Harry Reid was in his twenties when Martin Luther King

[pnwmom]

was electrifying the country with his speeches – in which the word “Negroes” was proudly substituted for the then-popular “coloreds.”

Just to put Reid’s use of this word in context – like all of us, he’s a product of his era.


“Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their
inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.”

“The Negroes of America had taken the President, the press and the pulpit at their word when they spoke in broad terms of
freedom and justice. But the absence of brutality and unregenerate evil is not the presence of justice. To stay murder is not the
same thing as to ordain brotherhood.”

“When we ask Negroes to abide by the law, let us also declare that the white man does not abide by law in the ghettos. Day in
and day out he violates welfare laws to deprive the poor of their meager allotments; he flagrantly violates building codes and
regulations; his police make a mockery of law; he violates laws on equal employment and education and the provisions of civil
services. The slums are the handiwork of a vicious system of the white society; Negroes live in them, but they do not make
 them, any more than a prisoner makes a prison.”

[depakid]

1. It wasn't the word "negro" but it's implication in context of the statement

Basically: don't worry, Obama's an Oreo.

[pnwmom]

7. I think the implication was

"Because the U.S. is still racist, not every African-American could win. But Obama could."

[depakid]

30. The two attitudes aren't mutually exclusive

[bbinacan]

2. What is he now, 70?

That is no excuse. He's had over 40 years to learn. It's not like he just awakened from a coma.

[pnwmom]

4. But the word wasn't a slur, like the N* word. Just like the word that replaced it,

Black, wasn't a slur -- even though African-American is now generally the preferred term.

[ElmoBlatz]

36. For who?

For people of African descent who happen to live in the United States. There are people of African descent all over the world ... England, Canada, Germany, etc. Are they black? Or African British, African Canadian and African German?

[virgogal]

10. He's also human and as a result will occasionally screw up. We

all do.

[marmar]

12. I agree with that....and I'm willing to forgive him.

I just hope he gets a clear understanding about why the totality of his remarks were offensive.

[pnwmom]

14. Why don't you think he gets it? n/t

[marmar]

15. I'm going to take that back.....I don't know that he doesn't "get" it.

nt

[pnwmom]

13. We all screw up, but we don't all acknowledge it or apologize for it, as he did. n/t

[marmar]

3. So has he been asleep for 40 years?

Harry Reid's a senator, not someone living in rural America who hasn't been exposed to the political and social changes first hand.

[pnwmom]

5. Do you ever use the word "Black" to refer to an African-American?

A.A. replaced Black which replaced Negro. None of them were meant as slurs.

[marmar]

8. Negro has not been acceptable since the 1970s....Harry Reid knows that......

..... he hasn't been living in some plastic bubble somewhere. And the more offensive part of the whole rant was the implication that Obama is O.K. because he's light-skinned and, you know, not completely black.

[pnwmom]

11. It wasn't a rant. It was a comment. And it didn't imply to me that Obama is okay

because he's light skinned. Acknowledging that a lighter skinned person is more electable in a still-racist society isn't in itself a racist statement.

[virgogal]

16. The United Negro College Fund still uses the word. I would assume

that would make it acceptable.

[pnwmom]

17. Good point. n/t

[marmar]

18. No, it doesn't.

nt

[virgogal]

20. Yes it does.

http://www.uncf.org/aboutus/whoweare.asp

[marmar]

23. Umm, I'm African American, and I don't know one person who thinks "Negro" is OK

The UNCF keeps its traditional name. That does not mean the use of the word "Negro" is everyday parlance is acceptable. You can try and rationalize anyway you want to.

[virgogal]

28. I'm not rationalizing anything---I just stated a fact.

[marmar]

29. It's not a fact because it's not true.

Negro is NOT an acceptable common use term in America 2010. Go around using the term and you'll be looked at like you've three heads, and deservedly so.

[pnwmom]

39. And that is why Reid correctly apologized.

But he hadn't used the word with ill intent, and that's why Obama accepted his apology.

[pnwmom]

21. FWIW, Wikipedia says the census added the word "Negro" in 2010

because some older African-Americans prefer the term.

"It fell out of favor by the early 1970s in the United States after the Civil Rights movement. However, older African Americans from the period when "Negro" was considered acceptable, initially found the term "Black" more offensive than "Negro". Evidence for this is in historical African-American organizations and institutions' use of the term—such as the United Negro College Fund. In current English language usage, "Negro" is generally considered acceptable in a historical context, such as baseball's Negro Leagues of the early and mid-20th century, or in the name of older organizations, as in Negro spirituals, the United Negro College Fund or the Journal of Negro Education. The U.S. Census now uses the grouping "Black or African American." In 2010 the U.S. Census added the term "negro" in efforts to include older African Americans. This revival of the term is controversial."

[marmar]

25. "This revival of the term is controversial"

Because the vast majority of people find it offensive.

