Should Harry Reid step down from Senate leadership?

[Thunder]

There's an odd double standard at play where it's unacceptably racist if Trent Lott says something nice to a 100 year old on his birthday, but we should forgive Harry Reid for denigrating the way many black Americans speak.

yup..that is why Reid should step down from his leadership post...after health-care reform is passed.

 

[Vortigern99]

I don't find anything racist in Reid's comments, neither the term "negro" -- which despite simply meaning "black" has fallen out of favor, though it is hardly offensive (qv United Negro College Fund, and the use of the term on a recent US census) -- nor its use in the context of dialect.

"Black" dialect, whatever you call it ("Ebonics", etc.) is not a mainstream mode of speech, nor is it spoken by a majority of US residents; therefore a politician seeking the highest office in the land, or any office elected by a large number of citizens, would be wise not to employ it.

That is the context and content of Reid's remarks, and there is nothing racist, derogatory or derisive towards any group in them. This is just more stepping-on-eggshells nonsense from the PC crowd indicating that the peak of the PC movement -- and therefore its eventual downfall -- is nigh.

 

[Whiplash]

yup..that is why Reid should step down from his leadership post...after health-care reform is passed.

Thanks Parky for demonstrating reasonable, level headedness on this thing. I'm impressed.

If the comments by Lott were so terrible, this is just as bad, or worse. It can be argued that Lott was just trying to say something nice for the guy on his birthday, and didn't specifically mean "if we had followed your own bigtory". He didn't say that. He can only be inferred to have made a racial remark there.

Reid did make a racial remark, clearly. It's even more cut and dry than what Lott did. By those same standards, he should be done.

But he won't be.

 

[Thunder]

I don't find anything racist in Reid's comments, neither the term "negro" -- which despite simply meaning "black" has fallen out of favor, though it is hardly offensive (qv United Negro College Fund, and the use of the term on a recent US census) -- nor its use in the context of dialect.

if George Bush used the word "Negro" back in 2007, the Dems would have jumped on him like a Priest on a choir boy.

Reid was basically saying "Obama doesn't talk Ebonics or Jive".

 

[corplinx]

"Black" dialect, whatever you call it ("Ebonics", etc.) is not a mainstream mode of speech, nor is it spoken by a majority of US residents

Why do you assume that "any negro dialect" refers to Ebonics? You may not realize that assumption itself is sort of offensive.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

What planet are you living on. This isn't even the "race card". This is the real thing for once.

Maybe you don't know what "playing the race card" means. It doesn't mean the thing isn't real. (ETA: and I hope you didn't meant to suggest that the thing--racism--wasn't real with the Trent Lott/Strom Thurmond.)

I was referring to the fact that the Republicans got their black guy to call for Reid to resign--as if that makes it more reasonable for Reid to resign over this.

 

[332nd]

"Black" dialect, whatever you call it ("Ebonics", etc.) is not a mainstream mode of speech, nor is it spoken by a majority of US residents; therefore a politician seeking the highest office in the land, or any office elected by a large number of citizens, would be wise not to employ it.

What is the "mainstream mode of speech"?

 

[Vortigern99]

Why do you assume that "any negro dialect" refers to Ebonics? You may not realize that assumption itself is sort of offensive.

I said: ""Black" dialect, whatever you call it ("Ebonics", etc.) is not a mainstream mode of speech, nor is it spoken by a majority of US residents...."

Corplinx, this is the kind of PC, stepping-on-eggshells absurdity that needs to fall by the wayside. "Ebonics" is a word coined in the 90s to refer to a certain "black" dialect. The term "etc." which I've employed refers to any black dialects, or names for black dialects, I might have left out.

Any offensiveness is purely in your imagination, I assure you.

 

[fuelair]

I am saddened by Harry Reid's racial remarks about Barack Obama.

I feel that in all fairness, once health-care reform is passed, he should step down from the Senate leadership post.

If he does not, he will make Democrats look like hypocrites, and we do NOT need that.

No - Harry Reid was asked a purely political question. He answered in a purely political way with specific detail.

Unless you feel the US is less racist still than I do.

 

[Vortigern99]

What is the "mainstream mode of speech"?

Standard American English., the kind taught in public and private schools in the US, and which all elected government officials employ.

 

[tyr_13]

I have to admit that I'm kind of confused by the uproar over this comment. Surely if anyone is to be offended by it it should be the American public, who Reid assumed would not vote for a dark skinned man.

 

[corplinx]

The gymnastics being performed to say "nothing to see here" win the special olympics.

