Dem Congressman Makes Shocking Racial Comments About Republicans, Clarence Thomas, Mitch McConnell

[DonViejo]

Democratic Congressman Makes Shocking Racial Comments About Republicans, Clarence Thomas, Mitch McConnell

He calls Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas an “Uncle Tom” and Mitch McConnell a “racist.”

posted on April 29, 2014 at 3:20pm EDT

Andrew Kaczynski
BuzzFeed Staff

A Mississippi Democratic Congressman says Clarence Thomas is an “Uncle Tom,” Mitch McConnell is a “racist,” and that Republicans are only anti-big government and anti-Obamacare because President Obama is black. Rep. Bennie Thompson was appearing on a New Nation of Islam radio program over weekend where he made the comments.

“I’ve been in Washington. I saw three presidents now. I never saw George Bush treated like this. I never saw Bill Clinton treated like this with such disrespect,” Thompson said. “That Mitch McConnell would have the audacity to tell the president of the United States — not the chief executive, but the commander-in-chief — that ‘I don’t care what you come up with we’re going to be against it.’ Now if that’s not a racist statement I don’t know what is.”

Thompson adds at 2:40 in the video that the governor of Mississippi was against expanding Medicaid through Obamacare “just because a black man created it.”

At 3:00 into the video, Thompson adds opposition to Obama is “all about race” and “when a black man comes with an idea [for Obamacare] there’s something wrong with it. Again, it’s race creeping into the picture.”

more
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/democratic-congressman-makes-shocking-racial-comments-about

[Arugula Latte]

1. I guess "shocking" means "accurate" now.

[nomorenomore08]

22. +1

[fbc]

69. +2

[valerief]

86. Bingo! Good call. nt

[Cha]

94. Really. WTH?!

[MADem]

108. +++++++1! nt

[LittleBlue]

2. "Uncle Tom"- not cool

[hlthe2b]

3. No, but Clarence is surely exploitative in the most cynical of manners.

[gratuitous]

5. Uncle Ruckus might be copyrighted

And for some reason "house negro" is considered objectionable to the objectionable folks who fit the term.

[heaven05]

31. house negro?

wouldda been in those days

[adieu]

38. Clarence Thomas is

a quieter version of a Steppin' Fetchit.

[heaven05]

59. steppin fetchit

by his own admission was just trying to keep a black presence in the media of the day. He was not happy with the caricature, but happy to represent in front of the cameras of the day. Clarence Thomas is an abomination. A simpleton clown and an uncle tom. I agree with Thompson no matter the venue.

[VA_Jill]

57. Thomas

is an Oreo. Or certainly would have been called one in the 60s.

[gratuitous]

58. Now you've done it

Prepare for the whitesplanation for why you're the real racist.

[heaven05]

62. no doubt about it

[MrScorpio]

18. Actually, Clarence is more like an "Uncle Ruckus." nt

[MADem]

110. Very much so....all he needs is that bulging fake eye, he's got the attitude down pat. nt

[heaven05]

30. very cool

description of uncle clarence and only one of the accurate names that he is called.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

36. If the shoe fits.

[sulphurdunn]

46. It's like suggesting his opposites

are "authentic" black men. Even if these kind of labels were accurate, they would still not be useful.

[1StrongBlackMan]

68. No ...

It's like suggesting his opposites are "Heroic figures", which his opposites would be.

I have spent considerable amounts of time, correcting the notion that "Uncle Tom" was some kind of repugnant character, when in fact (per the characterization in the novel) he was quite the heroic figure, having sacrificed his own freedom, to secure freedom for others.

[bravenak]

77. I read the book.

Changed my opinion on poor sweet kindly ol uncle Tom. I still think he shoulda cracked mr. Head open and worried about heaven later. And burned a path of destruction northwards.
But i'm ms. sofia in that way.


Uncle Clarence is definately more Ruckus that Tom. They both have reverse vitaligo.

