by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
GOP Representative Dough Lamborn from Colorado decided to stir the racial fire in the recent debate over the debt crisis. In his remarks about President Obama, Rep. Lamborn said that being associated with President Obama is “like touching a tar baby.”
Lamborn’s remarks (which are in the audio below) came as he was trying to argue that President Obama will take much of the blame for what went wrong during the debt ceiling discussion. Critics on both sides of the aisle have expressed their disappointment in the actions of both President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner.
It’s hard to know why Rep. Lamborn felt the need to invoke a racial slur in his disagreement with the president. One would hope that any fool would realize that comparing a black man to a tar baby isn’t the most politically-correct thing to do. At the same time, Lamborn is being allowed to engage in the blanket disrespect that many on the right have shown toward President Obama, as their minds can’t quite wrap around the idea of taking orders from a Black man.
Not only do these lynch mob attacks from the right serve to undermine the stability of our Democracy, they also steal the ability of the rest of America to engage in the free expression of ideas. When Americans have legitimate concerns about the actions (or lack thereof) of the Obama Administration on critical issues such as racial inequality, their voices are muted by those who say that any critic of the administration is serving to protect the interests of right wing racists.
In many ways, the treatment of the Obama Administration is similar to what happened to a few Black boys I knew growing up. Knowing that they would have to deal with racism from the world, their mothers would coddle them and defend their behavior, no matter what they’d done. Their refusal to hold their sons accountable was always justified by the fact that the world was “just so darn mean to him.” Instead, my mother always made sure I understood the struggle with racism that I would face in my life, and at the same time pushed me to a higher standard. I would say that this is why many of my friends went to prison and I did not.
The same argument can hold for those of us who’d like to see President Obama succeed. The racism being faced by the president isn’t going to disappear anytime soon, and he is well aware of that. Similarly, the racism being felt by an entire community facing 16 percent unemployment and the largest wealth gap in over 30 years must also be acknowledged. It’s not easy for any of us, but we must all pull our weight in confronting the crippling effects of racial inequality.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
Your Black Politics 
What does that mean anyway? If this an actual “racial slur” or did he made it up? English is not my first language so perhaps I am missing the context here. In any case, don’t see the need to use this term regardless of its meaning
It is a reference to a real black baby coined during old slavery time.
It’s obvious you’re not from this country or you wouldn’t have posted your question. Stay in Amerikkk long enough and no one will have to explain the meaning of “Tar Baby” or racism. Apparently you haven’t been here long but it’s an experience you will never forget unless you wouldn’t realize it, albeit one of them spitting in your face.
Where have you been the last 40 years to not know “tar baby” is a racial slur
not all of us who read my black world are from the USA. I’m black from Canada and don’t understand this term either so if someone from another country or new to the US reads this and needs clarification why do you have to be so ignorant? Just answer the question.
first of all I’m not 40 years old, nor am I African american I am black from Canada and happen to read My Black World. If someone asks a question can’t they get a reasonable response instead of an ignorant one like yours Chante? If we don’t know what tar baby means or it’s origin explain it. Thankfully people below responded with a more educated answer unlike you.
Just because somone do not understand the term tar baby it’s no reason to respond the way the racist maggot that used the term would,remember this the United States of racism if you are anything other than a white bread american.
You excuse is inexcusable, whether or not English is your second language. I am from another country and more than likely many years older than you are. Yes, I do know the meaning of “TAR BABY”. I find that congress and many Americans are in general RACIALLY RUDE when it pertains to our PRESIDENT Obama. Is it possible that they have a touch of the GREEN EYED monster? Taking into the facts that our president is well educated and that in its self is a THORN in folk’s side.
You my friend hit the nail o the head!!!
There’s a story called “Tar Baby”, this refers to those of us who have more darken melonin in their skin. Those of us or at least some of us think the racism, and prejudice is a thing of the past and can we all get along. This person should have been dealt with swiftly and severly to say the least, but nothing was done, not even by the National Black Congressional Caucus. If that had been a Black African-American politician calling a White politician a “Hunkie” they would be up in arms demanding an apology.
And the peerson who says he likes the post, and by the way who appears to be of African-American descent, elevator does not go all the way to the top.
I totally agree with you Dr. Whites are going to always be racist ——–. Regardless of what they say and think about Blacks “we are the chosen ones.” And for those that follow such stupidity are ——– too.
I am from the Caribbean and the term means the same there as it is here, it is just as offensive there as it is here the term speaks for itself.
Tar Baby is originally a story “Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Fox” by Joe Harris, as told by his fictional narrator, Uncle Remus. The “Tar Baby” was a dummy made of tar symbolizing a slave child that was ignorant and lacked education. In the 1950’s and 1960’s it took the place of the word “nigger” for the bigots and racist who I see still use that terminology.
Our officials Black or white who hold Political office should be held Accountable for what they do or say. The poison that was injected by the statement of touching the president is the same is touching a “tar baby” is unacceptable and should not go unchecked. Hatred as he infused into the media blood and into his followers should have severe repercussions. Apology now is to late…. damage was already done.
I apologize to you Caribbeangirl for the ignorance and sprewing of self hate by some negros in america. Patricia was correct in her explaination of the term ‘tar-baby’ being used (derogatory) to denote a very dark negro, back in the day. Please forgive them for they no not what they do.
Peace,
Trish
More evidence that there are people that ooze with prejudice, disrespect and hate. It’s disgusting, repulsive, repugnant and reveals the degenerate state of their minds. There is one way for black people to respond to this diabolical behavior, and that is to succeed in spite of these hateful people.
I could not agree with you more and yet……these types of expressions are a part of the white culture that lives side by side in the majority community. I do not need to defend the bigots of this nation let the neighbor either defend or disagree! I stand with all who will not give up the fight ! Words should never take root as an expression of who WE are. Let them call what is in their minds and then You let freedom ring now and forever. This is a grown up fight and I am ready. Tar baby to the cracker calling home! The ancestors already won that round. Next round coming up! Love to all and to All …….Keep the Faith.
Shirley A. Brown
AMEN TO YOU SISTER.
Sam
Shirley:
That’s it plain and simple. It doesn’t shock or surprise me because the “White Establishment” (Tea Party); is just another cloak for the Klan). Why? If you remember during President Obama’s Innaugural; a post came out that the Klan donated to his campaign and, I’m not sure how factual that is but, I do believe it . Now; to have all these racist elected officials use the 1st Ammendment as protection; come on give me
break. Read between the lines (not the fine print) and, we “black folk” can dissect it in minutes yet, it takes political ‘bs’ for other cultures to finally figure out the “underlined” motives of those Republican, Independent, and Liberal officials in Washington which is: (‘We can’t kill him so, why not ruin his character, image, and black constituants before we allow another N****R to run this country’). To top that one off; program cuts are being aimed at low income families (black, hispanic, white, asian, etc. etc.); while the rich “white folk” just keep more money. It’s all crazy and the only one who can and will straighten this mess out is “JESUS”; not mankind, money, or other earthly entities.
Just my take on this issue.
Thanks for reading.
James.
I absolutely agree Ms. Brown. Whites are beneath Blacks that is why they do the things they do and say the crap they say. If it had not been for “GOD” we (BLACKS) would not be where we are today. We sung, sang, and is singing “We Will Overcome,” because we are the CHOSEN ONES!!!!
James I stand beside you all the way. No matter what the whites say and/are do GOD is Still in Charge. President Barack Obama is the chosen one and they CANNOT stop him. No matter what!!! God has ordained him and no weapon formed against him shall ever prosper!!!! Black folk keep on moaning and praying. God is a listening….
This is just pure racism to use racist language to describe dealing with the president of the united states is disrespectful, shameful and above all ignorant.
People with this mind set have missed a step in their development as a human being.
This is a cultural thing. You have to read the Tale of Burr Rabbit. Tar Baby was a trap set to capture the rabbit. The arrogant rabbit attempted to interact with the tar baby. He got no response. He became enraged and decided to punch and kick the tar baby. He was thoroughly stuck. He was captured. He convinced his captor by feigned fear of the brier patch, and by the assured cruelty of his captors, to throw him into the brier patch. By the thorns and thistle of the brier patch cutting into the tar the rabbit was able to get free. Politically speaking to touch the tar baby is to become trapped and essentially arrested and imprisoned by its as it absorbs your assault and seizes your members making movement nearly impossible. It greatly enhances your vulnerability. It also seems to arrest the ability of politicians to render sound judgement.
A tar baby is a tacky target that takes you down in the presence of your enemies. It is in fact a tool of your enemies. It is an object lesson from American folk lore. It teaches kids the dangers of being cocky and how to be deceptive in the face of your enemies to save your life.
I’m confused…are you saying that this was non intended to be a racial slur because of the history of the story?
I
I cannot speak to the intention of the speaker but i know the cultural background of the reference. It is clearly understood by baby boomers.
I agree. When I first heard that someone called Obama a tar baby (before actually hearing the whole statement,) I thought some idiot had said Obama was a heroin baby. After hearing the context in which it was used, its clear he was referring to this story. Not everyone knows that ‘tar baby’ is a racial slur. And since this man has admitted to that, and even sent an apology letter to the president, it should be clear that throwing a racial slur was not his intention. This is just more crap each side puts out to keep us separated. The truth will set you free. Peace.
bull shit
The only thing that is clear is your willful blindness. How many people do you think know about the story? It’s an old story, so how many people will get it? Another tactic of the racist white agenda to say something grimy and then excuse it away later with “I was really talking about a story . . .” It’s cowardly and it’s a trick older than the story itself and I have to question your intent here on this thread. We know what someone is saying when they use the term!
How many times are we going to use the excuse “i didnt know”? Ignorance is not an excuse….especially from people who should know better. if it was not intentional why is it that none of these slurs or references was ever directed at any other president?
ARE YOU SERIOUS. THAT MAN KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS SAYING. THE WORDS THAT LEAVE YOUR LIPS, ARE THE WORDS THAT ARE IN YOUR HEART. TAR BABY IS NOT A C0MMON VOCABULARY WORD, THIS MAN GAVE THOUGHT TO WHICH WORD HE WANTED TO USE TO DISCRIBE OUR PRESIDENT. SHAME ON YOU.
Shit is Shit and this is shit. People like you make me angery. You must work for him and you are NO ONE.
I agree.
You are just full of it! White people consistently make these RACIST remarks and then apologise, but the intent was exactly what they want it to be offensive as they appease the RACIST 40% of this country. For you to imply that this is just about division is absolutely ridiculous that Colorado Congressman like Pat Buchannan, Joe Wilson, Halpern, the Georgia Congressman who thought it was a good idea if the President was assassinated the message is one of the same HATRED, RACISM and BIGOTRY.
I know the story of Tar baby well, but you cannot convince me that his slur had no racist undertones. He could have used another example that wasn’t so disgusting. This is why we cannot heal from racism. There are always people ready to make you think you’re paranoid and overly-sensitive when an obvious racist or racist situation crosses your path. They try to explain away what was said or done, usually in a manner in which they also challenge your intelligence and skills of perception, like you’re doing. It is what it is and to try to throw pixie dust on a pile of caca doesn’t change the fact that it’s STILL caca.
I agree. Caca is caca.
