is asking a black man to dance a "jig" racist?

[arely staircase]

that's what the woman on google+ asked the president to do. the one who said her husband was out of work. i know it is a dance:

Jig - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/JigCached - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
The Jig (Irish: port) is a form of lively folk dance, as well as the accompanying dance tune, originating in England in the 16th century and today most associated ...

but it is also a racial slur:

Urban Dictionary: jig and a pigwww.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jig%20and%20a%20pigCached - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
a combination of two insults... 1 - "jig"...abbreviated version of jigaboo - a racial slur against blacks

so what gives?

[seabeyond]

1. of course it is. and she did it with a big smile.

you could see, she knew exactly what she was doing.

[arely staircase]

3. and yet some are all upset because HE said the word "interesting"

when she mentioned her husband was out of work. but the whole "jig" thing is ignored.

[seabeyond]

6. isnt it amazing. i saw the thread. i couldnt believe. the OUTRAGE. she did a racial

slam at him, and people totally ignored it.

[slay]

146. Indeed - she admits to being a Republican - and was way, way out of line with that racist shit

for someone who's husband can't find work - sure looked like they lived in a nice place. that lady was a bitch - and yes that was very racist and meant to put him down. can you ever imagine her saying that to mitt romney? hell no. i hope her family gets audited by the IRS every year for the rest of her life.

and even after Obama followed through and has sent her husband's resume on to some people - she says she might not vote for him. republicans are just mean, hateful, often racist, people.

[eShirl]

2. She didn't have the nerve to ask for a full impromptu minstrel show.

[pecwae]

141. But the word "minstrel"

and "song and dance" was allowed to stand here in reference to West and Cain.

[GusFring]

4. Being a republican in Texas usually makes u racist.

[arely staircase]

5. is she one? nt

[seabeyond]

8. without knowing her personally.... hell ya. nt

[arely staircase]

10. it's at 48:17

[treestar]

126. These people are making me ill

Like their personal problems are the President's problem.

That whiny 52 year old was just too much. Like she thinks the President takes care of her? Did she think that before? How did she live so long before?

And the President can't do anything about the H-1Bs. They exist under legislation. There is ebb and flow in location of jobs and it just makes me certain her husband may have other issues. She's a jerk, so chances are he is, too.

The POTUS is such a good person for putting up with these questions. Imagine Bush doing that. Well, no he would not. One major difference between Republicans and Democrats.

[arely staircase]

14. it would explain a lot. nt

[slay]

148. Yes - she is a Republican

from Huffington Post:

~snip~

"Wedel told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday that she got a call from a White House deputy chief of staff, Alyssa Mastromonaco, who told her Obama had made a personal point of making sure the matter was taken care of. Mastromonaco said the resume was sent to contacts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where the couple lives.

Now Wedel's husband Darin has been contacted by several recruiters, and Wedel said she's grateful.

But Wedel, a Republican, said that may not be enough to get her vote unless Obama also improves some of his job policies.

"Just because he's able to send a resume out, that's not going to be a vote factor," Wedel said."

~snip~

full article at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/obama-resume-google-plus-hangout_n_1247667.html

WHAT A HORRIBLE PERSON! Fuck her.

[renie408]

7. I would have to see the exchange.

As you posted, a jig is a type of dance. I was born in Charleston, SC and the farthest north I have ever lived was just inside the NC state line. I have never heard 'jigaboo' shortened to 'jig'. Not that it can't happen, but I think I have probably heard every single horrid, racist term for a black person in my 48 years in the South.

The woman might have been racist or thought she was being cute, but I would imagine that Barack Obama is so far above that sort of thing that he just took it in stride and kept right on rolling along. If she was trying to take a shot at him, I would think she failed miserably.

[arely staircase]

73. see post #10 nt

[rhett o rick]

9. I think racism in some is so inate that they dont even recognize it when

it comes out of their mouths.

[arely staircase]

13. i think she knew exactly what she was doing. nt

[xxqqqzme]

122. Agree - how does

one go from unemployed husband to 'dance a jig'? When I saw the clip - and I have only seen it once - my very first reaction was - WHAT? Oh, she's a rethug plant.

[JSnuffy]

11. Not once... not ever...

... have I ever heard anyone referred to as a jig.

I have heard the phrase "dance a jig" many times.

This is digging for something that isnt there.

[arely staircase]

17. then count yourself luckyi have. it is short for

jigaboo. i have heard mouthbreathers refer to blacks as "jigs" many times.

