The "Tar Baby" Tar BabyJohn McCain has become the latest politician to be criticized for using the phrase "tar baby":
If you're unfamiliar with the term, here's a short explanation. I was familiar with its literary origins but was surprised to learn that some people consider it racist. No, make that outranged. (Shocking! Outrageous!) When people think a phrase is totally innocent, and have to be told that some consider it racist, they obviously couldn't have meant to offend people by using it. Amusingly, the Wikipedia entry for "tar baby" says "Specific reasons why the term developed negative racial aspects are difficult to identify." I have an idea. It isn't a racist term. I'd wager that the alleged racist connection was kicked up by people with a vested interest in racial tension. More amusingly, since "tar baby" originates in African folklore, I humbly suggest that those who criticize people who use the term should instead praise them for their cultural awareness. After all, wouldn't that be the multicultural thing to do?
© Kyle Markley
— Posted 2007-03-19 01:46:59 UTC —
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Comments: 4
I have heard the term "Tar Baby" used as a racial slur. Maybe you just need to be around more racists. :-P
Maybe you should "take it back".
There are several slurs you have never heard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_terms_per_nationality#African_descent
Can't believe you're surprised after the outrage of that Rep or Senator using 'niggardly'. I've known people who truly thought you just shouldn't use the word because people might think it was supposed to be a slur.
So am I a racist for having the Brer Rabbit children's book with the tar baby in it? Shoot.
I am outranged that you don't use a spell checker.
For 'niggardly' it's at least easily apparent that it might be confused with a slur. And it has close synonyms so it's not difficult to avoid (even though people shouldn't feel obligated to avoid it.)
On the other hand, 'tar baby' expresses a concept that I don't know any good synonyms for. Avoiding it would detract from economy of expression.
Oh, and spell checkers are for teh weak.
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