Barack Obama's "mutt" comment upset me

[post1]

I was so upset by it that I wrote this. You may need to copy and paste it in. The link isn't clickable for some reason!



http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ended_his.html

Barack Obama's Comment Offended His Children and Mine by Referring to Himself as a "Mutt

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Well put. I did not hear Barack's speech that you are referring to, but if he said what you say he did I'm offended too. My very best friend in the whole world is bi-racial, and she is anything but a "mutt". In fact she is literally the most beautiful person I know. Inside or out.

[cajuncat743]

Oh boy. Well I do have to say that I felt the complete opposite about what he said. I didnt think he meant "mutt" as a derogatory term at all. And when i think of an actual mutt I dont think of it as a bad thing, quite the opposite. I think it is important to remember that just about anything can be offensive to someone, and so going by the intention behind his words is more important than the actual words. I'm pretty sure that all he meant by "mutt" is that he is biracial..... And I was actually happy to see him make a small and benign joke about himself, it's as if he's already anticipating all the racist remarks that are going to start to fly and trying to diffuse some of them before they start.... I don't know, that's just how I felt. And I am VERY sensitive about racist remarks, my stepdad is Indian and I am very close with him, and my little brother who I love as much as my own children and am very protective of is biracial.

[jasmine89]

i totally have to agree with cajuncat743..i am a mutt an i call myself a mutt all the time a mutt is a mixed breed meaning i am biracial.he was not trying to offwnd anyone i beleave he was probly making a joke out of all the ppl who is racist an ignorant about his race an that is very racist..but also thought that he was only african american..just like ppl think he is muslim. but he is not

[doug123p]

I loved the comment, really. As the (white) dad of two black-white mutts -- as with the president-elect -- the comment acknowledged the difficulty with the dog choice and identified a president who will be unusually comfortable discussing race. So many, especially whites, have such trouble talking about race and identifying their own feelings -- understandably, anyone who says race is an easy topic is not thinking hard. I think the president can do much to get it out in the open. Most American blacks have a mixed heritage and like Barack are often simply lumped together as black. Besides, I've always thought mutts tend to have more personality and smarts. I also discussed the comment with my kids, pointing out they have something in common with Barack.

[rtruman]

I'm glad someone else found this offensive. It's not just demeaning to the bi-racial society, but as an educated person. It's not your job to sound "cute." You are our President-Elect, sound like it!

My children are bi-racial, half white/half Mexican, and I certainly don't appreciate anyone calling them "mutts." I know, I know I'm taking this too far (some might say), but if ANYONE else had said this it'd be all over the media.

[bluecollardad]

What if I were to say that I am heinz 57. is that offensive to any one?? for those who don't know what that means, I am saying I have so much in me that I am like heinz 57. I am Irish,french canadian,american indian,german,etc.. Most white americans are of mixed nationality. That is what happens when so many people from so many countries move into one country. hence the melting pot. So don't you think that black people are mixed as well. Just because someone is black does not mean they are only black. just because I am white does not mean I am only white. I think Obama is going to have a hard time as the first black president, because every thing he says will be scrutinized. people will hear only what they want to her and take his words out of context. Do you really think that the next president is going to belittle his children on national tv. Did you see were he gave his wife pound ( tap fist together) on tv. People are already complaining about that. All I can say is give the man a fare chance. Don't you remember he slogan WE NEED CHANGE.

[rtruman]

I know that Obama didn't intentionally try to sound so insensitive, but he's got to always watch what he says. It's true with every person in power. Bush always gets critiqued and just the other day Bill Clinton, too! You ALWAYS have to watch what you say. People are CONSTANTLY watching what you say and do. Why should he be excluded? Does "change" mean that he should be allowed to say whatever he wants with no consequence?

I am happy that you are fine calling yourself a "Heinz 57" or "mutt," but all I'm saying is that you don't' call MY children those. I PERSONALLY find them offensive. The definition for "mutt" is:

–noun Slang.
1. a dog, esp. a mongrel.
2. a stupid or foolish person; simpleton.

How am I not suppose to take offense?

[brandie1127]

I can understand totally how some people would be offended, but I have always referred to myself as an american mutt. My mother is native american, scottish and castilliana (spanish from spain), my father is german and dutch. I have also said that my child with her Italian Irish daddy is also a mutt. I certainly don't think he meant to offend, I think that he was speaking of himself and people tend to be overly sensitive about some things in life. Not that I don't think your opinions on it are valid, I just think that if we are looking to be offended its very easy to find something.

Even though that is Websters definition of a Mutt. Haven't we adopted it in a culture to mean more of a melting pot? And don't we usually use it in a non-derogatory sense?

Maybe its just demographics ... and here we don't use it offensively.

[bluecollardad]

listen to the tim Mcgraw song I miss back when. when a coke was a coke a ho was a ho etc... that is how people talk. like a skateboarder who says " dude that trick was stupid". I can understand someone getting upset over the mutt comment but take it for how he intended it. When I would ask my best friends dad what's up he would always say a chicken's butt when it eats. I've always found that funny. He knew what I meant, but he would say that for the laugh.