Is "Hankerchief Head" offensive, And does it matter who says it?

[LittleClarkie]

There's an article from Black Commentator about the McKinney vs Johnson race

http://www.blackcommentator.com/193/193_cover_mckinney....

that identifies Hank Johnson as Hank (erchief Head) Johnson. What are your opinions on that moniker. Offensive? Justified? Does it matter if the person using such a term is black, white, red or cocoa brown?

It was jaring for me to see it in the article in question I guess, but being a lilly white Norweigian and all, I admit I'm probably ignorant. And so I thought I'd gather opinions and see where the discussion goes.

I'm not even sure I know what they meant by calling Hank Johnson that, unless it was an "Uncle Tom" sort of designation.

What say you?

[catmother]

1. don't know who he is. does he wear something over his head

like some of the rappers do?

[maxsolomon]

2. meaning a british handkerchief hat?

http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/handkerchief/im...

[SaveElmer]

3. The whole thing is offensive and racist...

And not worth the paper it is printed on!

[azurnoir]

4. Black hair care for white folks part1

I think the reference is considered racist because it refers to what is also called a "doo rag" or some sort of scarf or other cloth used to cover the hair, this is mostly used by black people because most of the hair dressing used for "Black hair are oily due to fact this type of hair tends to be extremely dry and there for tend tend to attract dust ect so if your going to be something like work around the house it's best to cover your hair. BTW "doo rag" not only is a slang expression but is also the name of a product sold for that purpose.

[OhioBlue]

5. just on its face value

it seems like a sophomoric attempt at name calling... not really offensive except in the realm of "bone head" or "dodo head" or "silly head" or....

but, then I'm not really up on "handkerchief head" - to me it makes me think of either a biker or a house wife.

[LittleClarkie]

12. Reminds me of Aunt Jemina. And I know that image was considered

offensive. So why would a black publication use it against a fellow black person in support of another black person. I'm not sure Mr. Johnson deserved such treatment. I have yet to hear a clear condemnation of him that didn't begin and end with the fact that he happens to be Cynthia McKinney's opponent. I don't care who plans to vote for him nor do I care who gave him money. We've had that discussion about Green candidates and Ralph Nader, and they are far from Republicans in disguise.

I guess I'd like a discussion of Cynthia McKinney's opponent that took into account his qualifications or lack thereof and that didn't resort to namecalling.

[MrSlayer]

6. It's just stupid.

I would feel silly even saying something like that.

[Donnachaidh]

7. I would think it just as racist as towelhead or raghead is

what was the point of doing this?

[LittleClarkie]

10. You mean posting the thread?

Well, it just seemed odd to me that in an article in support of one black person the use of what I consider to be a racist term against another black person would not be of concern. It bothered me.

[SaveElmer]

8. It's another word for "Uncle Tom"

And of course is offensive...just like the rest of the "article"

[longship]

9. Not if it is in context with "Gumby Theater"

and especially not if they're performing "The Cherry Orchard" by Chekov.

[Monk06]

11. Hankerchief head was a term used by H Rap Brown and the Panthers

To describe blacks who believe that cooperating
with the white esteblishment would lead to civil
rights for black people.

It connotes a hankerchief with knots on tied on
the corners and used as a hat by black church
folk in the south during open air services.

Also used by Monty Python in their Working Class Twit
skits.

[LittleClarkie]

13. Thank you. Do you think it is properly applied to Mr. Johnson?

And if so, why?

[Monk06]

14. I'm not familiar enough with this campaign to say but.........

The term "pothole polititian who does not stir up controversy"
which is how he discribed himself on his website seems to indicate
the he is painting McKinney as an Angela Davis style radical.

This may be what provoked the hankercheif head comment

[LittleClarkie]

15. True. That she's more concerned with activism than

representing her constituents or something like that.

Except that I would think a pothole politican would be a good thing, in that it would be someone who got things done that affect the daily lives of the constituents.

But then again, maybe Cynthia's constituents are into the big issues and not so worried about the potholes.

I guess we'll see in the runoff which they prefer. Her supporters had better come out in force I reckon.

[Monk06]

16. It might be useful to get Mr Johnson's public statement re this video

http://www.gnn.tv/V00063

[LittleClarkie]

17. That's the first time I've actually stopped and read that article

though it's been on the board since yesterday. My bad. Sure is damning for the capitol police, and redemptive for Rep. McKinney.

We have cops like that here in Milwaukee.

When will we ever be past such antics?

[Bucky]

18. It's a racially charged accusation (and yes, a stupid thing to say)

Anyone going to extremes and relying on the cheap shot insults like "hankerchief head" is very likely to litmus tester. I don't think it's racist, but it reveals sloppy thinking. Of course anyone who calls themself "Black Commentator" is probably already used to using rhetorical crutches instead of relying on the intelligence and logic of his ideas.

"Oooh, listen to me. I'm Black!"

Gag.