FRC racist Obama waffles flap
Sunday September 14, 2008
Categories: Conservatism
Exhibitors at a Family Research Council meeting are under fire over an anti-Obama parody: Obama Waffles (follow the link to see the image; it's copyrighted and I can't use it here). It was meant to make fun of Obama's voting...
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About Crunchy Con
Rod Dreher is an editorial columnist for the Dallas Morning News, and author of "Crunchy Cons" (Crown Forum), a nonfiction book about conservatives, most of them religious, whose faith and political convictions sometimes put them at odds with mainstream conservatives. The views expressed in this blog are his own.
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It's hardly shocking to learn that racism underlies the values of the Values Voters Summit. But just as the private photo of McCain taken by The Atlantic's photographer has not one wit to do with national issues, this doesn't, either.
On spot, Rod. These people should be embarrassed for their stupidity.
Calling a spade a spade Rod Dreher. Rare agreement once again, and kudos for calling out a group you usually side with on the issues.
There are the most powerful lobbyists for the social conservative movement in Washington. They are the social conservative power elite. No one's surprised that there are racists in their midsts, the question is why are people inside the movement so unwilling to deal with their lunatic fringe.
This isn't some blog--even a powerful blog like Daily Kos--and an individual poster or diarist. This is the most powerful social conservative lobbyists and power brokers in DC and the people they attract.
I've refused to eat Aunt Jamima anything since I was a teenager.
So much for the Atlantic photographer making news.
That is outrageous! I am absolutely disgusted. I can't blame you, James, for your reaction. I am not Democrat nor Republican, I am registered independent, although I am on the conservative side. I want a swift and intense repudiation of such an "parody" by John McCain. Evangelical/social conservative (or whatever) vote or not--he needs to step up to the plate here and slap these people silly (verbally, of course).
Good Lord Almighty, what ever happened to civilized political discourse in this country???
Agreed. I hope McCain goes against this racially insensitive crud. I've been depressed how much I've seen things like this in life. Although I'm Christian and Conservative I have a certain distrust for the "Religious Right", which this only validates.
I really don't think Republicans, as a whole, are racists but perhaps the party does attract racists. I think at times it wants to reach out to ethnic minorities, but doesn't know how to do so.
It was a stupid parody, lame in its conception and bound to attract dubious charges of racism and plausible charges of "racial insensitivity" (whatever that is - touching whatever racial topic the race hucksters have declared verboten?). But in the worst case, the fond commercial images of Aunt Jemima are a far cry from the hatred of the KKK or from Brown Shirts and Jackboots.
Good for the FRC for throwing them out. But John McCain needn't make a ritual renunciation because he had nothing to do with it.
It's a sad day when *anyone* stoops to the level of the Nutroots and the MSM.
The people behind this should be taken to the woodshed.
I hope John McCain will be the one wielding the belt -- since his family was subjected to racist attacks long before this.
In fact, it would be nice if Daddy let Bridget get in a couple of swings.
I continue to feel that it would be useful for both candidates to hold a joint appearance to call for multilateral disarmament in the ongoing hate-pornography war.
With the shoe on the other foot in this particular case, I hope that McCain will show more class than Obama has shown, so far as taking steps to reign in his supporters when rabies sets in.
It would be hard for him *not* to show more class, but many a voter has gotten poor over-estimating politicians.
People who jump to call this racism are the same as those who jump to call Obama sexist for his lipstick comment. Insensitivity and stupidity are often good explanations.
Let's see now. I heard how "Lipstick on a Pig" was offensive to Palin from the MSM about a nanosecond after Obama uttered the phrase. I have to learn about "Obama Waffles" from a conservative web site? Yeah. It's that damn liberal media again, blowing their horns for the "Obama Savior".
Good on you, Rod, for not burying this story like so many others have done.
Rod: "The FRC made the exhibitors pull the sales booth after complaints. A blogger for World, the conservative Christian newsmagazine, calls the parody 'racist.'"
FRC should be commended for acting responsibly in getting rid of the exhibit. End of story.
Rod, you must have drank too much brew last night with your new spiritual leader...you are way too sensitive...good lord get over yourself! This whole campaign is reminding me of my four children...what babies...grow up and lets deal with some of the problems in this nation...i think there are bigger hunts then an Obama waffle box...
Ron
It is a mild jibe of no importance. The exhibitionism of various parties issuing formulaic denunciations is the genuine cause for embarrassment.