[Jackpine Radical]

89. So have I. In the north.

[ProfessorGAC]

99. I Second Jackpine's Observation - eom

GAC

[Morning Dew]

117. I'll third that

Grew up in Wisconsin.

[trof]

174. Same here, in Alabama.

[bigtree]

20. urban dictionary

from urban dictionary: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jig

jig
n. Offensive Slang
Used as a disparaging term for a Black person.

2. Jig

a little dance
as in: hey monkey boy do a little jig

or . . .

1. To dance or play a jig.
2. To move or bob up and down jerkily and rapidly.

[arely staircase]

25. wikipedia - the bit of etymology i put in bold makes me think she meant it that way

Jigaboo, jiggabo, jijjiboo, zigabo, jig, jigg, jiggy, jigga
(U.S. & UK) a black person (JB) with stereotypical black features (dark skin, wide nose, etc.).[13] The term "jig" was often used by Richard Nixon when speaking in private. Used to refer to mannerisms that resemble dancing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs_by_ethnicity

[DefenseLawyer]

31. It's a racial slur

Whether this woman in this instance was using it in that context, and despite what you have heard or not heard in your life, "jig" is a racial slur. That's not subject to debate.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

33. Highly debateable

The term has been used for some styles of folk dancing for centuries.

[DefenseLawyer]

35. It's not an either or proposition

Of course a "jig" is a dance. Jigaboo, or "jig" for short, is a racial slur. You can say it's not for as long as you want and you will be wrong. I'm not saying that this woman's motives aren't debatable. I think she was talking about a dance. That doesn't mean jig isn't a racial slur. Because it is.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

48. Actually it is both, depending on context

Kind of amusing seeing a lawyer pushing for a binary situation and a geek arguing context and meanings.

[DefenseLawyer]

59. I was responding to a particular statement

by the poster who said "Not once... not ever... have I ever heard anyone referred to as a jig", as if to imply that because he or she had never heard it it wasn't a racial slur. That has nothing to do with the original question about the lady and the President. I'm not pushing anything. I think you just like to argue, not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Life Long Dem]

78. Maybe she was calling him a fish.

A jig is a fishing lure.

[DefenseLawyer]

85. I never once suggested she was calling him anything

All I essentially said was to the person who said no one had ever been called a "jig" that he or she needs to get out more.

[JSnuffy]

94. My point is that it isn't in the common usage...

.... as if I were some sheltered thing who hadn't lived all over this planet.

[The Straight Story]

34. Lot's of videos at youtube using it....

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jigaboo&oq=jigaboo&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=216l3220l0l3417l11l9l1l0l0l0l211l958l2.4.1l7l0

[bigtree]

38. so youtube makes it legitimate?

I can think of other terms which are widely used in an innocuous fashion which are highly offensive when related to a particular group of individuals.

There are also insulting terms like the -N- word which is used in lit and music but is still highly offensive in many connotations and usages.

[The Straight Story]

44. I did not say either way, was replying to someone who had not heard it before

being used in a particular context. Videos show it in both.

[bigtree]

54. I saw those in my searches

. . . but their presence is as irrelevant to this question as defending the word 'fag' as a British smoke is when used in the context of a gay person.

[dionysus]

57. then you haven't experienced shit. nt

[JSnuffy]

66. Mmhmm....

One really hasn't lived until one has heard every slur known to mankind...

God, what a waste it all has been!

[HangOnKids]

154. Yes, it appears to be a waste. n/t

[HangOnKids]

153. LOVE YOU

Flowers and sunshine to you today sweet prince.

[Life Long Dem]

77. This isn't sticking to the wall.

[bigtree]

80. well, your 'fish' excuse certainly didn't float

[Life Long Dem]

86. Ha ha... I'm sure it didn't.

[seabeyond]

92. i knew what it meant and i am not around this stuff. have heard it all my life. nt

[xxqqqzme]

121. I have - grew up in Indiana

among a hugely racist family. Heard it often.

Was back there last summer. Because they no longer use the 'n' word, they think they have evolved.


They haven't!

[bigtree]

12. 'jig' or not

It was definitely inappropriate to ask the President to get up dance for her.

I think it can be safely criticized as insensitive to the history of the term as it relates to blacks in America.

It's hard to say what Jennifer's intent was in asking the President this. She said it following the President's remarks about the appropriateness of folks joking with him. It was clear to many folks who have had experience with the term as a racial slur. that it was inappropriate.

That insulting connotation hasn't appeared to be as apparent to those who have not had experience with the term as a derogatory and are ignorant of it's origins. That might be indicative of Jennifer's own ignorance of its divisive and insulting potential and past.

