McKinleyI realize that the 360 blog has many contributors. If you look at the other posts they are signed by those contributors (look directly under the titles and there is the name of the contributor). This post is not signed by anyone, therefore I am pretty sure that it is Anderson Cooper himself who wrote it. You may assume that an intern wrote it, but you have no way of knowing that. Even an intern would have put his name on it. Sorry. I can't see Anderson letting people think he wrote something that he didn't. Nice try though.
I realize you made that
December 27, 2008 - 14:57 ET by GNI realize you made that assumption, but it is not true. As I just explained whenever Cooper writes a post (which is infrequent, he's not a great fan of blogging and really only does it when he has some exceptional experience he wants to talk about or thing to promote) he signs it and the title indicates it is his. To someone examining the blog it is clear which posts Anderson, the producers, executive producers, and the correspondents write because they have a handy list of contributers over to the right of the screen which provides you with all of the posts they have written. Most people would not assume he's working away all day researching and writing tiny news updates like the one in question for a blog, especially not when he's away on Christmas vacation, so I would say he's not encouraging people to think he wrote something he didn't anymore than Jon Klein is encouraging you to believe he wrote the unattributed material on the CNN website. Certainly if you look at the comments on the post you see that people do not believe it is Cooper posting because they address him by name in their comments when they are talking to him, which they are not doing on this one or any items like it.
As someone who has had internships, I have to say it is common for material publicly published on a company or department's website that was researched and written by interns to not bear a name. Conversely, when people with stature in the company/department contribute a message to the public it is signed. The interns come and go, there are lots of them, they're usually just providing facts instead of opinion and commentary, their names have no authority or recognition factor, and including their names could be an irrelevant distraction to readers.
If you are still doubtful about the issue you could try contacting 360 and inquiring whether Cooper himself writes unsigned blog items.
is like asking why it's
December 27, 2008 - 10:21 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsis like asking why it's acceptable for blacks to use the N word but not for whites to use it.
Praytell, why is it acceptable? If you listen to the radio and hear a voice, the race of which is unknown, can that voice utter the 'N' word? Why or why not? A word is a word, if unacceptable for one, should it not be unacceptable for all? Why can the racist, vile and offensive words 'honkey', 'cracker', and 'whitey' be used to degrade and demean whites? Why does American society allow racial hatred of whites as a public policy and a source of 'black pride'? Have fun answering.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
It is just a matter of
December 27, 2008 - 15:25 ET by GNIt is just a matter of social mores. If you are part of a group then the group knows you are talking about yourself too when you talk about them, you understand their experience and problems, and you are trusted to be joking or criticizing with affection, awareness and goodwill rather than contempt or hate. Unless you are well known to belong to the group or it is plain somehow, it's considered smart to mention membership (you hear that all the time "I'm Scottish/Irish/Catholic/etc so I can say that"). It's not just with black people, it goes for jewish people, gay people, Italians, eastern europeans, the disabled, etc, etc.
Blacks are a historically oppressed minority, so it is more socially acceptable for them to make critical comments or jokes about the majority group that has historically oppressed them than vice versa. Words like honky and cracker are not considered as verboten as the N word (while they are still not being considered part of polite conversation) because they are linked with disgruntled miserable slaves and disenfranchised blacks with no vote who were barred from many things unlike the N word which is linked with masters whipping, raping, selling, etc slaves and trying to keep blacks down even after they achieved freedom. In this same vein, people are more comfortable hearing jewish people criticize or joke a bit roughly about gentiles and women criticize or joke a bit roughly about men.
No, No Satire
December 27, 2008 - 11:28 ET by rammingspeedRepublicans are not supposed to exist, much less use satire.
Trent Lott/Strom Thurmond Redux
December 27, 2008 - 13:36 ET by Chris NormanBy obfuscating the source, leaving out details, and generally sort of warping the whole circumstances, Cooper has attempted to pull a tried and true media stunt - to strip away the "joke", leaving what's left to look literally racist - shades of Trent Lott's comments regarding Strom Thurmond.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Making excuses and trying to twist it into something that's ok
December 27, 2008 - 22:40 ET by JudiWatching...which is what I see a lot of here. The bottom line is, this Saltsman incident blatantly exposes the basic racism of the GOP Good Ol' Boys. No amount of excuse-making or personal twisting of the facts will change this. The conservative party has a long-standing reputation for racism, which has no place in 21st century America, where whites will soon become a minority.
And the reality is, the damage to the GOP is staggering. I have read reactions all over the internet, all condemning. The only positive or forgiving reactions are from ultra-conservative Republicans, such as on this site, who have a long history of twisting the truth to fit their distorted perceptions.
I'm sorry, but Mr. Saltsman has underlined and headlined the deep- rooted racism of the Republican party for all America to see. No amount of backpeddling will fix it. Done deal.
Wow Judi
December 27, 2008 - 22:44 ET by choselife3xDoes it hurt to be that full of it?
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
RNC Chairman: media stuntman?
