So sue me...I think the Steele "Fried chicken" quote story is total bullshit.

[Atman]

It is being totally blown out of proportion. I know DUers and Steele haters will jump all over me for actually defending the guy, but let's get real here. The questioner did not ask how Steele would bring BLACKS into the party. He was asked about bringing "people of diversity" into the party. Remember, he was a gay white man, not black. He never said the word "black" or "African Americans." He said "people of diversity."

In response, Steele said "I say y'all come! I think a lot of you are already here."

At that, the questioner can be heard to say "I'll bring the collard greens." That's when Steele replied that he'd bring the fried chicken and potato salad.

BTW, since when is potato salad a racial stereotype? I'm fifty and I've never heard that one.

So, could it be that the white, gay reporter was the one who made the offensive comment when he said he'd bring the collard greens? I mean, if we're going off of food stereotypes, seems like he 'started it.' It seems to me Steele was responding to a picnic reference, nothing more. What would YOU bring to a picnic? Your racist potato salad? I don't get it.

I know part of our job here is to point out the stupidity of the GOP, but I think a lot of DUers are stepping in it on this one. Watch the video again and pay attention to the exchange rather than allowing yourself to be sucked into an undeserved hate-fest. We have enough of those around here already.

.

[MichiganVote]

1. Ask Tiger Woods about it.

[DefenseLawyer]

6. That little boy is driving well and he's putting well... n/t

[BlooInBloo]

2. Um... riiiiight.

[Atman]

11. I take it you agree then. Um...right?

I explained myself. Try rebutting what I posted instead of replying with a pointless sub line.

Go on...tell me where I'm wrong. This ain't Twitter. You have more than 140 characters.

.

[RelativelyJones]

3. I think you are right and most DUers won't pursue this

[imdjh]

4. I would never bring collard greens to a picnic.

Or kale, or turnip greens, or any of that other crap my grandparents ate. None of that is picnic food to me.

Picnics are about eating junk. Fried chicken, submarines, potato salad, potato chips, cole slaw, anything that has the fab four: grease, salt, crunch, and sugar.

[Chulanowa]

9. Besides, they would get cold

And there is nothing BUT NOTHING more unappetizing than cold, greasy collard greens.

As for Steele... From what I see, it's him shooting the reporter's dumb right back at him. I dunno about how it goes in other ethnic communities, but if someone gives me some thinly-veiled race comment, i'll start talking like "Have big heapum frybread for my squaw. Mmm. Paleface want trade firewater for squaw?" and usually, the dumbass turns red and backs off

[BobRossi]

5. It's contrived at best.

Twisted words. We should worry more about our own party defragging.

[provis99]

7. having greens, fried chicken, and potato salad are a typical "black" soul food meal

All Steele forgot to mention was the chitlins and watermelon.:eyes:

[noiretextatique]

13. steele = buffoon

an embarrassment to self-respecting black people.

[Atman]

15. That's has nothing to do with the point of my post.

I don't disagree that he's a joke. But sometimes a comment is just a comment. A response is just a reply to a questioner. I just don't see anything to this, not when you listen to the entire exchange and skip the over-hyped "gotcha" moment that wasn't.

.

[Raineyb]

22. Buffoons play up stereotypes.

Steele=Buffoon.

[noiretextatique]

63. it was a racially-charged comment

and if the jackass had said it to me, i would have responded a lot differently. steele is a stepnfecthit tom who plays stupid for his white constiuency.
i agree democrats shouldn't make a big deal of it. but if steele thinks he is going to attract people of color with his tombuffoonery, he's mistaken.

[kjackson227]

56. I agree. I think the questioner's "collard greens" remark was offensive and...

totally out of place. If I had been the Steele tool, I would've called him out on it. But, of course it went right over Steele's clueless head.

[DatManFromNawlins]

66. They are a typical SOUTHERN meal

Nobody I know looks at that stuff and says "ooh, soul food." It's just what we eat.

[Old and In the Way]

8. On the Steele Gaff scale, this is a .5

he can do better...a lot better. He's overdue for another Goppergaff/apology moment.

[rd_kent]

10. I think you are right, and that is what differentiates us from the rest

The fact the we can look at something like this and see it for what it really is, an innocent comment, speaks volumes. Others see it as an opportunity to twist the words and the meaning for political purposes. Whether you are on the right or the left, spinning something like this for a cheap political point is shameless and makes you as bad as those on the right who do it all the time.


Good job, Atman, for calling it like it is. I'm with you.