Rod writes:
Jeez, how stupid are these so-called parodists? And why did it take a reporter asking questions about it to get FRC officials to order the obnoxious product pulled from the Values Voters Summit, where the parodists had been doing a brisk business selling boxes of the Obama Waffles mix?
1. Very stupid.
2. Because the GOP, since the "Southern Strategy" was implemented, has used race as a major point of too many of their campaigns. Reagan. Helms. Thurmond. George HW Bush. History is pretty clear.
Furthermore, this election, you have some on the right (Savage, Fox News) who actively spread a falsehood (Barack is a Muslim) to large parts of their audience.
But in the worst case, the fond commercial images of Aunt Jemima are a far cry from the hatred of the KKK or from Brown Shirts and Jackboots.
Agreed, but I wouldn't call the image of Aunt Jemima "fond." Growing up no one (black people) I knew would buy that product because we considered the mammy image to be distasteful, harkening back to the bad old days when stereotypical images of black folks with huge, red lips and wide eyes were used to sell all sorts of American products. Here's a gallery of Aunt Jemima ads from way back in the day:
http://gawker.com/397129/just-how-racist-was-aunt-jemima
Furthermore, this election, you have some on the right (Savage, Fox News) who actively spread a falsehood (Barack is a Muslim) to large parts of their audience.
Furthermore, this election, you have some on the left (the MSM, Jeremiah Wright) who actively spread a falsehood (Barack is a Christian) to large parts of their audience. ;-)
If I remember correctly, Aunt Jemima was one of the first media celebrity chefs back in the 1930's which a night at the movies consisted of several half hour shows, some cliffhangers, some comedies, some cartoons, some news reels, etc. prior to the main feature. From what little I was able to see, she was quite the character who's kitchen antics were not only instructive, but amusing.
To call an african-american an Aunt Jemima is analagous to calling them a Mo-town.
You can either applaud these early afro-celebrities for making themselves seem human, accessable, and reasonable, or you can characature them because they were not 'confrontational.' But really now, when were you ever able to get more flies with vinager than honey?
But in the worst case, the fond commercial images of Aunt Jemima are a far cry from the hatred of the KKK or from Brown Shirts and Jackboots.
In 2008, racists don't join the KKK. Racism is more subtle and insidious, like dismissing Aunt Jemima iconography as "fond" or think it's a funny parody bought by 500 people at a gathering of prominent social conservatives.
Great, now Obama gets to talk about racism again. He can ride wafflegate through the weekly news cycle. Thanks FRC.
Aunt Jemima pancake mix is still on the shelves. It isn't as though they dragged out a cultural relic for their parody. Still, it's utterly tone deaf, which is not surprising, considering the source.
Of course, we're only hours away from a Mrs. Barracudasworth syrup gag.
"'racial insensitivity' (whatever that is" RJ
TR: I guess you're being sarcastic, because it's not hard to know what that means. It's being insensitive to the feelings or experiences of people of other races or using imagery strongly linked to racism. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with "hucksterism", it's just about respecting people and pain they may have gone through.
If it helps I'll think of examples relevant to white people. For example imagine Pat Buchannan portrayed as a monkey-faced drunk on a a fake bottle of liquor. Or Giuliani in a fedora, holding a tommy-gun, on a box of fake pasta.
Wait, Aunt Jemima was a celebrity chef? I didn't know that. I thought she was just an insensitive pancake logo.
"If it helps I'll think of examples relevant to white people. For example imagine Pat Buchannan portrayed as a monkey-faced drunk on a a fake bottle of liquor. Or Giuliani in a fedora, holding a tommy-gun, on a box of fake pasta. "
Only, in both cases, neither person would particularly mind. Giuliani would probably buy the pasta and joke about it at a press conference. Part of what is so distressing about this instance is that we know Obama is going to whine about this for days.
Part of what is so distressing about this instance is that we know Obama is going to whine about this for days.
It will be hard for him to be heard over the Palin/McCain whining about the media and "lipstick on a pig," as well as the collective whining from their supporters.
BTW, according to the AP, Obama's campaign declined to comment.
If you think all of this is bad...try caring for a racist.
"If it helps I'll think of examples relevant to white people. For example imagine Pat Buchannan portrayed as a monkey-faced drunk on a a fake bottle of liquor. Or Giuliani in a fedora, holding a tommy-gun, on a box of fake pasta."
