Rep. Westmoreland says he was clueless in making 'uppity' comment about the Obamas

Heretofore little-known Rep. Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia was born in 1950 in Atlanta and was raised in one of its surrounding communities.

Which means the Republican grew up at a time when the racial divide in the South was stark, a time when Jim Crow laws helped enforce a segregationist credo that limited opportunities for blacks, a time when -- as an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article puts it today -- "uppity" was "a word applied to African-Americans who tried to rise above servile positions."

But to hear Westmoreland tell it, he had no clue he was using a racially tinged word when, as reported by The Hill newspaper, he said in Washington this week: "Honestly, I've never paid that much attention to Michelle Obama. Just what little I've seen of her and Sen. [Barack] Obama, is that they're a member of an elitist class ... that thinks that they're uppity."

The remark, the Journal-Constitution reports, quickly "zipped around the Internet, causing Westmoreland’s office phones to ring off the hook."

That furor, in turn, prompted the two-term congressman to issue the following statement:

I’ve never heard that term used in a racially derogatory sense. It is important to note that the dictionary definition of ‘uppity’ is ‘affecting an air of inflated self-esteem -- snobbish.’ That’s what we meant by uppity when we used it in the mill village where I grew up.

The Ticket finds it amazing that someone with such a sheltered upbringing could achieve such success in life.

-- Don Frederick

Photo: Associated Press

 

Comments

[Kimbo]

It boggles my mind to think why any American Black person would want to support the Republican party, whose white members continually insult Black people and Black culture. Republicans do not want American Black people or American Hispanic people or American Asian or any other American except caucasian.

[Dylan A Price]

It's highly unlikely that he grew up in the South and did NOT know the true derogatory meaning of this word. I'm white
and grew up in the North and I know! His remark reflects his own deep seeded fear and insecurity. His reACTION
to someone else's success says alot about him.
Isn't Obama's story the American story? And his
remark is HIStory!

[Brendan M.]

It truly is amazing. Unbelievable, even.

[Robert Scroggs]

Okay so how does pulling out a use of a word from 40 years ago that is something other than the dictionary meaning of the word and then ramming it down the country's throat with a racial bent make gas any cheaper or produce jobs?

I think the dems need to take account of their own actions before they start picking fights.

I'm tried of the media and the dems making everything racial. If you don't vote for Obama because he's a socialist and elitist, you're a racist. That in and of itself is a racist attitiude. Manufacturing racism where it doesn't exist is racist.

[anonymous]

This is pretty funny. Obama looked soooooo uppity riding his bike around with his kids. Oh yeah, let's not forget their uppity upbringing either. Sheesh!

[Dave Atkins]

Being born a melanin-deprived person in the mid-50's, i have no idea what calling Rep. Westmorland a "cracker" could mean, besides a braggart, as defined in dictionary.com

[Didyouknow?]

He and Sarah Palin have a lot of in common; they both have Red Necks!

[Jeugenen]

OBAMAPHOBIA

Israel and the Diaspora, hysterically Obamaphobic, have been screaming for the bombing of Iran as she steadily grows in economic and military power. But now, since instigating the bombing of Iraq, no one hears these screams of the damned.

Why is it taking President Bush and Prime Minister Brown so long to again don their beanies and head for Israel, to renew their sacred vows of undying allegiance to Israel? Is it possible that these political prostitutes have betrayed the honor entrusted with them?

Why is it taking Supreme Mullah Khamenei so long to call for a fresh flood of Iranian blood, a great martyrdom that would lend credibility to Israel’s Obamaphobia? It is possible that the Iranians and Arabs have finally grown wise to Israel’s Neo-Marxist tactic of inciting mortal strife between Muslims and Christians?

Europeans, wildly Obamaphilic, have been cheering for peacemaker Obama and sneering at warmonger McCain. Is it possible that they condemn Israel’s land robbery and war crimes against the Palestinian People and instigation of the Iraq War, enabled by their sustainable parasitism on the wealth and blood of the American People? Is Obama their hope for a friendlier and safer World?

