McCain on ‘getting into a tar baby.’
By on Mar 16th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
McCain on ‘getting into a tar baby.’
In response to a question about the rights of divorced fathers, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in Iowa today “said that he wouldn’t want to interfere in the decisions of divorce courts because doing so would be ‘getting into a tar baby of enormous proportions.’” (Memo to McCain: The expression tar baby is a racial slur “used occasionally as a derogatory term for black people.”)
UPDATE: McCain has apologized.
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Jeebus….I’ve heard the words “tar baby” used more by Republiscum than I ever heard in “Song of the South.”
March 16th, 2007 at 6:48 pmYou’ve got to be kidding me?! I guess no one has ever been on Splash Mountain at Disneyland/world?
March 16th, 2007 at 6:48 pmMcCain has already had hot steamy sex with the Tar Baby. The goo is all over him.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:49 pmWell, no. “Tar baby” refers to a sticky situation, something much easier to get into than out of.
It may have taken on other connotations in recent years, but why should that preclude its use in the older sense?
March 16th, 2007 at 6:50 pmAlright, alright… the term really does NOT have a racial background. So when everyone got upset the first time when Tony Snow said it, it was kind of stupid, but people didn’t know, and it just sounded bad.
But after such a huge mess about the term, it is amazing that McCain would then choose to use it again, especially when he’s trying to run for President. Why bring up a term that caused such a ruckus before?
It IS an old fashioned kind of term. I guess it just shows how old McCain is. None of these politicians are really thinking these days are they?
Have there been this many spoken slip ups before? Was this happening before I was into politics and before I was born? Or are we just at a much more heightened state where we jump to criticizes even the smallest flub?
March 16th, 2007 at 6:51 pmA tarbaby is also just what McCain meant when he used the word. Frankly, I haven’t heard it used as a racial slur (and rarely then) since the 50s. The image from the Uncle Remus stories is of something so sticky that the mere attempt to extricate yourself from it makes the entrapment that much worse.
I give him a pass on it.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:52 pmBut Dave, the modern connotation is the one relevant to the contemporary world. That’s McCain’s problem; he thinks its still 1975 and he is young, bright and relevant.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:54 pmFor what it is worth, I won’t be voting for McCain regardless.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:56 pmYou’ve got to be kidding me?! I guess no one has ever been on Splash Mountain at Disneyland/world?
Comment by Jake
Nope.
Do they have tar baby displays? Tar baby on a stick? Tar baby t-shirts? Tar baby coffee mugs?
March 16th, 2007 at 6:56 pmIt may have taken on other connotations in recent years, but why should that preclude its use in the older sense?
Comment by David Dvorkin
“Faggot” is also a pile of wood. It may have taken on other connotations in recent years, but why should that preclude it’s use in the older sense?
So, let’s throw another faggot on the fire! Words evolve in meaning, pumpkinhead.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:59 pmZooey:
It’s an amusement park ride based on “Song of the South” but that’s not important right now.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:59 pmFor what it is worth, I won’t be voting for McCain regardless.
Comment by Jake
Aren’t his sheets white enough?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:00 pmMaybe McCodger needs to take some Smecklers Powder and a little Tonic of Bitimun……Fossil.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:00 pmHey, I’m 56, and tar baby means a black person around here.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:01 pmUs old homies know’s what your talkin about! Cut it out you racists!
It’s an amusement park ride based on “Song of the South†but that’s not important right now.
Comment by Jake
Then why did you bring it up, dearest?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:02 pmIt’s an amusement park ride based on “Song of the South†but that’s not important right now.
Comment by Jake
What is the Song of the South? Dixie Chicken?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:02 pmBarfly:
So far, the best candidate the Republicans have is Romney. Has he been to Splash Mountain?
And, don’t call me Shirley, Zooey.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:04 pmWhen I was 6, my grandfather called my little friend next door a tar baby. I knew he wasn’t being nice.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:04 pmWhatever. I’m not giving up Brer Rabbit and his briarpatch because some 50’s racist called someone a tarbaby.
Nerts.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:05 pmAnd, don’t call me Shirley, Zooey.
Comment by Jake
You’re nuckin’ futs, Shirley.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:06 pmBarfly:
It’s an ancient Disney movie. It would make you cringe watching it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_the_South
March 16th, 2007 at 7:07 pmAt first I thought this was being picky. But look how everyone jumped all over Joe Biden with his ill-chosen remarks about Obama. Equal time!
