President Barack Obama used the n-word during an interview released Monday to make a point that there's still plenty of room for America to combat racism.
"Racism, we are not cured of it. And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say nigger in public," Obama said in an interview for the podcast "WTF with Marc Maron."
"That's not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It's not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don't, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior."
Oh my stars and garters! A black man used the "N" word while talking about racism. Let the conservative faux outrage commence.
Well there was the Fox News guest who called Obama the "Rapper-in-Chief."
There was this tweet from Sarah Palin's favorite Christian outrage machine Todd Starnes:
President Obama drops the N-word during an interview. You, sir, have disgraced the office of the presidency.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) June 22, 2015
And then there was this conservative website being outraged while demanding to know why there wasn't more outrage.Personally I think it's obvious that conservatives are just looking for a reason to be angry and outraged at the President, and they think this is one that has teeth.
But it doesn't.
The President was appearing on a cutting edge radio program, hosted by a comedian in his garage. The topic was race, and the President got real.
In fact he got REAL real.
And let's face it, the conservatives really cannot handle it when the President gets REAL real. Especially about race.
The podcast actually covered quite a few controversial topics, including gun violence, the Charleston shooting in particular, his family, and growing old.
You can hear the whole thing for yourself by clicking here.
I sure tom never used the word.
ReplyDeleteI bet President Obama has been called more n-words than he can count.
The gist of him saying the n-word doesn't matter to these hypocrites.
I knew they would have the vapors!!! Want to hear the nword? Paul Mooney on White Cracka's
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsEVr_9rM9Y
And here he is on Palin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHi9-eaRpe0
I'm listening to the interview and haven't gotten to "the incident yet" I thought they were going to pull the "anger black man" but he has as far as I hear a perfect reasoning for saying what he said. Another EPIC RW FAIL! How long before Granny Grifter weighs in?
Thumbs up 4:52.
Delete+1000, 4:52!
DeleteThe conservatives are struggling with truth and reality. They haven't be called out ever by a President of the United States ever!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope we are finally turning a corner? How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
The poor babies getting called out by POTUS and the POPE call the Whambulance!
DeleteWhere's drunk Sarah on this important issue (hick)
Anonymous5:18 PM - I'm sure she's hitting the crack pipe as we speak in preparation to pound out one of her smug, hateful screeds on Facebook. There's no bandwagon that bitch won't jump on.
DeleteAnonymous5:33 PM
DeleteYep, yep, you are right I'm sure. Well I've got JUST the video for her! Its from someone named paul Mooney Jr. (don't know if it is his son or a wannabe) but he goes on about Sarah and glen rice. Wow....Wow! very NSFW But she is such a deserving person....
I was blown away he used one of Paul Mooney's clips at the end of the interview.
Hey Paul calls out the racists that's for sure.
And he calls out Sarah!
Sorry but he should have said the "N" word instead of saying "nigger". Now the rat bastard fuck republicans can use it against him/us. We know what he meant but those fucko's will distort it til the end. I still love my president.
ReplyDeleteWhen you've been called nigger about a million times in a million different contexts---saying nigger is keeping it real. I know---having been called it more times than I care to remember.
DeleteRelax, he's just fucking with them at this point.
DeleteMost black folks use the term 'nigger' often....to each other. It isn't a bad word to them - just to the white Republicans!
DeleteAnd it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say nigger in public,
Delete----------------------------
4:10 It's a word, and it was used in context, not as an ugly epithet. Jeez, if you get all out of wack from hearing a word, imagine how Angela and millions more feel about being CALLED that.
Who cares what the Outrageous Right have to say about it. They are deflecting from the real issue that they are loathe to discuss.
Good for you, Mr. President. It's time someone took this disgusting bull by the horns and showed it for what it is.