 

[Dragoonster]

For the sake of consistency and non-hypocrisy yeah, he should step down.

 

[332nd]

Standard American English., the kind taught in public and private schools in the US, and which all elected government officials employ.

Funny... Obama doesn't sound much like Bush, Then Bush doesn't sound much like Clinton... Then of course Clinton doesn't sound much like Bush.... Do you know what a dialect is?

 

[tyr_13]

The gymnastics being performed to say "nothing to see here" win the special olympics.

Perhaps you can spell it out for us then. How, exactly, is what he said so terribly racist that he needs to step down? I've read the quote, and to me it is insulting to the American public, and sadly, true.

Had Obama had darker skin and spoke with any type of heavy accent, he would have had less support. This isn't because those things are bad, but because there are still racists out there, some of whom don't even realize it. Remember the artificially lightened and darkened Obama pictures? Stating this isn't an inherently racist statement.

It is political reality. Yes, it was stupid it say because it will offend people. It isn't stupid to say because it is untrue.

EDIT: Ironically, your 'special Olympics' remark could be viewed as markedly offensive. I request that you step down from any positions of authority you might hold.

 

[MikeSun5]

If he had said 'ebonics' instead of the term he grew up familiar with would it have been a big issue?

Probably not. Even if he had substituted "urban" for "negro," he probably wouldn't have caused a fuss.

Unfortunately in America, the word "negro" is NOT okay, and it hasn't been for quite a long time. What rock does Reid live under that he's so oblivious to our times?

I don't think it was the comment itself that is reason for him to step down, but his lack of discretion, tact, and a self-edit mode mean he should definitely not be in the public eye. People can record decent video on their phones for crying out loud. Watch your damn mouth, bonehead.

I don't find anything racist in Reid's comments...

...probably because you're not black or young...

...neither the term "negro" -- which despite simply meaning "black" has fallen out of favor, though it is hardly offensive ...

Hardly offensive? Then why is this news? You say it's fallen out of favor and that it's not offensive in the same sentence. Which is it? Is it okay or not? Do you use the word in your normal day-to-day vocabulary? Do you know anyone who does? (btw, names like the UNCF don't count. It's a name.)

"Black" dialect, whatever you call it ("Ebonics", etc.) is not a mainstream mode of speech, nor is it spoken by a majority of US residents; therefore a politician seeking the highest office in the land, or any office elected by a large number of citizens, would be wise not to employ it.

So what about Clinton, Bush, Palin, and numerous others using non-mainstream modes of speech to secure votes?

...there is nothing racist, derogatory or derisive towards any group in them....

uh, except for the word "Negro" coming out of the mouth of an old white man who is old enough to know better!! Do you seriously not see the problem?

It's so weird... you have one group of old white people that are angry about this because they harbor a bunch of white-guilt and are on a PC crusade. Then you have another group of old white people who say the word "negro" is not offensive because they're not offended by it.

This thread would be a great segment on "Ask A Black Dude."

 

[Thunder]

if Harry Reid said about a Jewish candidate "he doesn't look or sound Jewish", I'd want him to step down.

 

[hgc]

Yes, Reid should step down. The offense isn't the use of the negro word. It's the whole bit about light skin and accent. He's obviously uncomfortable with some of the racial and ethnic characteristics of American blacks.

Full disclosure: I've wanted Reid out of that job for a few years now. We should have someone with, you know, leadership qualities in that leadership position. Reid is severely lacking. Also, it's best that the leader lose and election. Daschle's loss was a bit of surprise. Reid's potential loss will be no such thing.

 

[XBoxWarrior]

if George Bush used the word "Negro" back in 2007, the Dems would have jumped on him like a Priest on a choir boy.

It's "Alter boy".

Hey words are a tough thing.....

Maybe we need a Black, Negro, Colored, African-American vote/consensus on what would be a "non offensive" word.

We still have the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Is that one bad?

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Ouch!

Yes, I could go on for pages.

I'm a white, half jewish dude, with red hair, and I've been called a lotta stuff.

Harry was just stating the Gospel; America might elect a light skinned black man, that didn't put any jive in his speeches, unless he needed to. Obama understood this too, that's why he is the POTUS.

Get over it.

Did anyone complain when Bush tossed out some extra southern drawl when he went further south? He is a Connecticut white bread cracker, No?

 

[Thunder]

The Young Mens Hebrew Association still exists. As does the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

that doesn't mean politicians should go around calling Jews "Hebrews".