In response to Condoleeza Rice’s comments that contemporary racial relations reflect an American “birth defect,” Lou Dobbs offered a dismissive monologue in which he tried to deny that there is really any problem to talk about. In a truly beautiful moment of irony, he accidentally lets slip a good part of the slur “cotton-pickin’” in reference to Black leaders.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y0W19-N3Ik[/youtube]
* Title stole from Jessica’s post over at feministing.
Also awesomely ironic: Dr. Watson is more black than most.
Comments 3
Anonymous — April 2, 2008
I couldn't believe this when I saw it live. His true colors shining through.
Christine — April 3, 2008
Thanks for posting this video. I had heard about it, but did not see it live. I can not believe he slipped so badly. He is turning into another Bill O'Reilly.
Brian Dunbar — April 4, 2008
Per your link the first recorded use of the term 'cotton-pickin' is from Looney Tunes. It does not cite the cartoon but my memory says it was Yosemite Same, talking to Bugs Bunny.
Indeed your cite goes on to say
While cottonpicker has distinct racist overtones, the adjective cotton-picking does not carry them, instead being a reference to the unpleasant nature of the work.
Not racist, then. But good on y'all for stretching a point.
As for being racist - hey that's just people being assholes; it's a global condition. For the real deal ask a Japanese how they feel about Koreans.
I am just a white guy so I can't speak to on-the-ground racism in America; but I note that my governor has two (adopted) black kids, our SecState is black, a recent Chairman of the Joint Chiefs was black, a current contender for the White House is black, etc. etc.
Name a country where a minority can achieve this level of success, besides America.