Wow, that was well put ….I’ve experienced this type of situations time after time. I just couldn’t find the correct way to express it in words..Thank You
Obviously you are not from the South. Black children who were dark complexion or not a mulatto was referred to as “tar babies” by southern whites. This term was used even after slavery probably until desegregation.
My first impression was that his remark was a double entendre — Obama is a tar baby (in the folklore sense) for the Republicans, in large part BECAUSE their base is outraged at having a black person in the Oval Office (the Kenya Usurper, or tar baby in the nasty sense) and being associated with him or his policies is a path to being primaried.
I actually thought it was a clever word play and refreshingly honest from the “I’m not racist–you’re the racist for taking my racist remarks as racist” crowd.
Of course, the subsequent response has shown that the usage was at best a Freudian slip. Rather than a self-critical analysis of their own side, the mask only slipped in his haste to spew more bile and poison the waters further.
And for that I have no sympathy.
And just like you said.. ‘obviously not from the south.’ If its a southern thing, that might explain why my first thought was that the congressman was trying to say that Obama’s mother was a heroin addict. and since this congressman isn’t from the south, you have to admit that it is possible he didn’t know it was a racial slur.
As a few others have said on here, the real point is that we shouldn’t be angry about what some a-hole said. Racism is alive in some parts of this country, but not all. And its a revolving door that let’s in ignorance from every direction. We need to cut through the bs of race. To think that every white person is racist, or that any black person that doesn’t give in to this type of propaganda is out of their mind (as one other person responded), really does show a lack of education and/ or real world experience outside of your immediate community. like I said before, this is just more crap thrown out to keep us separate. So unless that is your intention, which is just as racist as what you claim the congressman’s statement is, buy into this propaganda and stay down.
they are still referring to a black baby when they refer to a tar baby in the American folklore! it’s still inappropriate just like calling a woman a bitch and then trying to recant saying that you were comparing her to a mean female dog that barks…really?
Anonymous: How could it be that so many people who have become adults have been cast as educated. Do they know the social history of education, formal and informal? If you miss the point of becoming adult without achieving human responsibility I, personally, can not characterize you educated. Seeing other humans as adequate and able to perform as a human being is a trait that should move us all. Personal history pushed the word ‘tar baby’ from this person’s mouth, as does the
word ‘bitch or nigger.’ One can not say it unless someone told it to them. Accident?
You are OBVIOUSLY not Black and if you are you are OUT OF YOUR MIND!!! Dispite what the story is “suspose to be about”, it was used as a derogatory depiction of Black children because of their color. It is a RACIAL SLUR. Just like this country refuses to acknowlege that racism is alive and well in the tea party specifically, it is a lot easier to maintain that the story is just a cultural story. LIVE IT TO KNOW IT!!! The race card needs to be PLAYED and PLAYED again to bring attention to this horrendous injustice in this country. I admire the Jewish people because they “NEVER LET YOUR FORGET THE HOLOCAUST, NOR SHOULD THEY!!!! AND NOR WILL WE LET YOU FORGET SLAVERY AND THE 400+ YEARS OF RACISM)
I think this comment was excellent -He makes a great point -Pres. Obama will get the blame for all that goes wrong, alll avenues that need to be traveled becaused we are in a crisis and things are not the same. Yes in his analogy -his choice of words -awfull…give him pluck up-side his head -idiot! However we must not spend precious time debating among ourselves what was said and whether it was racial or not -if it walks like a -and it talks like a -guess what?!!!!!! WE MUST STAY FOCUSED..there is work to do and we must help those who need to vote in the next election under the political issues and the process…Exhaling is okay…but PLEASE remember to focus on our future
It’s not so much that Obama gets all the blame–the American people will decide on that, whether the Republicans like it or not. It’s that being associated with Obama’s policies is deadly to Republicans.
It speaks to how partisan the Republicans are, and without principles (they will vote against bills that include their party planks because Democrats are in support of them), and also how kneejerk racist a good portion of their base is–while the rest of their base cravenly looks the other way.
And then there’s Herman Cain. Oh well, he came from corporate America so he’s used to swimming with sharks. Going to SC Tea Party rallies probably feels like being back in the boardroom. He probably should get a merit award for getting called the n-word so many times behind closed doors and not going postal.
Samdromeda is totaly right !!! (People you need to read the story of “BRER Rabbit”)
My daddy used to read it to me over, and over because I enjoyed it, and begged him to tell me about Brer Rabbit agan. In this, my Father and most dads in the Black Community taught us how to use our minds and skills to defeat our enemies, and excell in what we wanted out of life…Thus, here we stand as a people!!! With one of our own who used the same principle to become The President of the United States of America (The most powerful man in the Free World) .
Don’t be upset because of the biggots in government, and in main street…because we all know that these people are all losing sleep by the FACT that a Black Man is living in The White House.
We the people, and Patriots of this nation (of all colors, religious beliefs, and genders)
must stand behind President Obama to change the laws of oppression, and VOTE THOSE “biggots” out of office… They won the last round because, we as a people didn’t turn out at the polls and vote. (YOU KNOW I’M RIGHT) Soooo, in 2012 let’s get ’em out of washington, and get to the business of rebuilding our nation & people.
President Obama “has got this”… ’cause no matter what they throw at him, he’s cool as a cucumber and they know it. (He’s too smart for them)
So in the biggots mind 24/7…they keep saying “damn, this guy is just like the tar baby”
People, they know the story of the origination of the tar baby because they have read
Brer Rabbit just like I did…and they know they are ABOUT TO GET STUCK….
and there’s nothing they can do about it….This Nation is going to be NUMBER ONE,
again and all the people will prosper in it.
GET OUT AND VOTE IN 2012…Flood the polls like you flooded the phone lines and web sites last week!!!!!!
PEACE
I agree with Samdromeda too. My last post, I just wrote that “I agree” & it looked like I agreed with the person who disagreed with “Sam….”. I did not want to look like I agreed with the person saying “bull sh**.” I am so sick of people trying to separate & tear us down instead of build us up.
Peace & Hair Grease
You don’t have to tell the story we’ve all heard it. Nobody gives a shit about the damn rabbit or you trying to school us. This is about calling the PRESIDENT OBAMA TAR BABY
R U A RACIST!! IF U or this GOP REP was referring to the story ‘Tale of Bur Rabbit” Wouldn’t PRES Obama be the rabbit and the GOP with PRES Bush be the TAR baby. Are they not the ones who got us in this CRAP!? PRES OBAMA don’t have SHIT to do with a TAR BABY! R U just a triple K undercover. Trying to excuse hthis paganisticebigoet! please. My grandmother use to tell us to watch whites, they will smile in you face stabbyou in the back. And they will hang their whole family just to get a black man. Look at the debt ceiling situation! They are doing this because they don’t want it to happen while he’s in office. Obama came in office with this problem. SO IF ANYONE WOULD BE THE TAD BABY IT WOULD BE THE GOP! IF you know how that story goes!!
@lydiab1
YOU NEED TO BE A GUEST ON “THE RED CARPET SHOW NEXT WEDNESDAY. YOU ARE JUST WHO AMERICA NEEDS TO HEAR FROM. IF U GET A CHANCE PLEASE SEE MY POST ABOVE ABOUT MY SHOW NEXT WEEK.
@Samdromeda, You are absolutely correct. That was the first thing I thought of when I heard about this Congressman’s statement – Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby tale. (I guess you have to be of a certain age to get the reference. )
Although I know the story, I’m not sure in which context the Congressman meant his comparison to be taken. A statement can have an obvious context and a “veiled”, subtle or sub context as well. (Hence, the Brer Rabbit version or the slavery one.)
I guess the determining factor is the audience to whom it is addressed and how it is interpreted or understood.
BS pierced…And exactly what audience are you. If a person is not a racist and is intelligent ((WHICH CONGRESSMAN SHOULD BE)) they’d stay away from any references that can be taken as raccially motivated. If you are a white person-then I certainly understand your ridiculous comment. But if you are a black person, I feel so sorry for you.
@Kai Epic – You can call BS all you want! But if you weren’t so anxious to misread my comment, you may have noticed I said statements can have double meanings.
That does not imply that I thought the Congressman was naive and/or innocent of the racist overtones of what he said. (Maybe that didn’t come through strongly enough in my comment.)
For clarification, you can make a statement that has an implied secondary (and negative) connotation, but try to shade it. In plainer English – some white people would understand both messages and some not. But black people would get the racist one. Meanwhile, the good Congressman could claim innocence.
By the way, I am black (I don’t prefer African American) and I was born and grew up in the deep South during the Civil Rights era. So, yes, I am very well aware of racism in all its guises.
Next time, don’t have such a “itchy finger” on the keyboard.
Why are we surprised at what’s coming out the mouths of white people? These people have always felt they’re the only ones to be in charge of any and everything on this planet…Look at their track record from their times in the caves to present? Have they improve upon society or made it better since they have stolen our history and technologies? Name me one place on this globe where the white man has left it better than he found it?…These people will blow up this planet rather than let the black man rise to his rightful place as leader, originator and parent of this universe…
Wow. Really? That’s not a racist rant at all.
Who the hell are you to come on this blog and an attempt thwart of the issue of white supremacy. You’re a simpleton!!! A racist rant? This idiot just openly called the president a “tar baby” and your feeble minded ass is offended by some one stating the facts about western civilization. For your information, the people that have oppressed Africans and all of their descendants are from the Caucus mountains (i.e. the caves). Didn’t you watch Quest for fire? Not only did they kill off the indigenous population in so-called America, but they colonized and enslaved the rest of the world of color. You never heard of the saying “the sun doesn’t set on the British Empire.” And unless you really believe in the “White man’s burden” then you probably understand that this imperialism has had a damaging effect on all of its subjects. After all of this oppression, most Whites still feel a sense of entitlement and disdain for their subjects, so they can’t very well see Obama as any different. He is a black man supposedly running the “free (market-capitalist) world.” So the recanting of historical facts is not racist you idiot. So please go kill your self!!! And Black people, wake the hell up and start checking these idiots because unlike are ancestors who were forced to deal with the yoke of their ignorance, we have more power than we understand. So stand the hell up and put these people in their place including this punk-ass GOP representative. All this timid BS of turn the other cheek is a manufactured mentality that frankly is not getting us any where. Please believe, they don’t want to see us…
Um, Eric, did you read to the end of Blkpanther’s remarks? Maybe it was meant to be ironic, but opening up by sending up white supremacy (A), closing with black MALE (!!!) supremacy (F-). The only question left is that is it a racism fail or win?
Oh, and Blkpanther, how is a man the “originator and parent”? Hahahahah.
First of all “Little Mouse (Not)” this reply was directed to “No One.” Secondly, your analysis is just shy of low brow at best. I knew exactly were Blkpanther was coming from in his post and I was in total agreement. Your the only “lost person” in the discussion.
@Eric, knowing history is great, but to think that all white people want to keep blacks down is ridiculous. Travel around the country a bit more. That might be a little more enlightening than only reading separatist propaganda.
