As was first reported by FITSNEWS.com, a conservative blog based in South Carolina, a South Carolina Republican Party activist is in a little hot water describing an escaped gorilla at a South Carolina zoo as an “ancestor” of First Lady Michelle Obama. In response to a Facebook post indicating a gorilla had escaped from the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, the activist, Rusty DePass, wrote, “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors — probably harmless.”
Here’s a screen capture of the actual comment:
DePass has apologized for the comment, which has since been removed from Facebook, saying the comment was made “in jest.” Anyone who knows me knows I’m as much a fan of comedy as the next guy, but I just don’t see how comparing anyone – let alone someone of African-American descent – to a gorilla is funny.
Alas, you elevate one blogger’s Twitter feed and call it a national GOP trend.
I could have equal fun on this side, you know. But I’m better than that.
Cindy, when did I call it a national GOP trend? I don’t recall writing that, and if there’s anything I hate, it’s words being put into my mouth.
Does 2 constitute a trend?
http://wonkette.com/409193/latest-republican-racist-email-features-hilarious-summary-of-44-american-presidents
I guess it all depends on who you talk to, jim.
I thought it was funny before I figured out that some think it racist.
I made the connection gorilla-monkey-evolution-democrat-and Michelle as an example. I was not aware of any earlier comments she made.This is only racist if you make a connection like gorilla-african black-evolution.I guess I am past that point in my life. I don’t always ‘get’ sophomoric humor by either side and my own attempts fail miserably.
Michelle is an excellent First Lady and we have not seen as elegant and personable a couple in the White House in a long time. To know that they are Democrats must gall the Republican Party to no end.
RC, I didn’t think of it from the evolution standpoint; when I read the remark, I instantly thought of the word “monkey” being used to describe African-Americans in racially derogatory ways.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=monkey
Read definition #4.
The guy deserves to be called out. All offensive “jokes” deserve to be called out.
Good job, ya commie 😛
Wasn’t there something awhile back that caused a stir because a monkey was used for a political cartoon? I didn’t think of President Obama when I read the monkey cartoon (at all) because he wasn’t even the topic of the cartoon…but some people thought it was suppose to be about him or something. That was debatable. However…this comment by Rusty DePass is clearly racist.
Yes, Zach. I made that connection later.
I remember when being called a racist meant that you exhibited a pattern of behavior (or commentary) that demonstrated you thought a race was inferior. Nowadays one can hardly call a black man ‘black’ one time without someone being offended and you being labeled as a racist.
I miss ethnic jokes. In LA many years ago the jokes were about Koreans, in San Diego they were about Mexicans, and in Arizona it was Indians. Same jokes, many times. And the honky jokes were funny, too. The WASP jokes and the dumb blonde jokes made me laugh. I think I recall Jackie Gleason (Red Skelton?) describing the problems he had with plumbers, bus drivers, et al, over the jokes he told. Nowadays 40 year old white men are depicted as bumbling; naive to the ways of teenagers, wives, and technology; and generally incompetent in life. The demasculation (and supermasculation) of men in general(regardless of orientation) has occurred. I suppose that the pendulumn will swing again the other way but I don’t expect that we will see a remake of Father Knows best anytime soon. Or Little Women.
RC, I will agree that political correctness can sometimes go a little too far.
Hmm. Still not sure what you want from me, Zach. Fine, it’s not a national trend, but by making it an issue, are you saying that racism is always newsworthy? Does that perpetuate the wrongdoing?
I absolutely think it’s newsworthy when an elected official behaves in the manner I outlined in my entry, just as I think it’s newsworthy when the fire chief of the city I live in walks around the firehouse tossing around the “N” word.
As for perpetuating the wrongdoing, what should we do? Ignore it and hope it goes away? In my experience, that isn’t gonna happen, so why not confront and educate instead?
What is everyone talking about this for? SHE DOES LOOK LIKE A GORILLA! Nothing racist about it, she is just one UGLY chic!
Stay enlightened, James.