[K8-EEE]

19. Yeah it sounds like no big deal

Gosh there's enough real racist stuff out there in Repuke land where ya don't have to go punching up silly little comments

[Ian David]

12. White people like potato salad because it has lots of mayonnaise in it.

It is traditional that White People, when invited to a party, present the host with a jar of mayonnaise.

At least, according to the 1985 Documentary, "The History of White People in America" with Martin Mull and Fred Willard.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089277/

[Catherine Vincent]

14. LOL!

:rofl:

[imdjh]

21. German potato salad doesn't use mayo, and as you know Germans are the whiter white.

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
3 cups diced peeled potatoes
4 slices bacon
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

[mitchum]

26. German potato salad uber alles...because I hate mayonnaise

And thanks for the recipe

[Javaman]

55. God, I love that stuff.

I remember it as a kid, thanks for the recipe!!

I'm assuming I have to boil the potatoes first?

real potato salad is ruined with mayo.

[marmar]

39. LOL....Reminds me of the movie "Undercover Brotha"

:P

[JVS]

47. Unless they're Germans, in which case the salad has no mayo.

Maybe some bacon and its grease, but no mayo

[trumad]

16. Sorry---anything that adds to the buffoonery of this clown is OK by me.

If a Dem said that it would be huge news...

Let him twist.

[Atman]

17. That's a pretty sorry way of looking at things. "Truth be damned."

Didn't we just have eight years of that? I'm not playing. If Steele's a dick, let his dick-ness stand on its own merit. We shouldn't have to concoct controversies out of nothing.

EDITED to add further rant without creating a whole new post: Let's look at it another way...had the reporter said "I'll bring the Malpeques and Blue Points!" and Steele responded with "And I'll bring the lobsters and steamers!" we'd be all over him for being an elitist snob out of touch with black people.

IMHO, some people should just step back a minute, take a breath, and listen to what Steele actually said, in the proper context, that is, as a response to gay white male asking about "diversity," not getting black people into the party, as so many of the posts insinuate.

.

[Tan Gent]

30. Truth be damned is, I have found, a highly accepted approach around here.

:D

[trumad]

37. Touch shit...it's war.

[Atman]

38. You're probably right. Being honest and fair is what makes us Democrats.

But being reprehensible liars and lock-step party loyalists is what got the GOP to where they are today.

I can't say I'm really torn.

I'll stop telling the truth about the GOP when they stop lying about Democrats.

.

[paulsby]

44. do you really believe that crap

really? i'm a democrat because our ideas are better. people are frigging people. i have never seen any evidence, in politics or out, that democrats or repubs (or any other political party) are more or less honest, or nice people or whatever. you just sound like a mirror image of what i hear from rightwing blowhards.

[Atman]

48. Then you're just an idiot who hasn't been paying attention.

Exactly what "ideals" of yours are making you a Democrat? A study was published just last week showing that Republicans were, in fact, way slimier than Dems in terms of the very traits I mentioned.

Sorry for calling you an idiot, but if you're gonna choose to be a tool don't be surprised if you're hammered for it.

.

[Atman]

51. BTW, I went back to edit out the "idiot" comment, but was too late. Sorry.

Really, there was no need for it, I apologize...I posted it at 3:00 am or something, having just been woken up by my wife who couldn't sleep and decided to turn the tv on.

I still think you need to pay closer attention to the strategies which the GOP has employed (lockstep adulation of their leaders) compared to how Democrats tend to fail because we won't automatically go along with what someone says just because we're in the same party. We ponder. We study nuance. We consider the impact on others. It's aggravating as hell. I can't honestly believe every Republican believes they did "the right thing" by holding open the drug bill voting all night as they twisted arms and threatened and cajoled others to get in line. But they did it for their party and their corporate donors and they "won." And look where it got them. And, more importantly, do we want to be like them?

I don't.

.

[paulsby]

60. oh, a STUDY

well that clinches it! after all, i can find a study that shows that homosexuality is a dangerous disease. therefore, it must be true. i have a study. note this is SARCASM for the analogy impaired.

[Atman]

64. Oh, a dick!

The "study" I referred to was discussed in several threads here on DU over the last few days. I'm sorry you missed it. But the fact that you missed several DU threads does not mean I have to provide footnotes and citations for every fucking remark I make, just to make 'paulsby' happy. Contribute something, or piss off.

.