I’m not into your integrationist bullshit which has been used as a tool to keep us down as a group..We have always been integrated, from the plantations to present, the only thing that was segregated from us was finance…Sexing of fucking our oppressors children will not get us out this slum, but make us more damn confused that we already are…These people have been at this game for over 2K years and when you decipher their current game plan, they will refine it and move on to the next better mouse trap…Some of us are so damn stupid and looking for white validation, they will voluntare themselves for rape, producing children from these unions who will not want to be identified with black…We only have to look around the world at the Latinos, Arabs, Brazil, Egypt, Haiti, etc where black people created these buffer groups of people of color who the white supremacy has used to keep blacks at the bottom of the pack…What I call this is voluntary self genocide, you’re doing to yourselves and future generations, what the white man has not been able to do with with their eugenics program, fool…
RIGHT ON. JUST PURE EVIL.
It is sad and it borders on criminal a person that is placed to represent others is allowed to demonstrate such bigotry and open hatred. it is not a demonstration of freedom of speech but a public display of back woods, plantation mentality saturated on ignorance. Each of us that remains silent is also responsible because we remain silent and allow these boisterous hatemongers to hold the nation that my father (with his “black blood” )served and protected with his life, captive and accountable to the world. Lamborn you should have more respect for the state and the country that you were elected to Represent. If you possess common decency, you should be ashamed and held accountable.
These folks have no shame. They are manipulators and liars. What’s more, their base will absolve them of anything. IOKIYAR.
I keep telling people that these politicians are playing us. They are in a click all to themselves. The things they say and the things they do are to give us the image of them fighting each other and thereby legitimizing each other in the process.
If one side shows their disrespect to the other it’s done to make the public on either side respond favorably or negatively to that output. They do these things to stir us up, not to create anything between themselves…They already know what roles they must play.
Now…Knowing this, are you all going to react to the constant BS they keep propagating upon us? The corporate media is their friend too! It’s not ours..Are you still going to follow the rigamarole these shoddy politicians (Including Obama and those clowns), keep foisting on us? Are you still going to believe the BS they use to stir us up with?
Hell they already know what they want to do to us! To them it’s a matter of putting the stuff out there to see how we react to it. After they see how the people respond they can continue their con games to fruition. Their con game entails stripping the people of all possible socioeconomic security and reducing us to indentured servitude. Both the Democratic and the Republican-upper-echelon are working hand in hand to fool us and play their special roles in maximizing their Anglo-Elite secret society master’s positions on a world scale. To them we’re just fodder to use and manipulate.
Keep all this in mind as you listen to what one butt-hole says about the other butt-hole and wonder if it really makes a difference in how your children will survive the future and the reductions of services that we have been paying into all of our lives. Or if it will make a difference as to whether racist police continue to kill blacks, or jobs are denied , or we suffer a reduction in everything in comparison with whites and others.
THANK YOU!!!
“I keep telling people that these politicians are playing us. They are in a click all to themselves. The things they say and the things they do are to give us the image of them fighting each other and thereby legitimizing each other in the process.”
QFT.
I agree with Wizard G. Stop listening to what you hear and watch what is being done! Do not be divided over these racist words. President Obama swims in the same waters with that GOP congressman (who spoke his honest feelings) and the other political sharks. He can deal with the racists around him. How do you think he became President of the USA? While we”re going back and forth about words of of that GOP strategist our future (our children) are being systematically destroyed with inferior education, drugs, violence. We must unite and help them (by any means necessary) or we are doomed. Anyone of us who do not know the story of Brear Rabbit should read it and learn for yourselves what it means.!!!
like i said before,the white people in politics don’t have any respect for the president,much less any black person.we don’t count. in this day and time,things are still the same.freedom is not free.it’s the ballott or the bullet.freedom for everybody,or freedom for nobody.stay strong and keep the faith.peace
Fuck him
They just can’t get over it. The election is over, just do the people’s work!!
If those clowns were there for the people, they wouldn’t do what they do.
Time to make sure everyone–I mean EVERYONE–in your circle is registered to vote. Oh yeah, and don’t forget dead wood in Republican-controlled state legislatures have made it harder to do so. Redistricting is here and they have an, er, demographic problem. (=their racist, homophobic base keeps croaking on them–quick, to the gerrymander-mobile!)
We all need Jesus!!
This country should be outraged by this type of language. Truly this is a reflection of this man’s character and his lack of respect for democracy. We are all created equal and no one is above the other – when we enter and leave this world, we do so in the same way. He should publicly apologize for such despicable language.
Now last week, Harrison (a black football player in the NFL), supposedly made a antigay slur in reference to the NFL Commissioner. I haven’t seen the slur published anywhere. Exactly what did he say or is it true? I don’t know if he was fined or not, but I do know that people were recommending that he be fined. Now this white man makes a comment about Obama comparing him to a tar baby and it’s okay because he sends a letter of apology. RACISM!
I don’t care how people care to spin this man’s comment. He knew what he was saying and the racial history behind it. I find intriguing how offensive terms historically used in reference to black people suddenly have “so many different meanings.” That’s complete nonsense. Tar Baby was use 99% of the time when degrading black people or another way of removing our human dignity during slavery and post slavery. But white people have used terms referring to blacks and simply say they were talking about something else, patronizing the opinion of blacks who noticed the underlining racism in their comments, and proceed with their daily course of spreading hate. I can’t really recall someone using terms that were offensive to Jews, Irish, or any other race and try to add many definitions for the term. It never happens. It’s only with our race we have to accept these lame ass explanations of terms like “tar baby” meaning something else. You have to truly be an ignoramus to believe this man didn’t use this word as offensive to the President or blacks. Whites use these terms in a skillful manner, or so they think, and simply play the game of the term actually meaning something else. Sighs. I’m tired of it and I don’t care to entertain the idea of where the term originated from or how it was used in certain literature to justify the term in reference to a bi-racial president. If a person has an issue with blacks as whole and the idea of dealing with a man of color as being the most powerful in America, then fine. But don’t use racist terms and expect someone like me to accept some stupid explanation of it meaning something else. Sometimes, enough is enough.
All you have to do is dig up antique illustrations of the tar baby to know how this term was interpreted in the US from the start.
My elementary school teacher lied and said the tar baby was not anthropomorphic but rather a cannonball-shaped lump. The story had talking rabbits so I guess we believed her?
It is utterly amazing that people who are formally educated (many with advanced college degrees–MA, JD, PhD) feign ignorance at every turn when it comes to racialized language, racially inflected idiomatic expressions, and racist innuendos. A man of Lamborn’s age and one is who is educated (formally and culturally) enough to know the folktale of “tar baby” is also sophisticated and intelligent enough to understand its implications. “I’m sorry I slapped you in your face. Did you sting?”
At the same time, a great many of us born and raised in the U.S. (more than we admit) (formally educated or not) have sense enough to understand–especially in 2011– that this country is swimming in racial bias, especially as it relates to people of African descent. We need not pretend, as does Lamborn, that for President Obama (the first black president) “race” does not matter. Similarly, while President Obama should be held fully accountable for his actions, by U.S. citizens from all constituencies (political party, race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, national status), let us be clear that if the hammer falls hard on the common man and woman of our black U.S. citizenry, then the same hammer falls even harder on the black man at the helm of a nation so thick with racism (a profitably divisive scheme for the rich and greedy to grab from working poor and needy). We come closer to “cracking his back” than “coddling” our current president. This president has more than his fair share of criticism, disrespect, and ridicule–and we cannot lay those charges aside. Racism is a disease perpetrated and internalized across color/culture lines, and we effectively enable the spread of this cancer, when we our mantra continues to be “it’s not likely to end soon.” Whatever happened to hope? I for one, am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’m not willing to excuse mistakes made by the Obama Administration (any more than I would the Bush Administration). Holding the current administration accountable to all people in this nation is actually demonstrating great respect for the office of the presidency, and responding the President Obama’s call for all citizens to get involved–we all have to work harder at being involved, at reading, watching, and listening to what is going on and acting in the best interest of our people (across color lines). However, it is quite a complicated matter–as you suggest–to sift through the “garbage” to determine a clear path to those real issues that need to be addressed by the Obama Administration, and what is actually a barrage of falsehoods, misinformation, and covert racialized agendas, meant to obscure and lead the public on a wild goose chase.
He’s our president, he’s Black, get used to it–Obama may be the first, but you can bet he won’t be the last . . . that is if we all do our part . . . and hopefully (with hope) we would not want to swim through the muck of yet another “Reconstruction” before we attend to and hold accountable those like Lamborn, who use “race” as a weapon to distract our attention away from the real issues.
Racism is alive and well, and now protected under the disguise of First Amendment rights.
Remember the “niggardly” blowup? I don’t get how people can be so insensitive and stupid. Never mind if the other person is ignorant and thinks it’s some sort of roundabout way of calling him poor. Does that make you right when you deliberately use your privilege to bludgeon him socially and emotionally? Or does that make you a right asshole?
Dr Boyce,
Have you hear the talk show host Michael Savage who said the obamas desecrate the Whitehouse.
Have you heard that Savage is his stage name and his real name is Weiner? What a maroon.
Actually, it’s best that he changed it because he’s an embarrassment to Weiners everywhere. The other kind, too.
I heard what the Congressman said and I did not hear him call President Obama a tar baby. The Congressman said, “it is like touching a tar baby.” In my opinion, he did not call the President a tar baby, which begs the question of why would you write that he did. Will you please stop trying to stir up black people and do something constructive like creating jobs. We need jobs! We need jobs! Black folks need to work. I have been unemployed as long as President Obama has been in office. The key word is jobs and not tar baby.
BS…
You have been unemployed because you are a lazy person. Of course a white person like you is going to try to pick at what was said and what was not said. Bottom line is he used a phrase that he knows is racially motivated. So just because you A WHITE PERSON tries to act like he did not mean to be a race baiter means nothing. You are one of the MANY white people who HATES WHEN A RACIST IS CALLED OUT. Well you are going to be fille with HATE HATE HATE, because there are thousands and thousands of RACIST WHITE PEOPLE. I wonder if you’re a closeted one. Hmmmmmmm
Inlaw$u Perhaps you can get a job telling people what the Congressmen meant about the tar baby story. Go ask him for a job. He could us a translator. Send your resume to his office today. You would be a great spin doctor.
So tax payers are taking care of you.
Clearly, President Obama has a few naysayers still lurking around. However, his ignorant act to reduce the President by referring to him as a “Tar Baby” only reassures me of my support for the President. Because he is so intelligent, elegant and educated, he will always face this type of resistance from those who wish they had his candor and precedence. When you’ve pulled every nasty, dirty and low down trick to suppress a man of precedence, in defeat you can only resort to ignorance. Because of the blood that was shed for me by courageous leaders who stood for a truth and purpose, I would welcome the comment as it simply signifies the strength of all those communities who suffered because of indifference. He simply does not possess a quarter of the precedence that President Obama has and neither would I accept his apology for such inappropriate behavior. He was well aware of his intent and it is not be embraced.
Dr. Boyce: Who are you trying to fool, you DO NOT want this President to succeed. It has been obvious from the fact that you never miss an opportunity to slam him for one thing or another, yet you never mention his numerous successes. Even here, in the face of a blatant racial slur, you sound like you are trying to rationalize this bigot’s remarks. What, it is okay for you to talk sh#t about our President but white folk can’t ? Why not, when you are providing the framework and laying the foundation for white folk to do just that ?
I’ll say it again: YOU ARE SO TRANSPARENT !!! We are not as stupid as you want us to be and think we are. Your jealousy is showing. So go sit don’t somewhere and STFU !!