Why do the Russians and Chinese have loaded nuclear weapons pointed at the head of Israel? Is it possible that Israel’s arsenal of 150 nuclear weapons is a threat to some of their vital defenses?

Are Israel and the Diaspora inherently incapable of realizing that Nemesis eternally determines their special fate? What do these Judeofascist Land Robbers not see when they look in the mirror?

[Republican Folly]

You would be hard pressed to find a Republican who openly admits to their racist attitudes. Most Republicans make their snide comments amongst small circles of friends so that they can present an air of tolerance.

[Mary Carolyn Perry]

Another congressman who is stupid and the people in his district should throw him out...and be so ashamed. To call Obama 'uppity' is a thinly-veiled insult tp any black man and he needs to apologize. Must be envy..for Westmoreland will never be recognized for anything worthwhile...for he has his head not uppity but stuck in a part of his anatomy. He is also, the congressman who is wholeheartedly in favor of displaying the ten commandments in all Ga. courts...but when pressed...on the Colbert show...could not name them! God..what a dimwit. Up with Barack!!

[Mr. Independant]

Rep. Westmoreland is a closet racist and so are most of the people living outside the city of Atlanta. As an African-American who lived in the city I know first hand that you don't stray too far outside the city boundaries. You will be sent back to the Jim Crow south. It is the unspoken truth. The homes of the most racist ones are marked in the confederate flag as they wish quietly for the old days. They hate any black man or woman who achieves more than they have and this is the case of Westmoreland. He simply doesn't see why a black man she be so much more successful that he has ever dreamed of doing. I wish that the people of Georgia would know better that to put him in office but the sad fact is this may just make him more electable in the racist south.

[Mrs Daniel]

If anyone believes he did not know this was a racially charged word or met to belittle Sen Obama.

[Stevie57]

In denying that he has ever heard the term "uppity" in a racial context Rep. Lynn Westmoreland is either:

a.) Being economical with the truth

or

b.) So woefully underexposed and ill educated that he should really not be in any position of power at all in this country.

It is frightening the level of ignorance and bigotry that this election has revealed !

[Theywillpayforthesinsoftheirfathers]

Wow...So I guess calling people of his kind slave owning, indian killing, land stealing, easily burnt by God's sun, pale face, dog hair having, going to hell because of the sins of your fathers, Craker is'nt offensive either?

[DaCoach]

As a former Republican precinct chairman and candidate for the state legislature, I attended many many meetings and heard many conversations.

I can assure you that a sizeable minority had issues with the black community. Uppity was one of the most commonly used words to describe African Americans. Perhaps the most commonly used word, however, was "they". They want what they haven't earned, etc.

Westmoreland had a slip of the lip but I can assure you he knows all too well the meaning of the word.

[DaCoach]

As a former Republican precinct chairman and candidate for the state legislature, I attended many many meetings and heard many conversations.

I can assure you that a sizeable minority had issues with the black community. Uppity was one of the most commonly used words to describe African Americans. Perhaps the most commonly used word, however, was "they". They want what they haven't earned, etc.

Westmoreland had a slip of the lip but I can assure you he knows all too well the meaning of the word.

[David]

American Heritage Dictionary:
Informal Taking liberties or assuming airs beyond one's station; presumptuous: “was getting a little uppity and needed to be slapped down” (New York Times).

[George Frideric]

I am a white man who is almost exactly the same age as Representative Westmoreland, and grew up about 70 miles away from where he did. If he claims that he did not know that the use of the word "uppity" is a racial slur in the South, he either has Alzheimer's, is lying, or is one of the stupidest men on the planet. I'm guessing the latter, as he proved when he was on The Colbert Report touting his efforts to post the 10 Commandments in public buildings but could only name three of the commandments himself.

[GeorgianForObama]

The only think left out of his comment was "uppity N****R". This is the sort of politician we put up with in Georgia right now but Barrack Obama is helping us turn Georgia into a Democratic state again.......it's been a long time since 1964 and it's time we change this whole country............by the way, I am not black.....