[olegramps]

52. The fundamental difference is that Democrats are supposed to be for the working class.

I believe that the leadership lost their identity and became as dependent on corporate money and consequently their oppressive influence that they continue exert over Republicans. However, I am confident that the future of the Democratic Party will once again be an alliance with those common folks who struggle daily to raise families. These are the folks that strive to provide their children with a wholesome environment and opportunity for a successful life.

I believe that President Obama fully identifies with the majority of Americans who actually work for a living. I see a new age beginning to dawn in which American workers will live in a more secure environment. One of the most important aspects of why we are in such a dire situation is the growth of multinational corporations that grew into behemoth monopolies. The "too big to fail" corporations that have come thundering down has not come without travail and uncertain times, however, their demise could usher in a new age of real competition when thousands of companies are allowed to fill the void.

[paulsby]

61. that has to do with political ideology

not an individual's character, empathy, etc. like i said, i have no doubt our IDEAS are better. but people are people. i deal with people every day. i have yet to see ANY evidence that people who happen to be democrats are "better" people in any sense of character, behavior, etc. than repubs, or other political parties.

[Atman]

65. You twist the words to serve your argument.

It is obvious you're referring to my OP. I didn't presume Democrats to be "better." I merely said "That is why we are Democrats..." and provided what I see to be a fundamental contrast between Democrats (as a party) and Republicans (also, as a party). That being, again, that Republicans got what they wanted throughout the last president's term because they voted in lockstep for their party, having no consideration for the actual impact on the people.

Contrast that to now. Obama is being HAMMERED after only six months for not fixing the world. Yet, instead of his veto-proof, filibuster-proof Democratic Congress standing behind their Democratic president, as the Republicans did for their man in the Oval Office, we have factions of Democrats who understand and actually consider nuance and societal impact. Unfortunately, there are still some that place lobbyist's contributions first, too. But my point stands...Democrats don't get things done because they actually care about the shit they're voting for. Republicans get things done because they stand in line behind their man (always a man) and vote his way. Always.

Deal.

.

[trumad]

50. I hear ya...

And that's why I'm a Democrat....BUT---we've been steamrolled for years with their bullshit and now I say--- fuck em....

[TheBigotBasher]

28. If one of our peeps said that

and the equivalents would be any random from the LGBT section of the party and a senior AA Politician, we would be congratulating them for confronting stereotypes. I just can not imagine any gay man offering to bring collard greens to a picnic though.

[harmonicon]

35. gay men automatically don't like southern food? wtf?

[TheBigotBasher]

36. Not true

I love Southern food, there is much to bring to a picnic. Not collard greens.

[imdjh]

58. My Dear, in the South, we have gay men who chew tobacco and lesbians with big hair.

I'm serious. We have some gay men who chew tobacco, go fishing, and work in manual labor.

We also have some lesbians with big hair who work in grocery stores.

We bust more stereotypes in Podunk than the avant-garde of "the city" will ever encounter much less challenge. And we don't point and laugh when folks aren't hip enough to be Agay.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. Sounds to me like the reporter is a Fuzzy Zoeller fan.

I believe he was called a racist. Good for the goose and all.

David

[imdjh]

20. The reporter was "of color" whatever the hell that means.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bil-browning/steele-gop-woos-blacks-wi_b_231534.html

The old gaffe-o-matic (or as I like to call him, the Republican Joe Biden!) answers a question from a gay person of color in this clip about the GOP's diversity outreach






This link appears to have a pic of the "of color" person, though I'm not sure what ethnicity "of color" is supposed to cover there.

http://www.milehive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=585&Itemid=232

[Atman]

31. Funny thing is, I thought he was not "of color."

In the clip, he was poorly lit and it was a crappy phone cam or something. I thought he was just a chubby white guy.

.

[Blue For You]

23. You're right. Let me add, this thread is making me hungry.

:beer: :popcorn:

[imdjh]

24. Churches or KFC?

[The Straight Story]

29. Popeyes (nt)

[BlooInBloo]

32. Church's is my fav, but I have no problem whatsoever with KFC.

[Blue For You]

34. Bojangles!

:hi:

[Are_grits_groceries]

25. This may not be the biggest gaffe Steele has made, but I

call bullshit on your giving him a pass. First of all, I don't think the original questioner said the "collard greens" comment. He had a distinct speech pattern, and somebody further back said it.

"I'll bring the collard greens" is not some throwaway line. Collard greens were used directly to refer to African Americans. Watermelon would have been the worst choice. The comment was said to get a laugh and with derision. Just bring the greens and chicken and all the AA votes will be rounded up.

