NAACP calls on lawmaker to remove, apologize for 'other dark meat' video / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, October 29, 2009

October 29, 2009

Topeka — The Kansas chapter of the NAACP on Thursday called on state Rep Bill Otto, R-LeRoy, to remove from YouTube his video where he criticizes President Barack Obama while wearing a hat that says “OPOSSUM the other Dark Meat.”

At a news conference, NAACP members read a resolution that said Otto’s self-described “RedNeck Rap” was racist, tasteless and inflammatory.

Rev. Ben Scott, president of the Topeka chapter of the NAACP, and Charles Jean-Baptiste, former president of the Kansas branch of the NAACP, also said they believe Otto’s video was indicative of an increase in public displays of racism since Obama’s election.

The group called on Otto to take down the video and apologize.

Otto refused. He has said the reference to opossum was meant as a joke about his hillbilly heritage and was not aimed at the president.

He has since put on YouTube a second version of “RedNeck Rap” in which he starts with an introduction, saying, “I am proud that we have elected our first African-American president. I am not a racist.”

But the NAACP said that wasn’t good enough.

At the news conference, William Richards, a longtime civil rights and veterans advocate, said Otto’s remarks breed dissension instead of helping the public good.

Discussion

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29 October 2009
at 5:49 p.m.

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ksjayhawk74 (Anonymous) says…

I'm a bleeding heart liberal and I don't think he meant “the other dark meat” as a racist thing.
29 October 2009
at 6:47 p.m.

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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…

What does the NAACP mean by the CP in their acronym?

Those hypocritical characters.

Darwin bless you all
29 October 2009
at 6:52 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

Never heard of a racist who will admit they are racist, nor a racist supporter who will either. Otto is plain and simply a racist, no matter how he tries to spin it or what lies he spews to justify it.
29 October 2009
at 7:04 p.m.

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tbaker (Anonymous) says…

Was he being a racist, or just celebrating his redneck heritage? The two are not synonymous.

Since racism is a “belief” a person holds, a measurable action is required to substantiate such a claim (saying, writing, promoting, doing, etc) racists things.

The NAACP would have a much strong argument for racism if the hat had a confederate battle flag on it. That, at least, is a symbol that could be considered one of racial intolerance. “opossum - the other Dark Meat” - gimme a break.
29 October 2009
at 7:28 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

tbaker, please re-read carefully what I said in previous post.
29 October 2009
at 7:30 p.m.

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budtugly (Anonymous) says…

Let this ignorant ahole die. Hell we all give him what he wants which is more publicity.Why else would he put out such crap as this. This dude is a product of inbreeding and loves the spotlight.
29 October 2009
at 7:43 p.m.

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kugrad (Anonymous) says…

I'm gonna agree w/ Ksjayhawk74 on this one. I think the guy would really eat an opossum and was just expressing his redneck point of view. Celebrating his heritage as a possum-eatin' redneck as it were. Odd. Yep. Racist ? Doubtful. It probably never occurred to the guy that there was a double entendre; he seems oblivious.

29 October 2009
at 8:49 p.m.

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kansanbygrace (Anonymous) says…

How is this racist? Does opossum mean something I don't get? I mean, possum (as we say it outside the city limits) is a little greasy, but is darker meat than skunk, more like the shoulder meat of a snapping turtle. Explain, please. Sounds like any of a hundred country lyrics that express pride in things that city folk turn their nose up at. Or do you think that “dark” is somehow a reference to black people? Seems utterly contrived outrage over hick humor. Does “Pork, the other white meat” have a similar negative connotation that I don't get, either? Should I be outraged? Let me know if I need to get all up about it, so's to not be left out of being offended.
29 October 2009
at 9 p.m.

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tbaker (Anonymous) says…

beobacheter - I did. I agree with what you said up to the point where you call the guy a racisit.

This crude dolt's behavior doesn't rise to the level of being labeled a racist. From the evidence he can be accused of poor taste maybe, but racist? No.

The word is so horribly misused to describe the common ravings of garden-variety bigots that our culture will soon need a new one to define “real” racism.
29 October 2009
at 10:57 p.m.

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texburgh (Anonymous) says…

Bill Otto is a racist. Look at the video BEFORE he put his disclaimer on the beginning. He spends 2 1/2 minutes attacking President Obama then points to his hat and says “Opossum - the other dark meat. Kinda greasy, but hey…”

How anyone can see this as anything but calling the president a “greasy, dark man” is beyond me. He views all Blacks this way.

His claim that this is a tribute to his “Ozark-American Heritage” is both a plate of steaming BS and an insult to all persons of Ozark heritage who do not view themselves as a bunch of opossum eating rednecks.

