MotherJones.com | MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Bush Says, "There's Some Racial Insensitivity Going Around? Count Me In!"

« Some Day, Hipsters Will Wear "Biden '08" T-Shirts as an Ironic Statement | Blog Index | Al Gore Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize »

Bush Says, "There's Some Racial Insensitivity Going Around? Count Me In!"

I love this. President Bush spoke about the Biden/Obama dust-up on Fox News and, well, I'll let the Chicago Tribune explain (via ThinkProgress):

Well-spoken black people hate it when white people call them “articulate.” It’s the modern-day version of what white people used to say back in the day when they thought that by saying "He’s a credit to his race" they were saying something that a black person would welcome hearing.

Those dated words, like Biden’s comments, were patronizing at the very least. And they also appeared to carry some pretty negative assumptions about the majority of the race.

Many Americans know this because (1) they aren't stupid, and (2) they've seen the famous stand up routine by Chris Rock where Rock says that anytime white people see an intelligent black person they always say, "He's so well-spoken! He speaks so well!" which is the most patronizing compliment perhaps of all time. Rock used the example of Colin Powell, but this occurs with athletes all the time. Anytime a black athlete gives a post-game interview without saying "um" fifteen times, moms across America say, "Well, he seemed like a nice young man. Very well-spoken."

Anyway, here's the point. Bush on Obama yesterday: "He’s an attractive guy. He’s articulate. I’ve been impressed with him when I’ve seen him in person."

You know, George, usually when a man of any color earns his way into multiple Ivy League schools and gets elected to the Senate, he's able to speak without sounding like a dummy. But I suppose you wouldn't know about any part of that.

Comments

Is there any way to address an African-American who's articulate? I understand the displeasure in people always referring to well-spoken, educated African-Americans as "articulate", but what if he really is, beyond the realm of race? How to you address that?

Posted by: JimmyCrackWhore on 02/01/07 at 8:56 AM

You can't refer to someone as well-spoken or clean? Man, the PC-O-Meter is redlining! I plugged "Jesse Jackson is a good man" into a translation program, but seeing as this is a family-oriented web site (no offense!), I can't repeat the derogatory meaning that came back. Sheesh!

Posted by: John on 02/01/07 at 10:01 AM

Jimmy, John --

When was the last time someone said Chuck Schumer was "articulate"? Or Bill Clinton, or Chuck Hagel? They all are, but people have moved beyond how they talk and onto their other qualities. Schumer is a good organizer, Clinton is inspiring, he feels your pain, yada yada. Hagel is fiery, has backbone, etc etc.

Obama has a million qualities worth discussing, probably some good and some bad. But the fact that he talks well isn't one of them.

Posted by: Tom on 02/01/07 at 11:29 AM

Well put Tom!

Posted by: Nate on 02/01/07 at 12:18 PM

My question is: How does Bush know if someone is 'articulate'? As for Biden's remarks, he was just illustrating the obtuseness of white people, and perhaps Americans especially, when they assume their own superiority. I'll be happy to see the day when it is no longer necessary to specify that one is 'the first black woman (or man)' to achieve in any area. And when I hear someone using the phrase '(s)he's a credit to the race', I hope it will mean the human one. Happy 'Black History' month.

Posted by: Joan Saldamando on 02/01/07 at 4:07 PM

Haha, nicely said, Joan.

You are a credit to your sex. :)

Posted by: Tom on 02/01/07 at 5:11 PM

Whew! Not to be an apologist for Biden, but isn't it possible that folks are over-reacting here? I was an English major way back when and I do admire people who are well-spoken because of my love for language. I have used the word "articulate" many times when describing a person I felt had admirable qualities and I have used the word in reference to people who are white, black, asian, and latino. I just don't buy the argument that Biden's use of the word is a clear indication of bias, only an indication that he admires people who can express themselves well.

Now, the reference to "clean" on the other hand, strikes me as just plain weird.

Posted by: Deacon on 02/01/07 at 5:12 PM

John-

So there is no way to address it differently? There is just a giant, gaping assumption that by labeling Obama "articulate" is sterotypical? Can't you admit that there is somewhat of a double-standard? If Bush was African-American and I called him an uneducated, stupefied, confused individual, I would be hung out to dry. Don't you think that there needs to be a little reform ?

Posted by: JimmyCrackWhore on 02/02/07 at 1:18 AM

Forgive them folks,for they don't know what they are doing. What has a sun tan got to do with anything? Have to hand it to the guy, he's a good politician.

Posted by: Ranselar VanDerpoel on 02/02/07 at 7:02 AM

Thank you, Tom. Yes, I got it. (Try telling it to Nancy, haha.)

Posted by: Joan on 02/02/07 at 2:45 PM