[1StrongBlackMan]

82. Many have heard Malcolm's House Negro/Field Negro distinction ...

where the derogatory "Uncle Tom" image arose; but few are aware of his clarification, regarding House Negroes. The clarification where Malcolm set his incomplete description correct ... where he spoke to those House Negroes that facilitated escapes, pled mercy for "wayward" slaves, negotiated with massa to assure that the field fields were adequately feed, clothed and housed, and otherwise protected the field slaves ... all at great risk to their personal safety and at the cost of their dignity as a man/human being.

[bravenak]

88. +1

Yes.

[TxDemChem]

61. I always thought he looks like Uncle Ben

Before anyone jumps on me, I am trying to cut the tension that has built up in this thread.

[1StrongBlackMan]

63. I agree ...

But probably not for the reason you might suspect.

The "Uncle Tom" figure was not the weak, kow-towing to white folks character that the term has come to mean. Tom was a heroic figure that sacrificed his own freedom, so that others could secure their freedom ... Clarence Thomas is no "Uncle Tom."

[LittleBlue]

71. I agree

about the character Uncle Tom in the book.

But I still feel that a reasoned rebuttal beats namecalling. And race-tinged namecalling is counterproductive, IMHO

[sulphurdunn]

83. The literary Uncle Tom

and the pejorative Uncle Tom are different characters who serve different agendas.

[1StrongBlackMan]

85. See my comment #82. eom.

[sulphurdunn]

91. Yep

[randys1]

64. Yeah, that part is not good, but the rest is right on.

The entire opposition to Obama from rightwingers (as opposed to actual liberals who do have legitimate beefs with the guy) is 100$ hypocritical and ONLY because he is a Black Democrat.

period

[HERVEPA]

67. It's exactly what he is. what in the world is uncool about it?

[bravenak]

4. It's called an Uncle Ruckus now, sir.

But he is correct in his assessment of those characters.

Opposition to Obama is mostly about race on the right, and a bit of it on the left too. The Obama can do nothing righters concern me on the left. Makes me wonder if this ( the party) is the place for us. But mostly i suspect libertarian infiltration.

[1StrongBlackMan]

70. Should I give a lesson on why calling Clarence Thomas an "Uncle Tom" is incorrect? eom.

[bravenak]

72. Oh my god!!! Please do!!

At least it will be your fault this time.
I hate that term. It gets used on me allllll the time for sounding too "white". LOL!!
Bet that would be news to some.
Maybe you could get that one guy who " knows all about these things" to " speak for you" and tell it like ' it really is". I crack me up!

[1StrongBlackMan]

79. LOL. eom.

[Jamaal510]

109. In the last poll

I saw a few weeks ago, Obama had an 85% approval among Dems (and the number is higher among more liberal-leaning Dems than moderates and conservatives). So yeah, I'm suspecting a little bit on infiltration here myself.

[bravenak]

111. I hate libertarians.

I know its them. Dirtbags.

[Control-Z]

6. True, true, true.

He'll take crap for it but it's all true, in my opinion.

[lame54]

7. And?

[Rowdyboy]

8. Thats my congressman....The only decent one from the state for decades....Give 'em hell, Bennie!

[Cha]

96. Yeah, Rep Bennie Thompson!

[H2O Man]

9. gosh

[ananda]

10. Well, if the truth sounds shocking...

...

[FarCenter]

11. I thought Obamacare was created by Gov Romney in Massachusetts?

[unblock]

15. actually it was created by the heritage foundation, a right-wing think tank.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/conservative-origins-of-obamacare/

their goal was to create a "market-based" alternative to more liberal approaches such as increased regulation or single payer.

[TxDemChem]

65. I didn't follow the link, but I'm thinking it came from

The heritage foundation in the 90s

[Enrique]

55. so they hate it because it was a Mexican's idea

[Archae]

12. This is a black separatist cult.

Just as there still are white separatists, there are black separatists as well.

http://www.thenewnationofislam.com/muslimprogram.html

[mopinko]

19. yeah, never happy to see a dem connected to noi

not nice people and not from this planet, really.

