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

[Hamranhansenhansen]

Republicans have been using code words like "presumptuous" in place of "uppity" for months. Westmoreland is literally too stupid to use the code words. He's can barely speak a complete sentence.

The thing is, Obama can win without the southern states. He doesn't need them. The Electoral College map is all Obama this year. He has blue states locked up, he has a handful of red states, and he leads in all of the ones that go either way. It's been over for a long time if you are inside politics enough to know to look at the Electoral College polling and ignore the national polls (which also favor Obama by 10 points).

The revenge on Westmoreland will be that he and his kind are dying out. Young people in the south today have the Internet and are turning their back on their ignorant upbringings and bankrupt cultures and adopting moral positions on issues. That's why so many are voting for Obama.

[Hamranhansenhansen]

Maria Texas, your heritage does not excuse your ignorance.

In the near future, when a Hispanic American is at the top of the Presidential ticket and some nobody Congressman says "where did they find this guy, outside a Home Depot?" I hope you will remember this moment. I hope you will see comments under an article about it where somebody says "there's nothing wrong with saying 'Home Depot!'" And I hope you will find some wisdom from it.

After slavery ended, rather than being granted their freedom, black Americans found themselves living under many laws that were made to apply solely to them, solely to knock them back down to the level of slaves. These so-called "Jim Crow" laws were like a loophole in the Emancipation Proclamation. Black Americans who conducted their lives as if they were not slaves were labeled "uppity" which was like a kick-me sign telling other whites to knock this black person back down. "Uppity" is a kind of target that you paint on the back of a black person. That is the AMERICAN meaning of the word. And that is most especially the meaning of the word in Westmoreland's state.

So STFU Maria Texas. Get off the Internet and go read a book.

[Conway]

Is the use of the word more offensive than these statements made by Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States?

"You cannot go into a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. Oh, I'm not joking."

or

Biden was asked how a "Northeast liberal" could compete against more conservative southern candidates.

"Better than everybody else. You don't know my state. My state was a slave state. My state is a border state. My state is the eighth largest black population in the country. My state is anything from a northeast liberal state," Biden said.

or

The State (Newspaper) reported that Biden referred to Delaware as a "slave state that fought beside the North. That's only because we couldn't figure out how to get to the South. There were a couple of states in the way.

Why aren't the Obama supporters screaming about this? because its about politics, not finding a true bridge to gap the racial divide in this country.

Hypocrites abound!

[Marla Hill]

Brand him "Idiot of the Week" and move on. Anybody who's buying that "I didn't mean it that way" crap is naive and useless anyway.

[Change_We_Can]

I also grew up in the south during the 1950's and I have never heard this word uppity as a racial slur. I lived on the South side of Atlanta and that is what we always called the folks on the North side. Until the Black folks, or is it afro-american this week, get the big chip off of their shoulders, nothing is ever going to change. I'm sure the Congressman meant nothing racial by saying that Obama is uppity. He is very uppity considering some of the Georgia folks we have around here. What are we suppose to do? Walk on egg shells or hired a black interrupter. Give me a Break!
**********************************************************************

Please excuse me, I didn't realize that Lynn Westmoreland was black. I do however find it is interesting that you blame 'Black folks' for him putting his foot in his mouth and then doing a poor job of lying about it. In fact, a 'Big chip on his shoulder' is what caused the slip he doesn't want to own up to.

Change never comes by anyone just dropping anything. It only comes with people willing to take a stand and facing reality. That is what most people posting here are doing. They are simply weighing in on their views. Why is it that you are so sure of what he meant and others are not? Since you know his heart, please tell us what his opinion of the Obamas have to do with the price of oil in America?

What do you mean by 'what are we suppose to do'? If you know somebody refer to them by their name. If not, say excuse me. There is never a need to refer to someone's ethnicity in a derogatory way unless you have the same stones in your heart as the one you defend. This is the issue. We are all from the same Creator! Some of us are good people and some of us not, but to insinuate that you don't know how to refer to someone without feeling like you are walking on egg shells, or that you need a black interpreter is telling..