If you want an offense ethnic stereotype, what about the fighting leprechaun that is used as a symbol of the Notre Dame "Fighting Irish"? But the Irish eventually did the smart thing, which is really the only way to defang these racist caricatures: they claimed it as their own, which destroyed its power to hurt them.
*sigh* I don't know why folks are getting upset about this. This is a conservative Christian group. Of course they are going to lie to win elections. It's how Christianity is practiced these days. Shouldn't surprise anyone...they are just preaching the Gospel.
"If it helps I'll think of examples relevant to white people. For example imagine Pat Buchannan portrayed as a monkey-faced drunk on a a fake bottle of liquor. Or Giuliani in a fedora, holding a tommy-gun, on a box of fake pasta. "
On the other hand, negative views of these "groups" (I'm not sure calling Pat a drunk even counts) have not resulted the very severe consequences the black community has suffered.
It's like making a joke about cancer to someone who's relative has died of it.
Or posting a graphic about the Towers.
Rod Asks;
Jeez, how stupid are these so-called parodists? And why did it take a reporter asking questions about it to get FRC officials to order the obnoxious product pulled from the Values Voters Summit, where the parodists had been doing a brisk business selling boxes of the Obama Waffles mix?
They are not stupid at all. Did you notice they were doing a brisk business and there were people lined up all around the booth? That doesn't sound like the fringe to me. As to your second question, well, because most of the people there were willing to ignore (or laugh at) the racist imagery and buy a box.
It's being insensitive to the feelings or experiences of people of other races or using imagery strongly linked to racism.
It is vaguely reminiscent of an amiable figure to be seen on commercial products still to be found at your grocery store. Why is said visage "strongly linked to racism"?
Editorial cartoonists lampoon politicians on a daily basis. What would an acceptible caricature of Sen. Obama look like? Can you assemble a set of operational criteria to guide caricaturists so they know what is and is not acceptible?
*sigh* I don't know why folks are getting upset about this. This is a conservative Christian group. Of course they are going to lie to win elections. It's how Christianity is practiced these days. Shouldn't surprise anyone...they are just preaching the Gospel.
Thomas R, Mr. Dreher, Dr. Beckwith, et al. does this statement qualify as 'insensitive'?
the racist imagery and buy a box.
Define 'racist imagery', please.
Editorial cartoonists lampoon politicians on a daily basis. What would an acceptible caricature of Sen. Obama look like? Can you assemble a set of operational criteria to guide caricaturists so they know what is and is not acceptible?
People with good taste and common sense can figure this out. If you are confused by the standards, maybe you don't fit into either criteria.
In 2008, racists don't join the KKK. Racism is more subtle and insidious, like dismissing Aunt Jemima iconography as "fond" or think it's a funny parody bought by 500 people at a gathering of prominent social conservatives.
If that seems arbitrary, it's because it is.
People with good taste and common sense can figure this out. If you are confused by the standards, maybe you don't fit into either criteria.
Ah blow mah noze at yew.
"Jeez, how stupid are these so-called parodists? And why did it take a reporter asking questions about it to get FRC officials to order the obnoxious product pulled from the Values Voters Summit, where the parodists had been doing a brisk business selling boxes of the Obama Waffles mix?"
A mere Freudian slip, Rod.
The brisk sales reveal where the hearts of these so-called "values voters" lie. Not surprising.
EricW, you are bearing false witness about Obama, one of the Top 10 last I checked, and you will go to hell if you continue to sin that way.
*sigh* I don't know why folks are getting upset about this. This is a conservative Christian group. Of course they are going to lie to win elections. It's how Christianity is practiced these days. Shouldn't surprise anyone...they are just preaching the Gospel.
Thomas R, Mr. Dreher, Dr. Beckwith, et al. does this statement qualify as 'insensitive'?
I don't think it's insensitive. "Insensitive" implies that you don't don't know any better. "Insensitive" is, for example, when someone who grew up when black people were commonly called "colored" uses that term now without realizing that it is no longer acceptable. I think MarcM knows exactly what he's saying, and he's just being plain old offensive.
But, speaking as a Christian, sometimes we bring it on ourselves.
EricW, you are bearing false witness about Obama, one of the Top 10 last I checked, and you will go to hell if you continue to sin that way. - Posted by: EG | September 14, 2008 5:58 PM
Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law, having become a curse for me, for it is written - "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."