I will say, though, that her lead-in with a complaint that foreigners were holding her husband back from finding work as an engineer as a result of our immigration policies was a red flag to me. It smacks of the Tea party complaints and finger-in-face Brewer's complaints. It just doesn't help that her complaints followed with her parroting of this historically offensive slur offered without a hint of guile to our nation's first black president.

[Kellerfeller]

139. I agree. That is the thing that struck me.

I've always associated a 'jig' with the Irish. It would not have occurred to me that it was racist.

But to ask the President of the US to dance for you on command? WTF?

The same with asking him to sing.

I'm not sure racist (since I can imagine stupid people doing the same to Clinton after playing the sax) but it definitely was extremely rude.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. The term "jig" is not inherently racist.

Historically Jig is a kind of dance. The use of that term vastly predates the racist term or its abbreviation. I can not remember that last time I heard jig used in a racial context, except by those asking this very question. It is also used in fishing.

Usage is so different that context makes intent abundantly clear.

Ask Stinky the Clown about this one...

[bigtree]

23. the word has a racist past

Are you certain that your own experiences are applicable to how frequently it has been used as a derogatory term?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

29. It has a much longer historical non-racist usage and context is quite clear on intent

I have seen African women competing at feiseanna dancing jigs...no one considered it a racial issue.

Any number of posters are sharing their experience, thought I would add mine to it. I am also African American

[arely staircase]

39. the older non-racist meaning "a type of dance" was the root of the racial slur

as it was meant to describe the way whites perceived the way blacks moved - according to wikipedia

[ProgressiveProfessor]

52. The problem is the older meanings are also current, valid, and clearly non-racist.

If the older meaning can gone away, I would agree its only a racial slur. Since it hasn't, context matters. It is also used in fishing, relating somewhat to the jumping motion of the dance.

I just watched the POTUS video and am still shaking my head...

[a la izquierda]

40. I have never in my life heard the word jig in a racist way...

but my racist grandfather used to say "jigaboo" all the time until my mother had had enough and told him to can it in front of his grandchildren. Jig, in my universe as an Irish-American, is not remotely racist. It's a dance my family does at celebrations.
But I sure as hell know that "jigaboo" is an extremely racist word.

[arely staircase]

70. well, i am scots-irish and mexican. i know what jigs and reels are. ive seen them performed.

i'm also from texas and have heard it used many times as a slur for blacks according to wikipedia the root of the slur is whaites perceiving black to move in dance-like fashion. so the two meanings are connected - and jigaboo is the whole word.

[a la izquierda]

96. Welp, you learn something new and awful every day.

[bigtree]

32. Professor, I have lived this

I don't know if she meant it to be derogatory, or not, but with the handle 'Professor', you should be more astute about the connotation of the word and take a look around the internet at the number of folks who recognized it instantly as an insulting way to address this black president - much less ask any black man to 'dance a little jig' for her. If you're just going to deny all of that, I suggest you try and listen to those who've had direct experience with the term as a derogatory insult.

You should have enough sense to know that there are many words and phrases which, by themselves, are seemingly innocuous, but, as you say, context is everything. Asking a black man to 'dance a little jig for you is highly offensive to many black Americans aware of the term's history and from their own life experience subjected to the language. You're defending what many would consider indefensible. Good luck with that.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

37. As a black American, I look at context from which intent is clear

"Jig" in and of itself is not racist, it depends on how it is being used.


That said, this event seems quite weird. Asking anyone to dance a jig, especially POTUS sounds really out to lunch. Lacking TV/Cable I shall have to find a video clip...

[arely staircase]

42. i put a link in post #10 nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

53. Thanks, I just watched it

and all I can do is shake my head...

[arely staircase]

58. well now you have to explain the meaning of that lol

in what context does your head shake? in disbelief at the racism? in the negative, because you don'y think it is racist? in a thrid way i haven't thought of?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

65. It was sufficiently incredible that I am not sure what to make of it

Last edited Thu Feb 2, 2012, 02:55 AM - Edit history (1)

It almost looks like she was so overwhelmed by the situation she simply lost the bubble...who knows. I remain incredulous.

I passed some of this on to a few friends and a younger one gave me some interesting feedback. When they get some really good news, some people rock out a little (not sure how else to describe it). Apparently some people call it dancing a jig (which it is not), my daughters call it the happy dance.

By now the woman undoubtedly realizes they made a fool of herself regardless of intent

I'm still shaking my head

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

71. You're a black American and don't understand the historical significance of that word

in American parlance?

