Reid apologizes for 'Negro dialect' comment

[RiverStone]

Washington (CNN) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid apologized Saturday following reports he had privately described then-candidate Barack Obama during the presidential campaign as a black candidate who could be successful thanks in part to his “light-skinned” appearance and speaking patterns "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one."

Journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann reported the remarks in their new book “Game Change,” according to an excerpt published by The Atlantic late Friday.

“He (Reid) was wowed by Obama's oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama - a ‘light-skinned’ African American ‘with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,’ as he said privately. Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama's race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination," they write.

“I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words,” Reid said in a statement to CNN.

more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/09/reid-apology-for-negro-dialect-comment/

I can't fathom how any elected Dem could even think in such an archaic and racist manner - much less the Senate Majority Leader!

Step down Harry - your a drag on the party and utterly useless! :mad:

[Solly Mack]

1. Damn

[Alexander]

2. Reid's a Mormon - they thought black people were satanic until 1978.

Reid was about 39 when that happened.

For some reason, a lot of people here like to believe Mitt Romney has adhered to racist Mormon philosophies of yesteryear, but when I point out that Reid is even older and probably believes that stuff as well, nobody wants to believe it.

[AzDar]

11. Reid is a first-generation Mormon. He converted while in college.

eta: The point being, I guess, that he *joined* a Church that believes that bullshit, which makes the whole thing more egregious, IMNSHO.

[dkf]

3. Toast.

[davidwparker]

40. Let's hope. Then, the senate dems can elect the #2 looser to be the

leader, majority or minority depending on the outcome.

[Robb]

4. It's racist to note racism in this country?

It's appalling, but you think it's not the truth?

[RiverStone]

12. Using the term "Negro" is very offensive

Listen to the words he used. Harry did not get that simply it's use offends many; and he only apologized when someone brought it to his attention. I grew up in Georgia during the 60's and that was about the last time I heard the use of the word "negro" during normal conversation; and then mostly from crusty old timers who remember life pre-segregation.

Shedding the light on racism is always a valuable discussion! Bigotry is ugly no matter what color of skin one uses to judge another. Yet I believe Mr. Reid's comments shed light on a backwards and divisive way of thinking. IMO, points to the fact he should not be leader of the Dems in the Senate - we could do a hell of a lot better.

[AngryAmish]

17. He probably calls him "that colored boy" when reporters are not around

[KittyWampus]

19. Any of proof of that? Otherwise, you are just spouting hateful crap about a Democrat

for no reason and with no proof.

[KittyWampus]

18. We can't listen to the words he used except for some some totally butchered quotes

Furthermore, anyone on DU who really wants to push that using the term "Negro" is very offensive is going to come out looking like a politically correct liberal poser.

I think that you need to post this and call for Reid's ousting says more about YOU than him or anything else.

Go back and find what Reid said in it's full length and get back to us.

Otherwise, you are doing the Republicans a favor by trying to take the spotlight off of Steele's latest heap of damaging stupidity.

[RiverStone]

25. I don't walk in lockstep!

One thing that usually separates Dems and progressive thinkers from Rethugs is we don't walk in lockstep. Yes, I believe Harry has been a wet noodle compared to the type of gutsy leadership I believe needs to be at the helm of the Senate. Like Russ Feingold or Ted Kennedy. DU is a place where we can express dissent within the party - in fact, that is all part of what seperates Dems from the whackos on the right.

And yep - when I see our ineffective (IMO) Senate Leader continue to show his true self, I'm gonna say over and over that as a passionate progressive - he needs to be DONE. No more of this Washington insider BS!

I doubt my comments could do anything to take the spotlight off Steele stupidity - we all know what a dumbfuck he is.

Kitty, you said: I think that you need to post this and call for Reid's ousting says more about YOU than him or anything else.

WTF do you think my comments (suggesting Reid's ousting) say about me? Please elaborate....

[bbinacan]

32. If taken out of context,

as you seem to imply, why did Reid need to apologize?

[jonnyblitz]

37. you truly are a fucking piece of work. jesus h. christ.

why in hell did Reid apologize then?

[harkadog]

38. Reid was the one who apologized.

He probably knows "what Reid said in its full length".

[Robb]

48. IIRC Harry is in his 70s.

This is not to excuse, but to contextualize. Wikipedia tells me, for example, the 2010 Census is keeping "negro" on its forms because many older Americans self-identify with that term.

