Davis Apologizes; But, Boy, What Excuse Is There?

Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) is 49 years old. Barack Obama is 46 years old. When was the last time you called someone three years younger than you a boy?

Anyway, Davis sent a letter of apology to Obama forthwith and is trying to contact him for a personal phone call:

Dear Senator Obama:

On Saturday night I gave a speech in which I used a poor choice of words when discussing the national security policy positions of the Presidential candidates. I was quoted as saying "That boy's finger does not need to be on the button."

My poor choice of words is regrettable and was in no way meant to impugn you or your integrity. I offer my sincere apology to you and ask for your forgiveness.

Though we may disagree on many issues, I know that we share the goal of a prosperous, secure future for our nation. My comment has detracted from the dialogue that we should all be having on legitimate policy differences and in no way reflects the personal and professional respect I have for you.

Sincerely

Geoff Davis

One remark: one of Ex-Sen. Trent Lott's problems was that it took him two weeks to understand precisely why his comments were offensive. Davis's comments offend not because they demeaned Obama's integrity; they're offensive because, well, in 2008, for a white person to call a black person "boy," is generally seen as racist no matter where you are. (CF: "Mammy," "Uncle," and other terms of "endearment".)

Comments

Davis thinks this is 1968. The funny thing is he is from Canada.

Posted by Ann | April 14, 2008 5:53 PM

Well, that letter is a lie, because nobody, and I mean, nobody, anywhere in the world, calls a grown man a "boy" without trying to impugn him or his integrity. That's the point of calling someone that particular diminutive.

And calling a black man a boy is one step short of calling him a nigger.

But this is to be expected, and hopefully it will help the country heal and grow.

As Michael Chabon so beautifully and wisely pointed out, Obama really is the political Jackie Robinson. And Robinson was great not just because of his athletic prowess, which was profound, but for his grace under pressure, his ability to remain calm under the fire of the vicious racism that tried to bring him down.

The more Obama stands up to this kind of thing without letting it bring him down, the more the good folks in the country will realize what a wise man he is.

As for Geoff Davis, like Trent Lott, you've shown your true colors. Apologies won't change that. We can only pray that our country is ready to move past old folks like you who have old ideas, and ready to embrace the future. Because the future is beautiful.

Posted by Jesse Jamison | April 14, 2008 6:04 PM

>>>Davis's comments offend not because they demeaned Obama's integrity; they're offensive because, well, in 2008, for a white person to call a black person "boy," is generally seen as racist no matter where you are.

Posted by Adrienne | April 14, 2008 6:08 PM

>>>Davis's comments offend not because they demeaned Obama's integrity; they're offensive because, well, in 2008, for a white person to call a black person "boy," is generally seen as racist no matter where you are.

Posted by Adrienne | April 14, 2008 6:08 PM

Whereas there's nothing offensive about Lil Bush, cuz that's humor.

Posted by Dan Collins | April 14, 2008 6:13 PM

Enough with Elitism, and enough with Boy. I'm a hardcore Obama supporter, with the bumper stickers, yard signs, t-shirt, buttons and canvassing hours to prove it, but can we please move on from this kind of stuff and talk about something real?

The Democrats are much better positioned in a fight about the future of the US on so many fronts: economics and the war being the chief two. But I'm not sure who wins in a mudfight.

Nobody, probably.

Posted by James in NJ | April 14, 2008 6:14 PM

Using the term "boy" is insensitive, but in the south grown men call each other that all the time. As in, "yeah, he's a good ol boy" or "Cum'here boy and get a beer." (Women here refer to each other as "girls" as well as in "Me and the girls are going shopping this weekend.") These are white people talking to each other, although I have used the word "girls" when referring to black co-workers as in "we are having a girls' night out."

It is a southern thing.

A politician should probably know better than to use it against a black candidate, but in the absence of other evidence of racism, I'd give him a pass.

Posted by Teresa | April 14, 2008 6:23 PM

I'm more concerned about Davis fabricating the story altogether.

Why would Obama, at this point, be participating in a "highly classified" national security exercise where he was called upon to make a nuclear decision?

Why would Davis be there observing?

In the unlikely event this did happen, why does Davis feel comfortable publicly characterizing the outcome of the classified exercise? Does he feel no obligation to keep classified information secure?

