Is Sarah Palin a racist? Well she certainly isn't known for being open-minded and loving of all people. Momma Grizzly is under scrutiny right now for some comments she made regarding President Barack Obama and Benghazi Gate. Palin's been vocal over the Benghazi situation for quite some time, but some of the wording she used on Facebook has people wagging their fingers and shaking their heads.
"Why the lies? Why the cover up. We deserve answers to this. President Obama's shuck and jive shtick with these Benghazi lies must end," posted on Facebook.
The "shuck and jive" part of her comments has people calling her a racist. That's because it's long been a term associated with African Americans on a negative level. In fact, in 2008 another right-winger used the same exact term with Obama bringing on the same level of scrutiny Palin is under now. So she obviously didn't get the memo.
Look, regardless of all the racist things conservative politicians and their voter base are caught doing, it's all going to be veiled ambiguously as political normalcy. Bigots seldom admit to being bigoted and if there is a way to, if even poorly, make excuses for the behavior, then they often do. What Sarah Palin said was racist because it is a specific term used to degrade the character of African Americans. To be fair, Sarah probably doesn't literally "hate" black people in the same sense as those who commit hate crimes against them do, but she's insensitive at the least and doesn't pay attention to the idiotic things she says and does.
Photo: Slate
Crime analyst & profiler Chelsea Hoffman can be found on Huffington Post or Chelsea Hoffman: Case to Case. You can follow her on Twitter @TheRealChelseaH or contact her via her personal blog. Fan the Facebook page for updates on missing persons cases, issues in civil rights and details on Chelsea's fiction works.
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Comments: 142
See nothing "Racist" in the comment? Hmmm.. everything has to be racist these day's when addressing The Muslim in Office. Just don't get it?
(lolz)
OP's claim that he/she sees nothing racist in the comment strikes me as very disingenuous, along the lines of all the claims on the right that Obama is not black but mixed race. For generations having any African heritage/blood at all was enough to exclude one from any "White's Only" service or institution. Some states even had "one drop of blood" laws determining who was a negro and who was not. Suddenly when a black man is president there is a major concern about his white heritage. As if.
Let's face it, Obama would not have been allowed to eat at Woolworth's counter back in the day and all the white conservatives claiming not to be racists today know it. And all those claiming not to see the racism in the use of phrases like "shuck and jive" do see it and are being deliberately obtuse.
As you noted, Chelsea, few racists come right out and say: "I'm a racist!"
Well Chris Matthews did in refence to Rachel Maddow! So does this make him a mysoginist and homophobe on top of being a racist!?!?
On the other hand "Is accusing random people of being racists just obtuse ignorance?". You betcha!
Now.. who is the Racists?
2. Yes, yes, Palin achieved far more than any country bumpkin who sits around and watches Jerry Springer while picking their teeth with corners of the TV guide. Congrats to her. Alaska loved those....couple of months... that she was a governor (aren't they supposed to be in term for more than 2 yrs?) and they certainly adored that "bridge to nowhere" fiasco...
She obviously made more money on reality tv. Just ask Bristol.
Which brings me to my other point; you troglogdytic voters hate hollywood and anything pertaining to it, so why, pray tell, is your idol someone who couldn't even keep her reality show for longer than her half-governor term? Your idol is someone in the entertainment world at the same level as Honey Boo Boo and Snooki ;)
IQs don't run high in the pit your voting from.
I keep waiting for someone to say, "Some of my best friends are black..." Any time a term is used that is considered racist, it's racist. I think you're right, though, I don't think she's necessarily racist at heart, it just seems to me to be another of the dumb things she says trying to look cool to the younger generation. It would look just as stupid if I dyed my hair hot pink, & started wearing striped leggings & purple tennies. There's a certain age where you just look ridiculous, ya know? In Sarah Palin's case, she doesn't realize 90% of the things coming out of her mouth just aren't cool, no matter what your age.
Palin, Coulter, and Sununu have all pushed the envelope on public discourse and racism. If you don't want people to accuse you of racism, it's not rocket science. You just have to know when to open your mouth and when to shut it. But they never learned those things. In the case of Coulter and Palin, they have simply made a career of being political exhibitionists. LOOK AT ME- I will say things that border on outrage until you look up, dammit! Because when people notice me I get paid.
In the case of Sununu, he really should have known better. He has served in actual public office. But he took his unofficial gig as Romney Attack Dog a little too seriously, and when Piers Morgan offered him a hole in the ground to jump into (regarding the idea that Powell might vote on the basis of skin color) he jumped right into it, never stopping to wonder if Sununu himself votes for Romney cuz they are both white. hm. Could be??.......