It also tells me it is widely considered offensive; I don't believe I've ever used the term in conversation, so I guess I knew that it was inappropriate.

[Roon]

60. If "negro" is so offensive

Why do they call it the "United Negro College Fund"?

I agree negro is offensive..But every time I mention that fact the freepers bring up that charity.

[whattheidonot]

27. true

What Reid said is true. A very black man with double the smarts of Obama who talked more like a black man and dressed more casually and whose appearance was relaxed would never be elected. Not now.

[uppityperson]

50. "who talked more like a black man"? And, pray tell, how does a black man talk?

I think you may have missed the point. Try again.

[KittyWampus]

5. Heaven forbid anyone discuss Race. And I'm not convinced Reid said something offensive

especially not by the hacked up, partial quotes provided that are obviously ripped out of context.

Just because you are unsatisfied with Reid is no reason to jump on this particular bandwagon.

By the way, Michael Steele just added another heap of stupid on himself.

Maybe, just maybe, this is being printed right now in an attempt to get us to look away from Steele?

[Robb]

6. "Michael Steele just added another heap of stupid on himself"

...It's getting hard to tell, the pile's so big. :D

[11 Bravo]

10. How can you tell where Steele ends and the stupid starts?

[RiverStone]

21. The discussion of racism is productive - using the word "Negro" is offensive.

There is a big difference.

[kelly1mm]

41. the 2010 census form still uses Negro. Just an FYI. nt

[kelly1mm]

42. If not offensive, then why did Sen. Reid apologize? nt

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

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[elocs]

7. Yeah, I read that here an hour ago. It's not many threads below this one on Latest Discussion.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x116970

[Demit]

8. I frankly don't see the problem with acknowledging that many A-As speak in distinctive

dialect or accent or cadence. I don't think it's anywhere near racist to acknowledge that that's a fact. It is an observable phenomenon. I live in a large east coast city and some black people don't speak that way & some do. I am so tired of people feeling they have to tiptoe around things like this. It's absurd. If Reid had said he believed that African Americans who speak in black english are inferior, THAT would be racist.

[laughingliberal]

9. +1

[FLyellowdog]

13. Agree.

There is in reality a "Black dialect" which can be used or not used at one's choice...just like a "Southern dialect" or "Redneck dialect" or a "British dialect" or "Yankee dialect" can be. I don't see a problem...but that's just me. :hi: ya'll

[rockymountaindem]

47. Or you could all be like me

and speak with the normal, heavenly-ordained Midwest non-accent like a good American :)

[truthisfreedom]

16. We live in a pc society where violating the rules makes you an easy political target.

Reid is guilty of operating his mouth without engaging his brain. AA is the new innocuous version of negro. We'll see AA become offensive before long.

[fishwax]

46. the term "African American" isn't exactly new, and "negro" has been outdated for decades

Not really that difficult to follow. Reid was opening his mouth, but clearly not engaging his brain.

[1]

36. i agree as long as a democrat says it. if a republican said it, *that* would be racist...

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

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[Demit]

63. Wrong.

[tishaLA]

45. It's not the acknowledgment of AAVE people have a problem with

(AAVE is African American Vernacular English, the term linguists use--and the top scholars in that subspecialty are mostly African American), it's the use of the term "Negro" to describe it. It's a really outdated term, like "colored," and many people find it offensive, particularly in a context like this.

[Jamastiene]

54. Context n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

56. Interesting change.

Was this a "PC" movement change to the title? In the late 80's and early/mid 90's, the term was BEV (Black English Vernacular). It is recognized in linguistic circles, but is often ignored in mainstream or passed off as "racist." AAVE also has a number of variants, almost always dependant on regional location. It is similar to Southern American English in some ways. While those not from the South think we all "sound the same," anyone who has lived in the South for a good part of his/her life, will be able to distinguish "outsider" Southern accents. There is no way my accent would ever be mistaken as a Louisiana native (where I currently live) or a Virginian accent (where I went to HS) by anyone who was from those areas. Of course, living in New Orleans, I have picked up some dialectal differences, which my family has started to notice when I speak to them.

While I don't agree with his use of Negro, even at 70, he is a politician and should know better; it may well have been the only way he knew how to describe AAVE because he isn't educated in linguistic terms. Of course, one can't rule out the possibility it really is based in nothing more than a racial stereotype.