Posted by southpaw | April 14, 2008 6:25 PM

I surely hope that Rep. Davis did not mean to make a racist statement. If he did, shame on him, and he was pretty dumb to have uttered the remark in public.

But he is a Kentuckian, and it is entirely possible that he meant it in the way some of us still speak about another man. For example, "that boy could hunt." When speaking of any man, regardless of age.

Emphasis on "man." Surely y'all have heard of "good ole' boys?"

Posted by John Rich | April 14, 2008 6:26 PM

Of course it was a racist comment, but he apologized -- quickly and, it seems, sincerely. I'd love for the campaign to be able to start talking about things that matter like healthcare, jobs and Iraq again.

Posted by evie | April 14, 2008 6:28 PM

1. Why is a presidential CANDIDATE being run through a national security simulation that involves the simulated detonation of nuclear weapons?

2. Are all presidential CANDIDATES required to take part in these 'simulations'?

3. Why hasn't the public ever been told that these simulations occur using CANDIDATES for President?

4. What happened during Hillary Clinton's simulation, and John McCain's simulation?

5. Most importantly, what happened during George W. Bush's simulation while he was a CANDIDATE for President?

6. Why isn't the public told of the results of these simulations after they happen?

7. What exactly goes on in these secret simulations?

Posted by Eric | April 14, 2008 6:43 PM

In the context of Obama not being decisive in the nuclear simulation, I thought Davis might be suggesting that Obama wasn't MAN enough. Which ever way, he was clearly being derogatory.

Posted by Vnd | April 14, 2008 6:50 PM

It's a Southern thing. Though an elected official should be more careful than most about referencing a black and only a black in the "boy context" when telling a story. That is a region where it is not "Our Troops in Iraq" but "Our Boys in Iraq" which is quite permissible even if some Jewish media pundit or Lefty who wouldn't be caught dead in uniform musters up some faux outrage about Southerners calling the majority Southern black, hispanic, white men in uniform aged 18-50 as "boys".

And Southern black men are even bigger fans of regularly including "boy" in their language for people of all races than Southern Whites.

But the story is more interesting than just the "boy" quote, and explains why the Congressman may have slipped.

Out of exasperation.

He said in his remarks at the GOP dinner that he also recently participated in a "highly classified, national security simulation" with Obama.
"I'm going to tell you something: That boy's finger does not need to be on the button," Davis said. "He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country."

That is troubling. Obama famously failed open on the matter of nuclear attack in an early debate. He was given a scenario where ships bearing nuclear bombs unexpectedly blew up two major cities. Obama's response was that as President, he would focus on the 1st Responders, ensuring they had the respurces and tools to cope with "people in need". The others wisely said they were Commander in Chief, their 1st responsibility was to defend the nation and strike back at the enemy responsible for killing millions of Americans. (While Obama would be fretting about if there would be enough ice and disposable diapers as firestorms raged, radioactivity spread, and people wondered what city would be nuked next)

These national security exercises include key decision-makers and people considered plausible future decision-makers. Both military, and potential future civilian leaders of the military, with Obama, the odds on favorite to be the next President, an obvious selection.

The exercises are also useful to the experienced, vetted key national security people in passing on to military and Party leadership which people did well, which aspiring Admiral or politician messed up badly and got people killed in the scenario. By making bad decisions or failing to be decisive when the situation demanded decisiveness.

If Davis is to be believed, Obama performed badly in a high stakes nuclear simulation be failing to make appropriate or needed decisions. If true, Davis wasn't the only one in the room of key people, not even the only Southerner or non-Southerner to be mentally thinking "That boy is in over his head" as Obama froze.

I'm sure McCain people were there, and Hillary people - watching whatever Obama did or didn't do in the simulated nuclear scenario, that got Davis so upset.

Posted by Chris Ford | April 14, 2008 7:07 PM

Can you say Fuzzy Zoeller. As all of us know these kind of statements have long pervaded online comments for months. I was hoping it was limited to high school kids with nothing better to do then fill the blogosphere with ignorant comments

Posted by VarsityBlueNYC | April 14, 2008 7:13 PM

But he is a Kentuckian

--albeit one who was born in Montreal, and raised in Pittsburgh.

Posted by pseudonymous in nc | April 14, 2008 7:19 PM

I know the Congressman and Barack Obama should accept his apology so we can move on!