[Igel]

48. I suspect that what you meant is

"the vast majority of African-Americans find it offensive."

I suspect a lot of whites and most Latinos don't have much of an opinion and they might well amount to a majority.

[marmar]

53. Wrong. I suspect most of them think it's whack too.......

[kayla9170]

33. The United Negro College Fund Uses the WORD-UNCF

In its new logo unveiled Thursday, the United Negro College Fund has dropped its full name, opting to go as UNCF as part of a branding strategy that conveys the organization as a contemporary and progressive advocate of Blacks in higher education while also maintaining its heritage.

During the four-year effort to update its logo, UNCF officials heard suggestions that it change its name, Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, said during a press conference at Spelman College to announce the new brand identity.

“One of the issues in the full name, African-Americans don’t view themselves as Negros,” Lomax said, recounting a conversation in which editors and writers at VIBE magazine told him the name is not “speaking to the hip-hop generation.”

“For most young people, it is a barrier,” Lomax said. “We’ve found the happy medium.”

The organization, which awards scholarships and financial support to 39 private HBCUs, is keeping its legal name even though it’s branding itself as UNCF.

http://diverseeducation.com/article/10514/1.php



Try again.....FAIL!

[virgogal]

35. They still kept it as the legal name though,and it is still seen on it's

website even though they did the branding change 2 years ago.

[Number23]

44. Are you serious?

[Blue_In_AK]

27. I still tend to say "black" oftentimes

instead of African-American because I remember when "black is beautiful" was a rallying cry and a point of pride. Whether we like it or not, language has generational differences.

[kayla9170]

34. "Black" is OK.....Eventhough I refer to myself as

African-American and proud of it. In turn, the word Negro has too many VILE meanings. It should not be used as a joke, as a statement, in comparison and especially from the Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate...no matter how old he is.

[pnwmom]

37. But why did Martin Luther King -- and many others in his generation -- prefer

it to the word Black then?

[Number23]

45. You're one of about 4 black people I've ever seen refer to themselves as African-American

Me, I'm just black. :)

And I know that you appear to have a visceral reaction to the word "Negro" but to many black people, this is not a "vile" word at all. It's simply outdated. I use Negro quite a bit, actually, when I'm being facetious.

[Blue_In_AK]

46. I'm not black/Negro/African-American

so maybe I'm completely offbase here, but to me the term Negro seems analogous to the term Caucausian. As for instance I could say that my race is white or Caucasian and you would be black or Negro.

But like I said, I'm probably showing my age.

[Number23]

42. Most black people refer to themselves as "black"

I can count on one hand the number of black people I know who refer to themselves or the community as "African American." It's usually only used formally, from my understanding.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

6. actually, as a Senator, he's more likely in a bubble than someone in

rural America.

[marmar]

9. Not when it comes to race......

[JohnnyLib2]

19. I think he voiced something usually said "behind closed doors" --

and way too common. Perhaps he's actually had to stop and think about the whole framework involved.

Obama's reaction is admirable and probably also reflective of a lot of thought on the subject.

[pnwmom]

22. And Obama probably knows that the reason this came out right now

was an attempt by the Republicans to distract Democrats during a critical time for the health care reform bill.

[DaveinMD]

24. lots of pro civil rights people of that era

still had pretty backwards views on race by today's standards.

[JI7]

26. Blacks and other minorities are held to higher standards , what if a black guy talked like Bush

and has a history of drug and alcohol abuse and lower than average student.

would they ever be President?

just look at how that stupid piece of shit Palin is still seriously considered for President.

[Beregond2]

31. It is perfectly obvious Reid was making a comment

on racism, not endorsing it. As for his use of the word "Negro," what matters is the intention behind the word, and Reid's was obviously benign.

As a gay man of a certain age, I find the use of the term "queer" incredibly offensive, but I don't waste my energy getting irate about it.

[kayla9170]

32. Defending Senator Reid on this statement

is like defending Rush Limbaugh when he stated, "Barack, the Magic Negro".....

Harry Reid has no excuses........

President Obama accepted the apology of Senator Reid because

1. He was covering Senator Reid "assets"

2. He knew if he did not accept the apology, a boat load of Generation "X"ers and below that are African-American would sit on their sofa instead of vote in the 2012 elections if Senator Reid is still Majority Leader of the Senate Democratic party.....deciding not to vote as a lesson for Senator Reid acting as if it is 1960 not 2010.

[pnwmom]

38. I don't see how you can compare Reid and Limbaugh on this issue.

Reid has a long history of supporting civil rights. Limbaugh revels in his racism.

[EFerrari]

52. So Reid's unconscious racism is somehow better?

I still think the only reason this is brought up is to distract people. And Reid was completely out of line. Both. He apologized and it would be nice if we could move on.

[pnwmom]

58. IMHO, unconscious racism expressed by someone who has actively worked for civil rights

IS BETTER than conscious racism expressed b a blatant racist like Limbaugh.