That he can be elected to the legislature should shame all Kansans.
29 October 2009
at 11:34 p.m.

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kessman (Anonymous) says…

and the naacp is not racist.I see no other race they represent.
30 October 2009
at 7:49 a.m.

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hillbilly_jim (Anonymous) says…

Did Mayor Ray Nagin apologize for his “chocolate city” comment?
30 October 2009
at 8:46 a.m.

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consumer1 (Anonymous) says…

I think it is time to stop being so fragile and quit believeing that everyone is out to get you. There is no pointed remark indicating there was any bias in anything this hillbilly said. YOu are far overreaching and stretching for inuendo to find some way to scream prejudice. By doing so, you are depriving this hillbilly of his rights to be himself. Because you want to imply he was making a racist remark. Guess what, that implication is your paranoia and has no basis in fact. Get over it and quit crying wolf.
30 October 2009
at 8:54 a.m.

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musbhiorlo (Anonymous) says…

it's a free country, if you choose to be a racist pig, you should be allowed to be a racist pig.
30 October 2009
at 9:03 a.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

Hmmm…
Someone needs to clarify whether 'possum meat color is light or dark. This is an outrage!~)
“Opossum - A cat-sized marsupial with a prehensile tail native to the Southern and Midwestern U.S. Opossum, which has a flavor resembling young pig, can be prepared in the same manner suitable for a roast suckling pig.” HEY! Pigs are “white meat”.
“The meat is light and fine-grained, but the musk glands must be removed as part of preparation. The meat can be used in place of rabbit and chicken in recipes.” HEY! Rabbits and chickens are mostly “white meat”!
As I recall, the opossum that I cooked up had light colored meat.

30 October 2009
at 9:09 a.m.

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bondmen (Anonymous) says…

Pork producers are currently suffering from overuse of the term “swine” flu. Prior to this recent event for years pork marketers have advertised “pork - the other white meat” in their campaign to move product to consumer tables.

Since now NAACP is trying to rescue use of the term “the other dark meat”, just who's out there to rescue use of term “the other white meat”? Will anybody stand up for us pigs?

Back to the barnyard.
30 October 2009
at 9:12 a.m.

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craigers (Anonymous) says…

Kessman…..shhhhhhhhhh! Some like to ignore the obvious!! :)
30 October 2009
at 9:24 a.m.

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mickeyrat (Anonymous) says…

I doubt even Rep. Otto knows whether opossum is “white meat” or “dark meat.” I'm sure he thought it clever just because it, like his intended 'game,' is a name with three syllables that starts with “O.” (hint for the obtuse: it is also the subject of the video).

Like rural southerners didn't have enough problems with Hollywood stereotypes.
30 October 2009
at 9:43 a.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

“…indicative of an increase in public displays of racism since Obama’s election.”

Substantiate please? You mean the tea partiers? Wrong. ObamaCare protesters? Wrong.
30 October 2009
at 9:53 a.m.

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yankeevet (Anonymous) says…

Why is the NAACP so sensitive……….whats up with that??
30 October 2009
at 9:54 a.m.

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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…

Anybody know what the r word means? Is there a allele gene type or phenotypic trait that the NAACP focuses in on for advancing?

Stimulus lives

Darwin bless you all
30 October 2009
at 10:04 a.m.

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consumer1 (Anonymous) says…

Strike the word Opossum from the dictionary it is racist now!!
30 October 2009
at 10:25 a.m.

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Satirical (Anonymous) says…

And people wonder why Americans have become desensitized and even defensive when the “R” word is thrown around so cavalierly and ignorantly as a method of attacking political enemies rather than routing out hatred towards another race…

It is actions such as these that undermine real racism and perpetuates the view many have of the NAACP, their only goal is to find ways to be a victim, rather than actually advance equality. The NAACP has become nothing more than a political device of the Left. Minorities are held back rather than “advanced” by the NAACP.

30 October 2009
at 10:26 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

barry, the NAACP has been around since the jim crow era— when black folk were called “colored”. so get over yourself.

my take on the whole thing, i think this is all the NAACP is good for anymore… and not just the kansas chapter. all they do is show up when someone insults (or kinda sorta insults) a “person of color” (black, latino, asian) and make a statement about how what the insulter did was wrong and racist.

that's why i most likely will never belong to that storied organization. i don't think they're worth the price of their membership fees.
30 October 2009
at 10:27 a.m.