March 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pmPeter Pan is an old Disney movie, they love Native Americans in that one.
/sarcasm
March 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pmSo, let’s throw another faggot on the fire! Words evolve in meaning, pumpkinhead.
Comment by Barfly
Words also have meaning in context. Can I use the word “cracker”, or do I have to worry about offending some Southron? Or can I say “the jig is up”? I haven’t used that expression in a coon’s age, but (oops!) . . .
Lighten up. Referring to someone as a tarbaby is entirely different than referring to a situation as being like the tarbaby.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:11 pmZooey; I know. It was an attempted joke. Do you ever see the Robert Smigel (sp) bit on SNL? Where they open the Disney vault, and a send up of the movie, Song of the South? Comedy gold.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:12 pmSo far, the best candidate the Republicans have is Romney. Has he been to Splash Mountain?
Comment by Jake
Is that some sort of sick, republican sex act? Sounds like it.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:14 pmJake – and old fart means previously released methane gas but it still applies to you. Jackass
March 16th, 2007 at 7:19 pmMcCain thinks he’s Uncle Remus. LOL!!
March 16th, 2007 at 7:19 pmHas he been to BROWNBACK MOUNTAIN?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:19 pmWords also have meaning in context. Lighten up. Referring to someone as a tarbaby is entirely different than referring to a situation as being like the tarbaby.
Comment by gummitch
Context starts with history (historical context), and at this late date in America, using the term in any context is problematic.
And ask anyone here, I’m one of the biggest lightweights on the board, so I don’t think “lightening up” would be particularly useful.
See? Context is everything.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:21 pmThrow a faggot on the fire.
Back in the good old days, that usually meant a gay person tied to a bundle of sticks so they’d burn better.
Then the good townspeople would lynch a few n****rs.
Good times were had by all.
Except perhaps the faggots and nigras, as my bigoted grandma used to say.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:22 pmAmember of this site called Gonzales a “fruit picker” and no one said a word.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:24 pmZooey; I know. It was an attempted joke. Do you ever see the Robert Smigel (sp) bit on SNL? Where they open the Disney vault, and a send up of the movie, Song of the South? Comedy gold.
Comment by Barfly
I thought you were old enough to know, but hell, I didn’t know who Dwight Shrute was, so you could have missed it, right? Heh.
I haven’t seen that SNL bit, but I’ll look it up!
March 16th, 2007 at 7:24 pmHey dipsh!t, I don’t know if you are aware, but Brare Fox and Brare Bear represent the southern racists in the Song of the South. The book is a parable, you know, like in the bible.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:25 pmThe real “tar baby” is the Iraq occupation. (No slur intended)
We’re stuck. We can’t stay and we can’t leave.
Chimpy is Brer Rabbit.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:26 pmMcCain should be ashamed of himself in using such a racial slur and in a public comment. How dastardly and transparently discriminatory can one get! It’s becoming clear that McCain’s not the brightest bulb in the bunch and his ability to handle the presidency is non-existent….er….well….he’d probably handle it precisely the way Bush is handling it….inadequately and incompetently.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:28 pmAmember of this site called Gonzales a “fruit picker†and no one said a word.
Comment by mandolin
Since you didn’t post the comment, we’ll all assume you’re still full of sh*t.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:28 pmAmember of this site called Gonzales a “fruit picker†and no one said a word.
Comment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
That was YOU assface!
March 16th, 2007 at 7:29 pmThis is from http://www.m-w.com
Main Entry: tar baby
Function: noun
Etymology: from the tar baby that trapped Brer Rabbit in an Uncle Remus story by Joel Chandler Harris
: something from which it is nearly impossible to extricate oneself
You can read more about the author here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Chandler_Harris
And make up you own minds as to the level(s) of racism found within…
March 16th, 2007 at 7:29 pmIt’s becoming clear that McCain’s not the brightest bulb in the bunch and his ability to handle the presidency is non-existent….er….well….he’d probably handle it precisely the way Bush is handling it….inadequately and incompetently.
Comment by veritas — March 16, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
And that’s in a bunch of 4 watts – how dumb is that Republican field.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:31 pmGonzales isn’t a fruit picker, you gabacho gringo.