Mildred
It won't work. I think most people will understand what Obama is saying. I'll bet it gives them the go-ahead to find new and creative ways to call him that name, though. They haven't finished exposing the true depth of their ugliness and stupidity to the world, believe it or not. I think President Obama is just handing out more rope for them. They're too stupid to get that he plays them like fiddles, no matter how many times he goads them into humiliating themselves and acting like the complete jackasses they are (like, say, when he issued the birth control mandate). They are incapable of learning a lesson.
DeleteSorry, but no.
DeleteHe used the actual word because he wanted it's full impact to prove his point and to create a national dialog. Saying "the N word" would be a cop out.
As 5pm said it's used all the time by black people and white kids who act black. It's in all rap music, it's just not a "thing" any longer so I doubt that anyone needs to be sensitive about using it or hearing it. I can't tell you how many times per day I hear or see someone refer to their buddy as "my nigga" online or verbally.
DeleteWhere is our girl Sarah. There is sooo much for her to weigh in (on the wrong side of the issue) about. Racism, the Confederate Battle Flag, Obama's N-word. Entertain us. Dance for us. Some one might slip you a buck or two if you expose those crazy parts of yours.
ReplyDeleteEwwww! Don't touch her (put money) in her cracks - she's said not to bath much!
DeleteThe only people who are "outraged" by this are the people who would never support President Obama in the first place. They are either too stupid to understand the context or disingenuous about their outrage.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, Todd Starnes is exactly the kind of person the President is talking about. Then again, I suppose Starnes is painfully aware of that.
ReplyDelete"You, sir, have disgraced the office of the presidency."
ReplyDelete---------------------------------------
Utter bullshit. Do any of these people have comprehension skills? I can hardly wait for "Sambo beat the bitch" to weight in. If anyone's a racist, it's her.
No, disgracing the presidency is lying this country into an illegal war, or going to tell John McCain happy birthday while people are drowning in New Orleans, or doing a flyover of new Orleans while people drown, or telling Brownie he did a great job while people drowned,
DeleteSo ridiculous....I listened to the entire pod cast, and it was great, just 2 men bullshitting. I love our prez so much, no handlers, no pr...just a man. Marc asked some regular questions mostly how he got to where he is today and Obama answered, honestly. It is so obvious he is the real deal, he traveled a long twisted road to become the well rounded human being he is. It is so sad that these racist knuckle dragging haters will never embrace, let alone aspire to be grateful for this short life, how he adores his children, his wife and humanity in general. I love this man, but that's just me.
ReplyDeleteJust me, too!
DeleteAnd me!
DeleteAnd me, too!!!
DeleteSame here!
Deletec
I feel the same way about our president. He's the real deal. (rill dill in Palinese ;) )
DeleteGet over it. He was discussing the use of the word, not actually using it as an epithet against someone. No different than any other member of a group mentioning the particular pejorative terms used to denigrate them in a discussion of larger issues. Big difference between using a word ignorantly/hatefully/jokingly and using it to make a point about its (non)use. I'm glad to see him expressing himself as he sees fit in these last remaining months of his presidency.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and he spoke eloquently as always!
DeleteI love President Obama! So happy I cast my vote for him both times! Good for him in using the word 'nigger'! Using it was OK by me when listening to him and I was NOT offended!
ReplyDeleteThe Republicans are constant idiots and their rhetoric never has changed during these two terms. They are really going to be pissed when they see President Obama be named one of the best as time moves along!
Todd Starnes is accusing the President of disgraceful behavior? The same guy that publicly fantasizes about Obama having sex with other dudes? FUCK YOU TODD!
ReplyDelete"Have you ever met somebody who was absolutely unfuckable? There's just like no fucking way...? - Margaret Cho, "I'm The One That I Want."
DeleteTod Starnes, are your ears burning, you pasty-faced geek?
@6pm I just read foxnews is going down http://bit.ly/1LhEMWK Which is probably WHY he is trying to ginn up something anything, lol. Sure hope its true.
DeleteLove Margaret Cho she is another comedian who says how it is!