Really? That's amazing!!!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

76. I fully understand its provenance and its also used in the UK and Ireland as a slur.

But I also know it has other meanings, depending on context, that predate the slur by centuries.


I just watched the video...It was sufficiently incredible that I am not quite sure what to make of it

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

97. Why can't you just admit that it has racial overtones? I don't understand

your arguments. Most people are aware that the word has several meetings, but used in this particular context is racist. What is keeping you from admitting this fact?

[Gabi Hayes]

50. gee, maybe if he'd danced a jig for her, she would have invited him on a

coon hunt.

[itsrobert]

16. It looks like a GOP setup to show Obama pandering

Hey look, we got Obama helping only one family for a job
Hey look, we got Obama doing a jig for us

Looks like it was setup to make Obama looked like he was pandering. I am glad Obama refused doing the jig. That would have played right into their hands if he did. The woman knew what she was doing and was looking for her 15 minutes of fame in right wing world.

[arely staircase]

21. yeah, he handled it well. nt

[countingbluecars]

18. She may be racist.

She definitely is ignorant.

[MissB]

19. Silly Sally Went To Town

Walking backwards upside down.
On the way she met a pig.
They danced a jig.
Silly Sally went to town,
Walking backwards,
Upside down.


It was one of my kids' favorite book as toddlers, along with We're Going On A Bear Hunt.

[arely staircase]

22. yes, as i said - it has two meanings nt

[grasswire]

24. Did she ask him to show his teeth?

That was a common request to black men, back in the day of slave trading.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

26. I've had non-racist cause to do so; very few other people have.

I really do do morris dancing and other forms of traditional British folk dancing; I've danced a few Scottish jigs with a black man (not very many - I'm male, so I've usually only danced with men when there weren't enough women to go round, and it's usually the other way round). I suppose the number goes up if you accept "in the same set with" as "with", rather than just "partnered with".

But sadly, folk-dancing is not a widespread hobby. We're a dying breed, and outside our ranks it's hard to imagine someone having a non-racist reason to ask a black man to dance a jig.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

41. My daughters and wife learned some of the classic jigs and reels

when we were in the UK. I tried, but dance has never been my forte. So I as a black man I have been asked to dance a jig, but failed miserably.

Yes I realize that is not what happened with POTUS...

[RZM]

27. Hard to tell

I think the using 'jig' to refer to a black person is pretty well outdated at this point. I don't think you hear it much at all anymore. I'll bet a lot of younger kids who would recognize other words as racial slurs might not actually associate jig with that. Of course this woman isn't a young kid, but I'm not so sure she intended it to be a racial slur.

There is the racist association of making a black person dance for white people's amusement though. Again, that's pretty much outdated at this point, but the legacies of minstrel shows, etc. are still out there. And on DU as well, BTW:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=38215

My guess is that she probably didn't mean it like that. But not being in her head, I don't know that for sure. It's certainly possible she was trying to be racist in a sly, underhanded manner. I give it a 25-35 percent chance that she fully intended it to be a racial insult, meaning I wouldn't put my money on it, but it's still quite possible.

[arely staircase]

47. come to east texas some time - it is still used here behind the pine curtain. nt

[RZM]

60. I'm not saying it's not out there

I'm not an old-timer and I've heard it. I'm just saying that I haven't heard it in a very long time. Generally speaking, I think the proscription of racial insults has seeped in enough that even in private conversation, you don't hear racial slurs nearly as much as you used to. Nowadays it's more implied/insinuated.

About 7 years ago I was at Indiana University for a summer language program. During the summer, the university would host black high school students on campus for some program (I never found out exactly what it was). Anyway, one day I arrived at the dining hall for lunch and I immediately detected something wrong with the mood there. I asked one of the food servers if something had just happened. He said:

'There was a huge fight between a bunch of girls and the cops came. I'm not going to say who was responsible, but you know what I mean.'

That's the way I think private discourse is trending nowadays. 30 years before, he probably would have said 'a bunch of [insert racial slurs] were going at it.' I don't disagree that you still hear this stuff, but probably not nearly as much as you used to.

[arely staircase]

64. you are right and your anecdote is just like many stories i could tell

in austin, a racist would say what the person in your story said. where i live now, they might come right out and use the word.

[RZM]

75. Well I wouldn't be too hard on the guy in my story

First off, he's a working class union member in a swing state. I'll bet he votes Democratic.

But anyway, he knew that as soon as I knew there was a fight, I assumed that it was the young African-American high school students and not the 20-something language nerds that I had classes with. That's why he didn't need to say who was actually fighting. His comments were at least as much alluding to the fact that I had already assumed that, for right or wrong.