December 27, 2008 - 22:54 ET by JerThe racism charge is unfair and untrue, but you may want to contact the leader of your party and advise him that he is also "full of it".
Jer
The leader of my party?
December 27, 2008 - 23:05 ET by choselife3xSorry. Registered Independent. Repubs are virtually indistinguishable from Dems now. Embarrassing. They need to regrow a pair.
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
Okay, you're off the
December 27, 2008 - 23:10 ET by JerOkay, you're off the hook.
Jer
how noble of ya
December 27, 2008 - 23:17 ET by botghow noble of ya Jer
----- Radical Liberal
Just for that, botg
December 27, 2008 - 23:40 ET by JerJust for that, botg, I'm specifically leaving you on the hook to twist slowly in the wind. ;-)
Jer
Now, excuse me, but I have work to do. So many hooks...too little nobility.
oh noes
December 27, 2008 - 23:45 ET by botgoh noes
----- Radical Liberal
Throw water on him
December 27, 2008 - 23:51 ET by choselife3x"I'll get you my pretty!" shrieked Jer.
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
Careful, chose... Are you
December 28, 2008 - 00:03 ET by JerCareful, chose...
Are you mocking me? I still have a nice shiny hook left, sized perfectly for a 5'11" former rock-climbing, cake-baking superwoman.
Jer
You guys are so much fun
December 28, 2008 - 00:08 ET by choselife3xSee you your hook and raise you a Glock. :)
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
yup just a hoot-n-anny
December 28, 2008 - 00:14 ET by botgyup just a hoot-n-anny around here
----- Radical Liberal
If you really want a laugh
December 28, 2008 - 00:20 ET by choselife3xGo look at the picture of PEBO dumping Nana on the rocks. It's a scream.
Night all!
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
nite Cl3x
December 28, 2008 - 00:22 ET by botgsaw it.
----- Radical Liberal
shot himself with a rope
December 28, 2008 - 09:19 ET by choselife3xYou got me on a roll now.
Talk about (shooting) yourself in the foot, I can just see Jer dangling helplessly upside down with a noose around his ankle, flapping his arms and squawking "I was just looking at it and it went off by itself!"
Wow, I'm going to go to sleep now....if I can.
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
and don't worry CL3X
December 28, 2008 - 00:18 ET by botggive jer enuf rope and he'll shoot himself.
----- Radical Liberal
Shoot himself with rope?!
December 28, 2008 - 00:23 ET by choselife3xShoot himself with rope?! Yeah, sounds like something a liberal would manage to do! ROFL!!!!!!
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
Jer
December 27, 2008 - 23:18 ET by choselife3xPhew *wiping brow* Thanks pal, had me worried there......;)
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
Sorry honey.
December 27, 2008 - 22:46 ET by BlondeYou lose.
Your liberal talking points have been seen here a thousand times...you must come up with something MUCH better.
Later.
→ Judi Judi Judi
December 27, 2008 - 22:52 ET by Cool ArrowYour maternalistic, condescension of African Americans warms the cockles of my heart.
Not really. I'm just surprised so many still fall for it.
CA
December 27, 2008 - 22:57 ET by BlondeDoes that mean I can't call BHO "Buckwheat"?
→ OTAY
December 27, 2008 - 23:03 ET by Cool ArrowOur archives find reference to a Buckwheat Stephenson, white, singer/songwriter.
Yes, "Buckwheat" carries no particular racial significance.
Search the archives further, CA
December 27, 2008 - 23:06 ET by Blonde"You lose, Buckwheat".
Funny story....true, too!
(Mine).
Judi... You stated some
December 28, 2008 - 00:29 ET by Clear thinkerJudi... You stated some bald faced lies and you know it.You owe everyone here at NB an apology.
There may be a few racist Republicans out there, but I have never met a racist Conservative and Conservatives is what you will mostly find here at NB. Conservatives as a whole believe to their core that a man should always be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Same as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.!
Al Gore Wants You & Your Money!
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
JudiTroll,
December 29, 2008 - 18:54 ET by R D HelmFirst of all, judging from your shallow post, it is obvious that you could not correctly define the term "racist" with a dictionary, verbal instructions, five hints and a ten minute head start.
Making fun of a person of another race is NOT racism. Neither is disagreeing with a person of another race.
I have read reactions all over the internet, all condemning.
I'm sure, as the only websites you probably frequent are DK, DU and MoveOn.org.
Here's a website you really need to spend some time in, if you are truly interested in finding out who the REAL racists are in this country.
Something tells me you are are more than a little familiar with them.
-Dave
I wonder how Bobby the Magic
December 29, 2008 - 14:48 ET by goldbarI wonder how Bobby the Magic Punjab feels about this?
→ Goldbar
December 29, 2008 - 18:58 ET by Cool ArrowHaving achieved his governorship with little fanfare regarding his ethnicity, I imagine Gov. Jindal doesn't worry a whole lot about racists like you.
Goldbat - we're just not as
December 29, 2008 - 19:09 ET by cocodrieGoldbat - we're just not as racist as you are - obviously.