[AngryAmish]

14. Bigot - resign - now

[KittyWampus]

20. the veiled bigots are the psuedo-liberals who patronize blacks and pick apart those who attempt

to discuss Race.

[AngryAmish]

23. I always talk about "negroe dialects" when I talk about race

NO, one can identify a bigot from the language they use. And I can identify one here. He is cancer.

[DevonRex]

15. "I don't take orders from Barack Obama." Harry Reid after the inauguration.

He has proven that to be the case. Those weren't just empty words to make it appear as though he were independent of the President.

He meant them. Now I wonder if this has something to do with it. Racism? Perhaps.

Sorry, it was "I don't work for..." rather than take orders from.

link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/07/harry-reid-i-dont-work-fo_n_155838.html

[spanone]

22. oy harry, you ignorant fuck

[malaise]

24. +1

That's the real story here.

[RiverStone]

28. Agree! Weird that we all read the same thing...

Some see what an ignorant fuck he is - others do not.

[malaise]

33. LOL

:hi:

[Blasphemer]

26. Good lord. That is sickening... nt

[ChadwickHenryWard]

29. Mmm, I'm more inclined

to call for his ouster because of his total failure to deliver any good to the American people than for some quasi-racist comment made about Obama more than a year ago.

[RiverStone]

31. He was never called to task for being ineffective

And while agree Chad that he shoulda been canned long ago, his passive and complicit leadership remains a joke. If his ignorance gets him in trouble via a racist comment, then if the end result means we get someone on The Hill with a true and strong progressive voice - I'd be thrilled!

[ChadwickHenryWard]

53. Oh yeah.

If this gets him shitcanned, I'll take it.

[Sultana]

30. Hey Reid...

[Hubert Flottz]

34. Every time I see or hear Harry it reminds me of the story of

Harry-As-A-Boy and Artificial Rhonda...

We need a hardcore Harry, not a god damned Harry-As-A-Boy.

The GOP is playing politics on every issue that comes down the pike and Harry NEVER calls them on it. Playing politics with National security...Harry don't notice. Playing politics with financial reform...Harry don't speak out. Playing politics with health care reform...Harry goes along to get along.

I can't stand to watch coverage of the Senate on C-Span anymore, without a freaking' barf bag Harry. :puke: and Re:puke: Harry-as-a-boy...

[Lint Head]

35. This is the perfect time for him to step down as a leader and let

a pro universal health care Democrat take over!
2,220 Americans have died Because of no health insurance since the Obama Administration took office.

[alp227]

39. Similarly, the Vice President (as a Senator) made an off-colour remark about Obama

Joe Biden, as a Senator back in early 2007, said that Obama (also then a Senator) was "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy". This surely isn't the first time that a Democrat's been caught being un-PC about Obama.

The CNN Political Ticker article also quotes the Nevada Republican Senatorial Committee stating that Reid has said other not-very-nice comments about things too, and:

Nevada deserves better from its leaders and this November, voters in the Silver State will have an opportunity to elect a new Senator who will put their views and values first and foremost. In the meantime, we hope Reid’s fellow Democrats in the Senate and on the campaign trail will stand up and rightly condemn these racially insensitive remarks by their elected leader.

So I take it that those same Tea Party types who wave around racist Obama-bashing signs reflect American values? What has the NRSC said lately about John Ensign and Jim Gibbons? Stay classy, GOP!

[monmouth]

43. Joe Biden called Obama "clean and articulate." The book closed...n/t

[backscatter712]

44. Damn.

That's a really shitty thing to say.

[HillGal]

49. Looks like Bill Clinton said something racist too

Sen. Kennedy was offended about his conversation with Bill Clinton: (Page 218): "Recounting the conversation later to a friend, Teddy fumed that Clinton had said, A few years ago this guy would have been getting us coffee." (in reference to Obama)

[Regret My New Name]

55. I think that would be a reference to him being green and new to the national political scene...

not his race

[chowder66]

64. That's how I read it as well...

[JerseygirlCT]

51. Oh good grief! nt

[ellie]

52. Jesus, what an asshole

Is there any more proof needed that this guy needs to be replaced with a real Democrat?

[Name removed]

59. Deleted message

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[t0dd]

61. Reid is very useless. He needs to lose in 2010, so we can just forget about him.

I cringe every time I think of him as majority leader.

[votingupstart]

62. what an intelligent and useful statement......

now where is a Sarcasm button big enough......


and back to reality -- what a dumb ass remark - way to go Reid, way to go.