[heaven05]

32. yet what the congressman said

is true and it doesn't change just because he said it to the nation of islam. Which was an alternative to the white racial hate in it's inception. They are just a reflection of the hate given by whites to blacks. Go Bennie!!!!

[1StrongBlackMan]

78. I am truly up in the air regarding the NOI ...

They are a Black separatist, and sometimes, anti-sematic group, true ... and they have also done a great deal of good within the Black community, from providing safe space for children to play, providing meal programs and tutorial programs, have gotten (literally) 1,000s of women off the corners and kept 1,000s of men out of prison, as well as their supporting community investment/entrepreneurial efforts.

[heaven05]

84. I DO NOT believe in all they espouse

some of their views are too extreme for me. The Antisemitism ect. Their separatist nature is their desire. If they want to leave this land, so be it. The children's programs and other community services, escorting women after dark in dangerous streets and as you mentioned saving many a woman from degradation from pimps ect is not mentioned by the slammers. They have some merit no matter what the slammers believe. Good to hear from you.

[1StrongBlackMan]

93. I have some very close associates ...

Last edited Tue Apr 29, 2014, 09:13 PM - Edit history (1)

that are of the Nation. I have met very few people with their discipline and commitment to living the lifestyle that their profess to believe.

And BTW, in the 30+ years I have known the members of the Mosque I am speaking of ... I have not once, heard them make an anti-Semitic and anti-white remark. They are all about the up-lifting of Black folks through the teaching of Islam. Further, while we have had "discussions" about some of the more "out there" teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad ... suffice it to say, most of the Nation consider them along the same lines as most Christians consider the flood, the virgin birth and the 6 day creation ... that's to say, as a myth to explain the unknown, but wholly unimportant to the practice of the faith.

[heaven05]

99. thanks for that insight

needed to read some sanity here. They do uplift each other in a very positive manner that builds self esteem. The hon EM well.......

[1StrongBlackMan]

105. Please note ...

my reference to "the Honorable" is not a statement of quality; but rather the proper title held by, IMO, a very troubled, brilliant man.

[heaven05]

116. oh, me too

he was not my type of individual to be venerated. I took your point correctly. Maybe the sarcasm button should have been pushed by me.

[madville]

13. I think they are going to say NO regardless of who it is

What Democratic politician would they be working with right now? They must love Harry Reid since he's a white male right?

They'll oppose everything Hillary does and everyone will say it's because she's a woman.

I seem to remember the House impeaching Bill Clinton, they all had an awesome relationship since he is white huh.

My point is if people use race, sex, religion, etc as an excuse for every bit of opposition it weakens the idea and people just dismiss it.

And they worked with Bill Clinton on some things because he went along with their positions, the Republicans weren't adopting Democratic ideals at any point I can remember. I'll like to hear some examples of the bipartisan cooperation Republicans and Democrats have displayed under different leadership.

[unblock]

16. it's still racial. they see the democratic party as the black party

except when they see it as the homosexual party or the hispanic party or the atheist party or the women party or....

ok it's not racial. it's bigoted. see, who says republicans aren't a big-tent party?

[madville]

21. Exactly

They pretty much hate everyone, including themselves.

[heaven05]

90. race of this POTUS

is a huge factor in rethuglican opposition. To deny that is........this upsurge in survivalist gun toting, white male idiocy is because these people want their country back in white hands. It is racial!!! Race for the last 6 years has been a huge factor in our political life in this 'post racial' society

[Coventina]

14. I'm not shocked.

[tarheelsunc]

17. Call it like it is, and you'll be labelled a racist now.

Hank Aaron already learned this, and now Rep. Thompson will face the same fate. You're just supposed to sit back and let them express their racism unchecked.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

52. Use racial slurs, and you will be called on in. N.T.

[heaven05]

56. ten four. +1000

[Scuba]

20. Good for him. If Clarence and Mitch don't like it, they can change their ways.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

23. Using terms like "Uncle Tom" is unambiguously and shamefully racist.

This thread will really separate the sheep - who think that racism is wrong - from the goats - who thing that racism practiced by people they don't like against people they do is wrong.