Gonzales is a Tio Taco, a sellout.
He reminds me of Ken Blackwell the Repuke who disenfranchised 300000 of his fellow blacks.
Gonzales would sell us all out for his own personal gain.
Hell, he doesn’t even know that Habeus is in the Constitution.
Gonzales es un Pendecho.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:31 pm#32 let’s make the clear and obvious distinction: comments written by TP bloggers and comments by presidential candidates on the “campaign trail” are entirely two different things. Clearly, this guy has just shot himself in his macacca foot just like Allen did and his campaign is toast now…..it was burning toast even before this comment so I woudn’t be surprised if he said it intentionally in order to “create an excuse” for himself such as a slip of the tongue versus just being plain unpopular, unrespected, undeserving, and incapable. Knowing McCain and his handlers, I’d say that it was said intentionally to excuse his poll numbers which are sinking like the Titanic.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:31 pmHey dipsh!t, I don’t know if you are aware, but Brare Fox and Brare Bear represent the southern racists in the Song of the South. The book is a parable, you know, like in the bible.
Comment by Spudge_Boy
Before you call names, do your research. The easiest way to start is looking up Brer Rabbit in Wikipedia. You’ve got the whole thing utterly and completely bassackward.
And follow up on the connections to Anansi. Some good Neil Gaiman stuff in there.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:31 pmMandolin,
It was never said, you lie.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:31 pmWho cares about a purported comment about Gonzo being a “fruit picker” (I believe he’s, instead, a closet nose picker myself)?? Comments by posters are simply that: their opinions so let’s get over it, simpleton.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:33 pmGonzales es un Pendecho.
Comment by Tom3
I thought the word was pendejo.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:33 pm#46 is that the spanish for “illiterate”?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:34 pmFor those who didn’t believe that a member of this site called Gonzales a “fruit picker” , here it is.
Bush will save Rove and throw the fruit picker Gonzo under the bus. Gonzo was only needed for the Spanish vote his use is over now. But as they kick him out Bush will say it was all Bill Clinton’s fault. Yes Americans will buy that lie as they’ve believe all the lies Bush has told for 6 years and counting.
The Military told American Pat Tillman was killed by terrorist only years later did we find out they lied. Now Mohammed after being tortured with water boarding say he did it all even killed Lincoln and Kennedy and Americans believe it. Strange thing the confusion sounds more like the English terminology then Middle Eastern but no problem Americans will believe it. Now Danny Pearls family knows better then to believe the LIAR-IN-CHIEF so they’ll wait for the truth to come out. The media is doing a great job pushing the lie as usual.
Comment by Jackie Rawlings — March 15, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Who will condemn this racist remark?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:38 pmIf you want to find it yourself, scroll down and click on the older posts link and then go to thread with the picture of Schumer. It is comment #51.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:39 pmFor those who didn’t believe that a member of this site called Gonzales a “fruit picker†, here it is.[...]
Comment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
This site doesn’t have MEMBERS!! Anyone can post just about any old thing around here that they please.
You are gathering evidence from under your own feet. EEWW, what’s that smell?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:45 pmYou’ve got to be kidding me?! I guess no one has ever been on Splash Mountain at Disneyland/world?
Comment by Jake — March 16, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Did you have to dust off that pointy white hat, or do you wear it every day now as a KKK activist of the *new-south*?
St*pid old bigot!
March 16th, 2007 at 7:45 pmI guess everyone supports a hispanic person being called a fruit picker. This site is apperently full of rascists.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:46 pmThis site doesn’t have MEMBERS!! Anyone can post just about any old thing around here that they please.
You are gathering evidence from under your own feet. EEWW, what’s that smell?
Comment by dixie blood — March 16, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
March 16th, 2007 at 7:47 pmThen at least admit that Jackie Rawlings is a rascist.
I guess everyone supports a hispanic person being called a fruit picker. This site is apperently full of rascists.
Comment by mandolin
Sometimes it’s full of dolts that can’t spell, too.
And sometimes it’s full of people who babble on and on, sans paragraphs, and I personally don’t have time to decipher their dreck. And, having spent part of my troubled youth in the Central Valley of California, I somehow missed the term “fruit picker” as an ethnic slur. Thanks for pointing it out. The person who used it is bad bad bad.
Happy now? Will you go away?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:53 pmThen at least admit that Jackie Rawlings is a rascist.