This comment has serious racist overtones. The question is whether Palin actually understands that. She is pretty ignorant and could be expected to miss the historical origins of the phrase as a put down for blacks. So she may not have been actually expressing heartfelt racism by making the comment, only revealing another aspect of the ignorance for which she is so well known.
Kind of reminds me of the character of Randall in the Kevin Smith movie Clerks II and his inappropriate use and miscomprehension of the term "porch monkey", and his claims throughout the movie of "taking it back" once the meaning is pointed out to him.
"Sorry. I'm going to shuck and jive! Time to shuck and jive," Jay Carney told the press corps in September 2012. By Lib's definition, Jay Carney is also a racist.
Talk about small-ball politics...
actually that is pretty good advice...
Second.
Again, small ball. If you guys have nothing better to do that to wait for Palin to say something, you have way too much time on your hands.
""are you suggesting that when she makes a desperate play for attention, we should ignore her?""
No keep talking. The American people need to know what you guys consider important before they vote.
What is it with you and people's genitals this evening?
No I just wonder why so many are so needy and dependent. 'Oh government...HELP ME!!"
Amanda I doubt you bite hard enough. This ain't small ball...
more misogynist comments from Jeff. Hurry and delete so you can say you never say such things. (even though it's well documented how much you hate women)
usually men who don't form tight enough bonds with their mothers behave like this.
Judging by his profile picture Im sure hes one of those sensitive types ;)
He's
As you spend time correcting my grammar you can also kiss my ass
You have a good day now =D
Damned if I see what it has to do with this discussion, though.
You guys have names and labels for everybody you disagree with. Then in your paranoid delusions you try to psychoanalyze other those that you hate for not thinking like you.
My point was that SOME women are needy and dependent on Government. They are proud of this dependency. Remember "The life of Julia"? Lots and lots of women agree with me on this. Probably the majority of women. Lots and lots of women think Sandra Fluke is pathetic and an embarrassment to the feminist movement. I was raised by women with think Sandra Fluke is pathetic. You guys think she is a hero and a good example for women because she wants free birth control coverage, basically calling free contraceptive a human right. She received a prime time speaking slot at the democrat convention for being needy.
I am not saying that this dependency addiction is a female problem either. Just look at Rory. Even though he is gay he is still a man and is proud of being needy.
You googled small ball, now google metaphor. I think it might all start to make sense...
""Id rather talk about testicles over baseball and Sarah Palin. Just sayin. ""
O.K. you are testicle tolerant you need to work on your hatred for sports and women.
Jeff, the thing is, I cant actually hate women. I probably like them more than most men do ;)
however, i can state that i ditched the bitch, and made the switch 9 yrs ago, but it doesnt mean ive completely lost my love for women, i just chose to have less dramatic testicles teabagging me in the face every morning, over the latter.
I dont hate sports. I just dont like baseball. :)
Chelsea, I get it. You ARE the life of Julia. Cradle to the grave government dependent. I just don't understand the allure. Doesn't mean I hate women, or gay guys like Rory.
Chelsea, a bum who buys a candy bar pays taxes. I don't know hoe much you paid but I paid a lot. It's not if you pay taxes, it's if you pay enough taxes to pay for the services you demand. Obviously you don't since Obama doubled the deficit when hope and change said it would cut it in half. "Yes we can!!!" Remember that? Probably not. drink enough of the koolaid, probably not going to remember what you screeched "Yes We Can!!" to. he was black. A historic presidency. Who cared?
It's not about race, gender, or geology. It's the economy stupid.
huh, and you're speaking from the side who refuses to pay their share LOL
---
I'm a "business owner" -- I pay taxes. Again, sorry to damage your fantasy, but you can play pretend. You've already proven the liberal point that you need to pay your share, so I don't think anything more needs to be said lol.
I'm betting you either delete and completely edit your comment, or you come back with a poorly constructed attempt at changing the meaning of what you just said :)
You lose.
My fantasy isn't that women are needy. My fantasy is that most women aren't needy like Sandra Fluke, the democrat hero. Unfortunately for you, most women AREN'T as needy as Sandra Fluke so your hero is an outcast of her own gender.
I am not sure what you mean that I proved I don't pay my fair share but any money says I can prove I paid more taxes in my life than you ever will and I am not the one asking government to give me stuff.
(of course you don't (when you've been called out for it ahead of time) Thank you very much)
My fantasy isn't that women are needy. My fantasy is that most women aren't needy like Sandra Fluke, the democrat hero. Unfortunately for you, most women AREN'T as needy as Sandra Fluke so you her is an outcast of her own gender.
