Sugardaddy
There has been much to do about something on this topic already, but must rehash. In Tony Snow's first White House press conference, he used the term 'tarbaby' multiple times. See transcript below or this video link: http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/05/16.html#a8314.
SNOW: Having said that, I don'’t want to hug the tar baby of trying to comment on the program, the alleged program, the existence of which I can neither confirm nor deny.
QUESTION: What are your personal goals? What do you hope to achieve here? Will you continue to televise these briefings? And would you put into English the phrase (OFF-MIKE) the tarbaby?
SNOW: Well, I believe hug the tarbaby, we could trace that back to American lore.
This issue can be analogous in some ways to the argument about the Confederate flag being displayed on public property. Whether we are considering actual speech or symbols themselves, consideration must be given to the meaning that accompanies it. So, while people, for the most part do and should have the right to say and display symbols of their choosing, especially on their private property, in a public setting, consideration must be giving to public understanding.
This is why the displaying of the Confederate flag should not be displayed in public spaces, because it connotes slavery and racism to a large proportion of society. While some argue for cultural significance, which is valid in some respect, or that is stands for states' rights, which is also valid in some respect, the flag has grown to be synonomous with racism and oppression in the social lexicon.
This is the same for a term like 'tarbaby.' Many have pointed out that this term was originally used in American southern black lore and is not specifically racist. There is a kernal of truth, but nevermind this entire argument! The term was adopted into a racial and discriminatory lexicon that has all but eclipsed any original non-offensive meaning.
So...the newly appointed White House Press Secretary is so racist that this term is acceptable to use in a public forum. NO...this is only one extreme conclusion. While I cannot comment on whether or not Tony Snow is a bigot, it can be easily summized that he must be out of touch to the point of ingnorance to obviously offensive speech. Should not the most publically heard individual, the loud speaker of the administration, be somewhat knowledgable of acceptable public discourse. Of course, but he was plucked from Fox News which is not known for being in touch with reality.
The question: Are there commonly used terms that should be reconsidered because of their possible offensive nature?
Make this funny for I am not one to think that we should focus on restricting public expression becuase it is more valuable to experience the offensive expression instead of muzzling individuals. I would much rather know if someone has a problem with me for whatever reason so that I know not to waste time with them.
SNOW: Having said that, I don'’t want to hug the tar baby of trying to comment on the program, the alleged program, the existence of which I can neither confirm nor deny.
QUESTION: What are your personal goals? What do you hope to achieve here? Will you continue to televise these briefings? And would you put into English the phrase (OFF-MIKE) the tarbaby?
SNOW: Well, I believe hug the tarbaby, we could trace that back to American lore.
This issue can be analogous in some ways to the argument about the Confederate flag being displayed on public property. Whether we are considering actual speech or symbols themselves, consideration must be given to the meaning that accompanies it. So, while people, for the most part do and should have the right to say and display symbols of their choosing, especially on their private property, in a public setting, consideration must be giving to public understanding.
This is why the displaying of the Confederate flag should not be displayed in public spaces, because it connotes slavery and racism to a large proportion of society. While some argue for cultural significance, which is valid in some respect, or that is stands for states' rights, which is also valid in some respect, the flag has grown to be synonomous with racism and oppression in the social lexicon.
This is the same for a term like 'tarbaby.' Many have pointed out that this term was originally used in American southern black lore and is not specifically racist. There is a kernal of truth, but nevermind this entire argument! The term was adopted into a racial and discriminatory lexicon that has all but eclipsed any original non-offensive meaning.
So...the newly appointed White House Press Secretary is so racist that this term is acceptable to use in a public forum. NO...this is only one extreme conclusion. While I cannot comment on whether or not Tony Snow is a bigot, it can be easily summized that he must be out of touch to the point of ingnorance to obviously offensive speech. Should not the most publically heard individual, the loud speaker of the administration, be somewhat knowledgable of acceptable public discourse. Of course, but he was plucked from Fox News which is not known for being in touch with reality.
The question: Are there commonly used terms that should be reconsidered because of their possible offensive nature?
Make this funny for I am not one to think that we should focus on restricting public expression becuase it is more valuable to experience the offensive expression instead of muzzling individuals. I would much rather know if someone has a problem with me for whatever reason so that I know not to waste time with them.
posted by ajparrillo at 9:42 AM
1 Comments:
Could not ask for a better comment.
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