There are allegations surfacing that George Allen and James Webb used the word "nigger" more than 30 years ago. This seems to be getting a great deal of attention and I can not figure it out. Allen has denied it, though several more people have come forward and said they heard him say it. Webb sidestepped the issue by saying that he does not think there is anyone who grew up in the South that has not had that word come across their lips. He also said that he never used the word to hurl a racial slur at anyone.
I find both items hard to believe because many people both black and white have used that word. I have used it in my past, and though it is not a good word to use, the fact is that just like the F word, I've said it. The point with these two is, have they said it recently? Who cares if they said it more than 30 years ago? People can crawl out of the woodwork and tell us they heard one or the other say it a long time ago but how many people have heard it recently? I am absolutely positive that Robert Byrd has used that word and he never gets the scrutiny that these two are getting. While this might be an issue to some, it seems to me there are bigger fish to fry.
This quote appeared in a Washington Post article about Webb:
"The Voting Rights Act transformed that word. It eradicated it," said Jack Bass, a professor of humanities and social science at the College of Charleston. "The crowd that [used it in the 1970s] either quit using it or they were gone. Blacks were voters by then."Maybe Jack Bass is on another planet or does not listen to rap music. A large majority of the gangsters in the gangsta rap crowd use that word and they use it a lot.
- Driving a Saab that connects with the mob Bank job, plenty niggers I rob (Wanted Dead or Alive)
- Shame on a nigga who try to run game on a nigga (Shame)
- Nigga it's the Big southern rap pimp resario (Big Pimpin)
- “Hey what’s up my nigga.” This is said among millions of times among inner city blacks and has actually reached the mainstream, when in the movie Rush Hour, Jackie Chan said the exact phrase to Chris Tucker. (streetgangs.com)
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
I doubt there are too many people in America (white, black, both, or neither) who have NEVER used the word "nigger" in some context, at some point in their lives.
GREAT point about Senator Byrd, by the way. This clown was an ACTUAL member of the KKK several decades ago...in fact he was a LEADER (a "Kleagle," as well as an "Exalted Cyclops"...lol...) in that organization. But, hey, he's a Democrat, so I suppose this shouldn't be considered an important issue by the MSM...
Byrd did not serve in WWII (CHICKEN-HAWK!!!), but he is on record as having written that he would never serve in the military "with a Negro by my side. Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds."
Byrd is running for re-election to the Senate in 2006...
To quote Bob Dole: Where's the outrage?
2 - JustOneMan
Byrd will win....the Dems only care if a Repuiblican uses offensive words such "nigger" , "kike" ,"spic", "chink","gook" or "dago" ----
So the Imperial Wizard of the KKK -- Byrd will win by an overwhelming dem majority..where is the outrage
3 - JustOneMan
oh I forgoy one other offensive word--"fag" rememeber slick willys abandonment of the gay community--- dont ask dont tell and refusal to support gay marraige...
4 - Big Dog
If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy this one:
The Republican Party Has Been Good To Blacks
5 - IgnatiusReilly
"This seems to be getting a great deal of attention and I can not figure it out."
Really? You must be new to covering politics. Google "George Allen Macaca".
"Unless someone can show that these two politicians are using the word now, then I see no need to waste time."
Allen did use a derogatory racial term recently. See Google search above. If he hadn't said it and then lied about making it up, this door never would have been opened. Webb admitted its use a much as a politician can be expected. At least from the words you quote, he didn't deny it, unlike Allen, who you don't believe.
Would we all be better served if everyone focused on real issues? Absolutely, but what was the last campaign that actually happened in because I certainly don't remember?
6 - Peter J
Words, Lenny Bruce, about 45 years ago and still in an era where such words were considered taboo, took a stage in a club and shot out every offensive word there was. The audience was shocked. There were Blacks, Jews, Italians, Whites, and probably a bit of many other races. He went on to pick people out of the audience and verbally assault them individually; over here we have a nigger, and here I see a kike, on and on.
The audience was stunned. No one knew what to make of it and Bruce came very close to a severe beating.
