[nohate.gather.com]As Campaign Heats Up, Racial "Code Words" Coming Out of Closet

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I like to think that that kind of nonsense is over with, but I am often wrong about that, unfortunately. It is always amazing to me that the racial makeup of the players even matters.

There may be many white people who do not know that some people cpnsider some of these to be racial code terms. I didn't know it about some that you mention.

I have no doubt we will hear a lot more code words used as long as Obama is in the race. Recall Biden's remark about Obama being such a clean fellow. Though many of us older blacks have used that word as speaking on the outstanding dress of an individual I doubt Biden was referring to that. Perhaps he was thinking of him being clean as a whistle in that so far they hadn't found any dirt on which to smear. And now seems we have another word which reeks of sickness to me which both Biden and Bush used in describing Obama. He is so "articlulate". What in hell does articulate mean. Here's a man who has not only been elected to the Senate but has written two best selling books neither of which were of the exposing the other man type and is a serious candidate for the Presidency of the US and some policiticians refer to him as "articulate". Lets see, he graduated from Columbia Universtiy and was President of the Harvard Law Review and we are finding out he is articulate. Whoopee! I am so glad to know that. When have we heard one of his white counterparts referred to as "articulate"? I am lead to believe now that so many are recognizing him as articlulate that they are dumbfounded that he speaks fluent English without even a hint of "ebonics" tossed in for good measure. Perhaps he is light enough in complection to pass the test of being "good" acceptable African American. Damn!
I can't help but feel that "articluate" is another code word meaning he has broken the code and passed the test of what is considerd to be an acceptable black man.

Sounds to me like some folks are LOOKING for code words and twisting things to BE code words. You have to be a southerner to know what shuck and jiveing is. It is not a racial slur. A few years ago it was just a description of people into a type of music. Musicians get to gether and play for fun and enjoy themselves. That is shucking and Jiveing.

Since when is "articulate" a racial slur, or "trash talking" everyone does that. If you don't LOOK for it you would be suprised how little there is. I seldom hear anyone using racial slurs myself and I have been around a while.

If I hear someone refered to as "clean" I think he is clean. I don't think it is an exception to his "race".

Col. George: You are the first here to use the term "slur". "Code words" are not the same. As the term has come to be used in recent years, "code words" refer to words or phrases that evoke certain images or thoughts in the listeners'/readers' minds - sometimes in just one segment of the audience. A Republican candidate may not explicitly talk about abortion, but might refer to the sanctity of life.

In these cases, speakers MAY be trying to subtly remind listeners that one candidate is Black. As you hint at, "shuck and jive" has a Black origin - even if you don't catch it (consciously or subconsciously), some will. Likewise, "trash talking" on the basketball court will also evoke certain images in some people's minds - even if not in your mind.

I think the "clean" and "articulate" examples fall into a slightly different category. It praises Obama (or the referred-to person) while seeming to subtly express surprise that a Black person can be "articulate" or "clean" - like he's the exception to the rule.

They will play on any groups ideas , no matter how sick they are.

Can the "N" word be far behind?????

Will Obama's race be the new "gay marriage'' , "flag burning" distraction????

If it doesn't evoke an image in my mind, how ever am I to have the faintest clue that it might in another person's??? The whole concept is grossly unfair and assuming racial thoughts in minds where they simply do not exist!!!

by drawing attention to it, in situations that you cannot effect or control, you are giving it a form of acceptance.

do what the candidate does... simply ignore it.

Thank you for sharing this information with us

This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!