Would using Step 'n Fetchit be considered racist?

[bigbrother05]

Let's suppose that a candidate's spokesman/supporter used that phrase during a discussion about the need to limit corporate influence on Congress/Government/Elections. Would we be up-in-arms at the racial implications of someone referring to unnamed politicians acting as a "Step 'n Fetchit" for their Corporate masters?

Would we be disgusted to hear someone characterize Condi Rice as W's "Step 'n Fetchit" SoS during her obvious photo op trips through the Middle East? Did anyone use that phrase (SnF) to point how Colin Powell was used in the run up to the war?

Now, think about how many of us would have reacted to someone on our side using shuck and jive about either Powell or Rice, even indirectly as part of a generalized discussion of events. While possibly accurate in fact, there are other phrases that convey the same idea without the racial baggage.

We don't need to be PC in all things, sometimes shock is effective, but shouldn't we expect our side to aspire to better things?

Just wanted folks to think about it.

[lynnertic]

1. yes

and what's your idea of a substitute, I wonder?

Thx

[bigbrother05]

3. Toady, quisling, lap dog, puppet, etc.?

Or were you referring to the other? Tap dancing, dodging/ducking/evading the issues, etc.

[Taverner]

2. Spike Lee used the "Step 'n Fetchit" concept well in 'Bamboozled'

Other than that, I can't see a possible non-racist use of the term or concept.

[bigbrother05]

6. And shuck and jive has similar origins

That was my point, sometimes the original connotation can be divorced from the current usage, but it exists just the same. We've come a long way, but we're not too far from the minstrel shows, separate-but-equal, poll tax days to dismiss the not so subtle codes engendered by certain phrases.

Coumo might not have intended to cause slight, but can't you visualized the Repuke commercials using that clip?

[Taverner]

8. Of course in Hillary's defense - the quote was taken out of time and context

So I don't blame anyone in the Clinton camp.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

4. Such terms seem to be somewhat acceptable when applied to Republicans

Colin Powell was referred to as a "house n*gger" (or slightly more politically correct variants of that phrase) many times by black voices from the left.

But I wouldn't advise a white person to adopt that terminology.

I would suggest that calling any person a "Step 'n Fetchit" is inflammatory and something best done without.

[sam sarrha]

5. well she has certainly earned that award... W's colon pal earned some credibility by quiting,

although way too late... for everybody involved

[bigbrother05]

7. Pretty much my point.

The surprise is that someone on our "enlightened" side would drop such a coded phrase during a supposed serious discussion. The crap that we say to each other in our daily lives is completely different from the things broadcast worldwide.

Coumo's remark was not as direct as Bill Bennett's comparison of Obama's oratorical style to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, but still crossed a line, no matter how blurred that line may be.

Speaking of Bill Bennett's remark (that's been aired repeatedly on CNN & CNN International), how did Donna Brazile (sp?) sit there and let that one pass only to turn around and attack Bill Clinton's comments? Think she had every right to go after BC, but to let BB have a pass shows that her outrage might be tempered by her client list.