In an interesting twist of public relations fate today, two public figures have found themselves fending off allegations stemming from the use of language considered racially or ethnically charged.
One is a Mormon governor. One is a conservatively-Christian Hollywood mainstay.
In the first example, Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney used the phrase "tar baby" to describe the Big Dig. The story started out on the local television and radio programs and made national headlines this morning.
According to sources, 
Romney did not know that the phrase has been used to denigrate African Americans. What is even more interesting is that a CNN.com poll shows that two-thirds of responders don't even consider the phrase to be a racial slur.
This comes as the Romney people breathe a sigh of relief after a somewhat surprising barrage of defense from most major media outlets. Personalities on WBZ radio, Boston's CBS Radio Network affiliate, this morning announced support for Romney and have made it clear that they expect a heart-felt apology that the media is prepared to accept.
The feeling expressed by the Boston media is that while Romney certainly should have used better judgment, to consider him a racist is absurd.
Mel Gibson is proving to be not nearly as lucky as Romney.
Gibson, arrested last week on suspicion of drunk driving, has been all over the media when it was reported that he went on an anti-Semitic rage when police stopped him for driving over 80 miles per hour.
Even Hollywood has come down hard on Gibson. The Los Angeles Times ran an article today criticized him for trying to be "an island in the movie business." The article, written by staff writers Robert W. Welkos and John Horn, also points out that Gibson now needs to contend with the Walt Disney Company, which is distributing his latest film, "Apocalypto." Disney is the parent company of ABC, which is putting together a miniseries about the holocaust this season.
While the media is coming down hard on Gibson, the public doesn't seem bothered. Another CNN.com poll shows that the overwhelming majority of people still plan on seeing Gibson's movies. This shows that, while people may not always agree with what a celebrity does and says, they may be willing to put those feelings aside for the sake of entertainment. This is especially visible in American sports, which have been riddled with drug and steroid scandals in the past few years.
Both people in this case have a lot on the line. If Gibson loses Disney as a film distributor, he would have a hard time finding another major entity to take on the relatively obscure (and now controversial) project. Romney may have even more reason to hold his tongue as he makes an expected bid for President in 2008.
Article comments
1 - Jason
Well no doubt Romney is no rascist. To imply otherwise is dishonest so good job to this article for covering this item fairly.
I wonder why no one complained last week when Worcester Magazine used this same adjective to describe the Big Dig? Here is the link: worcestermag.com
Read the second paragraph. I kind of wonder how much of this is people grasping at any straw they can find to hang Romney with. In the end they come off as over sensitive and desparate.
JASON
2 - G A Anderson
What about the DJ who called Gov Romney a "blue blood" and an "empty suit". Offensive langauage has less to do with words than the intent involved. As far as the comment made by a black Republican that Cal Colledge would not have used that word. I think he avoided all slang which is a good idea. This is especially true for those in the public eye.
As far as Mel Gibson I think his anti semeticism is no secret. While I could never vote for him for public office, I think that his work should be judged separately from his personal beliefs.
3 - John Guilfoil
Clearly both people involved in this issue have a lot of people around them, trying to deal with any issues like this that may come up.
4 - Brady Alder
"This article shows obvious bias against Mitt Romney. It admits that "a CNN.com poll shows that two-thirds of responders don't even consider the phrase [tar baby] to be a racial slur.", showing that most people aren't aware of the negative use of this term. Yet, it uses devices to insinuate guilt on Mitt Romney's part. It alludes that Mitt should have used "better judgment" and says that Gibson was "not nearly as lucky as Romney". As if Romney got away with something. Also, bringing out that he is Mormon in an article that has nothing to do with his religion is particularly disturbing. I mean if you want to make a point that even the smallest mistake in picking your words is bad when it comes to prejudice; then don’t allude to possibly having a religious prejudice against him.
The fact is that within context the term Mitt Romney used is obviously not caring a racial meaning. Most Americans have never heard of this being a racial slur and since Mitt came from a good moral family and went to top schools; I'm sure he never heard of it growing up either. I'm against racial prejudice but let's pick our battles. Instead of getting all hot and bothered over stupid stuff, we should focus on REAL issues.