Republican Congressman calls Michelle Obama “uppity”

[one...two...tree 2,762]

On Sunday, longtime Washington hand David Gergen took umbrage with John McCain's recent attack ads, charging that the Senator was using coded messaging to paint Barack Obama as "outside the mainstream" and "uppity."

"There has been a very intentional effort to paint him as somebody outside the mainstream, other, 'he's not one of us,'" said Gergen, who has worked with White Houses, both Republican and Democrat, from Nixon to Clinton. "I think the McCain campaign has been scrupulous about not directly saying it, but it's the subtext of this campaign. Everybody knows that. There are certain kinds of signals. As a native of the south, I can tell you, when you see this Charlton Heston ad, 'The One,' that's code for, 'he's uppity, he ought to stay in his place.' Everybody gets that who is from a southern background. We all understand that. When McCain comes out and starts talking about affirmative action, 'I'm against quotas,' we get what that's about."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/03/g...o_n_116605.html

[MrsCat 6]

just curious, I've never thought of the term uppity as particularly offensive, apparently that isn't so?

It was an old derogatory term to describe 'negros' who didn't fit the stereotype of ignorant and poor. It was a way of saying, "No matter what you wear, or how well you speak, you're still just a n!gger."

ooooohhhhhhhh

that's not nice.

[IAMX 3,055]

Westmoreland is 58 years old and from rural Georgia. He claims never to have heard the derogatory term in the little mill town where he grew up.

Let's see, either he's a racist piece of sh!t, or a dumbass. Given Republican stupidity in spouting off racial slurs (hi George Allen), then playing stupid, I'll place a winning bet on "racist piece of sh!t", along with Exalted Cyclops Robert Byrd.

[britty 1]

I can't believe that our "leaders" are still using words like uppity. That's so grotesquely offensive I don't even know where to start. Sadly, it's not surprising, though.

What's wrong with uppity? At least he didn't call her " an ugly ######" (replace censored # with female dog).

Uppity is very much offensive when used by a white person in regard to a successful black person. The Congressman would know that.

The word uppity to me, has always meant someone who is a bit "stuck up" or thinks they are better than everyone else. Certainly I am sure the Brits will agree that in the UK this term is probably used widely and is not considered offensive. I had to ask my husband what he thought it meant and he confirmed that it is a very derogatory and offensive term here in the U.S. If the Congressman in question knew this, then shame on him.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I can't believe that our "leaders" are still using words like uppity. That's so grotesquely offensive I don't even know where to start. Sadly, it's not surprising, though.

What's wrong with uppity? At least he didn't call her " an ugly ######" (replace censored # with female dog).

Uppity is very much offensive when used by a white person in regard to a successful black person. The Congressman would know that.

The word uppity to me, has always meant someone who is a bit "stuck up" or thinks they are better than everyone else. Certainly I am sure the Brits will agree that in the UK this term is probably used widely and is not considered offensive. I had to ask my husband what he thought it meant and he confirmed that it is a very derogatory and offensive term here in the U.S. If the Congressman in question knew this, then shame on him.

Context is everything.

[akdiver 3]

So, is your beef that he THINKS she is uppity, or is your beef that he EXPRESSED this thought?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Just goes to show what happens when you give people the benefit of the doubt. They wheel out these sorts of stereotypes proving that they are nuttier than you might imagine.

[kaydee457 13]

This is evidence of where liberals have brought this country.....Retro-political correctness. I never knew this term to have racist roots and I suspect that the majority of Americans don't either.

Here's a term I hear in these forums all the time (do a search and you'll agree) and I suspect that the perps don't have a clue that it's considered a racial slight against blacks because its origin refers to blacks in the south US.

The term is "a spade is a spade", or "let's call a spade a spade", and some other derivations. It's been used several times in this off topic area but I simply let it pass as the perps are ignorant.

This thread is stupid and I wish that the OP would stop posting these ridiculous threads.