And this is one of the unspoken things on the left in this county. Most other DUers would have had the same assumption I did. But plenty wouldn't be willing to admit it.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

72. Why are people in this thread trying so hard to dismiss this obvious racial slur?

Maybe it's because I grew up in the American South, but I'm just astonished by how many people in this thread are bending over backwards to avoid confronting this issue.

[KansDem]

28. Anyone else remember this M*A*S*H classic?

Perpetuating the stereotype:

&feature=related

Harry Morgan plays "General Steele" before he was "Colonel Potter."

[ProgressiveProfessor]

45. I remember that

a pretty powerful parody for its time.

[bigtree]

62. I had completely forgotten that

Funny though, I've know of the context for most of my life, perhaps something my parents told me. Maybe from watching an old movie or something. But, I definitely recall that scene in MASH and I recognized the context instantly when I saw it contemporaneously.

[frylock]

30. is "gettin jiggy wit it" racist?

someone better tell will smith.

[Son of Gob]

36. is asking a black man to dance a "jig" racist?

That's the question. The answer is yes. Why deflect? Interesting.

[arely staircase]

51. thank you . nt

[frylock]

113. the etymology of the word "jig" is a part of this discussion..

very interesting, indeed.

[Son of Gob]

119. Do you think it's now ok to ask a black person to dance a jig

because Will Smith has a song called Gettin Jiggy with it? What exactly is your point here?

[frylock]

177. no

[arely staircase]

49. let you in on a secret - words can have more than one meaning.

by your logic the n word isn't racist because ice cube uses it.

[RZM]

69. I'd bet the farm that 'jiggy' originated from 'jig'

The notion of African-Americans using derogatory terms to refer to one another is a whole different thing. As a white person, I really don't think it's my place to say whether or not that's ok. But it certainly is true that groups quite often lay claim to terms that were originally used as pejoratives against them.

In the first half of the 19th century, a small coterie of educated Russians debated with one another about the nature of Russia and what path it should take. The 'Westernizers' argued that Russia hadn't contributed much to civilization and needed to be as Western as possible to catch up and compete with the rest of Europe. The 'Slavophiles' argued that Russians should embrace their differences with the West, because the nature of those differences actually meant that Russia was superior to the West. 'Slavophile' was originally a pejorative that the Westernizers used against their opponents. Yet they ended up embracing it and the movement has been associated with that term ever since.

Same thing with 'Yankee.'

Of course this woman isn't black. So who knows.

[muriel_volestrangler]

109. From 'jig', but not necessarily from the derogatory meaning

The dates for recorded usage seems to show it's from the dance. We have, in order of appearance:

jig, n.1
1.

a. A lively, rapid, springy kind of dance. See also Irish jig n. at Irish adj. and n. Special uses 3.
c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) iv. 58 Sum luvis, new cum to toun, With jeigis to mak thame joly; Sum luvis dance vp and doun, To meiss thair malancoly.

jiggy, adj.
jig n.1 + -y suffix1.
1. U.S. slang.

a. Jittery, fidgety; trembling, esp. as the result of drug withdrawal. Also in extended use.
1896 Cent. Mag. May 13/1 The saddle was scarcely fastened, and his jiggy animal so shook him that the center of one of his Egyptian orders dropped out and was lost.

c. Excitedly energetic or uninhibited, often in a sexual manner; to get jiggy : to engage in sexual activity.
1997 W. Smith Gettin' Jiggy wit It (song) , I go psycho when my new joint hit Just can't sit Gotta get jiggy wit it.

jigaboo, n.
Etymology: Related to jig n.2 after bugaboo n.
U.S. slang (depreciative and offensive).

A black person; an African American.
1909 Weston & Barnes I've got Rings on my Fingers (song) , So come to your na-bob, and next Pat-rick's Day Be Mis-tress Mum-bo Jum-bo Jij-ji-boo J. O'Shea.

jig, n.2
Etymology: Origin unknown, but perhaps the same word as jig n.1
U.S. slang (depreciative and offensive).

A black person, an African American.
1924 F. J. Wilstach Slang Dict. Stage (Typescript in N.Y. Public Libr.), Jiggs, Negro actor.

[Snake Alchemist]

43. Only if he's Irish. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

74. Obama actually has some traceable Irish roots

and going to Punahou, at one point he learned some hula.

Neither I think are germane in this case, but they are interesting tidbits.

[Snake Alchemist]

46. Alright Arely. The jig is up. nt

[Hassin Bin Sober]

178. ..................."and GONE." That's a line from History of The World.