First of all "needy" isn't a negative state. It's a state of needing help and to disenfranchise the "needy" is a character flaw that speaks for itself better than any calling-out could do. Secondly, Fluke is a law student who pays her way full time dishing out around $50,000 a year in tuition and related expenses. She also pays for her own insurance -- wanting women's medicine and health concepts covered by the insurance one already pays for isn't "needy". It's common sense. So what can be gathered from this is that your fantasy is involves the opposite of a woman being self sufficient, educated and her own person. You prove my points for me each time you respond. Thank you.
Your seething hatred for intelligent and progressive women is obvious. It's misogyny. Maybe if you had a healthy relationship with your mother you wouldn't be this way, but you obviously didn't, so here you are.
I am not sure what you mean that I proved I don't pay my fair
That's not what I said. Think you need to step back, re-read and pay more attention.
but any money says I can prove I paid more taxes in my life than you ever will and I am not the one asking government to give me stuff.
You seem to feel like you need to convince yourself of something? That's cute. lol. You remind me of the little boys back in grade school "I bet you my dad's bigger than your dad." "I bet you my mom makes better sloppy joes than your mom".
Maybe instead of fantasizing about doing better than women who are obviously superior to you, try DOING better than your current self. ;)
And you have said more than once that even though you aren't a liberal, the definition is a good thing. Everybody knows when "needy" is used as a pejorative so cut the semantic bull. Fluke has an activist record, even supporting criminals in prison having a constitutional right for inmates to have sex changes at tax payers expense. She is the face of the angry woman nanny state.
""You seem to feel like you need to convince yourself of something?""
Oh? Am I the one trying to convince myself that you only disagree with me because I am a strong man and you fear strong men? I have to say that I communicate to you as an equal but based on your paranoia I am starting to think MY strong opinions intimidate YOU, making you revert to emotional amateur psycho-analysis.
Again, I know strong women. I was raised by them. I work with them. None of the women I work with have to convince themselves that a disagreement automatically means the men that disagree with them are intimidated by strong females. Weak females need that crutch. Weak females think they need government programs that benefit them because they can't compete fairly against men. Weak women think being a female is an unfair burden.
Chelsea, your mother has been lying to you.
Homophobe, racist, mysoginist?
Your question only highlighted that about you, so why go any further?
Since Chrissy Matthews used the phrase in question relative to Rachel Maddows,
you could unleash those talents of yours to fathom the depths of Matthews character and pronounce your judgement on his use of those words relative to a women, relative to a lesbian, relative to a pundit. Since Maddows is not black and "shuck and jive" is exclusively used to denigrated or mock blacks, you were to be the final arbiter on Matthews motives.
Please don't fail at this humble task.
1. Discerning.
2. It's cute how intimidated you are by me.
3. Considering "shuck and jive" is specifically a derogatory term to describe "a shifty negro." and not anything to do with a female or any other group of people, I think you should at least understand the term before you try to apply it to other situations.
You might want to also produce the quote and a link for proof since you tend to live in a fantasy world most of the time.
2. Not intimidated, not in the least.
3. You said "what Sarah Palin said was racist because it is a specific term used to degrade the character of African Americans."
What Chris Matthews said to rachel Maddow is easily found on the web, which is the same system you used to find the Sarah Palin quote. You need to look it up for yourself so you can not accuse me of fabricating the quote.
Rachel Maddow is probably not being called "a shifty negro" so what gives?
Could it be that the phrase can be used with no inherent racist bigotry?
Maybe if you expanded your bubble beyond the Daily Kos and the failing lame stream media you will find some usable information.
http://youtu.be/wBK5ZyrL_0M
Still waiting.
Waiting.
1.Chris Matthews didn't even use it in the same definitive use or context. He said "Shucking and jiving out there" -- like she's "hanging out" having fun with her friends, kicking it. There's not even a recognized definition for the way he used the word. Does that mean he's racist? Nope. Just means he's an idiot who used the wrong definition for "hanging out and screwing around."
2. Sarah Palin used it in its exact meaning directed toward our black president. Like I said in the article, does it mean she's racist? Probably not. Just means she's an idiot who uses racist terms because she's out of touch and doesn't realize they're racist. kind of like when someone's gramma says 'negro'.
3. What does a white man using the wrong term for "hanging out with your friends." have to do with a woman using the correct term for "shifty black person" toward a black leader of the country?
Commence sidestepping and evasion .... NOW.
im always like gram, thats not right! dont say that!
Matthews used the words he used. It is not up to the listener to determine the definition the speaker was intending. If as you say the phrase is correct for "a shifty black person" then that is the only definition you can apply to the phrase.
If Matthews wanted to say "hanging out" he should have used those words.
