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In reply to the discussion: Virginia lawmaker uses "tar baby" in speech about Medicaid debate [View all]LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)14. The origin of the "tar baby" concept is apparently African
A very similar West African tale is told of the mythical hero Anansi. In this version it is Anansi who creates a wooden doll and covers it over with gum, then puts a plate of yams in its lap, in order to capture the she-fairy Mmoatia (sometimes described as an "elf" or "dwarf" . Mmoatia takes the bait and eats the yams, but grows angry when the doll does not respond and strikes it, becoming stuck in the process.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tar_baby
Racist?
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Virginia lawmaker uses "tar baby" in speech about Medicaid debate [View all]
TexasTowelie
Mar 2014
OP
Your "proof" that it is racist is a politician placating ignorant people calling it racist
joeglow3
Mar 2014
#19
I did not grow up in the south, but rather out west. I did not know this term was racist
Drahthaardogs
Mar 2014
#58
I use the term "tar baby" for situations that are difficult to get away from once involved.
Throd
Mar 2014
#4
That's my childhood recollection as well.I also read some of Joel Chandler Harris's stories as a kid
Hekate
Mar 2014
#52
I guess screaming one more fucking time that the term is not racist would be a waste
CBGLuthier
Mar 2014
#3
are you sure you want to post this kind of claim on a progressive message board?
alp227
Mar 2014
#22
That's where I learned the story of Tar-Baby, from Uncle Remus stories. I do not consider it an,,,
northoftheborder
Mar 2014
#54
It's dismaying to see how many people are, apparently, incredibly ignorant.
Spider Jerusalem
Mar 2014
#51
I think you may have the situation reversed - I think it was used by some in the South
hedgehog
Mar 2014
#61
Look up The Story of Little Babaji for an update of Helen Bannerman's lost classic
Hekate
Mar 2014
#59
Brer Rabbit is the direct descendent of the Trickster Hero Anansi, from West Africa
Hekate
Mar 2014
#56
Sad that he felt that he had to apologise, and shame on the people who condemned him.
Donald Ian Rankin
Mar 2014
#60