This is the first time in this nation that someone like Barrack Obama has been allowed to get even this close to winning the chips, and look at all of the buzz word soup we are eating... How can you blame 'Black folks' for the press calling it as they see it? It is your friend that's not wanting change, not 'Black folks'; America is for All Americans? Or is it that they truly feel that the oval office in the 'White House' is only for 'White folks'? 'Black folks' in the kitchen? How?

When you can answer sincerely, then you will be ready for the change you so desperately need.

NO, you GIVE US A BREAK!

[June]

I am a Black woman born in FL in 1948 - it is this genre that aquaints me with this term. He has to know that, as Atlanta was a place for educated Blacks in the 50's & 60's, which is how you got that label. AND, it was really and adjective to describe the N-word. If used alone, the N-word was implicit.

[Marla Hill]

The scariest thing? The posters that say "he didn't mean anything racist; the "you people are too sensitive" faction; and (heaven help us - there's no category for this one) writer "Blacks are racist too" -- all these people have the right to vote!

Please everyone else - if you have to crawl to the polls, get out and VOTE for Obama-Biden!!!

[caboosa]

This Georgian is a lying lying lying sack of Republican merde!!!!!!!!

[steebee]

I also like the full quote: "they're a member of an elitist-class individual that thinks that they're uppity." They're a *member* of an *individual*, and they *think* they're uppity! Sorry, people think *other* people are uppity, not themselves. Rep. Westmoreland doesn't want to be responsible for saying *he* thinks they're uppity. So they think themselves uppity??

It sounds as if Rep. Westmoreland's thought processes are as clear and as organized as his speaking. This man got elected - wow!

[Erika]

Unfortunately for Westmoreland, the public has been made aware of the racial undertone of the word "uppity." Hopefully the voters will be forgetful and forgiving. IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NOT EXCUSABLE, DOES IT WORK IN THIS SITUATION? It is extremely hard to believe that Westmoreland was clueless since he was born in Georgia.

[pacc]

I'm getting sick and tired of minority group members trying to impose their "racially charged" lens on everybody else. Are black people yet again "victims" because somebody says something that is actually quite accurate. I mean, I don't give a shit if "uppity" was offensive to black people some 60+ years ago. Obama DOES carry an air of inflated self-importance. He's even Freudian slipping his way through the campaign, most recently by already referring to himself as the President. Obama IS uppity, exactly as the dictionary defines it.

[sally]

IF A BLACK PERSON WAS CALLED UPPITY FOLLOWED BY THE N-WORD IN THE SOUTH, THEY KNEW IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THERE WOULD BE A CROSS BURNING AND A LYNCHING.
WESTMORELAND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS SAYING BUT SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, BECAUSE BLACK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THEIR PLACE.
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS COUNTRY IS NOBODY WANTS TO FACE ITS HISTORY.
MEDGAR EVERS WAS UPPITY, MARTIN LUTHER KING UPPITY, EMMETT TILL UPPITY...2008 UPPITY=ELITIST

[Sonya]

I wouldn't call Westmoreland a "success" (as the article does). He's never introduced a bill. I refuse to label someone with an important job who's lazy more of a success than an "unimportant" person who really works hard.

[ROSEVELT TAYLOR]

My friends, I was undecided until I came across this ignorant loser's statement. I now realized that a vote for McCain is truly a vote for the same mess we have endured for 8 years. Division, coded hate, us vs. them, now "they." It's time for a change.

When I saw the faces of America at the Democratic Natl Convention, I smiled. When I saw the faces
at the RNC, I cringed. Now this. It's time for a change.

I am tired of all the subtle wink-wink, nod-nod, hate that the republicans thrives on. We can do better than this.
It's time for a change.

[Blue Lady]

I have the great DISHONOR of being represented by this man. I was embarrassed when a guy who completed 1 year of junior college became our representative, and it's even more embarrassing now.

Vote Camp '08

[Change_We_Can]

I'm getting sick and tired of minority group members trying to impose their "racially charged" lens on everybody else. Are black people yet again "victims" because somebody says something that is actually quite accurate. I mean, I don't give a shit if "uppity" was offensive to black people some 60+ years ago. Obama DOES carry an air of inflated self-importance. He's even Freudian slipping his way through the campaign, most recently by already referring to himself as the President. Obama IS uppity, exactly as the dictionary defines it.

