Because when their campaigns are desperate they always go back to the well of racism. The Republican party is running in Tennessee on a platform of the big black buck coming for the white women.
That’s something of a turn-off to black voters.
In Boston, voters are responding to the Republican’s race-based attack on gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick by giving Patrick a 27 point lead.
I sit here absolutely flabbergasted that in 2006 racism is actually STILL an effective tool in our country.
And not just with whites (though chiefly amongst them) but with every race.
I’m Afro-American, and I know someone from basically every race that have expressed some sort of bigoted/racist view. Always when a member of the hated race isn’t around so it’s “safe”. And it leaves me wondering, does this person believe that I’m going to feel the same way?
Listening to fellow blacks (who should know better than anyone..well, besides Native Americans) the sting of bigotry, say racist things always hurts my heart.
But seeing White-America by and large still accept if not openly embrace that only THEY are “real Americans” is just pitiful. And the all-encompassing terror of the Big Black Penis penetrating their “pure and innocent” white angels is even more pathetic.
This ad is aiming right for that paranoid, racist fear. It’s part of my theory why hip-hop is hated so much by middle-America. Not because of the lyrics of some of the more popular stuff (I’m an ol’ school head) but they HATE the fact that their daughters are looking at inner-city black men as sex symbols.
It’s almost a relief that they’re not hiding it under the “Fancy Ford” euphamism anymore.
To quote Cleavon Little,
“Where da white women at??”
I am not sure what part of Kerry Healy’s attacks have been race based (not sure I agree with you on that OW), but they’re clearly some of the most negative, decietfull ads I’ve seen in MA. politics.
I was a “Weld Democrat” back when he was Gov…voted for the guy twice and Romney once (that one I might take back if I could).
Anyway…..Kerry Healy is losing not because of her negative advertising blitz, but because she’s simply mean-spirited.
It’s so prevalent so as almost to be too painful to watch. I just don’t understand how a person at her level can be such a creepy person.
JK
“Always when a member of the hated race isn’t around so it’s “safe”. And it leaves me wondering, does this person believe that I’m going to feel the same way?”…
I have to say that this characterization describes so many instances where I have encountered racism.
To quote Cleavon Little,
“Where da white women at??”
The greatest movie to poke fun at race but especially racism: Blazing Saddles.
The greatest movie to poke fun at race but especially racism: Blazing Saddles.
Naturally.
Richard Pryor had a big hand in shaping the Cleavon Little role.
“Richard Pryor had a big hand in shaping the Cleavon Little role.”
Actually, Richard Pryor was supposed to play that role, but the studio felt he was too much of an unknown as an actor.
Richard Pryor was a script-doctor on the film though.
And the scene with Cleavon and Madeline Kahn. Soooooo ahead of its time:
[Lili von Schtupp has lured Bart back to her room]
Lili Von Shtupp: Is it true how zey say zat you people are… gifted?
[Lights go out, sound of zipper opening]
Lili Von Shtupp: Oh. It’s twue. It’s twue. It’s twue, it’s twue!
That scene went right to the heart of fearful white men….in 1974!
I saw the ad attacking Ford and, quite honestly, I didn’t get the racist slant until it was pointed out. I was looking more at the cheap floozy angle than the race angle.
I agree with Starky. It amazes me that race is still an issue, but it is. I must say, as a white guy, I am turned off by a lot of black comedians these days perpetrating the disparity between “white folks” and “black folks”.
Anybody see Studio 60 the other night? Yeah, I feel the same way as D.L. Hughley’s character did when I see these guys. It ani’t racism on my part, it just isn’t funny anymore.
Duros: I agree with you. It’s amazingly lazy comedy. “White people are crazy. They be doing this. Black people be doing this.”
It’s funny to me how you would automatically pull out the race card on this one. It pointed out the irony of filming a campaign ad in a church (which most of you would cry huge foul over if he were a Republican) and attending a Super Bowl party hosted by Playboy magazine, which is the epitomy of the struggle that I’m sure Ford (and the rest of us.) probably has between sexual freedom vs. women’s rights/exploitation vs morality issues.
But as Duros’ comment illustrates, you had to look for this ad to be racist (or have somebody tell you it was racist) to make it so.
Would it have made a difference to you if the “cheap floozy” had been an American of African descent? No- you would have found a way to make that racist too because of your talent for using outrage as a political tool.
It doesn’t matter what the ad says. Outrage works. (And I do realize it works for both sides.)
Where are the white women at indeed?
“No- you would have found a way to make that racist too because of your talent for using outrage as a political tool.”
I don’t know if you could make that racist. Sexist and the suggestion of philandering, sure, but not racist.
And come on, now. If you were a single man, not even as a public figure, mind you, and got invited to the Super Bowl by Playboy magazine, you wouldn’t go?
I saw the Harold Ford ad and am surprised that you can grasp for racism undertones in the ad. First of all, who would really care if that “white” skank prop would want to have sex with Ford?!?!?! She surely doesn’t represent what conservatives would consider one of their own (their daughters and sisters), or a contributing member of society.
I think the ad more tries to portray Ford’s support base as skanks and the undesirable class of creeps and uninformed morons. In that capacity, it is quite effective. But pulling the race card on this one is pretty weak.
And StarkyLuv, Hip-Hop is hated in Middle America largely because of the Videos and the Lyrics. What parent, black, white or anyone, would want “their” daughter to show up half-naked touching herself and simulating sex with anyone, including a rapper. Those women are paid for their appearance, half are strippers which is why they are picked for shaking that ass. Those parents don’t want their children to idolize that sub-culture. What jobs/skills do the rappers possess that would guarantee future success for their children??? Smoking weed? Hanging out at the strip clubs?
Maybe YOU haven’t been watching BET lately!!! Try it for an hour and get back to me and let me know what is more pathetic.
Actually, Richard Pryor was supposed to play that role, but the studio felt he was too much of an unknown as an actor.
What a shame. I bet Pryor’s take on the “holds-himself-hostage” bit would have been priceless.
My favorite of the movie:
“Bart, they said you was hung!”
“They was right!”
In fact, if you are under 50 and can watch BET without getting wood in less than 30 minutes, you should rush to see your doctor because you most likely have ED–Erectile Dysfunction!!!
Call me crazy but Rick Ross with “Push It”, “Port of “Miami”, “Blow”, “Boss” and “Hustlin’” really touch my heart. Where else can you get a guy talking about how he is a drug dealer importing drugs, surrounded by murderers and dealers WHILE dancing on the roof of a Miami Strip Club….now that’s the LIFE!!! Before you act up, just listen or see the videos, they are really kick-ass!!! Now what moron is trying to tell me that hip-hop/rap isn’t about the Lyrics and the Videos?!?!
“3-0-5″ Represent Playa!!!
If you’re not killing/evading police, slinging or using drugs, banging hoes, driving a pimped out ride or killing people in a gang, you aren’t doing a rap video RITE!!!
Now how the hell can Middle America resist this kind of message?!?!?! It’s censorship, man!!!!
um, now who is mad about the ad? Honey, I am not mad and really didnt pay attention to it until it was brought up as a racial issue. I pay my bills and go to work and you know what? I dont think about much other than keeping a roof over my head and my childrens. So when someone talks about this cornshit i turn the tv off. Black people might be offended. why are they? Do they hate when a black man dates a white soman? Not my problem. That is thiers. Goodbye. ive got to survive in the real world and pay my bills.