And now that you mention it, Greagory Hines was referring to himself as a "Jig"

Definitely racist.

It's at the end:

[Snake Alchemist]

180. Bruce Willis can be blamed for reviving the word. nt

[a kennedy]

55. Actually, I thought it was an Irish term....as in an Irish Jig....

sorry.

[eShirl]

63. and asking a black man to dance for you is...?

[ecstatic]

56. It doesn't look good...

1) A republican in Texas
2) Disrespectful, irrelevant demand to "dance a jig"
3) If the story about her saying she's still not voting for Pres. Obama, despite the help he gave her husband is true, then I definitely think she was being racist.

[arely staircase]

61. i missed the repub from texas part the first time - i am from and currently in texas

now that i know that i am convinced she meant it that way. in fact there is no way she didn't.

[quinnox]

67. This reminded me of a hilarious scene in one of the "Ocean"

movies, where a black comedian asks some whites "Do you want me to get on the table and dance a jig?" LOL
Unfortunately this comedian passed away a few years ago, he was really funny.

[eShirl]

82. Bernie Mac?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Mac
(I haven't seen the Ocean's movies yet but I will eventually)

[jsmirman]

68. I sure thought it was

one's mileage may vary, but asking the first black President ever to do a fucking heavily typed dance (and that's what a jig is) for her?

I didn't find it all that innocent, personally.

[lonestarnot]

79. K & R!

[Generic Brad]

81. She could have avoided this entirely

If only she had invited him to clog dance.

[jsmirman]

83. I also know I wouldn't ask someone for help finding a job AND

ask them to do a dance for me, all in one sitting.

That is seriously fucked up.

[joeglow3]

84. Maybe she is taking it back

[arely staircase]

87. i haven't seen that in years - i didn't even remember wanda sykes being in it. nt

[The Genealogist]

88. This is just my opinion

I don't think she could have been much more overtly racist if she had asked him to sing selections in dialect from the Stephen Foster songbook. Would she EVER have had the audacity to request Shrub or St Ronnie or even Bill Clinton to "dance a little jig?" I think not.

[Gormy Cuss]

150. +1

and I'd bet that if she were called on it she protest that it was really just a nod to Obama's Irish heritage.

[saras]

90. If you have to ask, it's ALWAYS racist.

Talking to the person in private about it may not be, but if you're making a public scene and the suspicion is there, then you lose.

[JSnuffy]

95. That is a ridiculous standard...

If anyone wonders if you are racist, then you are racist? but only with 2+ people in the within direct line of sight?

[HangOnKids]

163. "but only with 2+ people in the within direct line of sight?"

Translate this please. Thank you.

[ellie]

91. Yes.

[frazzled]

93. If it wasn't racist, it was surely the most demeaning, rude thing ...

I've ever heard someone say to a President (or frankly, anyone).

And after he sincerely offered to look at and pass on her husband's resume (and actually followed through on). I was shocked.

I mean, possible racist connotations aside, it was like: "okay, you've answered my question; now dance, boy."

[NotThisTime]

98. We are Irish, it wouldn't be a slur... but I have no idea why anyone even if they were Irish would

ask the POTUS to dance a jig, that is bizarre... the whole thing is honestly bizarre.

[Chill Keney]

100. Yes

NEXT!

[City Lights]

101. Would that woman have asked any other president to "dance" for her?

She's a racist piece of trash. .!.

[chrisa]

103. Ehhh... Big big reach.

I think she was just trying to be funny by asking the President to do a dance.

Trying to twist this woman into a racist because she made a bad joke about dancing is a bit silly.

[seabeyond]

108. yes. it is just kinda a joke amongst the white. why are the blacks being so sensitive

at the arrogance of whites giving them credit for their ability to dance. it is all in that extra muscle blacks have. a little giggle of superiority for whites. nothing wrong with that.

what area do you live in?

[chrisa]

114. It was a weird comment, but I'm not getting what people are seeing here.

I don't get any of what you said from her comment. A lot of assumptions. If I remember correctly, from the video, they were already talking about singing and dancing, so the comment was a bit related to the conversation. Plus, the lady was talking to the President, and people say dumb stuff when they're nervous.

Obama didn't seem in the bit offended. Don't you think, if she made a racist comment, they would have cut her off? If I remember correctly, Obama just laughed and went along with it.

I think posters here are inserting nefarious intentions into a simple (bad, and truly odd) joke.

[redqueen]

104. Yes.

If the context of the word is too elusive for some, there is more evidence.

She followed it up by interrupting him to request that he sing, and then demanded that he sing.