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/04/congressman-geoff-davis-is-class-act.html#links

Posted by KYJurisDoctor | April 14, 2008 7:30 PM

Crikey, can you yankees find anything else to complain about? The term "boy" applies to any male in the south, be he 14 or be he 74. It is regional but leave it up to the over sensitive left to find some hidden meaning in the term "boy". Call a contractor in the south, be he white and black and he will tell you when his "boys" will be there. If you are in Texas, most likely than not, the "boys" will be Hispanic.

Is this what this nation has come to? Every comment will be judged by it's politcal correctness and even age old terms that have been used by Southerners will be determined to be "racist"?

So now, I, as a Southerner will find it insulting the next time one of you clowns from the north refer to your "guys" as being just a bunch of misogynist rubes. Fair enough?

Posted by retire05 | April 14, 2008 7:39 PM

The whole idea of avoiding all-out nuclear war is that the "enemy" cannot predict your response to provocation. Obama is wise to avoid tipping his hand. Imagine a coach saying before the big game-- I intend to focus on containment-- stop the run, and will give up the big pass if it comes... The bottom line is that the right is out of ideas and they need to pick a fight on anything but the actual issues facing Americans-- education, housing, health-care, and yes indeed national security. They would rather talk about gay marriage and Armageddon scenarios. By the way? All we need to do to make the world safer is get the hell out of Saudi Arabia and stop interfering in foreign countries internal policies out of a pornographic need to keep our energy costs lower. Just say goodbye to oil and take half the defense budget and find answers to or problems through energy technology.

Posted by JPL | April 14, 2008 7:56 PM

Thank heavens he apologized so we can get back to the real issue, which is a major presidential candidate who attempted to diagnose small town America's interest in God and guns as terminal clinginess brought on by disenfranchisement.

Yes, the polls say he hasn't been hurt. But that's just because the commercials haven't been aired yet.

They're coming.

Posted by RH Potfry | April 14, 2008 7:58 PM

retire05--

I'm sorry (for you, mainly) because you are just the worst kind of fool. This wasn't uttered in the context of "my team." You can go ahead and list every approved benign usage of the word "boy" in Merriam-Webster. That's not what this use was. If you're going to be an idiot, please do so quietly. Thanks.

Posted by Kimberly Williams | April 14, 2008 8:24 PM

retire05--

I'm sorry (for you, mainly) because you are just the worst kind of fool. This wasn't uttered in the context of "my team." You can go ahead and list every approved benign usage of the word "boy" in Merriam-Webster. That's not what this use was. If you're going to be an idiot, please do so quietly. Thanks.

Posted by Kimberly Williams | April 14, 2008 8:26 PM

Obama is our Savior. Barak and Reverend Wright are Right, God D*** america. Now is the time to rally around Barak and Michelle and make them proud! These poor rural white folk with their guns and phony religion who are bitter and afraid of people not like themsleves should not be allowed to vote. Yes, no more so called elections where typical white people vote! And news flash america, Barak is right, your typical white american is a racist! Obama will apologize to our Muslim brothers for arrogant american policies of hate and slavery. Only Obama can forgive an evil nation founded on slavery. We gave cash payments to those Japanese who survived our uprovoked and vicious attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Reparations now for all Africans!

Posted by Obamamania | April 14, 2008 8:52 PM

Obama is our Savior. Barak and Reverend Wright are Right, God D*** america. Now is the time to rally around Barak and Michelle and make them proud! These poor rural white folk with their guns and phony religion who are bitter and afraid of people not like themsleves should not be allowed to vote. Yes, no more so called elections where typical white people vote! And news flash america, Barak is right, your typical white american is a racist! Obama will apologize to our Muslim brothers for arrogant american policies of hate and slavery. Only Obama can forgive an evil nation founded on slavery. We gave cash payments to those Japanese who survived our uprovoked and vicious attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Reparations now for all Africans!

Posted by Obamamania | April 14, 2008 8:53 PM

Obama is our Savior. Barak and Reverend Wright are Right, God D*** america. Now is the time to rally around Barak and Michelle and make them proud! These poor rural white folk with their guns and phony religion who are bitter and afraid of people not like themsleves should not be allowed to vote. Yes, no more so called elections where typical white people vote! And news flash america, Barak is right, your typical white american is a racist! Obama will apologize to our Muslim brothers for arrogant american policies of hate and slavery. Only Obama can forgive an evil nation founded on slavery. We gave cash payments to those Japanese who survived our uprovoked and vicious attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Reparations now for all Africans!

