SLUniverse Forums

Cristiano · 09-04-2008, 09:51 PM

Well someone can send out the memo that Republicans can stop using the code word "elitist" to attack the Obamas - somebody finally went there and used the far more racially charged 'uppity'. Republican Rep. Westmoreland, from the very Southern state of Georgia described the Obamas as "uppity" when asked to compare Sarah Palin to Michelle Obama. He repeated it after being asked to clarify.

The Obama campaign is not making any racial issue out of it, instead using the absurdity of it against John McCain by responding that one should be careful when throwing stones from one of McCain's eight glass houses.

TheHill.com - Westmoreland calls Obama â€˜uppity'

Lo Jacobs · 09-04-2008, 10:01 PM

Damn.

Richie Waves · 09-05-2008, 08:43 AM

He speaks so well..

Brave Republic · 09-05-2008, 08:56 AM

I just think it's convenient interpretation... semantics. Many words we use(both proper and vulgar/slang) have multiple meanings- and it's all about tone & intent--which is all open to personal interpretation--unless you ask the speaker what they meant.

I know many people that use the term "boy" for a male of caucasian, African American, Latino etc. It doesn't mean the old stephen Foster-old south- Minstrel show insulting/degrading ntent of that term.

Same for uppity. He prefaced it by saying the Obama's were elitist and because they were acting outside of their social set, (ie above it) they were "uppity". I don't see the racial overtones here (and I speak "southern" quite well) but rather see how Anti-McCain opportunists can take it there, and for that reason alone it was a foolish thing to say--from a strategy standpoint.

Kind of like using the word niggardly for cheap. Yep it's in the dictionary and has no racial overtones--but boy (no pun intended) does it sound bad and woe to he who uses it!

Richie Waves · 09-05-2008, 08:59 AM

Ah yes.. a senator running for president is uppity.. and elitist!

Quimby Rothschild · 09-05-2008, 09:15 AM

Westmoreland is a peckerwood.

Brave Republic · 09-05-2008, 09:27 AM

"peckerwood" ...lol

that's an awesome slang term goes back to 19th century.

I think it got bastardized and is used to refer to all southern whites by southern blacks and also has white power skinhead overtones apparently.

From whaty I find on the web--many use woody the woodpecker (LMAO on this)as a white power symbol

"huh huh huh huh --ha, huh huh huh huh--ha...it's the whitepower woodpecker show"

Man that is awesomely twisted and funny--I'd love to see an animated spoof of that

Lourdes Denimore · 09-05-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brave Republic

I don't see the racial overtones here (and I speak "southern" quite well) but rather see how Anti-McCain opportunists can take it there, and for that reason alone it was a foolish thing to say--from a strategy standpoint.

Kind of like using the word niggardly for cheap. Yep it's in the dictionary and has no racial overtones--but boy (no pun intended) does it sound bad and woe to he who uses it!

Hmm well historically when referring to black Americans. The term was "uppity nigger". Does that make it more clear to you?

The esteemed Representative from GA figured he could get over by leaving off the 2nd part. But we are not fooled.

Quimby Rothschild · 09-05-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lourdes Denimore

Hmm well historically when referring to black Americans. The term was "uppity nigger". Does that make it more clear to you?

The esteemed Representative from GA figured he could get over by leaving off the 2nd part. But we are not fooled.

I have no idea if he meant it as a racial slur. However, when I hear the word "uppity" applied to a black person I immediately think of the next, unsaid word.

Xiomara Mendes · 09-05-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brave Republic

Same for uppity. He prefaced it by saying the Obama's were elitist and because they were acting outside of their social set, (ie above it) they were "uppity". I don't see the racial overtones here (and I speak "southern" quite well) but rather see how Anti-McCain opportunists can take it there, and for that reason alone it was a foolish thing to say--from a strategy standpoint.

When one is speaking on a national stage, one must be careful with their words. Given that a huge section of the US has only heard the word "uppity" used before the word "Negro", there's only one way many people will take that word. I personally can't see anything but racial tones here.