[Snake Alchemist]

105. Maybe she had just watched "The Last Boy Scout"? nt

[joeybee12]

106. Yes...

Unless Obama is somehow Irish also...this seems pretty racist to me.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

123. He is.

He has distant Irish ancestors, leading to all sorts of puns about O'bama.

[deutsey]

107. I think asking him to sing and dance reveals a racist presumption on her part

It was completely inappropriate whatever her intention.

[Major Hogwash]

130. They asked him to go on American Idol and sing with Al Green.

According to the Yahoo News site.

[Major Hogwash]

135. I don't know if you were hasty or not, I just saw it on the Yahoo News page is all

I didn't know that he had that good of a voice.
I mean he hit it, he was right on.
I wonder now if Michelle can sing that well, too.

Man, that would be super cool if they both started singing at the convention!!

[deutsey]

133. I don't know about that

I'm just saying there's a racist assumption that black people naturally sing and dance.

She may have been simply making a reference to the Al Green bit, but the song and dance reference?

Who knows? Either way, it's inappropriate to me. I thought the same about the person who asked Clinton if he wore boxers or briefs.

[redqueen]

142. Please. Nobody asked or commanded him to sing at the Apollo.

And nobody interrupted him there to issue the request or command, either.

[T S Justly]

110. Is corporate calling the tune, again, lol?

[octothorpe]

111. I've never heard the term jig used in a racist way..

I didn't think it was related to 'jigabo' at all. If someone said jig, I'd assume they meant a dance or a tool.

The only reason I'd assume someone meant it in a racial way, is if they clearly said it in a way that was clearly used as a abbreviated version of 'jigaboo'. In this case, I don't think the phrase "can stand up and give us a little jigaboo" makes much sense. President Obama didn't seem to find it offensive either.

[WI_DEM]

112. That woman was anti-Obama all the way--I sometimes wonder if she was a set up

[chrisa]

115. She could be a troll. Who knows.

That would be a bit strange, though. I just attributed her comments to nerves.

[treestar]

116. Well given that it's an Irish folk dance

But then there is the abbreviated version of jigaboo - I'm going with ask AAs what they think. I have a feeling it is racist.

Just the idea of that he should entertain her - what was she about, anyway? Why ask that?

[Spazito]

118. Yes n/t

[Marrah_G]

120. I always thought dancing a jig was an Irish thing....

[Quantess]

124. I don't know, but it was disrespectful.

I would be irritated if she had asked me to dance a little jig, and I'm nobody special. I wouldn't have been as nice as President Obama was.

[LanternWaste]

125. Pres. Obama is not renowned for either British folk dancing or fly-fishing

Context search: Pres. Obama is not renowned for either British folk dancing or fly-fishing. Removing the two definitions which have no connection to the Pres, we are left with the third and final device-- and we then should ask ourselves, is Pres. Obama renowned (whether positively OR negatively) for being a black man?

If two contexts appears invalid, and one appears valid, I think we may safely assume the valid context unless and/or until further relevant information appears.

[Rex]

127. Now that is a word I have not heard in a long time.

Jigaboo - and it was ALWAYS said by racist relatives in my family or people I knew growing up. To me, it is exactly the same as using the N-word to offend someone. Now...OTOH, I've seen these same racist family members dance a jig or two in their day at the local hoedown. Which is not to be confused with a hoot-n-nanny.

[Son of Gob]

138. Defending racist Republicans

is not a good look on you.

[uponit7771]

140. +1

[Son of Gob]

159. Keep making excuses for this Racist Pig

Or quit while you're behind. Nah, might as well keep digging, this hole is already too tough to climb out of.

[Son of Gob]

166. Sycophants are now people who don't defend racism like yourself.

Who knew. What do you call people who bend over backwards to defend Racist Republican pieces of shit? Whatever that's called you're doing an exemplary job at being it.

[Son of Gob]

169. It's clear where your POV on this matter is coming from.

Clear for all to see.

[Son of Gob]

171. Lol. I'm closeminded to racism. You're doing a great job at keeping your mind open.

[redqueen]

143. Who is this "we" you're talking about?

If you think this is just a DU outrage you are so unbelievably mistaken. OK, maybe not so unbelievably... still very deeply mistaken.

[redqueen]

145. Way more people than just DUers are pissed at this racist BS. nt

[LanternWaste]

152. And sometimes a question is not *just* a question

And sometimes a question is not *just* a question.

"But it sounds like it's good-- so it's benign"



Regardless, I imagine we may, without concern, use the word 'gay' to mean happy, yes? And rule out its use in any other context. Let's try that for a week and see what happen...

