Harry Reid Controversy
If you've been following the news over the last week, you're probably well aware of the Harry Reid controversy.
In his book, the Senate Majority Leader said something back in 2008 about how it could be advantageous to Obama that he's light-skinned and doesn't have a "Negro dialect."
Since then, he has publicly apologized for the controversy it has caused, and even President Obama has said that the media made a mountain out of a molehill.
While some argue the comment was a form of racial discrimination, others say Reid is being penalized for pointing out what history has shown to be true.
What do you think of the incident? In your opinion, was it a racist comment or was Reid justified in saying what he did?
In his book, the Senate Majority Leader said something back in 2008 about how it could be advantageous to Obama that he's light-skinned and doesn't have a "Negro dialect."
Since then, he has publicly apologized for the controversy it has caused, and even President Obama has said that the media made a mountain out of a molehill.
While some argue the comment was a form of racial discrimination, others say Reid is being penalized for pointing out what history has shown to be true.
What do you think of the incident? In your opinion, was it a racist comment or was Reid justified in saying what he did?
Views: 13
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Diversity Executive Editor on -
Politicians saying silly things is as common as the color green is to grass, but Reid's comments aren't actually that shocking, to me anyway. And, I don't think they are to as many others as may be suggested by the furor that surrounded the aforementioned incident. At least, these comments shouldn't be shocking because they're true.
The word Negro is ridiculously passe, but I understand what Reid means. It is easier for Black people who speak without slang to advance in business and other circles in society. It's about assimilation, showing that you can participate in the system, and you can't participate effectively if you can't communicate.
Let me clarify. I'm not saying Black people from the urban ghetto - for example - can't communicate. Far from it! I've heard some of the most honest, sincere, and heart rending truths spoken in so-called broken English, but in the world of business or politics one must use the agreed upon vocabulary so that all people outside a specific circle can contribute.
A key piece of the definition for the word ghetto is isolation. The world is now global, which means outside hip hop circles and other niche markets that celebrate specific kinds of cultural flavor, it could be said in all honesty that some of us must 'talk like the white folks do' to make it. It's about power. It doesn't mater which sphere we're talking about, let's just say for expedience that white people have power. One must learn the rules in order to play by them, communicating to be understood by the dominant power structure is part of the game. Then, when you master the major plays, effectively delegate the minor ones, and accumulate enough power to bend or change the rules to suit your purposes, you win.
I don't mind this, but then, I don't think there are certain places I can't go because I'm black and female. I won't voluntarily put any boundaries on myself. There are too many people - Harry Reid - waiting to do that for you. I like to think that President Obama, if he had the freedom to engage in this type of silly, random, forum-based chit chat, would smile that winning smile, and say in all humor and seriousness, "Well, I'm President, folks. However I spoke to get here, can you hear me? Yeah? Okay, now let's get to work."
Having been accused of talking white my entire life, I no longer take offense, but I will tell someone in a minute, hey. White people do not have the monopoly on correct grammar. Webster is for everyone. It does not contain a segregation sticker, and however I talk, I play to win. So should you. President Obama does. That's why he runs the country, and Harry Reid talk about him.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Srugis on -
It is not what Harry Reid said that was controversial but the reaction to it. There clearly is a double standard. If Trent Lott said what Harry said, the media would be asking for his head. Yes,it was a racist remark.
The real problem is the mind set of many Democrats to African-Americans or Black-Americans when they run for office. The Democrats don't think that a "normal" Black-American would be able to get elected. Unless they act "white!" That is the racist part and the Democrats get a pass on that.
The black caucus should have stepped in and asked what Harry meant by the statement? As far as I know they did nothing.
Harry clearing has in his mind a "place" for Black-Americans! The question I have "is that were Black-Americans want to be?"
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Permalink Reply by Eva Mecic on
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I don't know what Trent Lott might have said, but what he did say was that he supported the segregationist party and that "we would have all these problems" if the segregationist party had succeeded.
There is a world of difference between advocating segregation and using archaic, or inartful, language. There is simply no equivancly between the two statements. Even though to our ears this is an uncomfortable term; negro is not historically intended or used as a derogatory word. I wonder why there are so many people who think any reference to race is automatically derogatory.
The rest of Reid's statement is an observation of the then current state of racism in the country--tell me a dialect is just as acceptable as standard english or corporateese in this world and I have a bridge for you to buy.
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Permalink Reply by JACQUELINE M. WALTERS on -
Do you want to know what I think of Harry Reid's comment? We should always make allowance for the small people with small minds, one can always expect them to say small things. It takes a man with a feeble mind to make a comment, of this nature especially of the President, some people are to open with their stupidity. He is no better than the other stupid person who questions the President's citizenship. Hawaii, is one of the United States of America. This nation is built by foreigners.
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