By now, Dan Rather’s comment on Sunday’s “Chris Matthews Show” has been bandied about by the mainstream press, and viewed by all angles. Some think the comment — that President Obama ” … couldn’t sell watermelons if you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic” — was entirely racist, while others construe it as being merely a poor choice of words. Whatever your personal belief, it’s clear that the current political climate is more strained than it’s ever been, and that so much exacting care must be taken when speaking publicly that it’s almost not worth speaking at all.
Sadly, this is the kind of world in which we have to raise our children. A seemingly casual, flippant remark, made in innocence, can easily backfire and turn the speaker into something perceived as malevolent. It’s no longer enough to say “That’s not what I meant”; we have to edit ourselves before saying anything at all.
However, we should be teaching our children this lesson anyway. If a child inadvertently hurts another’s feelings, she might say “I didn’t mean to”, but the result speaks for itself. It’s a sign that, good intentions or ill, mistakes sometimes get made. Maybe you didn’t mean to hurt someone, but you did, and now you know better. This is good for growth. We can’t expect a five year old to be aware of her strength, or limitations, or boundaries at all times. She’s learning from experience, which is the best teacher. But we can show that there are always consequences for every action, whether purposefully made or accidental. There is always room for apologies, and a genuine desire to make amends, which is, in the end, the most important issue.
Comments
Texas Gal
March 10th, 2010 - 7:43:25 AM
In Texas we buy many of our watermelons from the back of pickup trucks parked along country roads or in grocery stores. All of them are sold by farmers and merchants of all colors. Rather's comment was referring to the SELLERS of watermelons - not the frequently depicted consumers of watermelons. No racial slur was made or intended by Rather's remark.
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mel
March 10th, 2010 - 8:23:01 AM
watermelons??? not so much but the comment on President Obama speaking well was RUDE and condescending i'm sorry as the president of the US you're suppose to speak "articulate" the last time i checked its one of the prerequisite of getting the job. As a black female i find it offensive not a compliment to be told i speak well
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Brian
March 10th, 2010 - 9:13:07 AM
The comment was not necessary at all. Even if it wasn't meant that way, it's how you think. It's all about your mind. This is a great lesson in think before you say something. PERIOD... but this shows how the world is today. Just take it day by day..
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J. Morgan
March 10th, 2010 - 9:41:15 AM
Let's remember the updated and more accurate definition of racist: RACIST: 1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive term for a white person. 2: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities, if promoted by white people. 3: a belief that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race,if promoted by white people.
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Norman Robinson
March 10th, 2010 - 10:28:16 AM
I'm tired of this whole I got you world we live in, I'm an affrican American male who hapoends to be a Democrat and love Dan rather I just think it was poor choice of words but @ the same time we should weigh our words when there's a camera and a Mike in front of us
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Sarah2012
March 10th, 2010 - 11:24:03 AM
I love how Democrats "understand" and make excuses when one of their own screws up. The back peddling is hilarious!
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Rick
March 10th, 2010 - 11:36:32 AM
I'm black and I strongly feel that it was a poor taste of words. However, if someone else (i.e. black) would've made that comment it would've been taken less seriously. This isn't rhetoric, homologous creates relatable excusable context. Once more, I don't believe he is racist merely poor taste of words. This somewhat surprises me because he is a journalist and his profession is looking at multiple facets and understanding cultural sensitivity.
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Nola Lowery
May 27th, 2010 - 4:00:48 PM
You've done it again. Amazing article!
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