Ken Saltzman's (he's running to be the RNC chairman) decision to send around a CD with a song called "Barack the Magic Negro" set to the music of Puff the magic dragon? That is a "joke" that is just not acceptable in this day and age.
Well, Mike Huckabee is one of the defenders:
Mike Huckabee defended Saltsman, his former campaign manager, on his blog.
"Chip should have been more careful in his selection of Christmas gifts, but no one who knows him would ever suggest that he in any way would purposely disparage other people," Huckabee wrote. "Chip knows how sensitive such issues are. It shouldn't be the main factor in the RNC race."
Okay, this is the epitomy of what is wrong with the Republican Party. They are so far out of touch with the American People, that they are possible going to make this Saltzman the head of the party because they want to rally behind him for releasing a CD that has an obviously racist song.
And, nobody can honestly say it's not racist. Using the term "Negro" is out of line. That is a derogatory word for an African American and everyone knows that. If the democratic party had done this, the Republican Party would be so up in arms. Oh, the hypocricy.
I could even maybe accept the excuse that one bad apple doesn't spoil the bunch (Lord knows we have Blagojevich)... but the Republican Party is actually defending this guy therefore saying it is acceptable.
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17 comments:
If this was done at a highschool, with other highschool children, police would have been involved for hate crimes.
Politicians? No big deal!!!
If you do not like the term "negro" have you contacted the UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND and told them the use of the word Negro is offensive and a slur to blacks?
And Jen not all blacks are African Americans.
If this took place at a high school, with regular kids..
people would be UP IN ARMS. the news would be covering it, people would be all over this. including police for hate crimes.
Patrick..
It is much different when the black community establishes a fund(Besides, it's been around for a long time) to better people than a national political party making fun of the president elect.
Well I have not heard the song so outside of the title what is offensive to you?
Cynthia, calling blacks negroes is not a "hate crime". Now if he was physically attacked because of his skin pigmentation that would be a hate crime.
It is much different when the black community establishes a fund(Besides, it's been around for a long time) to better people than a national political party making fun of the president elect.
First the UNCF has only been around for 60 odd years. UNCF funds/scholarships are open to all not just blacks so why not change the offensive name?
Q: Does UNCF only support African American education?
A:UNCF was founded to address inequities in the educational opportunities afforded to African Americans. UNCF believes in higher education opportunities for all Americans. UNCF-member schools do not discriminate and UNCF-administered scholarships are open to all.
and hey if you guys can make fun of the current president why not make fun of the incoming one? why is he exempt from ridicule?
Cynthia-
It is not a "hate crime" to call someone a "negro", yet. Now if he was physically attacked because of his skin pigmentation then that would be a hate crime.
Jen said...
Patrick..
It is much different when the black community establishes a fund(Besides, it's been around for a long time) to better people than a national political party making fun of the president elect.
Jen the UNCF has been around for 60 plus years...so what? Does that justify the use of a derogatory name/term (as per you)? Also since they give money to others not just blacks perhaps they should change their name and stop using the word negro.
Now since you and your group can make fun of the current President and call him names why can't people make fun of the incoming one? what makes him exempt from name calling or anything else that the current president has been subjected to?
Now I have not heard the song that you are all complaining about so outside of the songs title what is offensive about it?
First of all, there is a difference between making fun of some because of the incompetant things they've done vs. the color of their skin.
60 years was a long time ago, we've come a long way from when the term Negro was more acceptable. And don't you think that's very inclusive of them to allow anyone to compete for a scholarship?
To take basically a children's song and turn it into something that spews hate in unacceptable. I would feel that way about any parody song. I try not to listen to any of them, but this one is in my face lately, so I figured I would respond.
We're adults, we have serious issues going on in this country and the best that the RNC can do to spark some interest is to come out with a CD like this? That's really sad.
60 years was a long time ago, we've come a long way from when the term Negro was more acceptable. And don't you think that's very inclusive of them to allow anyone to compete for a scholarship?
well if we have come so far then they need to change their name and get rid of the offensive (as per you) term. And oh yeah very inclusive, wonder when that change came around?!
Once again Jen, I have not heard the song. I can only take your word that it is offensive and spews hate.
Now if barack did not want "race" to play a role then perhaps he should of not made it such a "big" thing in his campaign. He and his party played the race card to its fullest extent.
Now I totally agree with you regarding the serious issues this country is facing...God willing Barack is up to the task!
Let me first say, I haven't heard the song that's being referred to, and frankly, don't want to.
As for the rest of the comments printed today...
Jen -
I agree, it's atrocious that in 2008 anyone would think using these kind of 'terms' is funny or a joke. There's no joking about this kind of racism. Actions can speak louder than words, and I understand exactly what's being said here.
Patrick,
For someone who encouraged his son to compare Obama to a tv monkey, I hardly feel you're in a position to compare about what is racism and what isn't. I don't understand exactly the point you're trying to make here, since you're not black, I guess it really doesn't matter how you feel on the subject.
Cynthiaa,
I agree, if these kinds of 'jokes' were being played on kids in high school, not only would them be suspended, they would have possibly been expelled. Once again, the idiots who are running are country are teaching kids, 'do as I say, not as I do'.
Racism still exists today. And as my best friend has said many times, the scariest kind of racism is the kind people DON'T talk about. You always know where the outspoken bigots/racists stand, but it's the people who smile and offer you a glass of iced tea and keep their racism hidden...they are the ones to be scared of.
Any sentence that starts off, "I'm not racist, but..." are the ones that scare me.