Brave Republic · 09-05-2008, 11:03 AM

Guys I'm fully aware of the term and it's impact and all the rest, I am trying to say two things:

1) No one is that stupid to intentionally say "uppity" and mean it in the "U.N." context in mainstream politics (leaving out fringe groups etc) I suspect he meant it as in "putting on airs"

2) He was, however, stupid enough to say it and not realize it would be, or could be interpreted in the "U.N." way. So yes he is guilty of foot in mouth disease in a way for not being savvy enough to think that comment could be taken the wrong way based on Obama's ethinicity and public perception of the remark.

Beau Perkins · 09-05-2008, 11:15 AM

I honestly did not know this was a racist term. I would have never even thought of using it as a racist term. When I hear the word "Uppity" I think of an old lady talking to a mouthy young lad.

"Don't get Uppity with me"

Huh.....

Merovigan · 09-05-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quimby Rothschild

I have no idea if he meant it as a racial slur. However, when I hear the word "uppity" applied to a black person I immediately think of the next, unsaid word.

I think that says a lot about our history and how it has shaped our current reality.

Malachi · 09-05-2008, 12:22 PM

Heard this once or twice, it is racist but also - to my eye - a somewhat true generalization of how some white people think

In the south it is okay if blacks live near us, just so long as they don't get uppity.
In the north it is okay if blacks get uppity, just so long as they don't live near us.

One doesn't stop living in a partially racist country simply by ignoring the racism.

Eboni Khan · 09-05-2008, 01:49 PM

Being called "boy" as he was earlier this year is 50x worse than being called uppity.

Lo Jacobs · 09-05-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brave Republic

I just think it's convenient interpretation... semantics. Many words we use(both proper and vulgar/slang) have multiple meanings- and it's all about tone & intent--which is all open to personal interpretation--unless you ask the speaker what they meant.

I know many people that use the term "boy" for a male of caucasian, African American, Latino etc. It doesn't mean the old stephen Foster-old south- Minstrel show insulting/degrading ntent of that term.

Same for uppity. He prefaced it by saying the Obama's were elitist and because they were acting outside of their social set, (ie above it) they were "uppity". I don't see the racial overtones here (and I speak "southern" quite well) but rather see how Anti-McCain opportunists can take it there, and for that reason alone it was a foolish thing to say--from a strategy standpoint.

Kind of like using the word niggardly for cheap. Yep it's in the dictionary and has no racial overtones--but boy (no pun intended) does it sound bad and woe to he who uses it!

Bigotry apologist.

Mocksoup Graves · 09-05-2008, 10:23 PM

I have used the word uppity in reference to uptight people putting on airs.

No regards to race or whatever. I had NO idea that it was racial. For the love of pete!

*drinks more brandy*

Brandy isn't racist, is it?

Colette Meiji · 09-05-2008, 10:28 PM

I dont think if you called a white person "Uppity" it would be as big a deal as calling a Black person "Uppity"

Because the full racial slur was "Uppity N(word)"

And thus when you use it on Obama a lot of people are going to fill in that second word in their mind.

Lo Jacobs · 09-05-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mocksoup Graves

I have used the word uppity in reference to uptight people putting on airs.

No regards to race or whatever. I had NO idea that it was racial. For the love of pete!

*drinks more brandy*

Brandy isn't racist, is it?

The concept that an educated white politician from Georgia wouldn't have any idea what "uppity" implies when referencing a black person is flat out ludicrous.

Colette Meiji · 09-05-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eboni Khan

Being called "boy" as he was earlier this year is 50x worse than being called uppity.

I hadn't heard that happened. =/

Malachi · 09-05-2008, 10:32 PM

Oh, I think it was the backwoods, redneck, bumfuck, southern asshole Westmoreland who had trouble pronouncing big words that I heard on the radio the other night. I missed the "uppity", but the rest of the message was pretty clear.

YouTube - Iraq Troop Surge Debate : Lynn Westmoreland - Pro Surge

Wow, it was. Who thought it would be good to put a guy who can't pronounce "skepticism", "preserve", or "fascism" on the RNC podium?