Posted by Obamamania | April 14, 2008 8:53 PM

That "BOY" is the married father of two children.

That "BOY" has a Columbia BA and a Harvard JD.

That "BOY" was a law professor at the University of Chicago.

That "BOY" is a U.S. Senator.

That "BOY" is more intelligent than 95% of the U.S. Congress.

That "BOY" has more ethics than 95% of the U.S. Congress.

That "BOY" is more capable of leading the U.S. in the world than any of his competitors.

That "BOY" is our future.

Geoff Davis, hopefully, is part of our past.

Posted by Muslim Republican Supporter of Obama | April 14, 2008 9:37 PM

Jan 8, 2008:
Brit Hume referred to John Edwards as "that boy" (Fox News Special Report with Brit Hume)
Jan 22, 2008:
Democratic Strategist Peter Fenn referred to Mitt Romney as "that boy" (MSNBC Tucker with Tucker Carlson)
Feb 7, 2008:
Karl Rove referred to Tim Russert as "that boy" (Fox News: Hannity and Colmes)

Posted by fact checker | April 14, 2008 9:59 PM

In the year 2008, we have elected officials calling African-American men "boy." Worse, the statement was not made behind closed doors, it was made in public with the intent of demeaning Barack Obama. This person should resign his position. It was no accident, no slip of the tongue. Why did he write a letter of apology when he knows full well that he meant exactly what he said. Republicans are continually playing the race card and people continue to elect them. Racism is alive and well in the United States. We just can't get past it. Davis is probably just upset that we ended slavery and Jim Crow in the United States. Is it apparent now that clearly we need a change and the sooner, the better.

Posted by Cindy | April 14, 2008 10:54 PM

could there be a permanent commenting ban for the next moron who claims that a word can't possibly be racist when used by a white man about a black man because white men (or black men) use that word amongst themselves--please? do these people really not see their own stupidity? fact checker, your examples are utterly irrelevant precisely BECAUSE those are all white people. could you possibly be so ignorant that you don't understand that?
a black man can greet another black man as "my n*****"--if a white man calls a black man "my n*****" it might come across just a little differently..."

Posted by irritated beyond measure | April 15, 2008 12:30 AM

Having moved from the the North (Il, WA, IA) to the South (OK, LA, and TX) it took some time to get used to the differences in langauge. EVERYONE in the South is a BOY or a GIRL. At fifty it is not unusual to be addressed as "Sonny" by someone who is in thier thirties, trying to play power games (and usually going to get thier head handed to them.)

In refering to Senator Obama as "boy" Representative Davis was putting him down, but for being inexperienced not for being black. This is what politicians do, they slam each other.

It's been at least twenty years since I have heard anyone use "boy" with an intentional racial conotation. But at least two or three times in every one of those years I have heard a black man addressed or refered to as "boy" accidently and the appolgy issued in the next sentence.

However, If my name was Jeff Davis I might be more careful no matter how it was spelled.

Posted by Hey Y'all | April 15, 2008 1:05 AM

Having moved from the the North (Il, WA, IA) to the South (OK, LA, and TX) it took some time to get used to the differences in langauge. EVERYONE in the South is a BOY or a GIRL. At fifty it is not unusual to be addressed as "Sonny" by someone who is in thier thirties, trying to play power games (and usually going to get thier head handed to them.)

In refering to Senator Obama as "boy" Representative Davis was putting him down, but for being inexperienced not for being black. This is what politicians do, they slam each other.

It's been at least twenty years since I have heard anyone use "boy" with an intentional racial conotation. But at least two or three times in every one of those years I have heard a black man addressed or refered to as "boy" accidently and the appolgy issued in the next sentence.

However, If my name was Jeff Davis I might be more careful no matter how it was spelled.

Posted by Hey Y'all | April 15, 2008 1:05 AM

As a 47 y/o Black man, I accept his apology as an apology, and I am donating to his opponent Dr. Mark Kelly (http://www.kelley08.com/) to make sure he never does it again!!!

"Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change"

Barack Obama

Posted by Darwin | April 15, 2008 1:05 AM

Kimberly Williams, your response to me shows the typical northern politically correct elite attitude that makes Southern blood boil. You have no concept of our regional talk so you bash that which you don't understand.
Perhaps you would like to send me a $100 bill for every time I have heard Bob Beckel call George W. Bush "boy"? I don't think you have that kind of money.
Please, do the south a favor. When your town dries up and you can't find a job, don't move down here. We have all the dimwitted, arrogant, elitist northerners we need already.

