The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

scaeagles · 07-31-2006, 09:55 AM

Gov. Romney of Mass. apologized for using the term "tar baby" when talking about the Big Dig.

I know squat about Romney except that he has Presidential aspirations. Is "tar baby" really that big of a deal to say? Seems like people are way too sensitive, but I admit to not knowing the whole history of the term. Why does saying something like that automatically make you insensitive or a racist?

wendybeth · 07-31-2006, 09:59 AM

Why not wander down to the local gang hangout in your town and yell it out? I'm sure no one would mind.

Alex · 07-31-2006, 10:01 AM

What are your thoughs on porch monkey?

Tar baby is one of those sticky wickets. It has a large geographic variation in usage. In many parts of the country it is used primarily to refer to a sticky problem you can't get away from once you're involved. In other parts of the country it is used primarily as a racially derogatory term. Personally, it has enough taint that even though I grew up in one of the former areas I'd probably never actually use the phrase unless talking about a literal tar baby (as seen in Song of the South, for example).

What is particularly bizarre about Romney's usage is that Tony Snow got into trouble for it just a couple months ago during one of his first press conferences as Press Secretary.

07-31-2006, 09:55 AM	#1
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Gov. Romney of Mass. apologized for using the term "tar baby" when talking about the Big Dig. I know squat about Romney except that he has Presidential aspirations. Is "tar baby" really that big of a deal to say? Seems like people are way too sensitive, but I admit to not knowing the whole history of the term. Why does saying something like that automatically make you insensitive or a racist?
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07-31-2006, 09:59 AM	#2
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Why not wander down to the local gang hangout in your town and yell it out? I'm sure no one would mind. __________________
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07-31-2006, 10:01 AM	#3
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	What are your thoughs on porch monkey? Tar baby is one of those sticky wickets. It has a large geographic variation in usage. In many parts of the country it is used primarily to refer to a sticky problem you can't get away from once you're involved. In other parts of the country it is used primarily as a racially derogatory term. Personally, it has enough taint that even though I grew up in one of the former areas I'd probably never actually use the phrase unless talking about a literal tar baby (as seen in Song of the South, for example). What is particularly bizarre about Romney's usage is that Tony Snow got into trouble for it just a couple months ago during one of his first press conferences as Press Secretary.
	Submit to Quotes