AND JUST TO LET SOME OF YOU RACIST WHITE PEOPLE KNOW….THE MORE THE TEA PARTY AND THE GOP ATTACKS THE PRESIDENT, THE MORE AFFECTION HE IS GOING TO RECEIVE FROM AMERICA. WE HATE BUILLIES AND RACIST PEOPLE, SO WE ARE GOING TO COME OUT IN RECORD NUMBERS IN 2012. THE RIGHTEOUS VS THE RACISTS. NOW WHO DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO WIN.
HOW IS THAT FOR LAYMAN’S TERMS.
BULL SHIT!! This is why real American history need to be taught!! Don’t go and try to give new meaning to words and phases many of us grew up hearing!!!
I guess next you will try to convince us that plantations were really vacation spots for the rich!!! Please, what that back wood krakker said was racist!
I can remember when the most unintelligent (and possibly the worst president of these United States have ever had) Bush, was being exposed for his poor administrative abilities (a courteous description out respect for the position he held), however, if anyone particularly, a person of color, spoke ill of this president, they were immediately labeled unpatriotic. Now that we have a person of color in that very same position, it seems to be open season on calling him anything but a child of God. I am going to remain faithful in that a power greater than any political party or group , is going to show up and show out. The point is that people who call themselves christians should know that what you do to one of His, will be considered as if you were doing that same deed to God Himself. I will continue to pray for our President and our country, believing that God will have the last say in this and everything else in this world that He created,
Saddened by state of this world and mean and ugly people in it.
regardless what people with no pigmentation think!
I totally agree with your comment. It is a disgrace the way this president is being treated.
Red herring! Watkins, you should be ashamed for promoting this BS! Listen carefully to what the guy says: he is referring to some group of people who will hold the President responsible and claiming he doesn’t want to be associated with THEM and be painted with the same brush. He is not calling the President a tar baby…he is just using the tar baby metaphorically in the sense of being falsely associated with something or someone criticizing the President with whom he doesn’t really agree. This is just another sad example of looking for racism where none exists.
The use of “Tarbaby” , “Nigger” and other horrific language / treatment is pervasive throughout the Federal government. Our Nation’s largest employer is a hostile workplace for Black employees from the top down. Members of The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C) serve to expose such racism that impacts our public programs, services and safety. See http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/08/prweb77211.htm
The hell with this fools’ ignorant reference – this is just a side distraction from the real issue.
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT IS IN THE BILL THAT IS BEING SIGNED?! And how will the Bill impact African-Americans?
SHELDEON:
Yes. Very direct and, I’ve read a lot about this bill even before it hit the tables. Although I work for the Federal Government; this bill is aimed at minority cultures as a WHOLE; not just black people. However, the proof is in the pudding and these “racists” are just putting another spin on how they plan to eliminate any culture that is not white. A lot is going to hit the fan and ALL cultures will suffer except: “these same rich, wealthy, and educated fools” that were elected to their seats: i.e., Federal, State, Municipal, County, or Rural Government. The way these bills, earmarks, and other items on the books are framed doesn’t suprise me; it flat out scares the shit out of me because I may not have anything at retirement or social security. To make matters worse; these same “racist” parties in Washington want to cut retirement, welfare, medical, and other programs that they created, lobbied for, and got passed.
What really hurts me most is that I’m a combat Veteran of 3 conflicts; a proud and respectful black man and, seeing a lot of my fellow-Veterans homeless, and so on really makes me wonder if it all was worth the effort to serve this country and then get a hard slap in the face by the same Government that pushed for better veteran health care, social, and economic initiatives that are slowly being slashed, cut, or simply removed from the books. So yes, RACISM will not die, it will only multiply unless, ALL people of ALL cultures, races, and ethnicities stand up and vote these assholes out of office; (2012 is right around the corner and, ALL people (regardless of race, religion, or political preferences); should ask themselves one simple question: DO I WANT MY GRANDKIDS TO CORRECT THIS MESS or, AM I GOING TO PUT A STOP TO IT NOW; SO THAT THEY DON”T HAVE TO WHEN THEY GRADUATE COLLEGE, LAW & MEDICAL SCHOOL, etc. etc. etc. etc.????????
Thank you, James. I am also a federal employee. It is very painful to watch politicians that were elected to represent the peoples’ interests systematically dismantle all of the safety nets that have been established and people have shed blood over in this country.
WE have to keep our eyes on the prize and the deeds – and not the senseless, baseless words, promises and rhetoric.
These people never cease… they are doing what they all ways have done… promote hate historically they are and have been EVIL why are we surprised they have just found a way to be EVIL legally.
Its so unfortunate, in this day and time, there are those that yet cannot perceive the possibility and one of any race, other that theirs, could hold the highest level in our government. The only method an ingrate can use is to continually verbalize their discomfiture is in a manner that accentuates their ignorance.
This man’s comment is not only a reflection of his point of view, but those of his party and the state of COLORADO!!
I am beyond angry that I cannot intelligently respond at this time, so I will just SMH and pray for our President. This is disgusting that these racist white men get to disrespect our Leader like this. I will be back once my anger is subsided. I was reading Secrets of the FBI and now to read this is making my head spin. I need to go read the word, pray and calm down. This is sickening how these wicked white beasts get away with so much evil against black people and our President.
VOTE!!!!!
And who controls The Electoral College????
If he know about a tar baby, he also would know he’s just another ignorant
cracker..
“In many ways, the treatment of the Obama Administration is similar to what happened to a few Black boys I knew growing up. Knowing that they would have to deal with racism from the world, their mothers would coddle them and defend their behavior, no matter what they’d done. Their refusal to hold their sons accountable was always justified by the fact that the world was “just so darn mean to him.” Instead, my mother always made sure I understood the struggle with racism that I would face in my life, and at the same time pushed me to a higher standard. I would say that this is why many of my friends went to prison and I did not. ” Boyce Watkins
For the record, the “Dough” boy is nothing but a racist pig! (I am giving him EXACTLY the respect he is due, which is NONE.) And the term “tar baby” is more than just a fictitious figure in a fable, it is a racial epithet that is historically well known to many Americans, Black and White. It also harkens back to the very inhumane practice of tarring and feathering slaves by cruel, sadistic and evil slave masters.
Now to the paragraph from your commentary in quotes above. That paragraph troubles me tremendously because implicit in it are two things: (1) that President Obama has done something wrong for which he deserves correction and (2) that Black males will automatically misbehave and commit crimes unless somebody “leads” them in the right direction and “pushes them to a higher standard .” Whether or not that is what you meant, that is certainly what you have implied. I find it as inaccurate and insulting a label to affix to Black males as the label a racist hatemonger like “Dough” has tried to place on the President of our country. Mr. Watkins, check yourself!
YES …The subconscious thoughts, instilled through childhood orientation and at the racist dinner table, often rear its head when least expected by a slip of the tongue or in the semantics of day to day language, I must confess I have not heard the term in 60 years since i was a boy growing up in a colonized island in the English speaking Caribbean. The term was used as an insult and a demeaning tool to associate a person with being too black to matter is a society that often valued the mulatto. Did not think it existed in white Americans vocabulary. Lived,worked and fought my way through white corporate America for 19 years, believe me Jim Crow still lives, listen more than you speak, you will hear it, loud and clear.
Whether or not he was referring to the story. The use of Tar Baby itself is inflammatory and provokes hostility. They are spewing ignorance more and more and turning around and saying they didn’t know what it meant. It’s going to get worse.
TAR BABY? What the hell? Does any one person have a way, logically, to explain the pure, unaldurated, simple ignorant manner of the straight disrespect shown to the President of the United States? I have always believed that, your personal feelings aside, the OFFICE of President, no matter who holds the top position, deserved RESPECT. And, just asking, who referred to George Bush #2 as “Drunken George”? Or “Oblivious One?
How interesting that this person whom society would lable as “inteligent?” would use such a descriptive term to portray a quality of the President of these United States!!! In my opinion his inteligence is exceeded only by his ignorance. Keep talking Mr. and surely people will see you for who you really are!!! A tree is judged by the fruit it bears and your tree needs pruning because it’s bearing rotten fruit.
I guess I should be shocked but this is probably very tame compared to the comments that are not caught on tape or in print. Some things will never change.
Wow! I am heartened by many of the powerful comments that have been left on this site. I am a product of the sixties and I am not playing! Organizing is my name and this is not a game! My/our ancestors are not ashamed of the battle that we led but the issue
that far too many of us discounted the hatred that they died for! Tell your children and
grands that the new sheriff is just like the old one but that We are the New people and
the Spirit of God is definitely leading this new day. We did not come this far to turn around. Stand up,Speak, Write, follow and lead, pray ,give and receive, and vote today and tomorrow until the light call you Home. May the Spirit of God direct our steps and I do not mean that the minister has to tell you,the doctor, the lawyer, the business people, the educational people, the celebrities, the representatives, your neighbors, the media, or your enemies! Use the gifts that God has given to our people
and call yourselves Free! We are Free and you must individually and collectively be apart of the prophesy that has been laid before us. The time is now, not tomorrow but
Now. Tell everyone that we are changed in the name of God and that true faith, has already stood the test of time. Love,Peace. Power and Prosperity to all in the name of God.
Shirley A. Brown
The man is a fool if that is the only thing he could think of to say. Obama inherited this mess from Bush and he’s doing his best to deal with it. They need to put the blame behind them and work together for a solution.
I contacted the Congressional Black Caucus, where I was informed that censure was not an option, because this racist comment falls under the heading of ‘free speech’. But the ‘gentleman’ from Colorado could be reprimanded on the floor of the House.
I am now contacting my Congressman, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), to make sure that happens!
This kind of condescending overtly racist behavior is becoming all too frequent. I for one, will not remain silent and acquiesce!
Living outrside the USA, I cannot understand such loose talks from grown ups, with wives and children at home, while holding very high positions in office.
But do and say what they will, the BOSS is an African American.
They can go report that to the Devil.
The republicans and the Tea Party have proven over and over again that their objection to the President of the United States is all about race.
What amazes me about all of this is that regardless of how you feel about the President on a personal level HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. NEVER BEFORE HAS THERE SUCH DISRESPECT FOR ANYONE INDIVIDUAL. HOW CAN THIS GOP REP CALL HIMSELF REPRESENTING ANYONE, IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT IS HOW HE FEELS ABOUT OUR PRESIDENT, AND IT IS INTENDED AS A RACIAL SLUR AND I AM OLD ENOUGH TO RELATE TO THE STORY ASSOCIATED WITH THE NAME CALLING. GET A GRIP PEOPLE, RESPECT THE POSITION.
I am exhausted of constantly reading comments by IDIOTS and CLOSET RACISTS trying to JUSTIFY RACIST POLITICIANS. and their racist comments. The reasons these people KEEP making stereotyped comments and RACIST comments is because they know ((OR THINK))) nothing bad is going to be done to them. They are right in some respect, but I cannot wait until two things occur 2012 general election and when these RACISTS have to sit in front of God to be judged.
GLORY GLORY GLORY is the day when the evil is made to pay.
It is already a known fact that most of the GOP do not really believe in God. They wouldn’t know what a church looked like on the inside if their life depended on it. The one thing I noticed about RACISTS, they are not the smartest ant in the colony. You’d think they would have learned by now that when you put Black people in a position where they have to fight back, YOU HAD BETTER WATCH OUT. Look at everything black people have been through and still they are here standing. Do you really think white people could have endured all of that? Of course not. Look at how they cry and damn near kill themselves off because of financial woes.
