What's Wrong with Calling Obama Articulate?
Voters around the country haven't forgotten about the time, in February of 2007, when Joe Biden complemented his future running mate, Barack Obama, by using the racially charged word "articulate." I don't have to explain the significance of the term in its backhanded, racist context; my question is, under what circumstances is it OK to call a black person "articulate"?
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Editorial Director
Q: "…under what circumstances is it OK to call a black person "articulate"?"
A: When the subject of articulateness arises in a larger, non-racial context.
Joe Biden could have selected any number of aspects about Obama to praise in 2007. But he chose Baraks' ability to speak clearly and succinctly, a characteristic he never would have chosen for a white politician. Because in Biden's mind articulateness is a 'given' when he thinks about white politicians.
Blacks? Not so much (in Biden's mind). So when he encounters a black politician who doesn't sound like Mush-mouth, that's the quality that jumps out at him.
But go ahead and vote for Obama/Biden anyway. That way, you'll know for sure you're not racist.