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pace (Anonymous) says…

i don't know if the KS Gop is in trouble now Otto is their great white hope. Nothing they say racist is suppose to be taken as racist. They consider racist remarks not racist. As someone with real hillbilly ancestors which I am proud of and coming from generations of working class laborers with dark red necks. i don't know what I resent more, Otto using that as his dodge or that he really thinks he is a worker like my dad was, out in all weather, bending over, lifting, sweating, ice on his face, eyes rounded by the sweat and grime. He looks more like one of those that we use to call pass the hat street preachers ( not to be confused with real lay preachers). I am tired of people saying, “I am not a racist, I really feel or think that way”. There should be some peer feed back for the guy. Some old slick politician telling him, ” well technically it is racist, but what can you do , we didn't elect a black man for president, other people did, you know, loony left, working families, people of other colors and religion, you know, not us, not real Americans.”
30 October 2009
at 10:30 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

and i think that the old coot who wore the hat and “rapped” (using that term very loosely!) wasn't deliberately trying to be racist. what he did was definitely in poor taste and portrayed kansas in a very backwoods, country hick, hillbilly light (which ain't cool— even moreso than the implied racism).
30 October 2009
at 10:40 a.m.

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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…

I wonder what the advancement part means Mel briscoe? I don't want to live like the Germans and the Scotish. I do like the porsche and golf though. In fact, I can find all sorts of things I like about the various countries on the planet.

Anyone know what the r word stands for?

Darwin bless you all
30 October 2009
at 10:54 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

well, considering the NAACP dates back almost 100 years— let's take a little look at what was going on back then… well, YOU can take a look because i am not going to bother to post links to various history lessons just to make my point. you catch my drift, homeskillet… it was effed up to be a person of a darker hue in these united states of america back in the “good ol' days”.

so why would they have wanted “advancement” back then? again, i'm pretty sure you are not as obtuse as you want folks to think so i am not going to bother to elaborate.

as for the “R word”, i can't really expound upon that because i have absolutely no idea what you're blabbering about. i'm sure you'd love to keep being cryptic just to get folks to wonder what brand of crack you're on tho… but i'm not the one. R stands for “really? okay… whatever”.

Jung bless you all
30 October 2009
at 11:13 a.m.

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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…

Jung…..good one.

The “R word” is old “schtick” for those grasshoppers that want something. Was the “R” word used when the NAACP was started?

Darwin bless you
30 October 2009
at 11:18 a.m.

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honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

wow. dude. you're as mysterious as the riddler and jigsaw put together. in fact, that's a great idea for a halloween costume.

okay… so i'll take a shot in the dark w/ answering your question and say yes??…. it was one of those 50/50 questions…. what do i win? :D
30 October 2009
at 11:23 a.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Seems guys like this Scott can toss out accusations and they are gospel. Anyone who wants an ounce of credibility and gain the ability to really change things should back up what they say. Of course, we all know throwing out the “r” word is all the rage these days. It's a weapon the left routinely uses. It does not surprise me one bit though.

30 October 2009
at 11:31 a.m.

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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…

Thanks for the retorts Mel Briscoe. I hope your retorts with a low brow like penders, didn't decrease your post cred with the progressive articulates here.

Have a productive day! Stimulus lives.

Darwin bless you
30 October 2009
at 11:51 a.m.

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sfjayhawk (Anonymous) says…

So otto needs to apologize for being a redneck moron? This is a free country, if you want to be a redneck moron, have at it.
30 October 2009
at 12:19 p.m.

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georgiahawk (Anonymous) says…

When you all first veiwed his “rap”, what was your first thought? Mine was, “this is stupid, what a dumba$$”, then after he was finished, I thought that his last comment kind of put a racist tint to his whole anti-Obama rap. I did not get the Arkansas hillbilly reference, I did not think he was just being naive (nobody is that stupid).
Racism is racism! If you racist apologists do not like being called a racist, then what is it that you think you should be called? If you cannot see the possibility that the “great white hope” comment was somewhat racist, or that the “I am not a racist, I even let them use my bathroom” comment had some racist thoughts behind it or that this idiots comments about the other dark meat might be a little racist than what is the right word for it? Is there a word for that area where you don't think anyone should have a cross burned in their yard or should be lynched, but you also don't want them as a neighbor nor would you ever allow your daughter to marry one. What is the word you want to be used for these thoughts and actions?
30 October 2009
at 1:24 p.m.

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gogoplata (Anonymous) says…

Is this upsetting to all the colored people out there? Why does anyone care what the NAACP racists say?
30 October 2009
at 1:57 p.m.

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begin60 (Anonymous) says…

Racism and a redneck-heritage are not synomous certainly, but they do significantly overlap. A hallmark of this backwoods lineage is lack of awareness—basically being blind to one's own bigotry and prejudice and how they shape one's attitudes and worldview and treatment of others. The redneck ideology has a lot in common with racism and other white supremacist nonsense.
30 October 2009
at 3:26 p.m.