[BklnDem75]

181. That must be it...

Obama also had a fundraiser in Harlem last month. Can't wait to see him bust a Harlem Shake or an Aunt Jackie.

[LynneSin]

132. I was just on a jury with the 'JIG' - I was wondering why...

anyone would be upset over doing an Irish Dance. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I hear a JIG

[Cleita]

134. Jon Stewart did the best riff on this.

He stated that she should have said "thank you" for helping my husband, not ask him to dance a jig. If KO had been on the air this week he probably would have had her on his worst persons.

[Son of Gob]

137. Interesting how some of the bigger Obama haters around here are ok with this

Very interesting indeed.

[slay]

149. What are you talking about? Care to show some proof?

i'm no fan of Obama's in general. he's better than the repubs, but let's be honest, he's been far from great. but i have posted several times in this thread about how fucked up and racist that was. And who are the biggest Obama haters around here? do you have a list?

i think you are wrong on this - and you owe me a chicken dance buddy.

[Son of Gob]

156. Kaw KaKaw Kaw KaKaw

Reading through the thread there people excusing, deflecting and even one person implying that the OP is being paid by "Corporate" to post this. That's fucked up. It was a clear case of racism. You and most others saw it for what it was. Noticing who didn't is pretty glaring.

[slay]

158. I hear ya

and yeah some are making excuses, but i'm not sure it's Obama haters - just peeps who don't understand that "jig" is racist. at any rate - thnx for the chicken dance. can't wait for the new eps on Netflix and the movie! "Has anyone in this family ever even SEEN a chicken?" lol.

[Son of Gob]

162. You're ok in my book slay

Thanks for the vid. I can't wait for the new ep's either. I read that they're doing 11 or 12 of them, then the movie. Woohoo!

[HangOnKids]

155. You know the bigger Obama haters around here?

Did you get a better tour of the joint than I did? I mean come on we've both been here a few weeks, what kind of decoder ring did you get?

[Son of Gob]

157. Yeah I do

I also know the biggest Obama defenders around here. It's called reading, you should try it.

[HangOnKids]

160. Testy Testy Testy

Bye Bye Mr know it all.

[pecwae]

183. Why share your lists with everyone?

You've been around for a long time and should have gotten to know the style and political bent of all DUer's.

[BeeBee]

161. To dance a jig is not racist.

Referring to someone as a "jig" is incredibly racist.

[slay]

164. Why not just ask him to dance then? Or dance the macarena?

i supposed she could have been referring to him being part Irish - but it sure came of as at least POSSIBLY racist. and she is a republican. regardless - that is not how you talk to the president when he has just agreed to help you. you think she would have asked that to Romney? bwahahaha - hell no!

[Ecumenist]

173. You know, I thought I was just a little sensitive when I heard that idiot say that...

I'm black and I HATE it when I hear things like that...Oh, you can dance well, etc said by crypto-racists. I remember literally saying out loud, "WTF??!!" Mmr Ecumenist's head whipped up and asked me what happened I was so loud. LOL!!

[Drunken Irishman]

175. For what it's worth, it looks like that girl from Texas has decided to vote for Obama...

...even though she's a Republican.

Afterwards, Wedel, who described herself as a “good Republican,” is now planning to vote for Obama in this year’s presidential election.

“I didn’t vote for him four years ago. But I have been so disappointed with the presidential race. I haven’t seen anybody who would have been a good replacement. I know how Obama is now. I know how he rolls. So I’d probably vote him back in,” said Wedel in an interview with The Atlantic. “I (feel) like I know him a little more,” Wedel said. “There was a connection. He should definitely do this with more people…..”

http://news.yahoo.com/obamas-google-hangout-wins-over-republican-questioner-170401200.html

[arely staircase]

176. good news..hearts can change...maybe there was some self-evaluation

and she realizes a kind man (the POTUS) did something nice for her family. maybe her husband said "cool it i need a job."

[marasinghe]

179. leaving racial overtones aside, for a moment ....

if one gets a 'phone call from the president of the country,
who in hell would ask him to dance on tv?
wtf is with that shit.
if this stunt wasn't meant to be overtly racist,
wouldn't be surprised if it was so on a subconscious level.
either that, or, this woman's IQ is in the same class as junior bushwipe's.

[SwampG8r]

182. at the time i thought so

it seemed to sail right past everyone else listening
added to her engineer husband who cant find work in dallas texas it makes me think she was a total plant

[pecwae]

184. I've never heard that term in reference to race.

When I hear or use it it's referring to a carpentry tool or a dance originating in Ireland.