Comment by mandolin
Jackie Rawlings made a rascist statement. Close enough? Now, who is Jackie Rawlings? A sometime poster; by no means a “member,” so, do you also condemn the comments of Jake, michael, and others on the Coulter thread? Or does “raghead” not qualify?
March 16th, 2007 at 7:58 pmThen at least admit that Jackie Rawlings is a rascist.
Comment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
Who is Jackie Rawlings? As I said anyone can post here…
Don’t you get it??
March 16th, 2007 at 7:59 pmAnd, having spent part of my troubled youth in the Central Valley of California, I somehow missed the term “fruit picker†as an ethnic slur.
Comment by gummitch — March 16, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
And I am the son of a cotton farmer but I still think it would be hideously rascist to call a black person a “cotton picker”. I guess you would be ok with that.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:00 pmAnd I am the son of a cotton farmer but I still think it would be hideously rascist to call a black person a “cotton pickerâ€. I guess you would be ok with that.
Comment by mandolin
You really are an idiot, aren’t you? And an angry idiot at that. I’d be OK with you calling yourself a cab.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:05 pmAnd I am the son of a cotton farmer but I still think it would be hideously rascist to call a black person a “cotton pickerâ€. I guess you would be ok with that.
Comment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Actually, you brought it up…seems to me you’re the racist here…right? I wasn’t thinkin’ cotton until you went there…
March 16th, 2007 at 8:09 pmSo far only one person has admitted that calling Gonzales a “fruit picker” is rascist. This is absolutely disgusting. What about you dixie blood(I bet you wish you were in dixie you rascist monster) Grow a spine and call that remark what it is, blatantly rascist.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:16 pmUPDATE: McCain has apologized.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:17 pmAt least we can all admit that Nico is an idiot for starting this thread.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:19 pmAt least we can all admit that Nico is an idiot for starting this thread. Comment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 8:19 pm
At least we can all admit you’re an idiot for making this post.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:21 pmSo far only one person has admitted that calling Gonzales a “fruit picker†is rascist. This is absolutely disgusting. What about you dixie blood(I bet you wish you were in dixie you rascist monster) Grow a spine and call that remark what it is, blatantly rascist. Comment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
I’m still waiting on you to apologize for defending the racism of the GOP. That makes you the blatant racist monster. But what should we expect from the party of David Duke, Strom Thurmond and the rest of the KKKarl Rove slime balls!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:23 pmSo far only one person has admitted that calling Gonzales a “fruit picker†is rascist. This is absolutely disgusting. What about you dixie blood(I bet you wish you were in dixie you rascist monster) Grow a spine and call that remark what it is, blatantly rascist.
Comment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
YOU ARE A MORON!!!!!!!
FRUIT PICKER IS A JOB DESCRIPTION…
COTTON PICKER IS RACIST, EXCEPT IN CERTAIN CONTEXT!!! COTTON PICKER IS NOT A JOB IN THIS COUNTRY!! ARE YOU REAL??
RACIST PH*CK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:27 pmComment by mandolin — March 16, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
If you Wiki “fruit picker” you get…not so much…
If you Wiki “cotton picker” you get:
Some people prefer the term cotton harvester to cotton picker when referring to the machine because cotton picker is also regarded as racial slur, a highly derogatory reference for black people, especially African Americans. It is considered very offensive because it makes a direct reference to the days when most blacks in America were held as slaves, many of whom were forced to perform manual labour on cotton plantations.
Here’s the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_picker
YOU ARE STUPID!!!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:42 pmTar baby is NOT a racial slur.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:49 pmAt least we can all admit that Nico is an idiot for starting this thread.
Comment by mandolin
You are an idiot for existing.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:01 pmTar baby is NOT a racial slur.
Comment by lestatdelc
Sorry, I disagree. Anytime I’ve ever heard that term in my life, it was definitely meant and delivered as a racial slur.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:04 pmWhile the term “tar baby” was not originally a racial slur, it’s occasional use as such has tainted the term to the point that it’s simply unwise to use in conversation any longer.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:10 pmComment by Zooey — March 16, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — March 16, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
It’s about context!
Words are words…
March 16th, 2007 at 9:17 pmThen at least admit that Jackie Rawlings is a rascist.