They just waste bits & bytes and that's not good for the environment.

[akdiver 3]

This thread is stupid and I wish that the OP would stop posting these ridiculous threads. They just waste bits & bytes and that's not good for the environment.

..and yet, here you are - perpetuating it.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

It was a careless choice of words given the context.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Top 10 examples of compassionate conservatism

By Kim Riley, Kansas City Star Editorial Board Reader Advisory Panel

With less than 60 days before the general election, it's amazing the transformations that have gone on within the Republican Party. Here are the top 10 examples of how the party has redefined itself:

No.10: Fox News, whose broadcasters famously slandered Michelle Obama by referring to her as her husband's baby mama, has seen the error of its ways and will not call Levi Johnston a baby daddy even though he fits the definition to a tee.

No. 9: The right wing cheers on Sarah Palin as she recklessly attacks at will, but then labels her detractors as sexist and elitist when they question her on issues.

No.8: Republicans have repeatedly labeled Barack Obama as "uppity." Al Gore and John Kerry were portrayed as elitist and out of touch but were never called uppity. I guess we can believe this is pure coincidence and we should ignore the historical roots. This term was reserved for blacks during slavery and Jim Crow era and followed by the n word and beatings or lynchings. But I'm sure it's just a slip of the tongue.

No. 7: The GOP has extended compassion to Bristol Palin that has been admirable. Maybe that means that same warmth will be extended to poor, non-white girls who Republicans typically regard with disdain for having loose morals and accuse of being out to get a welfare check.

No.6: John McCain has long considered himself to be a maverick in spite of the fact that he couldn't even stand up to members of his own party and pick his running mate of choice.

No. 5: Obama's patriotism has been questioned on more than one occasion, but Palin is called a patriot even though she was a dues-paying member and outspoken leader of an organization that advocated for Alaska to secede from the union.

No. 4: Hillary Clinton has been known as the anti-Christ to the GOP from day one (remember the backlash over her "I guess I could've stayed home and baked cookies" comment?), but the party is now cheering her accomplishments and citing her as a trailblazer.

No.3: Bill Clinton famously said "it's the economy, stupid." In spite of high gas prices, economic downturn, and the housing crisis, the Republican Party maintains the election is about character and values.

No. 2: Conservatives have spent the last three decades attributing declining family values to the rise in women working outside the home. They're now singing a new tune and defying anyone to question a woman's ability to raise a family and hold down a job.

No. 1: McCain redefines courting women voters by selecting his vice presidential candidate with less scrutiny than he uses to shop for a necktie. In Palin's case, he apparently relied on the always faithful eenie meanie minie moe vetting process.

For anyone who doubts "compassionate conservatism" exists, just look around. It's everywhere.

And if you believe that, I have a Bridge to Nowhere investment for you.

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/2026

Edited September 9, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This is evidence of where liberals have brought this country.....Retro-political correctness. I never knew this term to have racist roots and I suspect that the majority of Americans don't either.

Here's a term I hear in these forums all the time (do a search and you'll agree) and I suspect that the perps don't have a clue that it's considered a racial slight against blacks because its origin refers to blacks in the south US.

The term is "a spade is a spade", or "let's call a spade a spade", and some other derivations. It's been used several times in this off topic area but I simply let it pass as the perps are ignorant.

This thread is stupid and I wish that the OP would stop posting these ridiculous threads.

They just waste bits & bytes and that's not good for the environment.

I dunno man - I've heard the term "uppity n*gger" before, and I'm not from this country. You may not have heard of it - but clearly the choice of words made the news for a reason.

[Heracles 417]

Context is everything.

So the American context that is. Not the actual definition.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Context is everything.

So the American context that is. Not the actual definition.

Umm... the comments WERE made in the American context...

What's your point?

Its not the most outrageous thing in the word - but it should be called out for what it obviously is...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Context is everything.

So the American context that is. Not the actual definition.

Of course.

This is taking place in the context of America. So yes, the American context.