Quoting from CNN: President Barack Obama used the n-word during an interview …
ReplyDeleteNo, he did not use it, he mentioned it. If he had referred to an African-American with the word in question, that would have been using the word, characterizing the person with the term. In reality, he mentioned the word, as a word (not a person) that is not polite to say in public.
If CNN had been a little more punctuation-aware, their quote of Obama would have been transcribed thus: "… And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say 'nigger' in public"—with the single quotes emphasizing that he was mentioning the word (as I have done), not using it.
For those to whom the use–mention distiction is a foreign concept, this may help: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use%E2%80%93mention_distinction
"Copper" contains six letters, and is not a metal (it's squiggles on your screen).
Copper is a metal, and contains no letters (just protons, electrons, and neutrons)
I see that Anonymous 4:51 PM gets it. Too bad that a literate person is hiding his/her light/identity under a bushel.
Sorry about that -- I tend to be thin skinned and so usually remain cloaked. When I occasionally use a signature here, it's "nora in California" (mentioned, not used...right?).
DeleteIn Monty Python's Life of Brian the High Priest reminds a crowd that using the name 'Jehovah' is punishable by stoning to death. The crowd, not understanding the use–mention distiction, proceeds to stone the High Priest, much as some people are now figuratively doing to the President.
DeleteI hope people write to CNN, FOX, MSNBC, etc. when they hear a statement made they disagree with OR know to be an outright lie by an announcer.
DeleteI've done it numerous times and it feels good!
What, are we in kindergarten? The President can't speak candidly about hard subjects without these assholes going for the smelling salts? Who's being all "politically correct" now? Grow the fuck UP!
ReplyDeleteIt's offensive when Sarah Palin uses the phrase "shuck and jive" when referring to our President. I'm sure Mr. Starnes had no problem with that though. Fucking hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous6:02 PM
DeleteIt's offensive when Sarah Palin uses the phrase "shuck and jive" when referring to our President. I'm sure Mr. Starnes had no problem with that though. Fucking hypocrites.
***
Or "Boy".
Well their poutrage is little more than a silent fart, smelly and that's it.
A Worthless little nothing. If you take the time to listen to the whole podcast, it was just part of the conversation and what was 'offensive' to me (AGAIN) that Congress has not done a DAMN thing to try to enable or strengthen gun laws since Sandy Hook, now THAT is a fucking "Outrage"!
^^ THIS.
DeleteThe ‘Southern Avenger’ Repents: I Was Wrong About the Confederate Flag.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/22/the-southern-avenger-repents-i-was-wrong-about-the-confederate-flag.html
Well written and worth reading. IMO.
They're just pissed because he mentioned the word an didn't hide behind it. Now it doesn't have the same "sting" when they call him that.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't care who uses the word, it's just a word. It is we humans who react to it who imbue it with its power, the word alone has no power.
ReplyDeleteI respectfully disagree. The predominant way human beings commuicate is with words. Words are powerful. Words have started wars. Words have moved us to tears, inspired us, expressed our love. Words home in a letter from a WWII soldier provided relief and comfort. Great novels have taken us to other lands, other worlds. Religious texts, history books, great speech's, Ann Frank's diary, all just words. I love you, I am sorry. Words are one of the most powerful tools mankind has. We love to dismiss words as powerless, hoping that we can defuse their impact, but every human being has been hurt or elevated by mere words.
DeleteThank you @ 8:09 pm
Deletedowl
Don't forget - when the word 'nigger' is used - it depends 'who' is using the term and 'how' it is being used.
DeleteBlack folks call each other that all the time and it's not done with disrespect.
The 'white' folks are the ones using the word toward black folks with disrespect, hate and racism.
President Obama is getting flack due to his use of the word yesterday with the comedian. It was a wonderful interview and everyone should listen to it. He used the word because it fit perfectly within their discussion.
By the by - I'm white and never have called a black person that term and never would.
It doesn't matter what he says or what he does because in the end, like all Black people, he's still Black. No Black person can ever achieve the level of perfection set for them by White people. President Obama has nothing to lose by saying whatever he pleases to say.
