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ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)

76. I fully understand its provenance and its also used in the UK and Ireland as a slur.

Wed Feb 1, 2012, 11:25 PM

Feb 2012

But I also know it has other meanings, depending on context, that predate the slur by centuries.

I just watched the video...It was sufficiently incredible that I am not quite sure what to make of it

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is asking a black man to dance a "jig" racist? [View all] arely staircase Feb 2012 OP

of course it is. and she did it with a big smile. seabeyond Feb 2012 #1

and yet some are all upset because HE said the word "interesting" arely staircase Feb 2012 #3

isnt it amazing. i saw the thread. i couldnt believe. the OUTRAGE. she did a racial seabeyond Feb 2012 #6

Indeed - she admits to being a Republican - and was way, way out of line with that racist shit slay Feb 2012 #146

She didn't have the nerve to ask for a full impromptu minstrel show. eShirl Feb 2012 #2

But the word "minstrel" pecwae Feb 2012 #141

Being a republican in Texas usually makes u racist. GusFring Feb 2012 #4

is she one? nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #5

without knowing her personally.... hell ya. nt seabeyond Feb 2012 #8

it's at 48:17 arely staircase Feb 2012 #10

These people are making me ill treestar Feb 2012 #126

it would explain a lot. nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #14

Yes - she is a Republican slay Feb 2012 #148

I would have to see the exchange. renie408 Feb 2012 #7

see post #10 nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #73

I think racism in some is so inate that they dont even recognize it when rhett o rick Feb 2012 #9

i think she knew exactly what she was doing. nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #13

Agree - how does xxqqqzme Feb 2012 #122

Not once... not ever... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #11

then count yourself luckyi have. it is short for arely staircase Feb 2012 #17

So have I. In the north. Jackpine Radical Feb 2012 #89

I Second Jackpine's Observation - eom ProfessorGAC Feb 2012 #99

I'll third that Morning Dew Feb 2012 #117

Same here, in Alabama. trof Feb 2012 #174

urban dictionary bigtree Feb 2012 #20

wikipedia - the bit of etymology i put in bold makes me think she meant it that way arely staircase Feb 2012 #25

It's a racial slur DefenseLawyer Feb 2012 #31

Highly debateable ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #33

It's not an either or proposition DefenseLawyer Feb 2012 #35

Actually it is both, depending on context ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #48

I was responding to a particular statement DefenseLawyer Feb 2012 #59

Maybe she was calling him a fish. Life Long Dem Feb 2012 #78

I never once suggested she was calling him anything DefenseLawyer Feb 2012 #85

My point is that it isn't in the common usage... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #94

Lot's of videos at youtube using it.... The Straight Story Feb 2012 #34

so youtube makes it legitimate? bigtree Feb 2012 #38

I did not say either way, was replying to someone who had not heard it before The Straight Story Feb 2012 #44

I saw those in my searches bigtree Feb 2012 #54

then you haven't experienced shit. nt dionysus Feb 2012 #57

Mmhmm.... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #66

Yes, it appears to be a waste. n/t HangOnKids Feb 2012 #154

LOVE YOU HangOnKids Feb 2012 #153

This isn't sticking to the wall. Life Long Dem Feb 2012 #77

well, your 'fish' excuse certainly didn't float bigtree Feb 2012 #80

Ha ha... I'm sure it didn't. Life Long Dem Feb 2012 #86

i knew what it meant and i am not around this stuff. have heard it all my life. nt seabeyond Feb 2012 #92

I have - grew up in Indiana xxqqqzme Feb 2012 #121

'jig' or not bigtree Feb 2012 #12

I agree. That is the thing that struck me. Kellerfeller Feb 2012 #139

The term "jig" is not inherently racist. ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #15

the word has a racist past bigtree Feb 2012 #23

It has a much longer historical non-racist usage and context is quite clear on intent ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #29

the older non-racist meaning "a type of dance" was the root of the racial slur arely staircase Feb 2012 #39

The problem is the older meanings are also current, valid, and clearly non-racist. ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #52

I have never in my life heard the word jig in a racist way... a la izquierda Feb 2012 #40

well, i am scots-irish and mexican. i know what jigs and reels are. ive seen them performed. arely staircase Feb 2012 #70

Welp, you learn something new and awful every day. a la izquierda Feb 2012 #96

Professor, I have lived this bigtree Feb 2012 #32

As a black American, I look at context from which intent is clear ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #37

i put a link in post #10 nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #42

Thanks, I just watched it ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #53

well now you have to explain the meaning of that lol arely staircase Feb 2012 #58

It was sufficiently incredible that I am not sure what to make of it ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #65

You're a black American and don't understand the historical significance of that word Liberal_Stalwart71 Feb 2012 #71

I fully understand its provenance and its also used in the UK and Ireland as a slur. ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #76

Why can't you just admit that it has racial overtones? I don't understand Liberal_Stalwart71 Feb 2012 #97

gee, maybe if he'd danced a jig for her, she would have invited him on a Gabi Hayes Feb 2012 #50

It looks like a GOP setup to show Obama pandering itsrobert Feb 2012 #16

yeah, he handled it well. nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #21

She may be racist. countingbluecars Feb 2012 #18

Silly Sally Went To Town MissB Feb 2012 #19

yes, as i said - it has two meanings nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #22

Did she ask him to show his teeth? grasswire Feb 2012 #24

I've had non-racist cause to do so; very few other people have. Donald Ian Rankin Feb 2012 #26

My daughters and wife learned some of the classic jigs and reels ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #41

Hard to tell RZM Feb 2012 #27

come to east texas some time - it is still used here behind the pine curtain. nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #47

I'm not saying it's not out there RZM Feb 2012 #60

you are right and your anecdote is just like many stories i could tell arely staircase Feb 2012 #64

Well I wouldn't be too hard on the guy in my story RZM Feb 2012 #75

Why are people in this thread trying so hard to dismiss this obvious racial slur? Liberal_Stalwart71 Feb 2012 #72

Anyone else remember this M*A*S*H classic? KansDem Feb 2012 #28

I remember that ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #45

I had completely forgotten that bigtree Feb 2012 #62

is "gettin jiggy wit it" racist? frylock Feb 2012 #30

is asking a black man to dance a "jig" racist? Son of Gob Feb 2012 #36

thank you . nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #51

the etymology of the word "jig" is a part of this discussion.. frylock Feb 2012 #113

Do you think it's now ok to ask a black person to dance a jig Son of Gob Feb 2012 #119

no frylock Feb 2012 #177

let you in on a secret - words can have more than one meaning. arely staircase Feb 2012 #49

I'd bet the farm that 'jiggy' originated from 'jig' RZM Feb 2012 #69

From 'jig', but not necessarily from the derogatory meaning muriel_volestrangler Feb 2012 #109

Only if he's Irish. nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #43

Obama actually has some traceable Irish roots ProgressiveProfessor Feb 2012 #74

Alright Arely. The jig is up. nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #46

..................."and GONE." That's a line from History of The World. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2012 #178

Bruce Willis can be blamed for reviving the word. nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #180

Actually, I thought it was an Irish term....as in an Irish Jig.... a kennedy Feb 2012 #55

and asking a black man to dance for you is...? eShirl Feb 2012 #63

It doesn't look good... ecstatic Feb 2012 #56

i missed the repub from texas part the first time - i am from and currently in texas arely staircase Feb 2012 #61

This reminded me of a hilarious scene in one of the "Ocean" quinnox Feb 2012 #67

Bernie Mac? eShirl Feb 2012 #82

I sure thought it was jsmirman Feb 2012 #68

K & R! lonestarnot Feb 2012 #79

She could have avoided this entirely Generic Brad Feb 2012 #81

I also know I wouldn't ask someone for help finding a job AND jsmirman Feb 2012 #83

Maybe she is taking it back joeglow3 Feb 2012 #84

i haven't seen that in years - i didn't even remember wanda sykes being in it. nt arely staircase Feb 2012 #87

This is just my opinion The Genealogist Feb 2012 #88

+1 Gormy Cuss Feb 2012 #150

If you have to ask, it's ALWAYS racist. saras Feb 2012 #90

That is a ridiculous standard... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #95

"but only with 2+ people in the within direct line of sight?" HangOnKids Feb 2012 #163

Yes. ellie Feb 2012 #91

If it wasn't racist, it was surely the most demeaning, rude thing ... frazzled Feb 2012 #93

We are Irish, it wouldn't be a slur... but I have no idea why anyone even if they were Irish would NotThisTime Feb 2012 #98