Are you black Monkey? Jen is saying that word "negro" is offensive. I am pointing out that a black group uses the word very prominently in their name, so if Jen and others find the term negro offensive in the title of this song they should also find the term negro in this organizations name offensive. For some reason though they have no problem with blacks using the offensive term but have issues with others using it, why is that?
Calling a black person a "negro" is not grounds for suspension or expulsion in any public school in this country Monkey Girl. It is not a hate crime to call a black person a negro.
Now if the term is a racist one then blacks should not use it either, wouldnt you agree?
As a side note I did not suggest my son compare barrack to CG (monkey) he made the comparison himself as have thousands if not millions of other people :-) Now if you dont like him being compared to CG then perhaps he should visit his plastic surgeon and get his ears fixed :-)
First let me say...
Apples don't fall far from trees.
There, that said:
1.
Do you think I'm black, Patrick, what difference would it make?
2.
The word "negro" is offensive and yes, I've seen and heard kids be suspended for using what the public schools terms as, "hate language".
3.
You are in a very gray area, Patrick. Many blacks use that term as the word 'n.....'. However, and a BIG HOWEVER, blacks have tried to take back the 'term' to take away it's connotation and stigma. In ALL educated realms, it is not appropriate to use those terms if you are not of that racial category, i.e. it's different if you're black and use the word, if you're white it's plain racist.
That's just how the world is.
I didn't make it that way, but I wouldn't be using those 'words' in a room full of blacks, if I were you...unless you have no problem being labeled a racist.
4.
I stand corrected, yes, you're right, YOUR SON, made that incredibly astute comparison. Like I said, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And these 'millions' of people who've compared him in the same way....WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE? I've NEVER heard that comparison until I saw it in print under your name. Like I said before, it's inappropriate and racist.
Patrick, we all come from the same genes. I'm surprised in 2008 people can't look beyond color. How sad that the first black president is still being ridiculed for the color of his skin.
How very sad.
1.
Do you think I'm black, Patrick, what difference would it make
Nope. But then why did you say "I don't understand exactly the point you're trying to make here, since you're not black". since your not black either what point are you trying to make? I stated what my point was and it does not matter if I am black white purple etc.
2.
The word "negro" is offensive and yes, I've seen and heard kids be suspended for using what the public schools terms as, "hate language".
Once again, if it is offensive then the word should not be used by anyone, right?!
If a black kid used the word it is not hate language but if a white person uses it, it is? well that is just plain stupid. In regards to our/my local PS's the use of the word "negro" is not considered hate speech, thank goodness for the freedom of speech!
3.
You are in a very gray area, Patrick. Many blacks use that term as the word 'n.....'. However, and a BIG HOWEVER, blacks have tried to take back the 'term' to take away it's connotation and stigma. In ALL educated realms, it is not appropriate to use those terms if you are not of that racial category, i.e. it's different if you're black and use the word, if you're white it's plain racist.
No, no gray area Monkey. Either it is offensive as you and Jen claim or it is not. I could care less if blacks call each other "negroes" or worse and can get away with it because of their skin color. if they do not want others to use the term(s) to describe them then they should totally drop it from their ghetto vocab or is it ebonics?!
Oh geez he is 1/2 black Monkey. Lets not raise his status to something more than what it really is :-) And if you want people to look past color then stop mentioning it and making such a hoopla about it.
I've NEVER heard that comparison until I saw it in print under your name. Like I said before, it's inappropriate and racist.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=barack+obama+and+curious+george&spell=1
How nice it must be to not live in the real world.
If you feel so righteously correct that using the term 'negro' is well within your god-given right, then, please Patrick you go ahead and use it.
I'll choose to believe that there's no fucking way you'd be using that term or any other racist terminology other THAN IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN HOME and on websites where you aren't facing people face to face.
It's easy to spout off your hate anonymously online but a far different story when you're surrounded by normal people on the street....
It's been a long day and I'm tired.
I do use the term "negro", "colored" and "black". I do not use the term African American as many blacks are not from Africa!
Never had any problems using the terms I mentioned...still have all my own teeth, never been attacked over it or anything.
"Magic Negro":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Negro
the magical negro (sometimes called the mystical negro or magic negro) is a supporting, often mystical stock character in fiction who, by use of special insight or powers, helps the white protagonist get out of trouble. The word negro, now considered by many as archaic and offensive, is used intentionally to suggest that the archetype is a racist throwback, an update of the "Sambo" and "savage other" stereotypes.[1]Spike Lee popularized the term, deriding the archetype of the "super-duper magical negro" in 2001 while discussing films with students at Washington State University and at Yale University.
This is a cultural term coined within the black community and popularized by a black filmmaker. It refers to a phenomenon in media where a black supporting character comes to the rescue of a white hero/heroine. The stereotype is itself quite racist, but the term has always been a humorous acknowledgment of the ridiculous nature of the phenomenon. As a fan of film, I've seen this term used in film criticism used for years.
But now that a Republican uses it in a parody song, the term itself and not what it represents becomes racist?
*shakes head*
I despise the cult of PC.
How sad that there is any discussion about whether or not this song is offensive.
It is offensive. Whether or not the word negro is considered offensive or not, the song reduces a person's worth to the color of their skin. Shameful.
Not surprising that Huckabee would defend it, as I am certain he's gearing up for 2012. He's a dangerous man...the likability factor is high, and the conservative agenda is strong.
Great post-just found your blog and will link us up asap!
And, by the way, a happy and healthy new year to you and yours!
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