Rep. Charlie Rangel Responds To Use Of Racial Slur: I Thought Cracker Was A 'Term Of Endearment'

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/11/charlie-rangel-cracker-term-of-endearment_n_6136028.html?&ir=Politics&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000016

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) has no problem using dramatic language to make a point. In fact, the congressman, who received some heat for comparing Tea Party members to the segregationist, “white crackers” of the Jim Crow era, is surprised that his word choice caused any controversy at all.

In a HuffPost Live interview on Monday, Rangel responded to those who took offense to his use of the term in a 2013 interview with The Daily Beast.

“I thought [cracker] was a term of endearment,” he told host Marc Lamont Hill. “[The Tea Party is] so proud of their heritage and all of the things they believe in.”

Rangel found some hypocrisy among those who agreed with his comments overall but drew the line at using the word “cracker.” He did offer a reluctant apology for offending anyone with the derogatory term, but he shrugged off the “ridiculous” criticism.

He needs to step down. No reason he doesn't know what the term means. Shame on him.

[JohnR! 5,495]

It seems Rangel has been hanging out with Rush Limbaugh. He needs to get off whatever he is taking.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

As old as he is he knew darn well this is not a "term of endearment."