Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

glory — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:59:36 -0000

Ain't no thing, Big Man. I recognize that it's just a word too. But what disappoints me is that when someone suggests that we refrain from using it, like Nardwilly did, people want to argue over why WE SHOULD use it. On some level that's profoundly disturbing. When others use it, I wish they didn't, but I usually don't say anything because they often don't mean any disrespect - like when you used it at first. It's when people start saying that's what we actually ARE or using stereotypes of us to justify its appropriateness like "nigger behavior," that I have to say my peace.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

glory — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:48:49 -0000

Yes, he was making a point... but he didn't need to use that word to make it. Refraining from using the word does not give it any more power than if you use the word ad nauseum. In this country, it will always mean what it has always meant, no matter how many times people put it in a different context, claiming that they can change its power. The word wasn't necessary to oppress us but it has and will always carry the stain. So why use it? Why affirmatively make the decision to use it? I don't need to use it to keep from giving bigots the satisfaction of a flustered response to it when they use it. I can refrain from the use of the word and still brush racist attempts to use it to offend me off my shoulder like so much lint. When Michael Richards used it, it had no power - it was simply pitiful.

But when we use it on each other, it is evidence of the power of the oppressors who gave us the word, which remains with us as so intertwined with our image of ourselves that African people are actually arguing for their right to use it and embrace it. Talk about power - talk about a mind job! Its continued use by us is the result of a combination of apathy, internalized hatred, and having bought into the lie that we can change its meaning. Yes, having a funeral for it was asinine. Yes, losing all sense when someone uses it on us is unnecessary and regards the word too personally. But if people really want to strip it of its power, not even bothering to use it would be the very best start.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

GreenLadyHere — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:08:59 -0000

He stopped that mess 2 weeks back: There was ONE/1 e-mail that that wench sent to one of his aides. The aide sent it to Mr. Obama-cause that wench doesn't have his direct e-mail address. Mr. Obama stated that he thanked her for her support - like he thanks anyone else.
Among other things, I wonder how much she was paid to create that 'BIT OF DRAMA' Additionally, it was an INSULT to Mrs. Obama! But, that "DRAMA QUEEN" didn't seem to mind! OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

bigassbelle — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:50:25 -0000

Narwilly ~ the idea of "white niggers" is one that's proffered by racists caught in the act of being bigoted assholes. Just for the record, my grandkids are black.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

bigassbelle — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:49:26 -0000

but Kenyaw ~ the rumors on that have already started to fly . . . the actress, what's her name? Scarlett Johansen? their "email relationship" has been news on even the huffington post. revolting.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

Pniiice — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:04:31 -0000

I'm cool with it coming from a brother. I just don't let 'others' use it as a weapon against me, and I wish more of us felt that way.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

Pniiice — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:51:22 -0000

There's nothing wrong with refraining to use a word at all. My point is that if it is used, the whole world shouldn't come to a halt while we wait for a verdict from whatever black leader gets the call from CNN. The person who used it just branded themselves as a jackass. Don't encourage them further by giving them the exact reaction they were looking for.

Through its use, it needs to become a way for idiots to label themselves rather than a way to rile up black people. We need to take the power (over us) out of the word, completely. Then it's use doesn't matter.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

msmartin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:55:36 -0000

The picture may be enough, a lot of people don't know about her.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

msmartin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:54:13 -0000

I wonder if she's Republican?

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

msmartin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:53:26 -0000

I've been wondering about that.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

Nardwilly — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:16:12 -0000

BigMan,

We all are responsible for how others respond to our words. If our use creates hurt for others we need to stop.

"I watched my grandkids' hurt response to an old buzzard at my health club pool who called them "little niggers." I could have killed him."

This idea of white n----- I do not understand. They are usually called white trash.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

CraigHickman — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:07:36 -0000

But will she tell a story?

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

CraigHickman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:39:16 -0000

Karl Rove said it. So did Bill Clinton. Said it right in West Virginia in fact.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

CraigHickman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:36:22 -0000

If they listen, and hear, and see, they won't need Barack to do anything to make them understand other than what he's already doing:

Telling his truth.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

Nardwilly — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:33:07 -0000

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Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

CraigHickman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:32:58 -0000

Here's the thing:

We the people don't get to erase language.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

kenyaw — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:24:11 -0000

bigassbelle,
Oh you just better stop with the code cracking. It darn sure made me think of a white date not necessarily Mrs. O in that country club.
You are good girl.
Oh and to be sure, soon enough a picture of Sen Obama's "long time" white ex-girlfriend will surface close to October. Watch and see!

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

bigassbelle — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:20:52 -0000

me too, i can't wait.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

kenyaw — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:20:02 -0000

Glory,
They did not need the word nigger or negro (black) or Niger (the river in west Afrikan) as a tool to oppress and destroy. They would have done it in silence if need be.
Just because some ignorant people could not properly pronounce Niger (ia), to describe the people from that region, does not give them license to own the word or it's meaning... for the most part.
Let us not give so much credence to the word that we give it more power than the hate that resided in the people who mis-pronounced it.
I agree that it sounds harsh and should not be used often. But the brother up top was making a point.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

Nardwilly — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:18:07 -0000

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Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

msmartin — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:17:13 -0000

I think it was Jim Webb who said that whites in VA and AAs have more in common than they now.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

Nardwilly — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:11:06 -0000

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Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

kenyaw — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:09:32 -0000

Nardwilly,
I should read furthur before posting the previous comment. But your point is the same as the white gentleman from West VA. Very well said.

kenya

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

kenyaw — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:06:44 -0000

RonnieB,
Chris Matthews had a born and bred, democrat from West VA on Monday night, and that gentlemen said simply, “the white folks where I am from do not tend to think of black people as ELITE, least of all Barack Obama”. He also stated that on average the poor white people in WV think of black people as oppressed just like them. His main point was if Sen Obama can get the culture he can get the votes. Not like going to NASCAR and being a poser, but genuinely make them understand that he has an agenda that includes their needs.

Re: The GOP’s New Theme: Those Uppity Obamas

kenyaw — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:57:25 -0000

oh Big Man,
you made me laugh out loud.