The only acceptable response to using racial slurs is unambiguous condemnation.

[heaven05]

33. ha ha ha

truth is truth. period

[Donald Ian Rankin]

44. Common or garden racial slurs like nigger are just as "true". That doesn't mean they aren't racist.

Also, as soon as you stop using rigorously defined terms like "finite" or "topologically transitive", and start using idioms like "Uncle Tom", you're out of the domain of objective truth, and squarely into the domain of value judgement and personal opinion.

So, no, "it's true" absolutely does not justify using racial slurs.

[heaven05]

45. oh boy!!!???

[bravenak]

80. What IS a niggeR anyway? What the heck is it?

No one could ever give me a 'true' definition of that word. I am curious.

[Cha]

100. Hey bravenak.. thought you'd like to see the results of the alert sent on

your post.. I was juror # 6.

What IS a niggeR anyway? What the heck is it?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4887387

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Use of racial slur

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue Apr 29, 2014, 07:03 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Maybe disingenuous and looking for a rise?

Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Did you alert on post #44 as well? Bravenak is posing a fair question in response to that.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It wasn't "used" as a slur. It was the subject of a question. Two entirely different things.
I may find the question offensive, but that's another issue.
And beside, the poster is an AA, and by convention is allowed to use the word.

Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: bravenak is a Black person asking a question about the meaning of the word. I suggest the alerter take care of that knee.

The person to whom she's asking the question is using "the racial slur".. and she's responding.
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Insensitive and intentionally disruptive

[bravenak]

101. Wow!!

I was just curious!!
Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be a problem here if it is okay for a white dude to use the word but not a black woman. I guess i should shut up like i had intended to.

[Cha]

102. Like I said in my explanation.. the alerter should take care of that knee!

freaking knee jerkers.. and yes did they alert on the post you were responding to? It was a bogus alert, bravenak.

I got alerted on for calling Clarence Thomas an asshole because the genius alerter thought I was calling the OP an asshole. Trigger happy.

[bravenak]

103. I wish some would calm down.

We need a common enemy or something.
Clarence Thomas IS an asshole. He can't fake that well.

[Cha]

104. Yes, calm the hell down.. :)

I should note this was another day another thread when ol Clarence was advocating rebellion if taxes were too high

[1StrongBlackMan]

107. I'm going to ask ... no insist ...

that you expand on this thought. Cuz, I'm thinking trouble is right around the corner ... but I want to make sure you meant what I read.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

114. It's a relatively straightforward thought.

"Nigger" is an insult meaning "a black person", with the connotation that the user things that being black is a bad thing, and wants to offend and insult the person they're describing and other black people. So using it to describe a black person is "factually accurate", as far as that goes, but that doesn't mean it's not grossly offensive and unacceptable.

The "factual" content of "Uncle Tom" is less well defined, but the connotations are likewise racist. So even if it's "factually accurate", that doesn't mean it's OK to use it - if "it's true" were an acceptable defence of racial slurs that covered "Uncle Tom", it would definitely also cover "nigger" too, and hence it isn't.



If you want to make either factual statement, use non-racist terms to convey it - "X is black (or African-American if you're in America, which I'm not)" or, roughly, "X is a black person who is unduly subservient to white people" (although a) that one is much less unambiguous, and b) arguably even the factual assertion has racist connotations)



Incidentally, I'm now off on holiday, so if you want to "insist" on anything else, don't expect it before Sunday or Monday unless I get access to a computer.

[Bortman33]

89. Just an observation on my part,

but an Afro American man calling out Clarence Thomas as an "Uncle Tom" or Mitch McConnell as a racist, seems to be a very long, if not impossible, stretch to label that Afro American man a racist.

Personally, I think that Clarence is one of the whitest right wing cwhorepoRATe jerks I've ever seen.

Mitch on the other hand, hates so many different peoples it would be tough to categorize him as anything other then the cwhorepoRATe fascist he is.

[1StrongBlackMan]

106. I'm gonna have to beg to differ ...

in my goatish kind of way.

A Black person speaking in this manner to another Black person is not "racist" or bigoted.