Posted by retire05 | April 15, 2008 9:22 AM

Retire05--

I am the daughter of southern sharecroppers. So, I have a pretty good grasp on on your "regional talk" and all of its nuances. You probably shouldn't presume to know someone's background just because they disagree with your racist apologists views.

Best,
KW

Posted by Kimberly Williams | April 15, 2008 9:48 AM

A number of commenters have claimed this is a southernism, and provided evidence. I have yet to see any of those quick to cry "racist" acknowledge, much less refute this. Hell, I'm a northerner - 10 generation NH - and I call men my own age boy when referring to them, as in "He's one smart boy."

Congressman Davis's remark was most likely a slip of overfamiliarity, not racism, though we do expect people in positions of authority to keep better track of possible offensiveness. But I consider the comments here much more pertinent to the national discussion that Davis's. People claim it's an insult, completely ignoring contrary opinions. They use it as a platform to beat their breasts and show how morally superior they are.

Those people are the problem, not Davis. It is they who are preventing "dialogue" and "open discussion." The evidence is in the comments here.

Posted by Assistant Village Idiot | April 15, 2008 9:51 AM

Racist? No. More like: "Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive."

One of the main Republican 'talking points' about Obama has been to claim he's too young and too inexperienced. Davis tried to go with that meme and shot himself in the foot.

Still, it's not right to judge someone by one word. If you want to know more about Davis, try the non-partisan links at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Davis#External_links

Posted by Tom J | April 15, 2008 10:22 AM

Kimberly Williams, at least you did not disappoint. When all is lost, call someone "racist" to shut them up. Of course, you have no idea of my race or heritage. Just throw the "racist" carnard out there and you have shut down all discourse.

Southern sharecroppers? Well it's good to know that their level of education was passed on to you. Does that make you a "TYPICAL WHITE PERSON"?

Posted by retire05 | April 15, 2008 10:24 AM

Politically, the remark was unforgivably stupid, and was rude and inconsiderate otherwise. Racist? I don't know.

Eric: It probably didn't happen because Obama is a CANDIDATE. It probably happened because he is a SENATOR. Remember? He's a SENATOR who sits on the SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. Not because he's a CANDIDATE.

Posted by Ted | April 15, 2008 10:49 AM

Politically, the remark was unforgivably stupid, and was rude and inconsiderate otherwise. Racist? I don't know.

Eric: It probably didn't happen because Obama is a CANDIDATE. It probably happened because he is a SENATOR. Remember? He's a SENATOR who sits on the SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. Not because he's a CANDIDATE.

Posted by Ted | April 15, 2008 10:49 AM

The letter sounds so polished and pro forma that it sounds like it was written days ago in anticipation of this. This wasa total set up.

Posted by Howard B. | April 15, 2008 12:00 PM

I think Chris Ford wins the post of the day award.

"It's not racist, and only a jew would think so!"

I mean seriously, talk about cutting yourself off at the kneecaps!

Posted by Davebo | April 15, 2008 1:19 PM

Geoff has no reason to apologize. His statement was entirely accurate and appropriate. I know him and his family personally, and I can say with great confidence that there is not a racist bone is his body. Anyone with a functioning brain knows that Geoff’s statement was a commentary on Obama’s youth (relative to most of our presidents) and utter incompetence to discharge the office he seeks. It had no racial overtones whatsoever, except to the people who wanted there to be. Obama, who supposedly transcends race issues, shamelessly seized upon Davis' comment as yet another opportunity to play the race card in an effort to distract attention away from his own recent gaffes (which he "regrets" but does not retract).

Isn’t it interesting that Obama, whose comments were far more incendiary, demands and expects a pass for his words, or at least an opportunity to explain them away, yet he is quick to crucify Davis for far less? Obama (and his surrogates) ought to hold himself to the same standards that he applies to Davis, but of course that is unthinkable to the liberal mindset. Let's be intellectually honest here, shall we?

Posted by Dave J. | April 15, 2008 1:41 PM

As someone who is a lifelong Dem and an Obama voter, this makes me sick. It's friggin' 2008 and if African-Americans are going to keep crying "racism" at the use of the word "boy" somebody needs to tell them to grow the F up.