But I still think Reid's slip is more age-related than unconscious racism. The word "Negro" was the more positive term during a critical time of his life. Do we call every 50 year old who uses the word Black the same thing? Negro means Black. The N* word was meant as a derogatory slur, but MLK himself preferred Negro over Black. And Reid was a young adult in the era of King.

I agree that the only reason this has been brought up now is to distract people, and that Reid was CORRECT to apologize, since the word Negro is now offensive to many.

[Igel]

49. No.

Defending Reid on this is like defending the guy who originally wrote the op-ed piece in the LA Times.

Limbaugh meant it to be derogatory and mocking. The LA Times writer did not. Reid did not.

How people interpret Limbaugh, Reid, and the LA Times writer, that's a different story. Lots of people are using something very close to a passive, "it is not acceptable to use the word 'Negro'," when they simply don't want to write who doesn't accept the usage. It would make what's actually going on a bit too obvious.

[marmar]

54. What is your point? Only black people are offended by "Negro", so dont worry about it?

nt

[EndersDame]

40. What about the lightskinned remark?

[pnwmom]

59. I think what Harry Reid was doing in the whole statement was acknowledging

the continuing existence of racism in our society -- something people like Liz Cheney want to pretend doesn't exist. Yes, because of racism a lighter skinned person still is probably more electable, sad to say. That's why whenever Democrats talk about racism, Rethugs say the Democrats have "played the race card." They want to pretend America is beyond all that.

[Nye Bevan]

41. I have elderly relatives who I love, and who have good hearts,

and who I do not consider to be racist, but still occasionally say things that are cringeworthy in their lack of racial sensitivity. This is what the Reid incident reminds me of.

[EFerrari]

43. Racism is always about context and I'm glad Senator Reid apologized.

[EndersDame]

47. he should start thinking about retirement if he is so out of touch with modern times

I think Steele should too for his Honest Injun flap

[pscot]

50. I would like to testify

in Senator Reid's defense. I'm a bit older than he is, and he and I came up in a deeply racist society. I'm from Chicago, and I don't believe I heard the word "negro" used much to refer to black people. Martin Luther King's insistence on the word was a definite elevation of the dialogue. When Eldridge Cleaver and Stokely Carmichael started insisting they were BLACK, it was a revelation. I spent a lot more time on the street than Harry Reid and have definitely rubbed shoulders with a lot more people of color than he has. There was no memo that went around. It just sort of disappeared. I haven''t used or heard the word Negro in many years. I was aware it had an unpleasant connotation; that it evoked a past that a lot of us would just as soon put behind us. But Senators lead a more sheltered existence. Reid probably didn't use the word much. Certainly not often enough for some aid to whisper, "Umm, Senator...best if you didn't say that" I would not go so far as to argue that there's no racism in Reid's makeup. That early conditioning is hard to wipe out completely. But it's like original sin; contrition and good works shrive the soul. The man has apologized. The President says he's OK with it. You can be scandalized about it if you want to, but you don't have to be. It would be better if we alm just tried to get along.

[Marr]

51. Hey, if Harry Reid had ever shown the slightest interest in defending *me*,

I might be interested in defending him. He hasn't, and I'm not.

[Romulox]

55. Olds fools are free to dodder, but the US Senate isn't the place for it...nt

[EFerrari]

56. Unlike Dr. King, Harry Reid is not black and his "era" is now

and if it isn't now, what the hell is he doing leading the Senate?

[sledgehammer]

57. Had an older top Republican said the same thing...

...would you be as understanding? Let's say it was Newt Gingrich, or Mitch McConnell, or whoever.

"Product of an era" is not an excuse. That word should not be used unless it's in an historic, narrative, or other essential context. Certainly not to express an opinion. And it's not just the use of the word, it's the context he used it in.

One of my aunts (about Harry Reid's age) has lived all her life in another country and grew up reading American and British literature in which the word "negro" was used regularly. So she assumed that the word was still in use. When she visited the US, she casually used the word as part of an innocent, routine question. I was mortified! I told her never to use that word again, ever. Certainly Harry Reid has less excuses than her.

Harry Reid also belongs to a church that has historically discriminated against other races and, even today, openly and proudly continues discrimination (this time against gays and lesbians). I know this is not completely relevant, but had Romney made such a comment then his Mormonism would definitely have been brought up. I see no reason why it should be different for Harry Reid.

Not sure if Reid should resign or not (not too impressed with him, so don't really care either way). But I do think that there is not much ground to defend Reid and/or to make excuses for his comments.

[pnwmom]

60. The difference is that Reid has been a long time supporter of civil rights,

while most top Republicans have worked against them.

I think Reid's mistake should be put in the context of his whole career, and so should any similar statements by Republicans.

[bridgit]

61. When I see Harry Reid? I wanna take a nap

:boring: