Kentucky Rep. Geoff Davis Calls Obama “Boy”
It was at a Northern Kentucky Lincoln Day Dinner.
“I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button,” Davis said. “He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country.”
UPDATE: On Monday evening, Rep. Davis apologized.
Dear Senator Obama:
On Saturday night I gave a speech in which I used a poor choice of words when discussing the national security policy positions of the Presidential candidates. I was quoted as saying “That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button.”
My poor choice of words is regrettable and was in no way meant to impugn you or your integrity. I offer my sincere apology to you and ask for your forgiveness.
Though we may disagree on many issues, I know that we share the goal of a prosperous, secure future for our nation. My comment has detracted from the dialogue that we should all be having on legitimate policy differences and in no way reflects the personal and professional respect I have for you.
Sincerely,
Geoff Davis
Guess I should ask, does he call others, whites, etc., “boy?”
April 14th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Would “boy” be better then “geek”?
April 14th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I doubt that he called him “boy” because he is black.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I believe Obama has more things to worry about:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/rezko/2008/04/obama_bomb_dropped.html
April 14th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Thats the south today Alen! Its not just the white people with the disrepectful language. I like the picture though,with a cowboy hat and strings and some freckles he can pass for Howdy doody.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Interesting! Ya’ll know that I call men 20 -30 years younger then me “son” and even “boy” at times..just an age thing.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I doubt that he called him “boy” because he is black.
by Doester April 14, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Either way, it’s condescending.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
In KY (or TN, AR, MS, AL …) use of the word “boy” means just what you think it means when it’s directed at a black man and it’s not used because they’re trying to be friendly.
In the same way that “The War” (the War of Northern Aggression!!!!) continues to this day, “boy” means the same thing it meant in 1865.
April 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
General Lee & the master race? 8-(
April 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
so it begins…
April 14th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Well, I don’t know, because I’m from New York, and the fact is there are such things in language as regionalisms, and I know I’ve heard southern whites refer to white adult males as “boy,” and the usage I’ve heard seemed synonymous to “guy.”
So here’s my question: does the Representative have a history of bias and offensive speech, or, as many did with Reverend Wright, are we preparing to judge a man and his entire career on the basis of one utterance?
April 14th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Perhaps Davis meant to call Obama a “bitter boy”?
April 14th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
This won’t have legs, but no doubt it’s pretty low.
Barack Obama is the (possibly well) next President of the United States.
Show some got-damn respect. Sheesh.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:24 am
“Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk.”
Somewhat less offensive than the “nigger”, this term belies the representative’s true and candid feelings.
Call a black man “boy” and you are a racist.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Did he call him a “Nigger”? No. Stop your whinning and let your “boy” fight his fight. Never seen so much carrying on about a “sissified little black girl” being overly protected by a bunch of hens.
You know the word “Nigger” is used in today’s music and screen. So why is it that this word is only and exclusively used by “blacks”. To me, that’s discrimination. Keep in mind, it’s just words. Some of you are really hyper-sensitive.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:56 am
rc you’re right on.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Calling someone a “boy” is a southern figure of speech. While it has been used in a derogatory manner at times towards black men a word in and of itself can’t have a motive. I hear the word “boy” used on almost a daily basis in reference to both whites and blacks and both races use it in the same context.
I’ve used it in reference to black coworkers,as well as white,in the presence of other black coworkers who’ve never interpretted in a racial context.
Some folks just look for opportunities to be offended.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
If he didn’t call him “boy” from underlying prejudice then why did he apologize?
April 16th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Ooh, you got something there Kevin? He apologized to the “pretty little black girl” because he would of been nagged by the “hens” that protect the “little sissified liberal”. Read this, he is still a “boy”. And no apology here. This is man talk.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:09 pm