[DoTheMath]

Once again, fellow Americans, our presidential election begs us to answer one central question more than any other: How stupid are we?

Are we stupid enough to believe the likes of Lynn Westmoreland, stupid enough to allow the politics of fear and division to distract us from the issues and entice us to vote against our own best interests? Again?

[Yolanda McKay]

In Mocrosoft Word's Thesarus, the only definition given for uppity is:
"behaving in a way that other people consider presumptuous and more suited to a higher social class or position"

[Martha Davidson Vancouver B.C. Canada]

I was born in 1955, grew up in Canada, and I know what it means. It was usually said "uppity n-word". If the Rebuplicans are going to keep this up, they might just as well hand over the presidency to Obama and be done with it. It is because of people like Rep. Lynn Westmoreland , that Americans are not just disliked, but vilified around the world. They have no idea how fragile the power, and influnce of the US has become. Like Nero, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland , will fiddle while the US burns.

[Debra]

What BS! I was born in Texas in 1952 and there is no question how "uppity" was used in relation to African Americans. The guy is not only a racist but he is a liar on top of everything. If Georgia had any guts, they vote this cracker out of office. I wonder if he knows what 'cracker' means?

[egeways]

*coff* mecca *coff*

[kestrel9000]

One word for y'all:

MACACA.

(He knew what he was saying, too.)

[Joey Solini]

The progressive policies of L. B. Johnson had mostly driven out the cancerous tumors of our society into the Republican Party.

Rep. Westmoreland of Georgia offers a clear representation of what has befallen the party of Abe Lincoln under the racist Dixie rats.

When hatred filled cancerous tumors, like Westmoreland of Georgia are allowed into office to lead and legislate, the moral value of our society is greatly diminished and it is glaringly reflected onto our national political discourse, policies and priorities.

Westmoreland‘s action probably represents the actions and thoughts of the people who voted him into office.

[Jose]

I was born in Virginia in 1957. My mothers parents were both born in north Georgia, in the area that Westmoreland is from.

This is a family publication, so I will only say this:

That dumb as dirt cracker is a lying sack of something smelly.

[Adrienne]

I knew that someone would try to spin this that the word 'uppity' doesn't mean what it used to mean and one of the people who posted a comment before me did not fail to sink to that level. Look, I understand that for many people in America it would be nice if we pretended that American was ALWAYS a land of justice and that the civil rights movement was ALWAYS supported by the majority of Americans but it's not so. It would also be convenient, particularly for the Republicans, if we would all pretend that 1968 was something that happened sometime around the Cambrian era some 500 million years ago but, again, that's not the case. To the gentleman who said that uppity doesn't mean the same thing that it did in 1968, I would ask only this; what is my motivation, as a black woman, to forget my own life, the lives of my parents and my older siblings and cousins and pretend that that which DID happen occurred so long ago that no living person has ever even MET someone who saw segregation and that America magically changed one day such that code-words that were used recently no longer have that meaning?

Can you explain that to me?

[Rich]

What a country this has become. Mention any word and there is a truckload of people ready to take offense to it. I personally did not know that "uppity" meant anything other than being "too big for one's britches", but if that were said, a truck load of weight sensitive people would be offended and demand that there be an investigation of myself. Maybe I could say a person has a "big head", but then I would be accused of being insensitive to those that have been inflicted with an abnormally big heads. Where does it end?

[Christoper London]

The Racist is out of the closet. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland is delusional if he thinks that any logical person finds his explanation credible.

[Ray]

Next they'll start saying Obama should Know his place

[Richard/NH]

Does this guy think we are ALL ON DOG FOOD? Of course he knows what it means.

[pati b]

I was born and raised in NY/Chicago and have lived most of my life out West.
I haven't been in this part of the country that long, and I know exactly what "goes with" uppity down here.
Little weasel, isn't he.

[lex]

Westmoreland is an idiot!!! If that fool had the type of educational background that the Obamas have, he would be confident too - when did good credentials become a thing to be ashamed of? What a stupid idiot and these are the people in power.