09-04-2008, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lo Jacobs Kitten Fuzz Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 852 SL Join Date: May 2004 Business: Church of Luxe SLShopper Ads: 7 Awards: 1	Damn. __________________ MY STORE MY BLOG * EMAIL

09-05-2008, 08:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
Richie Waves Deus ibi est I haz Pacman! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 5,323 SL Join Date: 27/06/2005 My Mood:	He speaks so well.. __________________ My lastfm It's not trouble until its wreaked something

09-05-2008, 09:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Quimby Rothschild Dingdongdiddlyshitfuck I will destroy you with my mind Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Addison, TX Posts: 470 Busy Burger Champion! My Mood:	Westmoreland is a peckerwood. __________________ so now you're mine and it really shows give me the speed and a place to go and a knife to bring back what I know it didn't hurt a bit

09-05-2008, 11:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
Beau Perkins Is a sickly peach color I'm a heretical Jew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CT Posts: 5,963 SL Join Date: 12/24/2003 My Mood:	I honestly did not know this was a racist term. I would have never even thought of using it as a racist term. When I hear the word "Uppity" I think of an old lady talking to a mouthy young lad. "Don't get Uppity with me" Huh..... __________________ Living is easy with eyes closed Misunderstanding all you see It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out It doesn't matter much to me -John Lennon.

09-05-2008, 01:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Eboni Khan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,504	Being called "boy" as he was earlier this year is 50x worse than being called uppity. __________________

09-05-2008, 08:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
Richie Waves Deus ibi est I haz Pacman! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 5,323 SL Join Date: 27/06/2005 My Mood:	Ah yes.. a senator running for president is uppity.. and elitist!

09-05-2008, 09:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
Brave Republic Shock and Awe vestibular suppressant Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 1,122 SL Join Date: 10/25/2007 My Mood:	"peckerwood" ...lol that's an awesome slang term goes back to 19th century. I think it got bastardized and is used to refer to all southern whites by southern blacks and also has white power skinhead overtones apparently. From whaty I find on the web--many use woody the woodpecker (LMAO on this)as a white power symbol "huh huh huh huh --ha, huh huh huh huh--ha...it's the whitepower woodpecker show" Man that is awesomely twisted and funny--I'd love to see an animated spoof of that

09-05-2008, 11:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
Brave Republic Shock and Awe vestibular suppressant Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 1,122 SL Join Date: 10/25/2007 My Mood:	Guys I'm fully aware of the term and it's impact and all the rest, I am trying to say two things: 1) No one is that stupid to intentionally say "uppity" and mean it in the "U.N." context in mainstream politics (leaving out fringe groups etc) I suspect he meant it as in "putting on airs" 2) He was, however, stupid enough to say it and not realize it would be, or could be interpreted in the "U.N." way. So yes he is guilty of foot in mouth disease in a way for not being savvy enough to think that comment could be taken the wrong way based on Obama's ethinicity and public perception of the remark.

09-05-2008, 12:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Malachi the bathwater & the baby fish are inherently sarcastic Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,391	Heard this once or twice, it is racist but also - to my eye - a somewhat true generalization of how some white people think In the south it is okay if blacks live near us, just so long as they don't get uppity. In the north it is okay if blacks get uppity, just so long as they don't live near us. One doesn't stop living in a partially racist country simply by ignoring the racism.

09-05-2008, 10:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
Mocksoup Graves Boosted with Vitamin CEEE taking pictures and stuffs Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 370 SL Join Date: March of 2007... I think My Mood:	I have used the word uppity in reference to uptight people putting on airs. No regards to race or whatever. I had NO idea that it was racial. For the love of pete! drinks more brandy Brandy isn't racist, is it? __________________ I think that hyperbole is the single greatest factor contributing to the decline of society. - Someone named Pat. Trout Slut Rating : 6.7 You are marginally a slut, but still all lady, and you know exactly when to cross that line. Congratulations and shame on you! You are a slut, but only in the best, most empowering and beautiful definition of the word. MockBlog The Bargain Bin

09-05-2008, 10:28 PM	#18 (permalink)
Colette Meiji Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,221 My Mood:	I dont think if you called a white person "Uppity" it would be as big a deal as calling a Black person "Uppity" Because the full racial slur was "Uppity N(word)" And thus when you use it on Obama a lot of people are going to fill in that second word in their mind.