Comment by mandolin
Can’t admit anything because RASCIST is not a word. Look it up dumbshit cracker.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:02 pmShows you who he really is. A remark like that is rather offensive, even to a rancorous old curmugeon like me. Go away you old, fat, pasty-faced, white man McCain. You’re probably Christian, too.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:18 pmThis is from an interview on the Straight Talk Express:
Q: “What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence?â€
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “Ahhh. I think I support the president’s policy.â€
Q: “So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?â€
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “You’ve stumped me.â€
Q: “I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?â€
Mr. McCain: (Laughs) “Are we on the Straight Talk express? I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception – I’m sure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support the president’s policies on it.â€
Q: “But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Would you say: ‘No, we’re not going to distribute them,’ knowing that?â€
Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) “Get me Coburn’s thing, ask Weaver to get me Coburn’s paper that he just gave me in the last couple of days. I’ve never gotten into these issues before.â€
I think there is something wrong with him.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pmMarie,
You’re right. I’ve been saying for a while now that there’s something wrong with McCain, healthwise. I won’t be surprised if he withdraws for health reasons — after some HUGE gaff.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:14 pmSorry, I dislike McCain, but he was not being racial. He was talking about a situation. Accordingly, he used the phrase to mean a sticky situation. It wouldn’t have even made sense in the sentence he used the phrase in to be referring to somebody’s race.
Moreover, it is impossible for somebody to use a word in a racist fashion without the intent to do so. I highly doubt McCain was intending to use the phrase “tar baby” in a racist fashion.
With that said, considering the word has multiple meanings, it would have been wise not to use the word. However, old habits die hard, and people often make such mistakes when giving upscripted speech. He probably used the phrase not even thinking about it.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:35 pmMcCain has become senile, so he must resign from the Senate and return to Arizona for the rest of his nutty life.
March 17th, 2007 at 12:40 am(Memo to McCain: The expression tar baby is a racial slur “used occasionally as a derogatory term for black people.â€)
Yes. Occasionally. Yet far more frequently it is used in its more accurate application. as a non-racial description of a hard to handle situation.
You chose the former interpretation for obvious reasons.
An interesting piece of trivia: the number of your readers willing to state that McCain was actually making a racist remark is the same as the number willing to suggest that the same derogatory term for black people originated in Ghana. Zero.
March 17th, 2007 at 1:17 amAgain, you show a bias in opting for the inflammatory interpretation
Tar Baby – Examples of correct, undenounced usage
John F. Kerry,
Democratic U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, speaking of his staff’s advice to not pursue an investigation into American POW/MIA’s from the Vietnam War, was quoted on 10 August 1992: “Everybody on my staff, everybody I knew thought I was crazy, and said, ‘Don’t do this…’ … They said it’s a no-win tar baby.” [11]
Molly Ivins,
a nationally syndicated liberal columnist, wrote in October 2001: “It now looks, with 20-20 hindsight, as though he should have taken a few more deep breaths before smacking that tar-baby that is Afghanistan.”
Oh Molly, hatin on the blacks again Tsk tsk.
March 17th, 2007 at 1:22 amKilo = Seixon
March 17th, 2007 at 1:29 amA MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN–A TAR BABY ENVELOPING A PASTY-FACED FLIP-FLOPPING SCHIZOID MADMAN!!!!!
March 17th, 2007 at 1:48 amAMERICAN PRESIDENT AND MCAIN ARE COMPLICIT IN CHILD ABUSE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER
According to one portion of the transcript made public earlier this week, however, Mohammed told the panel of three unnamed military officers that his children had been held for four months and abused during his incarceration.
DISGUSTING,,,
Maybe you dont get news in America But the world knows whats happening
March 17th, 2007 at 6:57 amRacial slur/old colloquial-slang aside, why wouldn’t McCain offer any opinion on Father’s rights in divorce and visitation, even if it were to either be stupid or contrdicted by McCain himself 30 seconds later? He is starting to sound like Hillary.
Father’s rights i.e. equal parenting laws is a very big deal across the country.
March 17th, 2007 at 7:34 amYou gotta be kidding. It is NOT racist. “Tar Baby” is a literary allusion to “Brer Rabbit” and the “Tar Baby” from the Joel Chandler, Uncle Remus Stories. It refers to an opportunist who tries to take advantage of a situation and who, due to arrogance, is unable to extricate himself or herself from a situation largely self-imposed.