They are weak, they know black people are strong, which equals fear. And as long as a group of people who are in power are afraid, your life is going to be challenging to say the least.
To the RACISTS reading this, know that God knows your heart, no matter how you try to hide it. He also knows that most of you believe nothing will ever happen to you for your atrocities against other human beings merely based on your racist views of inferiority. Well, like my mom always used to say.. JUST WAIT, you will see.
Boyce, Boyce, Boyce!
I truly am starting to believe that you are a borderline SCHIZO!
It was only a couple of weeks ago where you “went upside Tom Joyner’s walnut” for calling out Tavis (Smiley) and Cornell (West). This is exactly what Tom was talking about. Boyce, what is the difference between calling President Obama a “Black mascot for the wall-st. oligarchs and plutocrats,” and calling him a “Tar baby?”
This is similiar to the “N word” argument. I hate to play devil’s advocate, but, why didn’t you point this out when West made similar comments?
You’re losing it, Boyce! Could you at least show some consistency?
It’s the year 2011 and America has a black president. One would think that America has finally got it. However, due to the ignorce and the insecurities of a few whites, the ugliness of prejudice has raised it’s ugly head and it is joinings hands (GATHERING STRENGTH) . We as African Americans must not forget our past. We should not use our past to become victims, but to always have your eyes opened to what is happening in the world that we all must share and live in.
What is new, why the shock, pick up your dropped jaws…this is still Amerikkka, and aint a damn thing changed. Obamas’ holding the highest office in the land is nowhere near being the magical end-all cure to Amerikkkan injustice issue, as a matter of fact it helped blow the doors off the closeted racist. I’m still waiting on my slave ancestors 40 acres and a mule, with interest compounded daily. Shame on any minority, especially African Americans, who are stunned that a white person would say such a thing in the 21st century, openly at that, about our Black President. That makes me chuckle somewhat. Word to the wise, “get your head out of the sand, your ass or however you want to phrase it, and recognize the history about the country you live in. Its a muderous criminal enterprise centered around immorality i.e. a RACIST STATE who excercises RACIST policy to oppress other races to ensure one races chokehold on SUPREMECY. Maybe a visit to history is sorely needed folks….and it all can’t be summmed up by watching “Roots” again. Jacked in, Jacked up.
The only way to prove to these racist, bigots that the majority of the American people are serious about changing the old boys network, is to come out in record numbers in the 2012 presidential election and reelect the Best President America has ever had, President Barack Obama
@Ronald Padgett
You said a mouth full. There is nothing that we can say to penetrate the EVIL HEARTS of RACIST people. Even the White people who may not be racist, always look for a rationale, instead of denouncing racism the way they should. Why does it seem to be soooooooo hard for most white people to see racism when it comes from someone in their race. I guess it’s because it does not DIRECTLY affect them, so it is hard for them to believe that what is being said stems from a sick heart filled with EVIL and HATE.
I say this to the Black people who have half a brain, stop watching FOX news. Stop patronizing any White own business that is known to discriminate. Half the stuff we consume is bad for us anyway, use that as amunition to not purchase from racists. These giant moguls love money more than they love Black people, so let’s make sure we do not give them our money. I have been boycotting racists since I was 14. I am 35 now, and I have not gone into a Dennys since I was old enough to buy my own food. And I never will.
Need to fire him now.
OH MY GOODNESS! I love being Black, I love what skin God has put me in. I know there is something beautiful in the Black race that White people want. The truth is; White people fear us. However, they have convinced Black’s to fear them for the mere fact they are in every arena of Black living. Tv, Doctor, Lawyer, Police Officer, Fireman, Judge,Correctional Officer, Probation Officer, Militiary Officer’s, Property Owner’s, Astronaut, Sciencetist, Teacher’s, Pharmacist,Counselor,Sport’s Team Owner’s, Owners of Hotel’s, Housing Complex,Bank’s,Retail Stores,Chemist, and more. However, do my Black people understand what I am saying? We know we had all of the above until intergration. Once intergration was allowed we forgot about each other. God does say love your neighbor as yourself”. It mean’s we Black people are to love who ‘we’ are and love those who look like us. White people will continue to disrespect us because we are not respecting and loving one another. For the person who said she was from another country, if you are in the United States you should include in your newness what “Tar Baby” mean’s. For the tea party is a silent reintroduction of the KKK. Just because Black Men and Black Women are choosing to date and marry White Men and White Women and our allowed to do it does not mean ‘Racism” is dead. Until Black Men and Women take a stand for themselves and if it mean’s death threat’s or death “OH WELL” death is going to come no matter what. We have no one to blame but ourselves. 2012 is upon us what are we Black People to do? President Obama is not a weak President. Look beyond the dust and realize what he is facing. The old die hard redneck senators and congressmen were there even when he did want to make a change. Do not continue to believe you cannot make a change. If our forefather’s and mother’s had believed this I would not be here nor would any of my other neighbor’s of African Descent. If we cannot get hired by the White man or White Woman we must stop being the victim and do for ourselves regardless to the situation we are in. If our forefather’s and mother’s were able to make it through much harder times than today we can to. So to the ignorant GOP representative I can only say; your day will come when your White status will fall and “God” rather you believe in Heaven or Hell will have the final say.
Hey Renee Dakari & Kai Epic:
Now we ‘gettin’ deep and to the root. When I was growing up in that little redneck GA town, one thing I noticed about racists, bigots, and fools (regardless of their race); they would respect a black person who stood up to them; even if it meant lynchings, cross burnings, etc. etc. Some of you may/may not beleive me but, it’s not important that you do or don’t. Resepct starts with self, then other people and, to think that some poeple who are posting defenses on this post for these bigots in elected positions makes me laugh more than being upset or offended. My grandma, (yes people I’m straight “country”); used to always say that “God don’t like ugly”. Well, don’t look in the mirror; look in the heart & spirit; that’s what she meant. If that’s not deep enough; read every word in the Declaration of Independence (specifically the first 10 lines); this country was created by & for white people, no exceptions. Then, read every Article and word in the Constitution of the United States. The only real differences in these 2 documents is not the verbiage or outlined text but, the framework of these 2 documents. Brother Martin said “non-violence”; Brother Malcolm said “by any means necessary.” (It seems to me that ALL these splinter groups, factions, and other racist, bigot, and so-called social organizations in this country are taking Brother Malcolms’ statement to heart). Has anyone ever really stopped their minds, bodies, and other human senses for 1 minute; sat down alone, and thought of the TRUE reasons that the following people were imprisoned and/or, assassinated??? (President Lincoln, President Kennedy, Attorney General “Bobby” Kennedy, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, President Mandela (imprisoned), Princess Diana (this was not just a vehicle accident in the London tunnel), Prime Minister Anwar Sadat); the list goes on and on however, I point out these specific Statesmen because their visions and platforms for WORLD EQUALITY for ALL races of people, were light years ahead of their times and the racists, bigots, and insecure people around the world didn’t want that to come to fruition.
Martin Luther King, Anwar Sadat,
I’m a 13 year old negro girl living with my strong independent Mother. Your words are very strong and touched me deeply I would like to thank you. Today I know what a TAR BABY is thanks to my Mother. I Love my Race.
What the HELL? TAR BABY! I had to tell my 13 year old daughter about TAR BABY.
This is down right RACISTS. Get ready to tell your kids what PICKANINNY means. There were other races present listening to this true racists idiot I wonder if any of them walk out no they sat there and took it as another pinky making another funny. You can see the smile on it’s face while speaking this sad thing is proud to be spitting this racial slurr. I truly LOVE and honor the skin GOD put me in I teach my daughter the same. My daughter was telling me about her day at school and she told me a classmate was crushing on a boy and the boy told her he would date her but she was the wrong color. The boy is negro as is the girl. What are we teaching our kids? President Obama hurts these racists with his INTELLIGENTS one of many things they lack. This world is run by PINK people in every way TV, Employment, Schools etc. What negro man or woman has put this country in the shape it is in today? I can’t think of one because there is none. Pink people have bullied minorities for to long and we need to come together bully back in INTELLIGENT ways and put these mean hateful uncaring disrespectful racists where they want to be. SEPERATED from the rest. Intergration was good for some things, but mixing of races was not one. PRESIDENT OBAMA is not the first Negro President he is the first Mulatto. I know people are pissed that I used that word but it is what it is. Some are thinking we all have pink in us, but I refuse to believe that crap!! Why do we still allow our race to be called Black? We are not Black, but TAR BABY is. Brown skin in different shades is our color. Why do white say they white when in fact they are pink. PIGS ARE PINK. Why do pink people find it hard to believe that some negros DO NOT LIKE THE SITE OF THEM? I don’t want to spit hate for hate, but we need to start standing up for our race why is it okay for them to call us mokeys, apes, porch monkeys, and TAR BABY there are names for them as well like honkey, peckerwood, white trash, cracker and PIG.
There were a million and one analogies he could have used and he chose to pull Tar Baby out of “retirement”??? If I had not heard it for myself there would have been no way I would have believed it. I would ask how could he be so stupid, but I can’t think of a word that really fits his lack of mental capacity.
I have to agree with you. When I heard the report, I was like boy this guy must come from a generation of racist because I have not heard the term Tar Baby in 30 some years. Apparently there is a whole slew of people that support that type of talk, because there are plenty other senators and elected officials making comments like, “We need to take our country back”. Back from who? President is an American, elected by Americans so who are they taking it back from. Oh… you mean black people.
How can they take back what they have already given away? And what they have given away they do not own. A native American tribe by treaty owns the state of Maine.
Our money is the property of The Federal Reserve which is a foreign bank that has its origins in Germany. Wall Street has been bought by the German banks and they are looking to relocate it as a financial center to Brussels. Predatory Lending has robbed secure black families of their homes. There is talk of One World Government. They are looking for a Strong Man. He will be well financed and backed by someone who controls the minds of the people. Fascism on a planetary world scale will remove indigenous peoples from their lands and/ or remove and control the natural resources and assassinate any leader who tries to block them or tries to change game. The private sector worships money and the machinery of progress is lubricated with blood. Tar baby is mild. They used to call people of color “The Mud People.” We have become quicksand to them because all people are made in the image of God and they have insulted their Creator. God hates oppression. God owns the whole planet and everything and everyone on it. We have failed to make a paradise by human means. The nations are angry and so is God. What is coming is not pretty or politically correct. And armies will not stop Him, God.
This is good dialogue. Now maybe we can stop using the N -word. I get sick and tired of people trying to reinterpret negative racist remarks about African American people. TAR simply reflects black. In the past, we try to explain the difference between the N-word by trying to find out if the pronunciation ended in er or with an a. Terms of endearment! Look people, sometimes we have ourselves to blame because I believe some black people don’t even care or know when they are being offended by other races. Plexy glass in stores, “you try you buy” in Asian owned stores, and “pay first” IS OFFENSIVE! We need a march to Washington before Pres. Obama leave office after his next term just to let them know black people ain’t having this ridiculous treatment towards the president of this United States. The nationwide broadcast stations refer to this man by his first name! How about Pres. and Mrs. Obama, not Michelle. I read where E! stated someone called the first lady a b-word in comparison with Gayle King. Also, we need to check ourselves and be accountable for our own actions toward one another. Stand up in your neighborhood and let these business owner and politicians know this is not acceptable.