Posted by Rusty | April 15, 2008 3:27 PM

I support Geoff Davis and what he said. Barack Obama is a snake oil salesman, plain and simple. Obama is a flat out proven liar and in fact plays the race card himself. Remember Obama's comments in San Fransico, he basically called small-town PA residents bigots, by saying that when a message is delivered by a 46 year-old "black man" named Barack Obama, it adds another layer to their skepticism. Those were his words about PA residents. I think Mr. Obama has a problem with racism himself. And if anyone even so much as disagrees with Obama, the almighty, his supporters come after you crying racism. Even good people and YES, Geoff Davis is a good person. How do I know.....because he is my Congressman, so Obama and his supporters better not call Geoff Davis a racist when Obama himself uses the race card. Obama may get away with his own snotty behavior during the primary, but I am absolutely certain that he is going to be beaten by McCain in the General Election because of democrats, like myself, who would never vote for Obama ever since he and his supporters have been so nasty. Tell Michelle Obama that for the first time in my adult life, I am ashamed to be a democrat!

Posted by Supporting Geoff Davis | April 15, 2008 8:49 PM

Wow, this is really educational for you. As a foreigner, the intricacies of the American dialogue on race is quite mysterious to me. Wouldn't have thought that "boy" necessarily has a racist connotations. Certainly not in my dictionaries.

Posted by Viktor Brech | April 15, 2008 10:10 PM

I'm a Northerner and big city raised, and I know that calling a black man boy is a racist act. How can you live in Kentucky and not know that?

Geoff Davis made a racist comment, and is racist or stupid, and was considering only his own environment and not the national environment... just like the *former* senator George Allen that called a man macaca. [Geoff Davis will probably be former at his next election.]

Think of the effect his observations might have had if he had dropped the name calling and just said that he was concerned about the issue of national defense. That possible point was lost in the meanness of his delivery.

Posted by David | April 16, 2008 12:47 AM

Teresa, I live in Alabama. It would only be appropriate for me to call another male "boy" if we were good friends. Otherwise it's practically grounds for a fight, and most definitely if we were rivals with one another.

Now Geoff Davis and Barack Obama are not only political rivals, but when you add the racial connotations that none of us are unfamiliar with, there was nothing innocent about Mr. Davis's choice of words.

Do you think he would have used the word "boy" if Senator Obama were in the room?

Posted by Mike | April 16, 2008 1:15 AM

Fascinating. Still very little answer. There have been a few "I live in (blank) and I know..." type comments, but no actual information other than anecdotes.

People, this isn't hard. Browse the urban dictionary, or (serious) southern regionalism sites. "Boy" can be racist or demeaning, but is not necessarily so. It is used affectionately, genericly, respectfully, by blacks to each other, humorously, and as a frequent compound. Context, not mind-reading, dictates the meaning.

Conservatives often stereotype progressives as being unable to understand what is being said to them or think clearly. If you don't like that, stop providing evidence for the theory.

Again - the interesting part of the story is not Davis's comment, but the subsequent comments here.

Posted by Assistant Village Idiot | April 16, 2008 11:46 AM

Village Idiot, #1, the context here is EXACTLY what makes it stink of racism. We are on the brink of possibly having the first black president in history, and a congressman from Kentucky calls him "boy," which is a term that no two professional adult males would use for one another in 2008 unless they were *damn* good buddies. Any honest, reasonable person has to raise an eyebrow at that.

#2, I AM black, so you can't tell me much about how the word is used among my own people.

The emperor has no clothes here... looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, etc. Anyone can't see the racist undertones in Davis's choice of words is simply making excuses for him, for whatever reason.

Posted by Mike | April 16, 2008 2:43 PM

we don't have enough information to make fruitful speculations about Rep. Davis' intentions. My guess is he tries to imbue his speech with a bit of Southern folksy charm (its shocking how quickly a congressional seat in Kentucky or Alabama brings the twang into a fella's elocution), and that in this case he went a bit too far. Probably no conscious racism, but I doubt he would have unintentionally chose the same word for a White man. It has been mentioned that Southerners call their buddies 'boy', but these two aren't buddies. 'Boy' when applied to an adult, is a diminutive and therefore attached to all sorts of negative connotations if used with an unfamiliar acquaintance.