In other words Matthews was saying Maddows was acting like a shifty black person, whatever that means.
2. Sarah Palin used it in its exact meaning directed toward our black president. Like I said in the article, does it mean she's racist? Probably not. Just means she's an idiot who uses racist terms because she's out of touch and doesn't realize they're racist. kind of like when someone's gramma says 'negro'.
from dictionary.com:
shucking and jiving
noun, Slang.
misleading or deceptive talk or behavior, as to give a false impression.
from wiktionary.com
Verb
to shuck and jive (third-person singular simple present shucks and jives,
present participle shucking and jiving, simple past and past participle
shucked and jived)
(slang) To tell a misleading story, especially for advantage.
Noun
shuck and jive (plural shucks and jives)
Deceit.
See also
cock and bull story
Do not see anything in these definitions that would make its use racist.
While etymology says the phrase may have racial roots and overtones, the definition has apparently evolved to include describing actions by non-black people.
If you know the accepted non-racial definition but not the full etymology, the use of the phrase is not deliberately racist.
3. What does a white man using the wrong term for "hanging out with your friends." have to do with a woman using the correct term for "shifty black person" toward a black leader of the country?
You have never been a fan of Palin, disparaging her intellect at every turn but now you accuse her of being sharp enough to select a phrase with obscure racial overtones and use it in reference to Oblama.
So is she smarter than you want to admit or just using accepted alternate meanings of phrases?
Commence sidestepping and evasion .... NOW.
You only proved my point further. Derp. lol
As stated in my article, I believe Palin used the term in a "folksy" way. AGain, in the same way an old person says "negro" without realizing it's offensive. That doesn't mean she's smart. That means the exact opposite. That she's feeble and out-of-touch. Chris Matthews would also fall under that heading, but not in a racial aspect for sure.
Are you really having that hard of a time grasping this?
Matthews misused a term he was familiar with, but because he did know the definition or etymology, he is not racist or bigot and he gets a pass because he is deemed to be not smart.
Palin used a term she was familiar with and for which she knew the definition but not the etymology, she gets accused of being a racist and is labeled as an ignorant bigot in addition to being feeble.
And none of this has anything to do with their political affiliation, specifically your deep hatred for Palin and conservatives in general?
the entire thing just flew right over your head....
Your jealousy is cute :)
ha! girl, I'd run circles 'round you.
What do you want to participate in? Your silly, pathetic Palin bashing post? Maybe we could participate in a comparison of political career accomplishments between the Alaskan Governor and the Chicago community street thug. Or, maybe compare Sarah with the drunk Joe gaffe Biden?
I suppose you think I have a water cooler and a break room too? :)
Maybe we could participate in a comparison of political career accomplishments between the Alaskan Governor and the Chicago community street thug. Or, maybe compare Sarah with the drunk Joe gaffe Biden?
Oh you mean comparing the President of the United States to someone who quit halfway through an Alaskan governor term? LMFAO. derp derp derp. Oh compare Biden a 40+ year US senator to ... again... someone who dropped out of the middle of an alaskan governor term and used David Letterman's "mean jokes" as one of the reasons why?
LMFAO...
your idols are losers.
..."Biden a 40+ year US senator" - resident buffoon.
...Obama - resident fraud, liar, traitor, commie
...as you well know, Palin's many accomplishment as Governor rattled the hell out of both the democommiRAT and the Republican establishments.
...as you well know, it was the Saul Alinsky tactics of the radical fringe left that forced Palin to resign. As your well know, in Alaska, ANY slime ball can initiate "ethics charges" against any politician at any time, for any reason. It simply forced Palin to hire an attorney to defend against those baseless allegations. She racked up legal fees totaling over $250,000.00 with no end in sight. The radical commie left was out to bankrupt and ruin her. Well, NOT A SINGLE CHARGE held water, ALL were found to be baseless. TRUE STORY. Keep the lies coming though, they're hilarious. NOW, Palin is doing better than ever and is much more effective in getting in your faces. Palin won and you are bitter. Who cares.
Palin won and you are bitter
What did Sarah Palin win, pray tell ???
Poor, sad, lonely fellow.
Show title: "Sarah Palin's Logger lovers"
I believe there's an empty chair waiting for her somewhere in this world.
What's the difference between Obama's economic policies and Hurricane Sandy? One blows air and the other is a storm system.
I can not prove she is, but from comments she has made from time to time, I believe that she is. However, my question would be, Is Sarah Palin Relevent, answer: Most emphatically, "NO"
"Most emphatically, "NO"
...yet, here you are, wasting your time on "irrelevance."
Both of you have drawn the wrong conclusion, as usual.
I was Just making an observation, nothing more, nothing less.