[Starry Messenger]

24. Meh.

[mstinamotorcity2]

25. okay he said it out

loud

[eShirl]

26. Is the Congressman a DUer? n/t

[951-Riverside]

27. Bundy, Sterling and Thompson can go to hell. They're all old fat pot belly racist a**holes.

Rep. Bennie Thompson was appearing on a New Nation of Islam radio program over weekend where he made the comments.

That's all I needed to know.

[heaven05]

34. bundy and sterling are the racists, period

thompson is NOT a racist and is a new hero of mine, speaking truth to power. Go Bennie!!!!!!!

[951-Riverside]

41. Thompson is a racist, period.

And I will not look up to a pot belly racist scumbag who proudly goes on a racist talk radio show to spew his racist views.

If there is a hell Bundy, Sterling, Thompson and Farrakhan will all be roasting in it soon enough.

"There are still generations of people, older people, who were born and bred and marinated in it, in that prejudice and racism, and they just have to die," - Oprah on the topic of old racists

[heaven05]

49. you are entitled to your view

thompson is speaking truth about thomas, mcconnell and rethuglicans. Period. Your view? you can have it, means nothing to me. Our POTUS has been on the receiving end of some of the most virulent and ignorant racism this country has ever seen. Enabled by people like that damn clarence thomas, not a friend to minorities. To have had him replace the brilliance of a Thurgood Marshall was the height of cynicism by bush jr's father.

[DeSwiss]

28. It's only shocking......

...for those unused to hearing [font size=10]TRUTH![/font]

- K&R

[alp227]

29. Congressman, WHY ARE YOU ASSOCIATING WITH A CULT AND HATE GROUP?

the SPLC recognizes the Nation of Islam as a hate group.

And does Thompson not remember the Republicans' show impeachment of Bill Clinton?

On Obamacare, he's right, since Republicans did expand "government-run health care" under GW Bush (Medicare Part D). But Republicans were united against Obamacare even before it was Obamacare (it was during Bill Clinton's administration). Furthermore, the book Do Not Ask What Good We Do has the inside story about Republicans united against the Obama agenda, "because Obama".

Bottom line is, as nutty as Thompson's interviewer is, this is one of those truths that wrong wingers will scream and shout down at infinite decibels.

[Archae]

35. Even though the congressman has valid points, by going with these nutcases...

He demolishes any credibility he has.

From their own web site:

4. We want our people in America whose parents or grandparents were descendants from slaves, to be allowed to establish a separate state or territory of their own - either on this continent or elsewhere. We believe that our former slave masters are obligated to provide such land and that the area must be fertile and minerally rich. We believe that our former slave masters are obligated to maintain and supply our needs in this separate territory for the next 20 to 25 years--until we are able to produce and supply our own needs. Since we cannot get along with them in peace and equality, after giving them 400 years of our sweat and blood and receiving in return some of the worst treatment human beings have ever experienced. We believe our contributions to this land and the suffering forced upon us by white America justifies our demand for complete separation in a state or territory of our own.

9.WE BELIEVE that the offer of integration is hypocritical and is made by those who are trying to deceive the black people into believing that their 400 year-old open enemies of freedom, justice and equality are, all of a sudden, their "friends". Furthermore, we believe that such deception is intended to prevent black people from realizing that the time in history has arrived for the separation from the whites of this nation. If the white people are truthful about their professed friendship toward the so-called Negro, they can prove it by dividing up America with their slaves.We do not believe that America will ever be able to furnish enough jobs for her own millions of unemployed in addition to the jobs for the 40,000,000 black people as well.

http://www.thenewnationofislam.com/muslimprogram.html

[Behind the Aegis]

115. From their leader...

&list=PLDWXsJglotqbgAXN5oskBgoQ9ciF3LHFw

I agree with what the Congressman said.