Furthermore, and this is the most salient point, Southern (and other) congressman and their supporters ought to recognize that the place for folksy charm is the campaign trail. When speaking in public about a member of the United States Senate you either call them "Senator" or "Mr/Mrs/Ms" and their last name. Perhaps if we weren't so easy to read race into these indiscretions it would be easier for us to realize that they are objectionable *whether or not* they are racist. Sneering at a distinguished rival for cheap rhetorical effect is, in some ways, worse than public pronouncements of racism. The latter will be condemned to high heaven by any and all talking heads; the former simply slips by almost every time.

Posted by anon | April 17, 2008 12:35 PM

I could not believe that in 2008 we still have stupid people saying thhings like this. Black, and White men who are half Black are not BOYS and
never were. They are men.

Posted by Albertine Clayton | April 17, 2008 7:43 PM

I could not believe that in 2008 we still have stupid people saying thhings like this. Black, and White men who are half Black are not BOYS and
never were. They are men.

Posted by Albertine Clayton | April 17, 2008 7:43 PM

For those of you who say it's a "Southernism", yessiree, it sure is. When said by a white man to a black man, it's a Southernism for "nigger". I was born and raised in the South and know this quite well, "boy" is used to refer to a specific black man only when it is not socially acceptable to use the word "nigger" to refer to him. Otherwise he is referred to by name, or just as "he".

This has nothing to do with "our boys in uniform", which is not referring to a specific black man. As for "proof", crap, my city wouldn't desegregate its schools until 1971, and when the court ordered the recreation centers desegregated the mayor closed the city pools rather than "allow niggers to mix with good white folk", and our police chief PERSONALLY pistol-whipped a black pastor in his pulpit in front of a shocked audience of black people for the AUDACITY of "holding a memorial service for that Commie nigger Martin Luther King Jr., I ain't gonna have no memorials for commie niggers in my town." If that ain't Southern, what is it?! (BTW, said black pastor is now a city councilman due to the Voting Rights Act -- revenge is sweet :-). In any event, the point is that I know racism. I've seen racism close up and personal in my own life, not as some historical thing that happened before I was born, I'm old enough that I have first-hand memory of this. And using the word "boy" to refer to a specific black man when the word "nigger" isn't socially appropriate is part of that racism I've witnessed first hand up close and personal in a context of racism that would make KKK klansmen smile.

-BT

Posted by Badtux | April 18, 2008 2:24 PM

Hey America, Can we PLEASE move on????!

This guy Davis's attempt to derail a very real movement for change, in this country, will be relagated to the festering toilet bowl of history.

The likes of Davis and countless other faceless Americans, just like him, will continue to show their insecurities, as we get clser to November.

Its time to look ahead, not sideways or backwards. Arise compatriots...the trumpets have sounded. Forward to a better, safer, happier society where the wounds of the past shall begin to heal.

Posted by charles | May 28, 2008 10:35 AM

Hey America, Can we PLEASE move on????!

This guy Davis's attempt to derail a very real movement for change, in this country, will be relagated to the festering toilet bowl of history.

The likes of Davis and countless other faceless Americans, just like him, will continue to show their insecurities, as we get clser to November.

Its time to look ahead, not sideways or backwards. Arise compatriots...the trumpets have sounded. Forward to a better, safer, happier society where the wounds of the past shall begin to heal.

Posted by charles | May 28, 2008 10:35 AM

Hey America, Can we PLEASE move on????!

This guy Davis's attempt to derail a very real movement for change, in this country, will be relagated to the festering toilet bowl of history.

The likes of Davis and countless other faceless Americans, just like him, will continue to show their insecurities, as we get clser to November.

Its time to look ahead, not sideways or backwards. Arise compatriots...the trumpets have sounded. Forward to a better, safer, happier society where the wounds of the past shall begin to heal.

Posted by charles | May 28, 2008 10:35 AM

Hey America, Can we PLEASE move on????!

This guy Davis's attempt to derail a very real movement for change, in this country, will be relagated to the festering toilet bowl of history.

The likes of Davis and countless other faceless Americans, just like him, will continue to show their insecurities, as we get clser to November.

Its time to look ahead, not sideways or backwards. Arise compatriots...the trumpets have sounded. Forward to a better, safer, happier society where the wounds of the past shall begin to heal.

Posted by charles | May 28, 2008 10:35 AM

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Posted by htpnry gcmdvre | July 16, 2008 6:00 PM