Does this mean someone should call Mitt an Ofay?

[prowler1971]

Massachusetts governor apologizes for 'tar baby' comment

Gov. Mitt Romney has apologized for referring to the troubled Big Dig construction project as a "tar baby" during a fundraiser with Iowa Republicans, saying he didn't know anyone would be offended by the term some consider a racial epithet.

Black leaders were outraged at his use of the term, which dates to the 19th century Uncle Remus stories, referring to a doll made of tar that traps Br'er Rabbit. It has come to be known as a way of describing a sticky mess, and has been used as a derogatory term for a black person.

Outside of a classic SNL bit with Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase, I've never heard tar baby used as a racial slur. I've also never heard it used as a way of describing a sticky mess but I can see THAT as being a more common usage. Apparently the same thing happened in May when Tony Snow used the term.

I happen to think the black leaders in question are overreacting a bit. Now, if the head of the Big Dig project had been black, it can see people being critical. It's not like he said, "The best thing politically would be to stay as far away from that nigger as I can."

For the record, I've never heard anyone use the term ofay either.

And for those of you who want to know what else not to say here is List of ethnic slurs. George Carlin, eat your heart out.

Comments

[guy-todd.livejournal.com]

I always wondered where "ofay" came from. I used to see it in print all the time, back in the day. I always thought it was pig latin for "foe".

[alekryan.livejournal.com]

that is a interesting list, i never knew there were so many racial slurs. It figures that a majority of them refer to black people.

you always find the oddest things