Posted on 10/04/2011 10:44:12 AM PDT by Kaslin
Someone told me recently she liked reading my blog but it seemed like everything I wrote about was race. I guess I’m going to live up to that person’s perception today. Admittedly, I write from the perspective of a black woman, so I can’t help notice these type of stories. For the record, the purpose of my blog is to educate people on politics, awaken black liberals to a new way of thinking and encourage people to vote based on issues not party.
I don’t intentionally sit down at the key board each week itching to write about the intersection of politics and race, but it seems there is always a politically racial story staring and at times smacking me in the face. Like today, when the only black Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain said it was "insulting" for Governor Rick Perry and his family to lease a hunting camp in Texas known as “Niggerhead.”
This racist word used to describe blacks is emblazoned on a rock prominently situated at a gated entrance to the camp. The Washington Post broke the story, detailing how the rock has been painted over, turned over but not removed since Perry’s father and later the governor himself began leasing the spot in 1983.
Cain condemned Perry for being associated with such a word, saying on This Week:
"Since Gov. Perry has been going there for years to hunt, I think that it shows a lack of sensitivity for a long time of not taking that word off of that rock and renaming the place. . . .Yes, it was painted over. But how long ago was it painted over? So I'm still saying that it is a sign of insensitivity."
One would think conservatives, including those who call themselves Republicans like me and Tea Party Patriots, would be applauding Cain’s response. After all, many of these same conservatives have said they whole hearted support of Cain as a candidate has nothing to do with the color of his skin but his positions on ALL issues, one would assume they would be supportive of Cain’s position on racial equality and inclusion.
So, you can surmise I was surprised when people on my tweeter stream turned on Cain, blasting him for “using the race card.” Yes, these good PATRIOTS who supported Cain were now defending Perry’s complicit endorsement of the use of the N-word by not removing the ugly rock form the camp site.
One true patriot tweeted: "Turns out Cain is no different than members of Congressional Black Caucus. He should apologize to Governor Perry #tcot #teaparty #Perry2012"
But the tweets below are worse and demonstrate conservative voters need to come to grips with the reality that we live in the 21st century where there is no place for the word nigger in the American discourse nor should it be associated with any presidential candidate who actually wants to win in 2012.
"Herman Cain playing the race card on Rick Perry will end the Cain campaign. And it was totally unnecessary, too. WaPo carrying that water" said one tweet.
"@TheHermanCain Sorry you have turned out to be just another race baiter. Thought we were trying to get rid of that stuff. Thks, but no thks" said another tweet.
"@impoTex @TheHermanCain The GOP cand. should renounce this kind of slanderous reporting. Mr Cain I have lost respect for you, fueling this" another tweet reads.
It truly boggles the mind how some conservatives can support Cain in one breath because he’s got winning solutions then dump their support for him and unfollow him in seconds because he stands up against racial hate. Apparently, talking about race as a conservative candidate is taboo. You can’t mention it PERIOD, even when it’s slapping you in your face.
Does the GOP want to win in 2012 or become known as party of hate? Ask yourself and change that tune, please! This is exactly what the GOP doesn't need right now. It won't endear voters to us in 2012. Excelsior Herman Cain!
No it isn't. But I have work acquaintances who try to make so-called jokes using the word. Because I am older and white they might think it humorous. I gently let them know its not appropriate and they keep it to themselves now. Unfortunate that that way of thinking is still with us.
He didn't 'attempt to capitalize' on it.
Get up to speed before you post.
Cain's character is not even close to being in question in this whole thing.
Nonsense. Have we too become that oversensitive? That was no race card.
I have not decided on my candidate yet, Cain looked good, but now that he HAS used the RACE card, I am rethinking. I thought maybe he was a differant kind of Black man, but this came so easy for him to do.
When will this STOP? Never as long as every BLACK pulls out the RACE CARD no matter how trivial the instance of use is, it will never stop. It's up to them.
I’m glad to know sooner rather than later that Cain is not above playing the race card when it suits him. That he should be so upset about the name of a wildflower and then attribute sinister motives to Gov. Perry for a piece of property he doesn’t even own is very telling.
Do some research........PLEASE.
Cain has NOT used the RACE CARD!
Don't you people get what the media is trying to do here?? They're trying to turn witless conservatives against one of the strongest conservative candidates we have.
Don't fall for it. PLEASE.
Perry’s comment was foolish. I could be satisfied with Cain, Perry, Bachmann, Santorum, or Palin.
When told that the rock was painted over and turned over, Cain replied, “But how long ago was it painted over? So I’m still saying that it is a sign of insensitivity."
These statements, along with the fact that he took the bait and responded to it are what have made people mad.
BS
Christiane Amanpour of all people gave Cain an opportunity to walk back his statement when she told Cain that the rock had been painted over years ago and Cain then began the “yeah but how long did it remain uncovered” routine.
Cain attempted to paint Perry as being racially insensitive when it was apparent that wasn’t the case. Pathetic.
Why are you saying that Cain played the race card? If anyone played the race card it was the Washington Compost and the New York Slimes. Don’t you get it. They want to divide us and it looks like they are succeeding. I hope you are happy
Same here. I would even cautiously add Newt to that list, but he would not be at the top of it.
From the article:
“Herman Cain said it was ‘insulting’ for Governor Rick Perry and his family to lease a hunting camp in Texas known as ‘Niggerhead.’ “
This shows that Herman Cain has no clue that the name, while unfortunate, is the name of a wildflower (Black-eyed Susan) and that the ranch or pasture was probably named for the flowers blooming there. To think it is “insulting” to lease a deer camp with the name of a flower is beyond sensitive. He played the race card, there is no doubt.
Cain should have either not responded by saying he didn't know the facts, or qualify the statement by saying that if true, it would be insensitive. If somebody presented me with a Washington Post article that said Al Sharpton was a closet conservative, and has the body of Fabio, I would know better than to take it as gospel.
The only people who are 'mad' are people who want to be mad.
Saying the word was 'insensitive' is very mild, and very true.
And Cain hasn't held it against Perry.
Don't fall for the attempt to turn nothing into something. Don't be so gullible. That's what the media expects of us. Don't be a foil for this shameless attempt to damage one of our solid candidates.
Ok, even though I think this is a hatchet job on Perry, the term itself got it's name b/c of a likeness to black folks. There's no getting around that.
However, Cain accused Perry of leaving the word there and doing nothing about it, then questioned Amanpour when she prompted Cain that Perry's family painted over the saying and overturned the rock. The fact that the press, along with the unfortunate help from Cain, are accusing Perry of being ok with this verbage is beyond F-ed up.
Finally a sane reply. Thanks
its, not it’s. Sorry for the typo.
That's where you're dead wrong, and ill-informed.
He never said what you've just implied. He said the WORD was insensitive.
You're falling for leftist tripe here. Wake up.
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