Tar Baby Isn't Always Racist

All American Blogger ^ | 7-23-08 | Duane Lester

[Bodhi1]

While tar baby can be used as a racist attack on black people, it isn't used that way in any of these examples. John Kerry used it in the same manner as John McCain and Mitt Romney. I, for the first time, find myself coming to the defense of John Kerry. He isn't racist because of what he said here (but he is still an elitist windbag.)

The fact is this: You are being played, and those playing you for a fool rely on your ignorance. Pick up a copy of "The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus" by Joel Chandler Harris. Learn what it means. It is ignorance (and a little politics), not racism, that is fueling these so-called controversies, and that is doing more harm than good when it comes to unifying the country and eliminating racial boundaries.

[TC Rider]

LOL, my first dog as a child was a coal black female Cocker Spanial named Tarbaby. Ah, the fifties...

[meandog]

Jest who does you think you bees callin' me racist?

[Adder]

Yeah I’d like to be able to see that movie....I think you can get it....IN ENGLAND.

Used to be Disney’s bedtime story collection had Brer
Rabbit and The Tarbaby in it.

My kids loved it.

Too bad they tore up the book. Its not there now...some Pocahantas nonsense is in or near its place.

[Dixie Yooper]

Last year in the Clayton Star (NC) there was a cartoon of Brier Hillary fighting with Tar Baby while Wise Old Brier Al Gore waiting in the bushes. I forgot to cut it out of the paper and have not seen it since.

[theDentist]

It doesn't matter if the word "tarbaby" is meant in a racist light when spoken in any context. The Obama campaign and certainly his fawning media will take it as a racial slur, and will pound that on McCain every hour of every day.

Remember recently when a city councilor used the term "black hole" in reference to accounting? Another councilor and a JUDGE (both black) took offense to it. And when some other councilor used the word "niggardly" to discuss the tight financial reigns he was contending with? Again, he was called a racist and klansman and more.

You think in a Presidential Race any such word that even SOUNDS racial will be ignored, or properly interpreted? NO WAY.

[Bodhi1]

You should read the article. Painting Republicans as racist for using it might be off limits now that John Kerry has used it.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

http://www.myrtlebeachscrestaurants.com/Tar-Babys-Cherry-Grove.html

[Wil H]

“Tar Baby” is as racist as “black hole”

[TigersEye]

While tar baby can be used as a racist attack on black people, ...

It can? How? There is nothing racist in the origin of the tar baby story. Stop making concessions to the culture of victimhood where none are warranted.

[Aunt Polgara]

I never did figure out why Disney’s “Song of the South” was considered racist. Uncle Remus was the kindest, most loving and wise person one could ever hope to meet, and the white parents were a couple of clueless jerks... I know, it’s racist against whites, that’s the issue. Now I get it! .. /s

[ExGeeEye]

"Butters! You black a$$#01e!"

[wideminded]

My second grade teacher read us a lot of the Uncle Remus stories in dialect. She was a very fine teacher.

[kalee]

http://www.algore.org/forum/general_category/everything_else/hillary_clintons_culture_corruption_scandal_queen

I couldn’t find the cartoon but did find this.

[TigersEye]

I didn’t know it was considered racist. I didn’t see Disney’s version but I am basically familiar with the Uncle Remus tales from childhood books. Nothing racist there.

[SampleMan]

When I was five I had a big Uncle Remus record album and story book that I just loved.

I now have that album on display in my back game room. Its a wonderful conversation piece.

[IYAS9YAS]

I had a Disney Brer Rabbit book from when I was a kid (my Mom kept it). I read it to my son. Even this book from around 1970 had replaced the tar baby with a glue baby.

[YankeeDoodleRebel]

It’s a shame how Joel Chandler Harris has been vilified by many over the years. My great, great grandfather was a quiet and kind man who possessed great insight concerning human behavior and morals.

The Harris family sold all of the electronic media rights to Disney many years ago. Public pressure forced Disney to essentially bury “Song of the South”.

For Uncle Remus fans I would recommend you visit The Wren’s Nest next time you travel to Atlanta. Here’s a link to their site: http://www.wrensnestonline.com/

[theDentist]

I’m planning on reading it fully when I get home.

The Press will ignore Kerry’s use, or excuse it in some fashion, but they will NEVER excuse a Republican for it’s use. You know that.