Instead of bouncing it back with something like "well food is one way to start but we need to offer more than food if we are going to make a real effort", Steele was Mr. Friendly playing right along with the stereotypes. He just wants to fit in. The sad thing is that Steele doesn't even seem to know how he sounds. That's how he rolls. :eyes:

I have yet to hear him make a serious effort to engage the Republican party in a discussion of race and what they need to do. He panders to their worst instincts.

I won't give Steele a pass on this. He took the low way out. IMHO

[Atman]

33. I don't buy it. You have the benefit of time, and you're using it to over-analyze

...a quick back-and-forth exchange.

I don't know how you come to the conclusion that the "collard greens" comment came from someone else farther away. It was so low and muffled, there is no way of knowing...but Steele responded to the same location as the original question came from. I think you're reaching to make this fit your pre-conception.

I admit, I could be wrong, though.

.

[Political Heretic]

27. Well its not popular, but I have to agree with you.

[Jello Biafra]

40. Watermelon is a stereotype. Don't you agree? n/t

[Atman]

42. Flounder is a fish. What's your point?

Potato salad isn't a stereotype. Collard greens might be...but "I'll bring the collard greens!" was uttered by a 'person of color' whom I originally took to be a heavyset white guy.

Oh, and collard green guy had an effeminate affect to his speech. But saying he might be gay (even thought it was supposedly a Log Cabin member) would be applying stereotypes, too.

At some point this bullshit has got to stop. You can start stopping it, or you can continue continuing it.

.

[Bluenorthwest]

53. But you said he was gay for certain

you also said 'someone' said collard greens then you said this 'gay' reporter said it. Oddly you do not name the reporter, and you do not seem sure about who said that.

You stereotype while claiming not to. If you know the reporter was Log Cabin, you could simply say so. And if he's Log Cabin, you are in fact allowed to assume he is gay. Your judgement of his masculinity should have nothing to do with it at all, if you have your facts in order.
Sorry, but you are calling people idiots on this thread, after an OP that lacks important facts, leaves quotes without a certain speaker, leaves out the names of individuals and organizations involved. In your OP, you did not tell us the reporter's name or where he is from, nor why you assumed he was gay. In the thread, I find that either you assumed due to his manner of speaking or his affiliation with Log Cabin, but you do not pick one.
Creepy OP. Very.

[Atman]

59. What's your problem?

Chill the fuck out, huh? You don't like way I arrived at the conclusions I did, although you admit I was fundamentally correct. And you completely ignore my retraction of and apology for the "idiot" comment, and my acknowledgement that the man was AA, not white, though he appeared to be so on the dark video I saw.

:eyes:

There's one on every thread.

.

[Bluenorthwest]

54. I had not heard of this story prior to reading this thread

it took me all of a minute to find out that the man who asked Steele the question is named Cameron Cowan, that he is not Log Cabin, but is a gay man. He is also decidedly African American. So that was one heavily researched and fact based opinion you had there! A fat white gay guy. When you meant African American blogger Cameron Cowan. Some gay guy. They are all white, you know. All of them. White as can be.

[Canuckistanian]

41. At least he knew that watermelon was off the rhetorical menu

Give him credit for that.

[RoyGBiv]

43. Pie

Oh, and proper potato salad has mustard in it ... lots and lots of mustard.

[paulsby]

45. i'm not a huge mayo fan myself

most people make their tuna fish with mayo. i far prefer a little malt vinegar, mustard powder, etc.

[paulsby]

46. i'm not a huge mayo fan myself

most people make their tuna fish with mayo. i far prefer a little malt vinegar, mustard powder, etc.

[Number23]

49. That's an interesting point.

What I think is bullshit is the number of DUers who saw that story and their fingers could not fly fast enough to join in with their own stereotypes of what black people like.

No sooner than the original story was posted than the "What about watermelon?" and "What about Grape soda?" questions came a-flying! Ooooo, that was so funny! Wow, there is nothing funnier than watching people mock your culture under the guise of pretending to mock someone else.

[Rebubula]

57. I am the whitest guy I know...

...and my favorite food is Fried Chicken and watermelon. I love collard greens and will eat chitlins if required to be polite (as if eating at someone's house).

Most of the 'stereotype' foods for blacks is more of a Southern thing than racial.

Mmmmm...turnip greens.

[Mythsaje]

62. There's a reason I hesitate to jump into this shit... n/t