General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Constantly referring to President Obama as a "used car salesman" is expected of a RW racist. [View all]Solly Mack
(90,779 posts)From everything I've read or have heard racists say about President Obama calling him a "used car salesman" hasn't been on the list.
While the phrase isn't flattering - and people might not want to hear/see it being used - that doesn't make it akin to the language used by racists.
I know linking two things that aren't the same is often an attempt to marginalize and discredit. Negative associations can be a very powerful tool of manipulation. As it can conjure up images and ideas of something bad.
Calling Obama a used car salesman is a negative association, for example. The stereotype is that used car salesmen are crooked, fast talkers that will sell you a lemon in a heartbeat.
Linking the phrase "used car salesman" with words a racist would use is also a negative association.
Linking a behavior ("constantly referring to..." is a word use that does suggest that you see it as a behavioral pattern) of Will Pitt (because that is who you are calling out and we may as well be up front about that) to things a racist would say and do is also a negative association with the intention of linking Will Pitt with racists.
An argument can be made about whether or not calling President Obama a used car salesman is appropriate on Democratic Underground without implying - and you are making the implication - that Will Pitt is behaving like a racist.