After this tirade he immediately began his "act", which was not a comedy routine at all but a dialogue on 'words'. His point was simple, these are only words and they can only hurt you if you allow them to. His redundancy in using these words in such a manner was not to insult anyone, it was all part of his dialogue, he de-fused the words. Hearing them all together, not behind anyones back, not directed with malice at anyone, made them almost meaningless. (read "The Trials of Lenny Bruce; The Fall and Rise of an American Icon")
Now, here we are in the twenty first century and we whisper the first letter, like ignorant little school children. O my, Jimmy said the "N" word. What have we become? Does anyone not know that the "N" word means nigger? So what now?
" I don't know you fuckin "N" word! Why not ask some "K" word how he feels about it. No, forget about it, that "K" word is a lefty (or should that be that "L" word)he would never say the "N" word. Maybe we should ask that "S" word, na, he probably can't speak english, godamn "S" word.
Why don't we all just ask the Cracker, you know, Whitey, the Honky. I guess we whites had this coming. We're the only ones who ever use racial epithets. I have never heared the "N" word say the "S" word or the "S" word use the "N" word.
Does anyone else think that this is just too stupid to even discuss?
"Can't we all just get along?"
Why don't we lose the ridiculous letter game and agree that it's not nice, not socially acceptable, and if someone who is running for office says nigger, well then, we know he's an ignorant ass hole and we don't vote for him. and even more importantly, teach your children well.
Just when I think our society can get any dumber we become so politically correct we sound retarded.
7 - Big Dog
My understanding is that Allen did not know the word Macaca was a bad word to use. I can't say for sure because i do not know what is in his mind. He apologized so let us move on. No, we can't because he is a Conservative. In the examples I cited from the left, none of the folks even bothered to apologize and they knew they were saying something inappropriate.
The point is, why is his Jewish heritage a big deal and why does the fact that either of them might have used the word "nigger" in college germaine to today?
Last time I checked, people had the right to say what they wanted no matter how stupid. The Constitution however, does not protect people from becomming offended.
It should not be an issue unless it is an issue for all. We are in the year 2006, let's forget 1970 and worry about today.
8 - Big Dog
IR, I am not knew to politics. The comment that I can not figure out why this is getting attention is meant as Since the left uses these kinds of terms all the time, I can not figure out why this is getting so much attention.
Hope that clears it up.
As for issues, I would rather discuss real issues than ones about whether a person said a stupid thing more than 30 years ago...
9 - Nancy
He knew what macaca meant. That he applied it to the ONLY non-white in an otherwise all-white rural virginia campaign crowd, thinking he was isolating a non-american alien who didn't speak-a de eenglish good, in order to raise a racist laugh from the crowd, indicates to most who have followed this story that he did indeed know very well what he was saying & doing; it was only after all hell broke loose when the (native-born American, BTW) young man reported this gross behavior, that Allen backpedalled & started trying to push improbable stories about (1) how he made the word up on the spot; (2) how he heard it used as a reference to a spikey mohawk-like hairstyle; (3) how he had heard kids use it to refer to casual outfits; etc. etc. ad nauseam. Each story changed his explanation, his explanations got lamer, and his lies more obvious. He used it for exactly what he knew it was: a racial slur, used in conjunction with pointing out this man's color and then facetiously "welcoming" him to the US. More importantly, what this incident indicates is that Allen not only still is a racist, and a bully (as his attempt to isolate the young man from everyone else shows), but also a liar. And if he will lie about this, he'll lie about everything else. The point is, he can NOT be trusted, he has no ethics, he has no credibility, and that's in the here & now.
Like you, I don't care what he did 30 years ago. People make mistakes, people change, 30 years ago was 30 years. That goes for Allen, Webber, Byrd, or anybody else. I don't give a rat's ass who belonged to the KKK back in their misspent youth. George Wallace belonged to the KKK, but had a sincere change of heart and became a true proponent of civil rights & friend to all people. That these people are coming out of the walls now to testify that Allen said naughty words back in his college days says more about them than it does about Allen. Unless he took part in a lynching or some concrete illegal action, his words of 30 years ago are immaterial today. ALL young men mouth off; ALL young men go through offensive phases. The voters should be concerned only with what he's done in the past 5-10 years, and therefore the Macaca incident IS a valid indicator that Allen is still, even now, of a character (or lack thereof) not to be elected to office.
