This is the latest in a series on the use of the race card for political gain:
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry over this one.
The NAACP is upset because a Hallmark talking graduation card uses the term “black ho” in it, as in black whore.
Except that it doesn’t, it uses the term “black hole,” as in space, and the universe, and science fiction. They even made a movie about it, so it must exist:
Now back to Planet Earth, which is far less rational than outer space. Put your ear up to the speaker, and listen really carefully to the Hallmark card, so that you too can prove that, just like the NAACP, you have nothing better to do (via IgnorantMe! and reader Nathan):
Question: Would it have made a difference if “black hole” were pronounced more clearly? I doubt it:
A special meeting about Dallas County traffic tickets turned tense and bizarre this afternoon.
County commissioners were discussing problems with the central collections office that is used to process traffic ticket payments and handle other paperwork normally done by the JP Courts.
Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield, who is white, said it seemed that central collections “has become a black hole” because paperwork reportedly has become lost in the office.
Commissioner John Wiley Price, who is black, interrupted him with a loud “Excuse me!” He then corrected his colleague, saying the office has become a “white hole.”
Perhaps I’m being too harsh on the NAACP. After all, I distinctly remember, growing up, the clearly racist “Secret Asian Man” theme song. Because of the controversy the title was changed to “Secret Agent Man,” but Johnny Rivers always seemed to sing “Asian” and no one noticed:
And of course, who is more paranoid than my People, who long ago convinced ourselves that your People speak in code:
In finding material for the Saturday Night Card Game series, I sometimes feel like Woody Allen in this clip:
Jew know what I mean, don’t Jew?
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Comments
I heard that, recently, the African American population has been finding ANY term that has the word "black" in it = racism. "Black hole" was one of the terms, in particular, that was mentioned as "racist and offensive."
How did our nation go from the most truly welcoming, inviting, and tolerant (the REAL meaning of the word) to a nation that is afraid to say anything, to use a color in a term (think "yellow line" on the Metro/subway) etc.?!?
The card clearly says "black hole" and is all about the solar system, both in the oral message and written one.
Great call on your Saturday Night Card Game, Professor! This has to beat them all (although it's tough to judge, you have a LOT of "good" ones).
Remember, a certain demographic group's exquisite sensibilities are also responsible for moving the perfectly good word "niggardly" out of the realm of respectable public discourse.
There are apparently uncountable numbers of words that can –with only a little effort– be heard by ultra-sensitive ears as racist affronts to propriety. (Sigh. I really, really LIKE words, especially interesting and unusual ones; and I just HATE to witness them being abused this way…)
The NAACP certainly has become niggardly with its praise and understanding of common English words. It is definitely a black day for the English language when any self-appointed watchdog can harass perfectly reasonable speech by monkeying around with misunderstandings. Conduct in our nation has gone down a black hole, possibly never to return.
I wonder if blacks understand that the average person does not think about them on a constanct basis? In other words, the term "black hole" has no relevance to the average person other than a reference to an astronomical phenomenon. People do not go around thinking about blacks much less dreaming up some phrase to debase them. Also, blacks do not own the word black, I thought they were African (unless things have changed again). Another thought, could it be that blacks don't know what a black hole is and why it is named as such?
@david7134 – the "average person" includes blacks, the vast majority of whom I presume see nothing racial in the term "black hole." The point is that the self-appointed representatives are making something out of nothing for ulterior motives; it's not unique to the black community, and happens with many groups similar to the NAACP representing other groups.
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