This message was self-deleted by its author redqueen Feb 2012 #102

Yes Chill Keney Feb 2012 #100

Would that woman have asked any other president to "dance" for her? City Lights Feb 2012 #101

Ehhh... Big big reach. chrisa Feb 2012 #103

yes. it is just kinda a joke amongst the white. why are the blacks being so sensitive seabeyond Feb 2012 #108

It was a weird comment, but I'm not getting what people are seeing here. chrisa Feb 2012 #114

Yes. redqueen Feb 2012 #104

Maybe she had just watched "The Last Boy Scout"? nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #105

Yes... joeybee12 Feb 2012 #106

He is. Donald Ian Rankin Feb 2012 #123

I think asking him to sing and dance reveals a racist presumption on her part deutsey Feb 2012 #107

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #129

They asked him to go on American Idol and sing with Al Green. Major Hogwash Feb 2012 #130

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #131

I don't know if you were hasty or not, I just saw it on the Yahoo News page is all Major Hogwash Feb 2012 #135

I don't know about that deutsey Feb 2012 #133

Please. Nobody asked or commanded him to sing at the Apollo. redqueen Feb 2012 #142

Is corporate calling the tune, again, lol? T S Justly Feb 2012 #110

This message was self-deleted by its author Son of Gob Feb 2012 #136

I've never heard the term jig used in a racist way.. octothorpe Feb 2012 #111

That woman was anti-Obama all the way--I sometimes wonder if she was a set up WI_DEM Feb 2012 #112

She could be a troll. Who knows. chrisa Feb 2012 #115

Well given that it's an Irish folk dance treestar Feb 2012 #116

Yes n/t Spazito Feb 2012 #118

I always thought dancing a jig was an Irish thing.... Marrah_G Feb 2012 #120

I don't know, but it was disrespectful. Quantess Feb 2012 #124

Pres. Obama is not renowned for either British folk dancing or fly-fishing LanternWaste Feb 2012 #125

Now that is a word I have not heard in a long time. Rex Feb 2012 #127

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #128

Defending racist Republicans Son of Gob Feb 2012 #138

+1 uponit7771 Feb 2012 #140

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #147

Keep making excuses for this Racist Pig Son of Gob Feb 2012 #159

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #165

Sycophants are now people who don't defend racism like yourself. Son of Gob Feb 2012 #166

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #168

It's clear where your POV on this matter is coming from. Son of Gob Feb 2012 #169

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #170

Lol. I'm closeminded to racism. You're doing a great job at keeping your mind open. Son of Gob Feb 2012 #171

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #172

Who is this "we" you're talking about? redqueen Feb 2012 #143

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #144

Way more people than just DUers are pissed at this racist BS. nt redqueen Feb 2012 #145

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #151

And sometimes a question is not *just* a question LanternWaste Feb 2012 #152

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #167

That must be it... BklnDem75 Feb 2012 #181

I was just on a jury with the 'JIG' - I was wondering why... LynneSin Feb 2012 #132

Jon Stewart did the best riff on this. Cleita Feb 2012 #134

Interesting how some of the bigger Obama haters around here are ok with this Son of Gob Feb 2012 #137

What are you talking about? Care to show some proof? slay Feb 2012 #149

Kaw KaKaw Kaw KaKaw Son of Gob Feb 2012 #156

I hear ya slay Feb 2012 #158

You're ok in my book slay Son of Gob Feb 2012 #162

You know the bigger Obama haters around here? HangOnKids Feb 2012 #155

Yeah I do Son of Gob Feb 2012 #157

Testy Testy Testy HangOnKids Feb 2012 #160

Why share your lists with everyone? pecwae Feb 2012 #183

To dance a jig is not racist. BeeBee Feb 2012 #161

Why not just ask him to dance then? Or dance the macarena? slay Feb 2012 #164

You know, I thought I was just a little sensitive when I heard that idiot say that... Ecumenist Feb 2012 #173

For what it's worth, it looks like that girl from Texas has decided to vote for Obama... Drunken Irishman Feb 2012 #175

good news..hearts can change...maybe there was some self-evaluation arely staircase Feb 2012 #176

leaving racial overtones aside, for a moment .... marasinghe Feb 2012 #179

at the time i thought so SwampG8r Feb 2012 #182

I've never heard that term in reference to race. pecwae Feb 2012 #184