New NPR ombudsman Alicia Shepard took up a flurry of complaints when veteran news anchor Jean Cochran told listeners President Bush was traveling to Africa, the "dark continent." They insisted NPR was sounding racist:
"I thought that we had wrested that comment along with 'colored' and other euphemisms for Africans or Afro-Americans," wrote one listener, summing up how others felt. "Could you please report my comments to NPR management? I almost drove off the side of the road to start a protest!!!"
"This is simply an outdated reference as well as being outrageously offensive," wrote another listener, Karrye Y. Braxton.
The copy, which had been approved by an editor, was pulled and Cochran agreed to never use the expression again.
"I had no idea the term would be found offensive," said Cochran, who joined NPR in 1981. "I will concede antiquated but I was unaware it was 'racist and irredeemable,' as one person put it in an email. I was floored. Am I insensitive? I don't know how that could be since I didn't know there was anything to be sensitive about. I understood the term to refer to the African jungle. It's a canopy blocking out the light. A geographical term."
Official apologies soon followed:
Cochran issued an on-air and online apology four days later at exactly the same time her "dark continent" reference first appeared: "My deepest apologies for using such an antiquated and pejorative term."
Did NPR owe an apology?
After the apology ran, some listeners were infuriated, thinking it unnecessary, claiming that NPR had succumbed to political correctness.
Shepard brought out a passel of scolds to denounce NPR's insensitivity to unequal power relations:
"Even when not consciously selected, language that diminishes one group at the expense of others wields great power in naturalizing unequal power relations," Prof. Martin A. Berger, who specializes in gender and race at the University of California, Santa Cruz, told NPR. "It's less useful to talk about 'racist' people, than to see how racialized patterns of thought and speech are structured into our lives."
For her part, Shepard concluded that the apology was right, but it could have come with more context and discussion.
I would have been surprised to hear that term on NPR driving down the road, considering their progressive instincts, but it's not "drive off the side of the road" offensive. For that, let's recall some old examples from the 1990s from NPR commentators:
...NPR commentators like Bebe Moore-Campbell, who called the NRA "the Negro Removal Association," or Philip Martin, who proclaimed: "In the 1930s, Father Coughlin's anti-Semitism enjoyed enormous popularity because a vocal minority of people shared his views. The same is true today for devoted listeners of Rush Limbaugh and company."
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center



















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The protest of the
March 1, 2008 - 07:15 ET by danboThe protest of the sensetivity of the political correctness nazis couldn't be aimed at a more deserving group. (Maybe PBS) The people who gave them power.
This is rich. Stupid. But rich.
I'm going to take out my box of colored pencils and write myself a letter.
"There is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."
- Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor of Meteorology, MIT
You go, danbo!! You show
March 1, 2008 - 07:33 ET by motherbeltYou go, danbo!! You show them that, despite what they think, not all conservatives write with crayons (as opposed to Liberals who use fine-quill pens, says Mario Cuomo).
Another example of a liberal group being (to use my new favorite phrase) hoist on their own petard!
You gotta love it!
Calling Ray Nagin
March 2, 2008 - 01:00 ET by zeestephenHow about, "The Chocolate Continent?"
So, What Should We Call It?
March 2, 2008 - 01:09 ET by zeestephen"Ebola Acres" - "LolapaZULU" -
Help me out here, NBer's.
Warning - all replies MUST be acceptable to John McCain.
I always thought "The Dark
March 1, 2008 - 07:33 ET by Roger the ShrubberI always thought "The Dark Continent" referred to the maps that were drawn 200 years ago or so, when Africa was largely unexplored, and left blank, or "dark", on the maps. Silly me.
I have added this phrase to my list of "things that offend every teeny-tiny special interest group", right below "hangman", which we can never play again because, *shudder*, it involves a noose! And we all know nooses are the exclusive property of the black man...
Well I guess you won't have
March 1, 2008 - 07:45 ET by motherbeltWell I guess you won't have to worry about getting a black mark against you for doing it!
Roger the Metalhead :)
March 1, 2008 - 07:55 ET by ArmedDadAll those "explorers" that made the African maps were colonialist,imperialist,slave-owning racists,therefore "the Dark Continent" name must be racist in nature.
Very funny. Though you have
March 1, 2008 - 08:24 ET by Jack BauerVery funny. Though you have to be careful with satire as some people may have thought you were being serious.
Not me though, I got the gag.
Hatemongers!
March 1, 2008 - 10:55 ET by Roger the ShrubberHatemongers!
RtS, I'm now very offended by your remarks!
March 1, 2008 - 07:48 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltI'm not sure why, but there are enough references in there to take offense to, and when I pick one and figure it out, I'll let you know! How DARE you!?
<sarcasm off>
I am such a hatemonger!!!