Posted by: pacc | September 07, 2008 at 08:54 PM

Are you serious, I mean, are you really serious? Please tell me you are not. 'You are getting sick and tired'-- If you really understood the subject matter at hand you would also understand that 'minority group members trying to impose their "racially charged" lens on everybody else' is rather stupid to say or even think. Tell me how this can even be possible. Most things that are "racially charged" are usually leveled at 'minority group members and not from them. ' Does that make them victims in your book?'

Last week was not 60+ years ago, but judging from your 'don't give a ***** attitude', I really don't expect you to know that. I don't know one person who would be offended by a racist person or idea making such idiotic statements and then lying, it's just more exposure for pundits that still believe racism is just a black image that only dwells in the minds of the 'victims.' The truth rather suggests that the term, when leveled at a person of color suggests that the user (s) are somehow threatened, and most times to the extent of demanding a gang of other ignorant, scared, and mindless imps help to kill the subject of their affections.

Why? Is it guilt, fear, ignorance or all of the above? FYI. Dictionaries don't make words, people do, and the context in which a word is used can change the meaning entirely. You also are not excused for your ignorance, especially as you say, 'you don't give a ****.' I on the other hand do care, and I hope the 'Press" takes this as far as possible, never letting anyone forget it. I don't care if they are black white or yellow, the truth is the truth. They too have a right to express their discuss in such public displays of ingenuous ignorance. Looking at the 'Leader' we've had for the last 8 and beyond, can you really use 'Freudian slipping ' for Obama alone? Perhaps you should read a book or two today. It might help you understand that current events and 60+ years ago are not the same… I got it, why don't you start with a dictionary?

[Debbie]

As a former Republican elected official in metro Atlanta, I can assure you that Westmoreland knew exactly what he meant when he used the term "uppity". He's an embarrassment to the State of Georgia. By the way, I'm now a Republican for Obama. The Republican party has lost their minds and are completely out of touch with what is going on in the country.

[Adrian near Seattle]

I resent the NYT and other elite news organizations looking down on elected representatives of the small-town, real America, as you are doing yet again.

Congressman Westmoreland is not some "stupid cracker" you Yankees can dissect and mock with impunity.

It is not the case that he is some expendable useful idiot who's expressing some underlying sentiments that pervade sections of the electorate.

Or that he's simply a clumsy tool who misread his faxed talking points.

Congressman Westmoreland is a proud Georgia peach who represents a good family district. He's an accomplished representative of his constituency.

Readers should see and hear Congressman Westmoreland in his own words before having words put into his mouth and assuming the worst: http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=180282

Like most real Americans, I see mainstream media coverage as snobbish, and yes, uppity when reporting on small-town American people and values.

[Leigh]

Exactly what has he ever accomplished? I've lived in both the north and south and in small towns and now a medium sized city. What exactly are the "small-town" values that the evil city-folk don't have? What's a "real American?" A white-middle aged man?

[Arizona Native]

I am black and I grew up in Arizona. I honestly had no idea that "uppity" was a derogatory term. However, I strongly believe that if the Democratic candidate was white, the Republicans would not even be in the race.

[Harry Conner]

I am not suprised at the comment westmoreland made, it fits the climate. The shame of it all, is we (united states) touts itself as a champion of Human Rights around the world. The world will truly see how racist this nation really is at the end of this campaign season.

[allison1887]

I am white and use this comment all the time about white people. Please get the chip off your shoulders and get on with your life.

[MrsJones]

In his 'defense' this is also the same man who pushed for legislation that required the posting of the ten commandments in court rooms but, when asked, could only name 3...

[vrob125]

A Macaca moment.....

[Diahni]

One doesn't have to be from the South to know that "uppity" has strong racial connotations. If you don't know this, you're ignorant. Sorry. I'm for Obama because you can't fix stupid.

[Georgia Democrat]

I was born in Georgia in the 60s, and even I know how "uppity" was used a few decades ago. Westmoreland is a joke, and it makes me sad that he is from Georgia and that there are so many other congressmen like him.

However, I'll also say that it also bothers me to see so many of you throwing around racist white slurs. If you're going to criticize someone for doing something wrong, try to stay above the person--not stoop to his level.

[Bob]

The bottom line, anything negative said about Mr Obama is racist