Go ahead, live under the Law and its curses. Funny, though ... you don't look Jewish. :-)
"Wait, Obama isn't black Muslim?"
Signed,
About 12% of the American public
If that's racist, then:
1) How are "Aunt Jamima" products still being sold, and
2) How are ANY political cartoonists still employed?
Denton, no credible political cartoonist worth his or salt would have drawn such a cartoon. They lack the good sense and common decency for that to happen.
You can do parody without being offensive and racist.
"Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law, having become a curse for me, for it is written - "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."
Go ahead, live under the Law and its curses. Funny, though ... you don't look Jewish. :-)"
So all that claptrap about posting the Ten Commandments in courthouses is just political BS, eh? I mean, after all, you've clearly shown that they mean nothing to you as a Christian. Why should the rest of us view them as meaningful?
Good sense and common decency generally lead one not to impugn the motives and character of others based on bald assertions.
"Good Lord Almighty, what ever happened to civilized political discourse in this country???"
That's a real good question. Since the Christian right has become so active in politics it has become much nastier. It is to be expected. Cheap salvation as advertised in evangelical churches encourages this behavior.
1) Come forward at an altar call and "accept Jesus" and you are saved forever.
2) Go out and act like hell to get the conservative political agenda passed and their characters elected.
3) On the day after the election, say a quick prayer confessing your "sins" to God, and you are back in a "right relationship" with God.
Fire insurance is great. When you know you aren't going to be punished for your actions, you can do pretty much anything. Lie...cheat...destroy someone's character...no problem as long as it is for the greater good of electing "Godly" Republicans.
"Good sense and common decency generally lead one not to impugn the motives and character of others based on bald assertions. "
It would appear that the inverse Golden Rule is in effect in this election. Treat others badly, but call them on it when they treat you badly.
"have not resulted the very severe consequences the black community has suffered."
TR: Any analogy will be imprecise. Originally I considered stereotypical images of American Indians or Jews for comparison.
"Editorial cartoonists lampoon politicians on a daily basis. What would an acceptible caricature of Sen. Obama look like?" Art Deco
TR: I'm sure I can find one if you're really that desperate for one. It's not like it's hard.
"'sigh* I don't know why folks are getting upset about this. This is a conservative Christian group. Of course they are going to lie to win elections. It's how Christianity is practiced these days. Shouldn't surprise anyone...they are just preaching the Gospel.'
Thomas R, Mr. Dreher, Dr. Beckwith, et al. does this statement qualify as 'insensitive'?" AD
TR: It's being a jerk, but being a lone jerk on the Internet isn't quite the same as a major conservative organization supporting jerks.
"Good Lord Almighty, what ever happened to civilized political discourse in this country???"
Never had it, never will. Read about the Adams-Jefferson elections or other elections from our mythological "civilized discourse" past.
Why did it take a reporter asking about it for them to take it down? You chalk it up to stupidity. Maybe there is simpler answer: they are racist and do not even realize it. When there are several possible explanations of something, go with the simplest one unless there is a compelling reason no to.
Why did it take a reporter asking about it for them to take it down? You chalk it up to stupidity. Maybe there is simpler answer: they are racist and do not even realize it. When there are several possible explanations of something, go with the simplest one unless there is a compelling reason not to.
TR: It's being a jerk, but being a lone jerk on the Internet isn't quite the same as a major conservative organization supporting jerks.
Read the article, Thomas R. It was a small exhibition manned by two chaps at a convention sponsored by the Family Research Council. The Council itself did not produce the lampoon. The two fellows in question offered a mild lampoon of a working politician. They did not utter false and defamitory remarks against a sizable confessional group.
TR: I'm sure I can find one if you're really that desperate for one. It's not like it's hard.
The task of definition has been onerous enough to defeat you and 'Daniel' in succession.
The previous post was mine.
Fire insurance is great. When you know you aren't going to be punished for your actions, you can do pretty much anything. Lie...cheat...destroy someone's character...no problem as long as it is for the greater good of electing "Godly" Republicans.
To put someone's visage on a box of waffle mix is to 'lie...cheat...destroy [their] character..."?
"The task of definition has been onerous enough to defeat you and 'Daniel' in succession."
TR: I don't know what you mean here. I found it easy to find caricatures of Obama that haven't caused controversy. Just look through any editorial cartoon site. If that's too hard I'll give you a link.
http://www.comics.com/editoons/
Just look through and I'm sure you'll find one.
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