March 17th, 2007 at 10:14 amWhen did “tar baby” become a racial slur? “Tar baby” is a metaphor for something you grab, greedily, then can’t let go of when you realize you don’t want it. It’s a venerable American expression. If using “tar baby” in this context is racist, then so is singing a lot of gospel music.
It comes from folk tales told by southern slaves, about wily but mercurial Brer (Brother) Rabbit and slow-witted, methodical Brer Fox. Brer Rabbit mistakes a doll made of tar (the slaves telling the story being black, it makes perfect sense for the doll to be made of tar) for a person, and starts talking to it. When the tar baby does not respond, Brer Rabbit gets made and punches it — and his fist gets stuck. So then he punches it with his other fist, then he kicks it. . . and along comes Brer Fox, laughing, to capture Brer Rabbit whose all four paws are stuck to the tar baby.
Shortly after the Civil War, a white journalist named Joel Chandler Harris (related to the LA Times Chandlers? I don’t know.) came along, collected the stories and published them, claiming to be the author. This is false.
The assertion that Disney had anything to do with it is ridiculous. Disney’s gig has always been to get hold of meaty, grisly folk tales like Show White or the Little Mermaid, denature and sanitize them until almost devoid of content, contrive a happy ending, dip the whole thing in honey, and then use it as a giant vehicle for marketing dolls and other junk. Disney hasn’t had an original idea since Walt was a young man.
March 17th, 2007 at 11:10 amTar baby, cotton picker, fruit picker, cracker, faggot, ni**er, wetb*ck, kike, what did I miss?
It seems like the ones who are railing the most about McCain’s comments sure seem to be knowledgeable about all the racist terms.
Context is everything. If I say my neighbor is a cotton pickin’ nit wit, that has nothing to do with making a racist statement, he is white.
Get over it, McCain is an old man who used an old term. I will not necessarily be voting for him, but ya’ll are making way more out of this than it deserves.
March 17th, 2007 at 12:11 pmI went back and re-read Joel Chandler Harris’s Tales of Br’er Rabbit last time this got dusted-up into the news.
Harris was basically recording, writing down, tales from the oral culture of African-Americans in the south.
There is nothing ‘racist’ about the tar baby story.
In fact, in my opinion, it is rather snooty and condescending towards African-American folklore to try and turn this tale into some kind of off-limits ‘political correctness’ test. It always looks like the hypersensitive corporate media trying to create a bit of controversy where none really exists.
So, McCain should not have apologized or clarified … another reason to bash McCain as a panderer.
And I’ll keep using the term ‘tar baby ‘whenever is it germaine to the situation.
March 17th, 2007 at 6:24 pmContext is everything. If I say my neighbor is a cotton pickin’ nit wit, that has nothing to do with making a racist statement, he is white.Comment by hacker bob — March 17, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
You’re wrong bob. That term implies you find him to be as dumb as a particular *minority*, just another good old boy racist slur that’s so common you take for granted that you can be a complete jack*ss, and it’s OK.
Get over it, McCain is an old man who used an old term. I will not necessarily be voting for him, but ya’ll are making way more out of this than it deserves. Comment by hacker bob — March 17, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Yeah, sure, and he’s a national public figure elected by a large number of YOUR PARTY. Sorry, but I know plenty of people his age that aren’t racists, and don’t use racist terms. I also know young people like yourself that *still* use racist terms, because you think they’re *OK*. Pretty much everyone I know that thinks your way, are *redstate* people that *believe* they’re good *christians* – coincidence? I don’t think so!
March 18th, 2007 at 4:01 am“Tar baby” is a very old West African story of Anansi, the trickster spider. I don’t know how the hell it became a racial epithet, unless Americans, as usual, just don’t read and don’t understand references to stories well-known anywhere else. Not surprising, I guess.
March 18th, 2007 at 3:22 pmThere is no biological basis for “race”, anyway. The term is meaningless, a holdover from 19th century ideas of European genetic superiority. “Anti-black”, or “anti-West African”, maybe, is the term you all want. There is no black race, no such thing as, spare me, a “Muslim” race. Race doesn’t exist. It’s a word used as an knife. I don’t like McCain either, but this race crap has to stop. It’s a stink bomb, not an argument.
March 18th, 2007 at 3:28 pm