10 - Big Dog
Nancy,
Thanks for the info. I am not completely aware of all that went on there and plan on reading a bit about it when I have the time. It matters little what I think because I can not vote there any way.
I will only say that if this is the standard we apply, fine, but then we need to apply it to everyone and when black or Hispanic politicians call white people crackers they are not fit for office. Hillary, by your definition is not fit for office because of the Plantation remark and the remark about Gandhi (as if all Indians run gas stations). Those were racist remarks and she made them within the past 10-15 years. She has shown a lack of character by saying them and is not fit to be elected to office.
Will you join me in not supporting her?
11 - Nancy
I'm not aware of any remarks she's made; please give me more info so I can go look it up?
Now the Confederate Sons are on Allen's case for apologizing for the Confederate flag. IMO, anyone who is indeed a descendent of a Confederate soldier shouldn't have to be ashamed of it; it really is part of their heritage, and legitimately, & no one should have to apologize or hide it. Besides, it properly has little to do with slavery & a lot more to do with sessession & states' rights. Problem is, too many racists have used the confederate flag to symbolize racist views.
12 - Big Dog
Nancy,
Try these.
Gas Station
Plantation
13 - Nancy
Thanks. Having now read them, I think both are pretty lame, & it's Calculating Hillary who blew it both times. The NYTimes piece is correct: nohow does she have her husband's charisma or sense of where to stop. That said, I'm very disappointed in her for that; I admire her gutsiness in a field dominated by men, but I don't admire her for trying to compete with male politicians for sleaze, altho I suppose that's sexist, expecting a woman to be better than men in all aspects. I don't know, BD - if it comes down to her or a Republican I don't like & can't abide, I'll have to vote not FOR her but against the GOP. I just can't put up with any more of this one-party government any more. It's too conducive to corruption, arrogance, and lawlessness, as Bush & his congressional lapdogs Frist & Hastert so plainly demonstrate.
In any event, thanks for giving me the heads' up.
Another idol with feet of clay.
14 - Big Dog
But if the Dems take over in the upcoming election, will you vote for the GOP in 2008 to keep the same balance you desire?
We have seen one party rule work badly with both parties so it is not like it is party specific...
Maybe lame, maybe not. Point is, (and the point of this post) we have a double standard. It was pretty lame for Lott (I think it was) to be hammered for what he said but it got a lot of press and hurt him...His was no worse than Hill's
Cheer up, Hill will not make it as the nominee.
15 - Nancy
Again, it depends on who(m?) the GOP is fielding? McCain - probably yes; Jeb Bush - Hell no!
16 - Big Dog
I just can't put up with any more of this one-party government any more. It's too conducive to corruption, arrogance, and lawlessness, as Bush & his congressional lapdogs Frist & Hastert so plainly demonstrate.
So this was just if it means Republicans control everything?
17 - Arch Conservative
Fuck mccain and Jeb, fuck guiliani too!
It's all about Mitt Romney in 2008!
18 - RJ Elliott
JEB is absolutely loved in Florida, even by a lot of Democrats!
19 - Andy Marsh
It's my understanding that Allen's mother is from someplace like Tunisia...that makes him an African/American...as much an African-American as anybody else that claims it...I always thought African-Americans were allowed to use the N-word...no?
20 - RJ Elliott
LOL! ;-)
21 - JustOneMan
I agree...I thought that the word Nigger was some sort of term of endearment from one black person to another!
22 - zingzing
oh, you guys are soooo funny. and dumb.
23 - Nancy
No more Bushes in government - ever! 'T's a pity the idiots in Al Quaeda don't come over here & target the true criminals - the Bush & Cheney families - instead of innocent US soldiers. If every single Bush & Cheney in the world were to die today, I wouldn't shed a tear ... but I would consider spitting on their graves.
24 - RJ Elliott
"If every single Bush & Cheney in the world were to die today, I wouldn't shed a tear ... but I would consider spitting on their graves."
- Nancy, Democrat Party supporter