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puddleglum (Anonymous) says…

oh boy.

tea baggers, birthers, sarah palins, death panels, childish congressmen, astroturfers, nobel-naysayers, great white hopes, and opossum meat-eaters………………………….

just shake your head and close your eyes and laugh, like I do. It is fun.
30 October 2009
at 3:44 p.m.

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begin60 (Anonymous) says…

I respect your views, Blessed, and know they hold merit—but there is also a strong case to be made that ignorance is bliss only when it's your own—it rots when you project it on other people. As one who has had his life turned upside-down by blind bigotry I know what I'm talking about here. At least most people in the more sophisticated parts of the country are wisely able and quite happy to take a more live-and-live attitude and not stick their unwanted noses so aggressively in others' business—basically an infringement on freedom and equality and a very self-serving form of kindness.
30 October 2009
at 3:55 p.m.

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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…

“At least most people in the more sophisticated parts of the country are wisely able and quite happy to take a more live-and-live attitude and not stick their unwanted noses so aggressively in others' business—basically an infringement on freedom and equality and a very self-serving form of kindness.”

How do you square “freedom” with “equality”?

Darwin bless you

30 October 2009
at 4:51 p.m.

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pace (Anonymous) says…

r, 2 not allow daughter, 3 most people think like this.
\
good gosh, I pray you are wrong for neighbors, daughters and most people. yuck.

I remember one cousin screaming that everyone felt like he did, but they wouldn't admit it. The truth was almost no one felt like he did, (he was hostile and stupid and a drunk) He said he wouldn't allow his wife to have her own money or a job, she wisely divorced him and ended up with a pretty good life. I certainly don't think everyone feels or thinks like I do, nor do I need to. Otto's rap was racist. The NAACP is correct to ask him to apoligize. I wish there was a working man's organization to ask him to apologize for him casting his remarks as red neck.
30 October 2009
at 6:45 p.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Whites are just troublemakers–period.
30 October 2009
at 7 p.m.

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beobachter (Anonymous) says…

Tom, not as bad as right_thinkers.
30 October 2009
at 10:05 p.m.

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Connacht (Anonymous) says…

I love Bill Otto. I totally disagree with him ideologically, but he's just so ridiculously hilarious that he could only be a Kansas political leader.

Okay, maybe North Dakota…
30 October 2009
at 10:28 p.m.

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ComradeRedRooster (Anonymous) says…

The NAACP is by its very nature racist. It is an organization that promotes inequality by advocating the advancement of colored people while excluding whites.

When the NAACP exercises the same zeal against rappers whose lyrics denegrate women and call for violence against whites then it will have a legitimate voice. Until such time, it is a racist organization on par with the KKK or the Nation of Islam.
31 October 2009
at 10:13 a.m.

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begin60 (Anonymous) says…

Hello Darwin-blessing, charming person:

“At least most people in the more sophisticated parts of the country are wisely able and quite happy to take a more live-and-live attitude and not stick their unwanted noses so aggressively in others' business—basically an infringement on freedom and equality and a very self-serving form of kindness.”

You ask:
'How do you square “freedom” with “equality”?'

I answer:
I think it was John Stuart Mill who claimed something along the lines of ” your freedom ends where my nose begins.” This strikes me as sensible in more cases than not. When a farming-type local person ignores this dictate and gets up in others' business in public, it often has the effect, even when not the stated or even conscious intention of asserting a relationship of inequality: the “I'm o.k., you need help” dynamic–which involves an unequal and offensive power-dynamic whether we're talking the chivalries rural men still try to impose on women or those the temporary- abled patronizingly put on those they see as having limitations. Bottom line, getting up in a stranger's business on such an intimate level crosses a line of respectful freedom and equality Mr. Mill would not approve of and has the effect of terrorizing people and targeting them on the basis of legally protected characteristics. “Help” is in the eye of the interloper, appreciation in the eye of receiver. My reflective guidelines for human behavior preclude rural busybodies and question their self-deluded mindset about how caring and friendly they are.
31 October 2009
at 12:47 p.m.

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pace (Anonymous) says…

Speaking of how the NAACP is not doing enough for white people. I feel like that about the American Cancer Society, I won't contribute to them until they speak up about measles, HINI flu, and toe fungus victims. How can anyone take them seriously unless they include all the issues that effect my family. Sure they are very helpful to cancer victims and their families but really. And what is the NAACP doing about cancer? Isn't that more important.
I really feel sorry for Marion, I met all these black, white, all other races and religions, men, women, and children and they were all out to get Marion, The toddlers had their pacifiers out, saying, ” I going to poke Marion with this”. He isn't the paranoid tedious nut case we think , everyone is out to get him.