[heaven05]

37. "A hate group"

created because of the hate of whites for blacks. Do your homework before spouting off willy nilly. I almost became a black muslim because of the hate I felt in the 60's. My aversion to any organized religious control stopped that. But I understand why they came into being. What white people can't be hated for their racist attitudes that have driven the politics of this country for 350 years?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

51. Judging by your posts in this thread, I think you'd have been right at home there. N.T.

[heaven05]

54. why, thank you

[bravenak]

92. You mean they( racist whites) caused the hate by hating others? And it was all to the good then?

Now that it is reflected back they need us to stand with them? Against the oppressed? Thats what i see.

[heaven05]

97. hmmmm

I don't quite get what you're saying. But all I'm saying is the nation of islam was a place for oppressed blacks to feel safe from the virulent and vicious white hate of the day. The NOI reflected the hate given, back on to the oppressor, and that bugged the fuck out of racists. So I don't see why people are all bugged out about the congressman speaking on their radio show. It's a viable venue and he spoke the truth. Did I clear anything up?

[bravenak]

98. You make perfect sense.

I was just trying to get a clear picture. I think i see it the same way as you with my own twist.
I think some want us to be as horrified by NOI as we are by the racists.

[1StrongBlackMan]

113. Bingo ...

Because it gives them the "See, they're just as bad as us those racist" out. Even though, the NOI has absolutely no systemic effect.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

39. SO those attacking the Congressman. . .Which person is more acceptable to you?

Thomas or Thompson?

What happened to DU????

[Donald Ian Rankin]

47. I think you may have excluded the middle of your phallus there.

[Capt. Obvious]

40. FUCK NADER

[Jesus Malverde]

75. Yeah I saw he's causing trouble again.

Fuck him is right, he's a loser.

[DrBulldog]

42. When a Dem from Mississippi does this ...

.. he got spine!

[heaven05]

43. you go bennie!!!!!

[hopemountain]

48. thank you, congressman thompson,

i would have liked to have been there to applaud you for calling attention to the ugly truth.

[heaven05]

50. all three statements mentioned

are true. What's the problem. Nothing shocking about the truth. Go Bennie!!!!!!

[The Magistrate]

53. 'Shocking' Is Now A Synonym For 'Accurate', Sir? I Had No Idea....

[riqster]

60. Big brass ones.

[CreekDog]

66. i'm not going to tell one black person what they can't call another black person

not in this case anyway.

[Jesus Malverde]

73. Id say it's more likely that his appearance with the NOI upset people more.

Good for him to call these people out. Strong language is appropriate, this is a war after all. A class war.

Haven't listened, but sweetness should have had an honorary mention. Especially since she's back from the neocon dustbin.

[radicalliberal]

74. Any way you look at it (considering his anti-civil rights record as a Supreme Court Justice), --

-- Clarence Thomas is a traitor to his own race.

[Archae]

76. Bennie Thompson is a total idiot.

If Morris Dees went to Stormfront to advocate his positions on getting rid of violent racists, he'd be an idiot.

So Bennie Thompson goes on a racist program run by a Muslim nutcase, to advocate for his positions, and it's all just fine.

[iandhr]

81. Though I agree with him 100%

He should not have gone on a New Nation of Islam radio program.

The nation of Islam is listed as a hate group by the SPLC.

[HipChick]

87. Shocking but the gospel truth..

[Faux pas]

95. The truth can be shocking

but it's still the truth. No sympathy here lol.

[Jamaal510]

112. They probably secretly

take those comments said about them as a badge of honor, anyway. Especially Clarence.

[sofa king]

117. I have to say this:

I don't like those terms like Uncle Tom and others for a simple reason: most of them define a betrayer of a race. I think the concept of race is dangerous bullshit, that distracts from the actual issues of opportunity, discrimination, wealth disparity, and so on.

Clarence Thomas' sociopathic behavior and professional indifference has damaged far more than "his people" (who were a couple of thousand very insular and isolated folks who spoke a different language and who were totally distinct from the culture modern Americans define as "African American&quot .

Clarence Thomas is a betrayer of all people.

The racially loaded terms don't apply well to him and do not properly define the scope and scale of his corruption. He's something far worse than an Uncle Tom: he is a corrupt public official.