March 1, 2008 - 08:07 ET by Roger the ShrubberI am such a hatemonger!!!
Well you have been taught by
March 1, 2008 - 08:20 ET by Jack BauerWell you have been taught by the best (reverse Noel).
We're talking about people
March 1, 2008 - 08:04 ET by danboWe're talking about people who demanded and got the head of someone for using the word niggardly in reference to a budget. Apparently others stupidity is more important than the correct word usage.
As Einstine said. There are two things limitless. The universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe.
"There is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."
- Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor of Meteorology, MIT
hey danbo -- you just beat
March 1, 2008 - 08:18 ET by Jack Bauerhey danbo -- you just beat me in posting the "niggardly" insanity.
Thank you Teachers Unions for helping produce a devolving population of machurianed thickos.
But dey v. gud @ txt msgs, dude.
What can I say. Great minds
March 1, 2008 - 08:59 ET by danboWhat can I say. Great minds think alike. LOL
"There is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."
- Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor of Meteorology, MIT
Roger
March 1, 2008 - 09:15 ET by ahusserI think the dark continent was referenced as you said. It was also mysterious, dark and unexplored. It reminds me of the the outcry over the use of the word "niggardly" which has absolutely nothing to do with race.
That's what I always
March 1, 2008 - 10:42 ET by balboaThat's what I always thought. Dark = mysterious.
Isn't that Busch Gardens' slogan, too?
Somebody get in touch with
March 1, 2008 - 10:54 ET by Roger the ShrubberSomebody get in touch with Busch Gardens' lawyers, stat!
Bal deserves a healthy piece of the action on the impending lawsuit....
Yeah, I can almost hear
March 1, 2008 - 11:08 ET by ahusserYeah, I can almost hear the drums beating. Just like in Jumanji.:)
ADD
March 1, 2008 - 10:49 ET by scamoramaAnd don't ever use the word "niggardly", either.
Damn Those Romanticists!
March 1, 2008 - 15:14 ET by CGattonlol...it was nothing more than a romantic name during a romantic period (nineteenth century) designating an unknown, underexplored land of mystery.
So now 'dark' is not acceptable. I guess there goes dark matter. I suppose black holes will be next - wait, I just know there is a great double entendre here somewhere...
V/R
Clyde
"...the aspirants to tyranny are either the...men of the state, who in democracies are demagogues,... or those who hold great offices, and have a long tenure.." - Aristotle, Politics, c350BC
Mea Culpa
March 1, 2008 - 07:54 ET by NoMoreClintonsNow put her in sensitivity training for the next six months and that will appease the howling leftist loonies.
P.S. Tim, great job on O'Reilly last night.
LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT!!
March 1, 2008 - 08:03 ET by gopsteveSNL didn't use a "dark" man and they are hounded by libs...NPR calls Africa the "dark" continent and they are hounded...
Danred if you do, darned if you don't
I get offended when people
March 1, 2008 - 08:08 ET by the strugglerI get offended when people call me white.I'm actually golden bronze.(with a pinkish hue)
Dear Mr. Struggler, As
March 1, 2008 - 08:15 ET by Roger the ShrubberDear Mr. Struggler,
As legal counsel to the Albino Defense Fund, I am writing my displeasure upon reading your viscious, anti-Albino slur used on the typically anti-hypopigmentation website, Newsbusters.
Sincerely,
Edgar Winter
You rock Edgar. Keep up the
March 1, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Jack BauerYou rock Edgar. Keep up the good work with your Average White Band.
Jean
March 1, 2008 - 08:08 ET by heldmyw...Shoulda just called the complainers a pack of 'niggling nincompoops'.
No joke......
March 1, 2008 - 08:38 ET by motherbelt"niggling" will probably be the next word to go....
motherbelt, the word "niggardly" caused a huge dust-up here.
March 1, 2008 - 16:15 ET by R D HelmSeveral years ago here in Atlanta, this word was mentioned in what I recall was a school lecture of some sort, and the parents of the students went nuts over it. All kinds of protests were launched, charges of racism, threats of lawsuits, the whole nine yards. It was truly ridiculous.
It is really sad what fifty years of government education have done to this country. We have essentially become a society of illiterates.
John McCain is a liberal. He said so himself.
Sure... let's allow
March 1, 2008 - 08:13 ET by Jack BauerSure... let's allow illiterates decide what we can and cannot say...
Clearly we need to be advised by the illeducated who think a word such as "niggardly" has a racial connotation. Remember that braindaed kerfuffle of a few years back?
So while we are at it, let's stop referring to Australia as a land "down under"..
Down under is obviously a slave/master reference with the Abo's being the race "under" the cruel white master.