ReplyDeleteWhite person here...President Obama is about as close to presidential perfection as I could have hoped for! I have so much respect for him and his beautiful family.
DeleteWhite person here too. I agree with you wholeheartedly. He is the best president of my life, which began w/FDR. I'm sure Obama could make a third term if it were legal. But 8 years of sniping at him by the National Dunderhead Corporation, and yes, mainstream media, have obviously taken a toll. All problems of his presidency can be laid at the feet of the monumental racism built in to our culture.
DeleteMe too, Anon at 7:47 pm.
DeleteBeaglemom
For the first time in my life, I have learned to 'hate' during President Obama's presidency.
DeleteI HATE and DETEST Republicans and especially those of them on the extreme right.
The lies and constant tear-down and disrespect (racism too!) of our wonderful President has been horrible to watch all these years.
You know it's taken a physical toll on him because the man is so thin and so, so grey! Thank God he works out daily and has his wonderful family and close friends surrounding him, providing love and support all these years!
I can honestly say I love the guy and he has my total respect! It's wonderful seeing him be so candid now!
I want to hear him say "Fuck Off" to some of the Republicans that have been so horrible to him, but know he'll probably never do it publically.
My biggest wish is he gets them individually aside and tells them that out of shot of the microphones.
I can see his beautiful smile - looking directly at them - and uttering those two words! Can't help but wonder what they have called him to his face - in those meetings that aren't covered by the press, etc.? Have suspicions Boehner, McConnell and McCain have probably been very, very verbally disrespectful to him to his face! Wouldn't surprise me one bit!
I'm willing to bet anyone on the right complaining uses this word in private all the time.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying President Obama more all the time, he certainly has been saying exactly what he pleases.
BTW Is there anything stopping President Obama from being Senator Obama again?
Sanity?
DeleteI can hardly wait to see what President Obama and First Lady Michelle do when his second term has been completed.
DeleteHawaii and relaxation is probably first on their list and then the world will be open to them. I can hardly wait to follow them as I think they'll be very much like the Clintons.
As President Clinton is so well regarded throughout the country and world, I know President Obama will be too.
So the white racist was offended by the black president using the word N>>>>>>R? My stars, he'll have to get out his smelling salts.
ReplyDeleteYes, the racists bigots will use this as an excuse to use the word. "Blacks call Blacks that word all the time" is the meme on Fox news. It's use by the President was to underscore the full impact and weight the word has on people of color. No one who isn't black can possibly understand it fully. Sadly, POTUS no doubt knows how hurtful that word and what it stands for means, this isn't the first time he's heard it, and it sadly won't be the last.
ReplyDeleteWe have the African American Museum in Philly, seeing the history of slavery up to modern day is something I highly recommend. Reading it is one thing, but seeing it hits you in a visceral way.
We once visited a former plantation in S. Carolina (our only foray to the deep south) that had been made into a garden. While the gardens were beautiful and the setting stunning, the entire place is simply haunted by its terrible history. I couldn't get that out of my mind and found the experience chilling.
DeleteBeaglemom
I had a similar experience in Georgia on my way to visit relatives (by marriage) in Indiana before we were married. We stopped by a gas station in Georgia, we had kids in the Van and filled up the tank. One kid wanted soda, and I went back in and asked for change for the "pop" machine.
DeleteHe unlocked the change drawer and ran his fingers through coins, then slammed it shut.
"Saw your plates and we don't have change for yankees" I told him we just spent almost fifty dollars in gas, and now you can't change a dollar"
"That's cause we don't want you'all to get stuck here, now scram." We were white, and so was he and I was never so ashamed in my life. To be fair, we did find a nice store and got the children their drinks and snacks with our dignity intact.
There's no end to the good and bad in humanity. Sorry for the length of this, but we took tours of former plantations, and was amazed at the architecture, appointments and gardens. Appalled at the "laundry sheds" and "slave quarters" the manicured hedges hid from view. The lawn jockeys and cannon motifs not so much.
