Breaking: Is "break" Demint's waterloo?

[veganlush]

On Thom Hartmann's show today he pointed out that while everyone has focused on "waterloo" in Demint's comments, what may be more controversial by far is the word "break" as in "it will break him". My initial, knee-jerk reaction to Thom's comment was skepticism. Are we reading too much into everything regarding race? Are we overly sensitive? Isn't this a real reach?

Then I listened to the word as contained in quotes read by Hartmann, quotes from one-time slaves such as Frederic Douglas and from comments from and about slave holders as well. After getting some of this background information, and then hearing Demint again, and considering the fact that, if memory serves correctly, Demint's comments weren't intended for the public, I had an "ahh ha" moment. If I knew how to link Hartmann's show to this I would.I apologize. If you get a chance, listen and see what YOU think...

[vaberella]

1. I picked up on that months ago.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...When REpubs keep it real, they keep it racist.

[veganlush]

2. i remember thinking there was something odd..

about the term "break" when Demint said it, but I never made the connection to slavery, if that was in fact where Demint was going. I called his office and the staffer that answered of course denied any such meaning. I told him that if it WAS his meaning, he should "man-up" and say so.

[Enrique]

3. sounds like a total reach

there's no question that De Mint was comparing Obama to a very white, very powerful Napoleon, so to say he was simultaneously comparing him to a black slave doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense.

Unless I'm misunderstanding it. I didn't hear it.

[veganlush]

4. yeah, i felt that way too...

..for me though, i felt differently after hearing it positioned after the several other references. As I said, I could be way off , but I'm not the only one who "heard" it. It was apparently used in reference to slaves quite commonly, and there were even people referred to as "slave breakers" that you could take your unruly slave to for "breaking". I think that the "waterloo" reference was a separate one. But on balance you're probably right, it could go either way and is probably a bit of a stretch.

[jaysunb]

6. Just like the flying of the Confederate flag

these high pitched dog whistles are very easily recognizable to many of us.

FYI, South Carolina was the entry point for most of the slaves that were brought here. Sales/Auctions were perfected here as well as slave jails that were designed to "break" certain uncooperative persons or troublemakers.

This slip is not a stretch. It's part of the culture.

[veganlush]

7. yes, the flag is a good example..

..thank you , I couldn't think of a good example but that nails it. they can hide behind state pride and say it's just a flag, meanwhile, the dog whistle goes out loud and clear.

[leftynyc]

5. It was also in a Rocky

movie. I think the one with the Soviet guy. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

[Colobo]

8. As a black person, I think this is overreaching.

[NightHawk63]

9. As a 46 year old black man....

...who has lived in the South most of my life, I don't put anything past the likes of Demint(ed).