I am so sick of this, I don’t know what to do. Many people from the islands have no idea of the racism that is pervasive until they have lived here for a while and experienced it. I know, because my wife who is from Jamaica, felt the same way until she read a book called “At the Dark End of the Street.” and other things she had experienced since being here
I don’t understand why in this day and age, why a man of his age would go to name calling. Aren’t we suppose to be grown and what kind of example is he setting for our youth. The economy didn’t get this way over night. We had 16 years of republician leadership up until President Obama took office. He didn’t create this situation we are in now, he’s trying to fix this situation and it’s going to take more than a couple of years to fix it. When someone gets in a financial bind and decides to file bankruptcy it takes years for them to re-establish themselves, so why does America think all the financial problems that we are having is going to be changed in a couple of years? Let’s be realistic about whats really going on. Let’s not turn this into a race thing, this is about running America and we should show respect to our President regardless of his race, creed, or color. Just tired of the racial slurs and not respecting a man because of his race or the color of his skin.
LET’S DO BETTER AMERICA
Audrey R. Morson
This is not acceptable! But we do have ourselves to blame when we try to justify the N-word ending in the letter “a” instead of er used as a term of endearment? We say “we’re cool like that”. We have forgotten what it is like to be offended by racist remarks so we do nothing about it and use it ourselves. I often hear why he can’t represent us as a black president. But other races reference him as a black president with nasty slurs. Broadcasting stations call him and the first lady by their first names. RIDICULOUS! We as a people better start trying to act like we are offended when we see plexy glass in our restaurants and stores with signs, “you try you buy” most of the time in Asian stores; “pay first” in many gas stations owned by Arabs.
ALL OF THIS SHOULD BE OFFENSIVE!
These people are waiting for us to demand respect. Politicians, store owners and none of the rest are not willing to just give it to us. This man’s office should be flooded with phone calls and letters regardless to his afterthought apology. We’ve heard of damage control after the fact. If he went to school in America, I am sure he had a history class to know better. To try and justify his actions is crazy and insensitive.
President Barack Obama is one of the most beautiful human beings ever walked the face of this earth and will never be forgotten in my eyesight. I hold that man to be one of the most courageous brothers living in this United States. I had not heard the term “Tar Baby” in a while. Talk about history repeating itself once again over and over.
We need to look at ourselves in the mirror.
These are the true feelings of the Republicans towards the minority’s of this country it’s a shame even after all these years prejudice still exist.These thoughts are in the minds of most in the Republican Party and Tea Party officials.If anyone has noticed the news has not reported this horrible comment my question is why?.The obvious reason is elementary, we are up against factions in high government positions that oppose the highest elected official The President, this is being done to discredit him because he is a Black American.Will things ever change?.
Covert and evil always…..that’s the nature of someone who is insecure and afraid. How do folks sit and listen to this kind of ignorance?
Re-Elect President Obama, again!
whether or not anyone has heard of the racial slur “tar baby” or not is not the issue here. The reader clearly stated that the term should not have been used which they are entirely correct about.
You should be mad about what was said , and demanding this person resignation and making sure the media is held responsible for their hand in this matter as well. Raising the debt ceiling is something that is done all the time. The republicans made an big issue out of it because it was yet another way to undermine the president and his administration once again and cast doubt and fear in the minds of ignorant american people who dont know any better. if what i just said made you mad, then good. you should be. educate yourself and stop letting the media make you loose focus of what is really going on and whats really important .
That Congressman is a fool. The voters in his state should get rid of him. He knew what he was saying and felt bold in doing so. There is no way to misinterpret what he said.
We must not allow this Rep Lamborn or any person to insult the President and think that they can get away with it. It is time for all amercians to put a stop to this and stand up and vote these racist out of office. People from all around the world are watching and listening to the way we treat our first Black President. If we are not careful we leave ourselves wide open for outside attacks.
Freedom of speech is one thing and using common sense is another. Making insensetive remarks because you think they are cute or you can get away with them is both ignorant and stupid. A congress man a full grown man, or maybe not, is out of character for an elected offiicial on any level. Elected officials are supposed to represent the people they serve and not abuse the system.
Thank you Mr. President for not stooping to their level by answering back. We are proud that you remain above all slander and racist remarks by uncouth people. I thank God that he sent you to America. We needed a God fearing man to bring America to their senses, that God created us all equal.
Stay safe and keep, your hand in God’s hand
Willie B. Kennedy
San Francisco, CA
I remember Walt Disney put out the movie and book “Song of the South” that’s when I found out about a “tar baby” and that’s when kids started calling each other “tar baby’ as insults. Back then, we couldn’t defend ourselves. We have made too much progress to loose ground based on some ignorant ramblings by people who are full of hate and contempt. Don’t become like them. But don’t let them get away with it either. Address them appropriately. We now have the power and right to do so.
You see, the white man is so dumb when it comes to African American history they don’t even know that they are. Just look dose white folks in the eyes a laugh. And pray that their children will have more on the ball than Rep Compares and his long living crew. The thing that black must continue doing is making his/her office the White House. Ha, ha! Move on up my brothers, and if the Man get in your way–elbow him. And all you rich black folks out there with all that money–pool your money and open universities to educate your brothers and sisters at the bottom. And those that don’t want a career then build places of production for them to produce.
Get the racists crackers out of the way these things can be done.
This is totally inexcusable !!!!!
It never ceases to amaze me how as someone else pointed out “Racially Rude” whites have become publicly towards the President of the United States, since Obama took office. Their rudeness is not lost in the eyes of the world, as people who always want to create alleged reasons of inequality as the justification for invading other nations while bringing to those who they invade so called “American Values”. This fool, congressman. should not be standing in front of the American flag, denigrating it by implication that our flag stands for these continued snide racially insensitive remarks.
Absolutely shows where our country was/is right now. Sorry people, we are not in a post-racial America. It still is what is and we have to make individual decisions to do the right thing. I am sure this man has used Christian values as his platform like most men like him. This is sad!
No matter what, the man said it. this is probably something that they all have been saying behind closed doors. Making those small jokes that no one is laughing at but THOSE folks.I thought that America came a along way, but when you hear this kind of comment, then we know that prejudice still exist among us especially the REPUBLICANS.If we really read history then we know that Republicans was not the first party. It was the Democrats. I wished that we realized that we are all GOD’s children, and moved on.
No matter what, the man said it. this is probably something that they all have been saying behind closed doors. Making those small jokes that no one is laughing at but THOSE folks.I thought that America came a along way, but when you hear this kind of comment, then we know that prejudice still exist among us especially the REPUBLICANS.If we really read history then we know that Republicans was not the first party. It was the Democrats. I wished that we realized that we are all GOD’s children, and moved on. People get ready, there is a train coming.You don’t need a ticket,just get on board!
I would respectively urge every one commenting on the Congress guy’s statement about President Obama to “pen a note directly to him voicing your views and send a copy to the chamiman of the Congressional Black Caucus. All of his information is public and easy to obtain. In this case, the pen is quite affective in delivering a message about these types of racist comments from members of Congress or any public figure. Just a thought and we can move on.
C. Douglas Walton
We have no room for a disrespectful white politics which is nottin but a white man that feel his above the law because he is white and rich but he beget that all eyes is on him also as the Pres. Obama has he said his mother got him really for people has this man,we just have to keep praying and fighting for the rights of the black race and for the poor but anyway it goes Pes. Obama still showed the world as a Whole that Yes We Can all i say is Obama brother man keep ur head up for the power is yours.com Peace
It is apparent that this White Rat Peck A Wood Cracker has never seen Blackness; Really Smart, Class of Brilliant, Savvy, Advanced, Astute, Orator, Constitutional Scholar/Lawyer; Wonderful,& Chaming: Can Interact with any Nation.. President Obama Is Good~ And Running this United States of America;; President Barack H. Obama, Half White, Half Black A White Mother; Black Father/Kenya with an Indonsian Sister: Read This, Now Hear This; He Is First Black President… He is the Truth. His name is HISTORY!!! The World Knows It;;; Call whatever name you like; because you, with your low life scum ASS standing on STUPID and associated w/ Dumbness everyday you Rise; Be careful, When I fall on my Knees, My prayers Are Always Answered; To God Be The Glory, Who Is In The Fixing Business;He will Fix You any way he Likes or wants, be SCARED Fool. You can be Found in the Book of Proverbs under “Foolish” For God Is In Charge of Earth & ManKind/read the Book of Judges. Don’t Talk About God’s Anointed he was placed by God. When you are ignorant and backward, it is always best to Keep your mouth SHUT…. I want to say the same about Island Girl; They were treating all of you-black people like slaves/maids&cleaning motel/hotel in the ’60’s, Get Real. If some one calls you Tar Baby in America, at any age, Hit Them. Pick up a Book and enlighten yourself, if you do not know…The word has always been used by White Racist Haters;to demean Black People….
This is totally unacceptable, and we must not stand for this!
The “tar baby” comment is a racist label.
This type of behavior is grounded in the “Labeling Theory” which originated in sociology and criminology, also known as the social reaction theory. This theory focuses on the linguistic tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those who reject their norms or don’t give them their way. This type of racist attack has been used against the President in the past.
It’s just name calling at this level. The republicans failed to weaken the President. They lost. The republicans will be held responsible for this mess and the destruction to our economy. The President beat them. He stayed the course. So, all the republicans can do now is call him names and talk about his “momma”.
They have no heart. The world would be a better place without EVIL.
The Racists REPUBLICANS need to read this thread. We don’t need anymore fake apologies from dishonest idiots.
Mr. President,
As the song “In The Midst of It All” says you have already come through many hard trials and he will keep you in the midst of it all!
Happy Birthday!
Anonymous
According to history as documented by research on DNA at Stanford University, this person and all others are the decendents of African people. He should consult with Dr. Stephen Wells who have studied this subject for at least 10 years(Journey of Man) and he would know that he, his mother , his mother’s mother and his entire lineage are” tar baby” desendents.
The comments of Dough Lamborn is representative of tough mess in the United States of America that is hard to get out of indeed. Racial slurs carry a musky odor so deep in fiber of many so-called remorseful slip of the tongue men and women in the USA, which come to surface too often. It may be liken to the sense of fish oil pills that creep from within partakers at moments disappointing to others around. Lamborn delivered a projection of feelings, thoughts, and behavior from an ignorant past racism and projected into the reality of being under the leadership of a strong man of color a negativity because racism has never been desirable to African Americans. I pray that President Obama is not manipulated into rescuing Mr. Lamborn from the comments. The bad chose of words is not ill against President Obama alone, it is an attack on the intellect of all citizens of the United States of America, at least, and every human being at most. Mr. Lamborn should apologize to same people on receipt of the comment, and those who have had to endure it in the media because he is a mis-representative of our nation. Mr. Lamborn has chosen intentionally or unintentionally to view President Obama as a character of fiction, when the 44th President of the USA is due the respect given to the previous White men in office before him. However, the question is not rather his apology is a benevolence to satisfy his ego, but is it a sincere request for benevolent forgiveness? His untimely communication is not due acceptance of an apology or owed forgiveness. Still, I anticipate that our leader will rise and not step in the mess or the street talk of tar issued by Mr. Lamborn, and sincerely forgive not excuse. President Obama is the right person for the change that has come in these times.
The comments of Dough Lamborn is representative of tough mess in the United States of America that is hard to get out of indeed. Racial slurs carry a musky odor so deep in fiber of many so-called remorseful slip of the tongue men and women in the USA, which come to surface too often. It may be liken to the sense of fish oil pills that creep from within partakers at moments disappointing to others around. Lamborn delivered a projection of feelings, thoughts, and behavior from an ignorant past racism and projected into the reality of being under the leadership of a strong man of color a negativity because racism has never been desirable to African Americans. I pray that President Obama is not manipulated into rescuing Mr. Lamborn from the comments. The bad chose of words is not ill against President Obama alone, it is an attack on the intellect of all citizens of the United States of America, at least, and every human being at most. Mr. Lamborn should apologize to same people on receipt of the comment, and those who have had to endure it in the media because he is a mis-representative of our nation. Mr. Lamborn has chosen intentionally or unintentionally to view President Obama as a character of fiction, when the 44th President of the USA is due the respect given to the previous White men in office before him. However, the question is not rather his apology is a benevolence to satisfy his ego, but is it a sincere request for benevolent forgiveness? His untimely communication is not due acceptance of an apology or owed forgiveness. Still, I anticipate that our leader will rise and not step in the mess or the street talk of tar issued by Mr. Lamborn, and sincerely forgive not excuse. President Obama is the right person for the change that has come in these times.
The comments of Dough Lamborn is representative of tough mess in the United States of America that is hard to get out of indeed. Racial slurs carry a musky odor so deep in fiber of many so-called remorseful slip of the tongue men and women in the USA, which come to surface too often. It may be liken to the sense of fish oil pills that creep from within partakers at moments disappointing to others around. Lamborn delivered a projection of feelings, thoughts, and behavior from an ignorant past racism and projected into the reality of being under the leadership of a strong man of color a negativity because racism has never been desirable to African Americans. I pray that President Obama is not manipulated into rescuing Mr. Lamborn from the comments. The bad choice of words is not ill against President Obama alone, it is an attack on the intellect of all citizens of the United States of America, at least, and every human being at most. Mr. Lamborn should apologize to the same people on receipt of the comment; and those who have had to endure it in the media because he is a mis-representative of our nation. Mr. Lamborn has chosen intentionally or unintentionally to view President Obama as a character of fiction, when the 44th President of the USA is due the respect given to the previous White men in office before him. However, the question is not rather his apology is a benevolence to satisfy his ego, but is it a sincere request for benevolent forgiveness? His untimely communication is not due acceptance of an apology or owed forgiveness. Still, I anticipate that our leader will rise and not step in the mess or the street talk of tar issued by Mr. Lamborn, and sincerely forgive not excuse. President Obama is the right person for the change that has come in these times.
It was very improper to phrase his point in that way.
Very good Dr. Boyce, make it about race and black people show up and comment, make it about how we can better our people or make our children study harder or clean up our communities and make them safe all you hear is silence no thoughts. You are so worried about what this guy said if we had more control and better standing he would not make such a comment. Here you are kissing Obamas butt when he is destroying our communities with welfare and out of work black men and women. How he wants give 20 to 30 million illegals amnesty how is that going to help black people we are already on the bottom of unemployment. Instead of talking about the debt ceiling and was it correct you are talking about something that does not matter. Good Dr. Boyce you can always get black people to comment on race, because thats how victims think.
First of all Leroy Avery, you are not fooling ANYONE. You are not of African American decent. I can always tell a TROLL when I see their comments. A black person does not constantly refer to himself in third party. Maybe once, but certainly not three to four times, and only said WE or Us once. But the bottom line is that the President has done more for African Americans than any other President to date. Worry about your racist White counter parts and stop trying to tell Black people how to respond and what to respond to. Racism is OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM in AMRICA, so you are damned right we are going to respond, comment, march, cuss, fuss and fight as long as it and people like you exist.
AND I THANK YOU.
I’m still just amazed at how much vitriol they send Obama’s way. I agree with him and some don’t. That’s fine. But this nastiness is something else.
Thursday’s his 50th birthday, too. Be nice to the man. The way these people spout off against him just makes them look stupid. (Sure, they are stupid, but that’s no reason for them to proudly advertise it.)
I want to “personally” thank all who replied to my responses on this matter. However, I think we all need to rise above what’s infront of us and expand our horizons; it doesn’t matter who agrees, disagrees, apologizes, or anything because the bottom line to all of this is: RACISM EXISTS and will exist until “JESUS” comes to take us all home to be with him and our loved ones who are there waiting on us. So what this man is an elected official, big deal people; stop belittling each other on this post because whether any of you know it or not; this is all being tracked and read by other people besides Dr. Watkins (I’m not talking about everyday people who post to this blog). I say that specifically because every computer, URL, and Website have a Domain name and address; as soon as anyone logs on, the domain automatically goes into an electronic depository and, the algorithm and programming language can be deleted, changed, and/or tampered with by: (1). “White Hats”–these are programmers and analysts, hired by major banks, corporations, and the government to test the overall security of their systems. (2). “Black Hats”–these are programmers and analysts hired by the same and other agencies to hack into systems, test them, and make their overall recommendations to various companies, governments, and other agencies about how to eliminate, and/or improve the overall security structures of their computer systems. I’m not suggesting that we stop posting, change our verbiage or anything else (expression is better than confrontation); only that we should show each other a little more respect when posting; regardless of our education, knowledge, experiences, and so on (specifically “us black folk”). None of this matters in the end because if WE don’t take action NOW, then 10 years from now we may be in a similar mess like China and other countries that have weak and/or depleted governmental infrastructures, civil wars, and total chaos; regardless of who their elected officials are.
The best way to contact OUR electyed officials is to start at the County, Municipal, and State levels of Government; then on to the White House. Thanks a million to ALL who gave their input and insights regarding this subject (no matter how sensitive some may be; at least we know we have feelings, emotions, and thoughts that need to be heard, and not kept pent up inside of us; which only leads to mistrust, bias, and other negative stuff that is currently tearing our country, neighborhoods, communities, and schools apart). The CHILDREN are the ones suffering from this… “HAVE A HEART, SHOW YOUR HEART, EXPRESS YOUR HEART, HELP A HEART, AND GIVE A HEART.” I’m out for the next few days but, I’ll be back because this is very great dialogue that can and sometimes is, expressed face to face. God bless ALL of you.
James.
Interesting. Are you familiar with FREEDOM Of SPEECH? I agree with what you are stating , however, how does this HELP the racial division that ALL of us, including our children are faced with daily? So are you suggesting we find an old abandoned building, schedule meetings to converse so that BIG brother does not keep a record of our disapproval with how we are treated as African Americans in this GREAT LAND OF THE FREE? Are you FREE James?
This remark should not be a SURPRISE to any of us…white, black or other. Every since Pres Obama has been in office he has been ridiculed, disgraced, disrespected, neglected, prosecuted, accused, slandered and racially abused and NOTHING has been done about it. Why???? Trump got away with it. The more things CHANGE, the More they stay the SAME.
As described in WIKIPEDIA:
“The Tar-Baby is a doll made of tar and turpentine used to entrap Br’er Rabbit in the second of the Uncle Remus stories. The more that Br’er Rabbit fights the Tar-Baby, the more entangled he becomes. In modern usage according to Random House, “tar baby” refers to any “sticky situation” that is only aggravated by additional contact. The expression tar baby is also used occasionally as a derogatory term for black people (in the U.S. it refers to African-Americans; in New Zealand it refers to Maori), or among blacks as a term for a particularly dark-skinned person. As a result, some people suggest avoiding the use of the term in any context.”
THIS SHOULD BE PUBLISHED AND PLASTERED ON THE CONGRESSMAN’S MIRROR FOR AT LEAST 4 YEARS. THAT WAY ONCE THE PRESIDENT IS RE-ELECTED, THIS MORON WILL HAVE SOEMTHING TO KEEP HIS CRAVING TO SPEW ANOTHER RACIST REMARK.
GREAT ANALOGY Hs
it is amazing that people defend whites by stating they dont understand what they are saying.. bullshit they understand ….whether it’s propaganda or not to keep us divided
reality is –we are divided that is the problem…and once all blacks realize that we cant move forward as a whole…..it is fear that drives this.. they know if we unite they are in trouble …white people we dont want to take your place.. we have our own place in this world…your evil has resonated into your children but u will definitely see a real role reversal…whereas your children will start to be arrested harassed and abused and made to feel like shit…i believe in god and karma ….and what goes around will arrive at you…and your children and their children, etc…JUST REMEMBER YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A REAL BROWNING OF AMERICA AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE …HISPANICS , ASIAN, INDIAN, AND ARAB AND THEY DEFINITELY ARE NOT SCARED OF YOU…THESE ARE THE ONES YOU HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT…AND THEY WILL NOT BE CITIZENS BECAUSE THIS COUNTRY SAYS THEY DONT HAVE TO BE……AND BLACKS SHOULD JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH AND LAUGH..ITS AMAZING YOU PEOPLE VOTE AGAINST YOUR OWN BEST INTEREST TO SEE BLACKS WITHOUT NOTHING
@pierced
I did not misread your comment, nor do I have a trigger finger. I guess I am just not as willing as you are to give any reason other than the obvious for why this RACIST said what he said. Like I as well as many others have said in this day and age, NO PERSON IN ANY POLITICAL OFFICE should even think about going any where near any word or phrase, that has racist connotations behind it. Nor should they rely on this SHOTTY OVER USED FREEDOM OF SPEECH nonsense. He knows exactly what he was trying to do. he knew that African Americans would be enraged and talk about this. And he also knew that other racist white people would make excuses or find other rationales behind it. Racist white politicians already have enough white people making excuses for them, they don’t need African Americans doing it as well.
And you can call yourself whatever you’d like to call yourself. But you had better believe that you would not be here on earth looking the way you look, had it not been for two Africans a long long time ago.
Have A Great Day!
I see Kai Epic that you made your reply to “Staff”, but it was directed at me. Oh well, when you continue to make responses that have nothing to do with what I said or meant …….well, never mind I get it.
Furthermore, my African descent (which I fully embrace) has nothing to do with me choosing to identify as black. Talk about the congressman – you seem to have a real problem yourself with race.
I know who I am, where I came from and who helped pay the price for me to get there – I don’t need you to tell me that. I don’t feel the need to prove in speech, rhetoric, ideology and anything else you want to throw at me that I am black and of African American descent. All the world has to do is take a look at me.
You, however, don’t seem too secure in your “blackness”.
Let’s agree to disengage because you just don’t understand that I am not defending the Congressman. You’ve gone on a whole other rant that has nothing to do with what I said.
Peace Kai and Stay Black (maybe you’ll understand that)!
First of all PIERCED,
The reason I did not respond to you, was because the reply button was not available. Obviously, I knew how to use it since the first time I replied, it was in response to your (RANT) as you call it. And I never said that you did not embrace your blackness. You are the one who said something to begin with regarding what you call/consider yourself when I called you an African American,. so put the blame where it belong.
I never said you were defending that RACIST either. So if it is at all possible try (and once again I said try) to stop misquoting what I typed.
And I do not have a problem with race, my problem is with RACISTS and people who make excuses for them, or give them some ridiculous avenue to exclaim that they meant something else. If you want to always seek the possibility that A know racist rant, word or phrase could have been meant in a non racist way……be my guest buddy. Go for it. But like about three other people on this thread said…if it walks and quacks like a duck, it certainly is not a damn swan.
BUT HEY…YOU DO YOU and I WILL DO ME.
THE END.
Exactly Kai – I know you know how to use the “reply” button, but you didn’t. You said it wasn’t available – well…. ok…..if you say so.
Kai, you said, “If you want to always seek the possibility that A know racist rant, word or phrase could have been meant in a non racist way……be my guest buddy.”
That’s another point – I never said it was meant in a non-racist way (that is YOUR interpretation). What I DID say, was that the statement has a double meaning and that the congressman was being sly or slick with it.
But, you’re hell bent on insisting that I said it was possibly non-racist. (Didn’t say that nor did I mean that.) What I DID say, is that the audience/listener/reader could interpret it as the Brer Rabbit version (particularly if white).
Again, that just speaks to the slyness of the Congressman, because it gives him an “out” to plead innocent of the intent of the other (racist) meaning.
But, you didn’t get that (over your head perhaps).
You said, ” But like about three other people on this thread said…if it walks and quacks like a duck, it certainly is not a damn swan.” I agree with you here, but unlike you, I don’t need substantiation from three ( or thousands of) others to legitimize my position or opinion.
As for your comment, “BUT HEY…YOU DO YOU and I WILL DO ME.” Isn’t that just about all most people can do – be themselves. (Well some of us try otherwise, but usually unsuccessfully – the real eventually comes out.)
Well Kai, it’s been interesting, if not frustrating.
And I do agree with you on “The End” because you don’t even understand that our opinion of the “good” Congressman is the same. I just chose to elaborate on the “game” he’s playing. (But you don’t get it.)
Peace and Enlightenment.
Pierced (by the way do you have loads and loads of piercings or something. But I digress.
There is no need for me to lie to you, a person who I know absolutely nothing about other than your posts here. The reply button was there, but it did not allow me to click on it, like it was greyed out…GET A GRIP What the heck do I need to lie to you for. LMAO
Pierced…
I am wondering why you feel the need to talk down to me. I did not miss anything, nor did anything go over my head. You are the one who is misquoting me and YOU are the one who want SO DESPARATELY to think I don’t get where you were coming from with your little comment. i do. I just think you are giving him an excuse or an avenue. I do not care if there were 100 stories using the words Tar Baby. The bottom line is that he used it to get a reaction from Black people. Just like so many other RACISTS do.
So once again, if you want to THINK something went over my head-don’t let me stop you. As long as I now what I know. And I don’t care what you need to substantiate your claims or comments. if I want to state that others agreed with me, so be it. It does not mean I need them, it just means I am in great company. I never once tried to belittle you, or assume you were not good with comprehension. You did this to me more than once. All I said is that what you said was BS, in that you and I both know that this BOGOT, this PUNK, this EVIL RACIST WHITE MAN did it for the same reasons they did it in the slavery era.
Good Night
Kai, Wrong again !!! (The name I use for posting has absolutely nothing to do with piercings.) You just can’t figure me out , can you?
Well, it’s very simple. What I said – I meant. Yes, that man made an intentional comment that could be interpreted as racist and would be interpreted that way by most black people (me included). But that wasn’t what my comment was about. It was about how he was trying to be “coy” about it.
You’re looking at it on its face (yes, black people and a lot of white for that matter would view it as racist). I went a step further to say, not only that, but he intentionally used a term that could be read more than one way so he could hide behind the less offensive version.
I am not talking down to you, in fact, if you go back and reread my words, you will see that I said “PERHAPS” (over your head PERHAPS). I was giving you the benefit of the doubt.
You’re reading waaaaay too much into my discourse with you.
Let me wrap this up, there was no justification for him uttering the term “tar baby” and it was irresponsible, as well as racist.
By the way, have you heard about Pat Buchanan calling the President “boy” and “your boy” on Al Sharpton’s MSNBC show? I’m not even going there with you on this one! LOL. And yes, I think it was racist.
Peace
TO
The KKK has stop killing blacks because we now allow them to lead us to our own slaughter. we put them in suits and in Washington, to destroy us with their pens . They the GOP many of whom have robbed and raped this country of the last shred of dignity . they have stolen elections they have started wars they bombed the world trade centers. those planes hitting the top of the buildings did not cause them to fall exactly where they stood, they would have toppled and fell every where . have you ever seen a building demolished on purpose? Google it YouTube building being demolished and see for yourself how a well planed demolition looks.
Pierced..
You are the pot calling the kettle black when you say I am reading too much into your words, because when I said do you have a lot of piercings, that was just a PUN, I HOPE you didn’t think I thought you were some person with over a hundred rings through your body…..MOVING ON.
I see you keep reiterating and trying to break down what you meant by your comments. And once again, THANK YOU FOR ASSUMING that I am not capable of comprehending what you typed. I never said that you didn’t think it was racist. But you are so desperate to feel that I didn’t get what you meant. I said it like three times already I GOT WHAT YOU MEANT. I just think you gave him an AVENUE. that he did not deserve. Why would you even offer another possibility to an EVIL MONSTER LIKE HIM. If a racist uses something that can be taken two ways (ONE OF THEM BEING IN A RACIST WAY) why would you see the need to tell people about the other possibility ((SINCE YOU YOURSELF SAID YOU FEEL HE WAS BEING RACIST) Why say to someone that you know this person stole money for example, but say since you didn’t see him spend it, he could have just moved it to a safer place for the own. That is just giving the EVIL RACIST JERK an avenue to say he did not mean it that way. Actually I believe he didn’t WANT to say Tar Baby, I believe he wanted to say the “N” word. Let him come up with his own excuses or other rationales. That is all I am saying. But if it makes you feel better by ASSUMING I don’t get what you meant be my guess and break it down yet again.
And yes I did hear Pat call the President “Your Boy” when speaking to Al Sharpton. He has always been a race baiter. He said it to join in on the campaign to incite ignorant racist who still have cotton between their toes . They all want to waken the racist ways of the EVIL RACISTS. I cannot stand racist people and I cannot deal with anyone who calls them anything other that what they are.
Kai,
Seriously – you are deluded. I have not GIVEN this man any avenue. What he said – has been said. He didn’t ask for my or your permission to say it. We don’t ask for his permission to speak either.
Was he wrong for saying it? Yes. Did he know what he said could be read on more than one level? Yes. Did he throw a rock and then try to hide his hand? Yes.
My “breaking down” things, as you say, is to correct your lack of comprehension of what my original statement meant. I don’t appreciate anyone redefining my words and/or meaning. (Especially when they’re WRONG.) I define my intent – not you.
If you truly understood – you would never have addressed me as you did. It simply wouldn’t be necessary.
You said, “why would you see the need to tell people about the other possibility ((SINCE YOU YOURSELF SAID YOU FEEL HE WAS BEING RACIST)”. Well, here’s your answer. In this forum (which I believe is majority black), I don’t have to explain what most of us already know about the intent of the words.
I was exposing why he chose to use a term (actually rather antiquated) that had double meaning, so that if he was called on it – he could use the “Brer Rabbit” version as an escape and cover. That doesn’t mean that I am saying give him that cover – allow him that escape route. Quite the opposite.
Now, I’ve explained this several times- and this is the last. I assumed that I was conversing with an intelligent human being. But you’re making me wonder, Kai. Now if you still don’t understand OR choose to disbelieve – that is on you.
Anyhoo, instead of wasting my and your time on this planet (because you are intent on claiming I’m giving this Congressman a pass), why don’t you put your efforts where it may affect change.
Start a campaign to get this man out of office or insure he is never re-elected again. Rally the people who are within your sphere to “march on Washington”. Bombard your local, state and federal representatives and ask them to censure this Congressman. Do something – don’t just e-spat with me!
In other words, go after your enemy (and I’m not your enemy). But I get it, it’s easier to come at me – all you have to do is stroke a few keys. Your REAL enemy requires more.
Pierced…
Since you are not capable of debating or conversation without calling names like some immature high school student, this conversation is official over.
I have not once called you out of your name, nor did I question your intelligence. Maybe I should have.
Believe what you want to believe, it still does not change my mind that you offered an avenue for others reading this (INCLUDING LOADS OF WHITE PEOPLE)
Have a great day, and try to curtail your anger when someone disagrees with you. Calling names and trying to sound MORE INTELLIGENT than the person you are talking to is so juvenile, and ignorant.
You will get no more responses from me. So you will to waste another key stroke is your will, just like it was your will to offer an avenue to a racist.
Be Blessed.
“Let freedom ring from the high top mountains of Colorado. And the mountains shall be made low and the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together”. Martin Luther King Jr.
He is just being like all the ohers. Some would be more careful in what they say in public, but thats what they all want to say, or worse.. They disrepect this president like no other before him.
Look, if we’re going to continue our reaction to silly little grown-ups, at least get em’ back with a “joke” of your own. Remember playing the ‘dozens’ with each other? Well, let’s play with the funny man and talk about his color, and how decayed he looks! Maybe this is all he wants to do….plain simple fun. Stop inciting our people with this nonsense, because they do not need to become sick, or stressed over child-like trivial stupidity. I’d say, play with the big little ‘boy’ who likes to call names! : )
Same old, same old. That white “Boy” is never going to respect a “N—–r” no matter what, even if he is an intellectual like Obama. Duh. How can a country founded upon racism ever shake loose frim its roots. Lamborn is just another jerk.
The spirit of Lester Maddox, Strum Thruman, and George Wallace are still alive in America. The KKK now wear suits and are taking over the government which they say they hate. But what we see and hear today from elected officials is deplorable. Hell is too good a place for the likes of them. The fact that Dough Lamborn would make the analysis says he is old enough to know better and it tells of inbred and ingrained thoughts and beliefs. If these people are reelected it will let us know that we have a long battle to be one people and the fight goes on for equality, fairness and justice for all. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Friends, let us NOT argue with one another. Let us pool together and show racists, perjudice, tea partiers, and ignorant people just what we are made of. VICTORY, VICTORY, VICTORY at the polls. That will fix everything. GOD IS IN CONTROL people!!!!!! Just keep on praying and show love towards one another.
I am very pleased with the examination and discussion that the so called “tar baby” comment has elicited! I am proud of those who not only understood this so called congressman’s slur but also understood the urgency of written expression. This struggle is not new nor can this type of verbiage go unnoticed or unchecked! Seems as if some in this nation have forgotten who We are and What We stand For. Let our
voices continue to be heard, wherever injustice and slander are fed to the American people as acceptable behavior. Apparently some are ready to revisit the lily white past of mockery, humiliation and distortion! This is an old game and the victory has already
been posted! Our ancestors have already served and the new participants are just like the old ones…too bigoted to know the difference. We do have what it takes and We will not lose any game that is detrimental to our life in America! Yes, this is our country and We aren’t going anywhere without a fight for justice,freedom and liberty from those who would deny our human and civil rights!
Forever yours in the struggle,
Shirley A. Brown