Our son, years after that, wanted to watch "Dukes of Hazzard" and wanted the toy car, we used it as a "teachable moment".
Do people understand context at all? The way in which President Obama used this term is perfectly acceptable.
ReplyDeleteFor comparison, if Sarah Palin were to say in an interview, "I think it is wrong and hurtful to use the word "retarded" in reference to people with intellectual disabilities." I would have no problem with the use of that word in that context.
I think it's kind of a cop-out to say "the n-word" or the "r-word" when you're using it in this manner to make this point. Just say the real word. Mature adults can handle it.
Mature adults can handle it.
DeletePeople like Sarah and her ponders? Not so much.
I'm sure they understand the concept, but the object of the game is to collect as much material as possible to fuel their self-reaffirming tribalism by converting all information to bullshit. Pres says the n-word, the republican power machine sees dollar signs and says, "Hmm, interesting point. Now how will we use this against him?"
DeleteWhen you're subject to a derisive term, you automatically get full rights to use it at. POTUS gets to use the N-word. As a professional female that tends to make incompetent men whimper, I have full rights to use the Coward. Gays get the F-word. Because we have to have some way of showing the assholes out there that we know and we don't care. Their words don't have power over us. We're strong.
ReplyDeleteBut their words hurt the young, the formative, the troubled. So let's not skirt around the issue. Let’s call it out and demand it stop.
YUP.
Deletedowl
There's an old italian proverb that ends with "The tongue has none, but can break bones"
DeleteThis will be terrible for his reelection campaign.
ReplyDelete@ Michael
DeleteI'm certain that there or some who will claim that very thought. Seriously.
dowl
Haha!
DeleteYou brought a smile to my face, 7:47 PM When you listen to the Republican clown car of candidates they are all using President Obama to campaign against - you would think he was running for a third term! So wish it was legal for him to do so.
DeleteBut, I can hardly wait to vote for Hillary Clinton. She would be an outstanding POTUS and has the experience to do the job. Plus, love how she is campaigning and supporting President Obama. That is truly refreshing!
When you're subject to a derisive term, you automatically get full rights to use it at. POTUS gets to use the N-word. As a professional female that tends to make incompetent men whimper, I have full rights to use the Coward. Gays get the F-word. Because we have to have some way of showing the assholes out there that we know and we don't care. Their words don't have power over us. We're strong.
ReplyDeleteBut their words hurt the young, the formative, the troubled. So let's not skirt around the issue. Let’s call it out and demand it stop.
Gryphen check your email
ReplyDeleteFor the conservatives (esp. the Fox News ilk), this is the perfect way to change the subject from the problem of racism in our society and the role of political conservatives in fomenting it by way of fear mongering, gun worshipping, etc. What happened last week in Charleston means that the focus of attention has been turned to their "dirty hands" in it. It hasn't helped their cause that GOP politicians have been so reluctant to be honest about what Rood's motives were.
ReplyDeleteThese suddenly outraged conservative babblers know that the president is 100% right to bring up the need for gun control as well as the need for Americans to delve into the reality of our 21st century racism. President Obama's perfectly correct and acceptable usage of a word, used frequently by conservatives against him and his family, has given them a way out - or so they think.
Beaglemom
Agreeing to remove the Confederate flag isn't courageous. It's just politics
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/23/nikki-haley-remove-confederate-flag-courageous-just-politics
One day he'll say obummer and how will the fuckwits know how to react? Yes, I'm looking at you little lifeforms, c4pee.
ReplyDeleteOh, those poor folks on the right and extreme right are horribly constipated because President Obama used the 'nigger' word in his interview yesterday!
ReplyDeleteThey should actually listen to the interview with the comedian and see how the word was actually used.
Oh me, oh my! We all know they won't do their homework, but what else is new? We've been listening to their bull for damned near ten years already!
Look at all these Republicans trying to make themselves look good with regard to the Confederate flag. They aren't fooling me one bit! They are racists and have always been!!!
ReplyDelete