[lex]

Westmoreland is an idiot!!! If that fool had the type of educational background that the Obamas have, he would be confident too - when did good credentials become a thing to be ashamed of? What a stupid idiot and these are the people in power.

[CL Pasm]

If Westmoreland's office had scrolled down a little further on the dictionary.com page (where they clearly found their definition for "uppity") they would have seen this: uppity
1880, from up; originally used by blacks of other blacks felt to be too self-assertive (first recorded use is in "Uncle Remus"). The parallel British variant uppish (1678) originally meant "lavish;" the sense of "conceited, arrogant" being first recorded 1734.

This makes them look even dumber and more ignorant.

[J B Scott]

Give me a break! I live in Georgia and I know that this man fully understood what he was saying. If he's that clueless then why does he need to be in elected office. The fact of the matter is now that Miss Moose conservative to the right of Atilla the Hun is dragging McCain by her skirttails these closet racists think it is ok to come out and let their true colors be known. Well I have news enjoy it for a few days because Americans aren't that stupid and the tidalwave of backlash to this bigotry is coming!

[D. Osborne]

Sorry folks,I to grew up in the south I am 70 yrs.old and did not know uppity was a racial comment.

[Zedalis]

REDNECK

"It is important to note that the dictionary definition of... " REDNECK is " white person regarded as having a provincial, conservative, often bigoted attitude."

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.

[FLAREPWOMAN]

I was struck by the diversity at the Democratic convention as opposed to the almost all white Republican convention. Westmorland's comments are no surprise. I will vote for Obama.

[Jamal Johnson]

he's obviously lying. doesn't anybody believe this troglodyte ever read a dictionary?

[3Bees]

Rep. Westmoreland was not "clueless." He was just plain crude. Traditionally, "uppity" was an adjective followed by the "n-word." Surely he knew that.

[DW]

It's a slur, Mr. Westmoreland. Sort of like calling you Gomer. But I would never do that, because it's low class, and it sorta makes me sound like a Gomer my own self.

[Oh, Please.]

Is this guy up for re-election any time soon? I'll send a check to his opponent. We took down Maccaca, we can take down this guy too. Obama represents the beginning of the end of America's racist past. We're not taking it any more. There is no place for these people in American society or politics. Most Democrats today do have an extra $25 to send to bring this guy down. We are the party of the smart people. Go ahead Westmoreland, call me uppity, too.

[Grant]

Is have great respect for Rep. Westmoreland for calling the Obamas "Uppity". It is the first non-hypocritical statement I have heard from the Republican party about them. Instead of using veiled codes like "elite" or "exotic", this is one Republican willing to say what the rest of the party is hinting at and "call a spade a spade." I do get it. As a white man myself, I can empathize with the old guard worried that this brilliant, judicious man of color might end their monopoly on the reins of power. The old always fears the new. The intolerant must fear the inclusive. So go ahead and say what you mean! You should stand by your principles... and be judged accordingly.

[John]

He probably denies Klan membership as well (kind of like Palin's denial of AIP membership). It's funny how people don't want others to know they are members. They attend the rallies, they give speeches, they yell and cheer, but they deny membership. But the winks, nods, and smirks are proof enough. This guy is a racist, plain and simple. McCain should renounce and denounce his statement.

[Diane]

Westmoreland is up for re-election. Georgians can do their state--and the country-- proud by voting this idiot out of office. He's an embarrassment to Americans.

[unstuffedshirt]

It's bad enough that he's a bigot, but he's also too much of a sniveling liar to stand up and own his own racism. Nice combo: a prejudiced coward.

[toni]

yes he said it and he ment it... the sad part is that her is a rep of georgia and i quite sure he knows what that words means/meant so thats why he choose to use it.. but what pisses me off even more is when african americans are on the same playing field as any other elite race the are now called elitst or "uppity" what the hell isntr the whole purpose in life is to do better than you may have had.. hell i thought that was part of the us as a whole

[Name Withheld-Miami, FL]

Liar!