Oh... anyone ever pick up that the word AFRICA is a white European name for the "dark continent"? Ooooooo... much change word now... invent something phony sound ethnic like Zimbabwe or Kwanza
Of course, rather than let a liberal tell you what to do, think and say, you could just say...
Jack
March 1, 2008 - 11:23 ET by RESTLESS 1I kinda thought that "down under" meant something else. ;>)
Just when we think that PC
March 1, 2008 - 08:40 ET by pocomocoJust when we think that PC had reached its ultimate absurdity, 'those who live to be offended’ vault it to new heights.
As for NPR, they made scientific history by caving faster than the speed of light.
What about us?
March 1, 2008 - 09:21 ET by Mica the MagnificentI am offended. I demand an apology. It is quite racist to think of all Africans as black. Do I call all Americans white?
-an Egyptian
On January 15, 1999, David
March 1, 2008 - 09:25 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggorOn January 15, 1999, David Howard, a white aide to Anthony A. Williams, the
black mayor of Washington, D.C., United States, used the word in reference to a
budget. This apparently upset one of his black colleagues (identified by Howard
as Marshall Brown), who incorrectly interpreted it as a racial slur and lodged
a complaint. As a result, on January 25 Howard tendered his resignation, and
Williams accepted it.
However, after pressure from the gay community (of which Howard was a
member) an internal review into the matter was brought about, and the mayor
offered Howard the chance to return to his position as Office of the Public
Advocate on February 4. Howard refused but accepted another position with the
mayor instead, insisting that he did not feel victimized by the incident. On
the contrary, Howard felt that he had learned from the situation. "I used
to think it would be great if we could all be colorblind. That's naive,
especially for a white person, because a white person can't afford to be
colorblind. They don't have to think about race every day. An African American
does."
It's idiotic public events like this that are destroying the very use of our English Language. Instead of firing the innocent perpetraitors of such "offenses", or sending them to sensitivity training.... maybe we should be setting up "desensitizing training centers" where we can instruct overly sensitive individuals on the nature of the English Language and its use. Other conceptual topics might include; "American Slavery, Old History..... Get the HELL over it", or..."If you don't like the word n*gger, don't use it".... or "So you've mastered the sixpack, now try cracking open a Dictionary"... and my favorite...."If you're not exactly sure what we're talking about, then sit down and shut the hell up!"
Life can be a real b*tch... so why vote for one?
The language police are at
March 1, 2008 - 09:41 ET by GregEThe language police are at it again. This speech policing just continues to expand.
White Christmas
March 1, 2008 - 10:20 ET by StayOnPointDoes this now mean I can't dream of a white Christmas?
"The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind." --Thomas Jefferson
No XMAS!
March 1, 2008 - 10:58 ET by CobraManDidn't you get the memo? "White Christmas" has been changed to "Multi-Ethnic Winter Holiday." After all, we don't want to be offensive.
Another leading
March 1, 2008 - 11:04 ET by NortoAnother leading "progressive" voice, Margaret Sanger comes to mind. At a minimum, she would have sent them all back to the dark cover of the continent.
The Dark Continent
March 1, 2008 - 11:05 ET by CobraManI bet that Africa seemed pretty dark to all the people who starved to death in places like Ethiopia, Darfur, Somlia, Ect.
Does this mean they'll have
March 1, 2008 - 11:26 ET by motherbeltDoes this mean they'll have to change all that dialogue in the "Star Wars" movies that refer to "the dark side" of the Force?
Yeah!!
March 1, 2008 - 11:32 ET by RESTLESS 1And what was up with making a Black man play Darth Vader. What were they trying to say there?
"Did NPR owe an apology?"
March 1, 2008 - 11:30 ET by RESTLESS 1Not for the "Dark Continent" reference, but they owe me at least an apology for wasting my tax money on this bullsh!t.
Per wiki.....
March 1, 2008 - 11:45 ET by hungarianfalconhttp://en.wikipedia....
douchebags...
HF
Well of course, everyone
March 1, 2008 - 11:49 ET by motherbeltWell of course, everyone KNOWS that's why Africa's been called the Dark Continent. I learned that in third grade, for crying out loud! (That was back when they used to actually teach geography!)
That's why this whole thing is just plain stupid; another faux outrage manufactured by the Ministers of Perpetual Grievance.
Our freedom of speech is
March 1, 2008 - 16:11 ET by bigtimerOur freedom of speech is about down the drain when an outfit like the leftist NPR are getting into hot water...
PCness is jut about to take us over the cliff here in this country...of course this all is being led by the likes of Obama and his supporters behind the scenes..if we do not fight back and let this continue I fear for this country all the more.
What's up doc?
March 1, 2008 - 17:56 ET by catnamedjakeSomebody remembers their Bugs Bunny cartoons! Isn't that cute. I thought it was called the "dark continent" because of the fact that the vegetation stopped the sun from reaching the ground. Call me silly.