Life Postman on Language
posted by on November 8 at 19:06 PM
Writing about “the M-word,” Postman asks:
If Sen. George Allen, R-Va., is in a close race, in part, because he used an offensive racial term, why has it been OK for the media to keep using macaca, including for comedic effect?
I don’t know, but Wonkette, the most prolific user of the “M-word” for comedic effect, today outdid “herself” with a recount-related headline that began, Macacalypse Now?
Maybe it's OK because Wonkette isn't asking for anyone's vote?
The diff is that the comics using it now are making fun of the racist asshole, not the racial minority. It's a perfect example of turning a hate term on its head. From here on out, "macaca" means racist asshole. Neat trick, huh?
Exactly, Dan. Thus, the title Senator Macacawitz for a racist senator who's uncomfortable with his own Jewish heritage.
And Wonkette's headline is brilliant.
Egregious misuse of italics, sorry. Wasn't meant to be a Rick Moody post.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061109/ap_on_el_se/virginia_senate
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