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UMBRAGE-FEST 2008 CONTINUES.
Barack Obama's campaign issued a denunciation of this Ludacris song in which he refers to Hillary Clinton as "a bitch".
Simultaneously, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton released a statement saying:"As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to. This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics."
Ta-Nehisi Coates titles a post "Ludacris attempts to make Hip-hop more irrelevant" but it's hard to see how it's ever been more relevant. Nas is protesting FOX News on behalf of MoveOn, Ludacris gets a personal chin check from Bill Burton and when and where Obama chooses to listen to Jay-Z's Black Album is an issue of "serious" political importance.
So while we're here ... did any other random black people who like Barack Obama say something that offended you today? If so, you should call Bill Burton so he can issue a denunciation. I hear that one of the goals of the transition team is plans for a new federal agency that will deal exclusively with issuing apologies on behalf of Barack Obama for anything black people do that offends you.
--A.Serwer
COMMENTS (8)
Ok, first off, Luda is not a "random black person." I think the reason that the Obama campaign decided to (pre-emptively) denounce the song is that Obama has praised Ludacris in the past and has been photographed with him, see: As soon as Drudge linked to the song, it was only a matter of time before the pundits, McCain campaign, and bitter Hillary supporters started screaming, "OUTRAGE." So, they stomped out the fire before it got started. Let's not forget that Obama is till trying to win over the female demographic that Hillary won.
Posted by: Jackie | July 31, 2008 11:59 AM
Let's not forget that Obama is till trying to win over the female demographic that Hillary won.
This is Obama's motive. This is more a straight pander to a specific demographic. Its like supporting ethanol.
Posted by: rk | July 31, 2008 12:42 PM
Just once, I would have liked to have seen or even yet see HRC demonstrate an ounce of this level of concern for the egregiously cavalier racism that still wafts from her various public supporters'lips. Iscol's (sic) offended me a lot more than as a black person than Ludacris has as a woman.
Posted by: cxs | July 31, 2008 2:45 PM
Oops, "more as a black person than Ludacris has offended me as a woman."
HRC's radio silence in the face of her supporters is really inexecusable and everytime I see one of her sycophants demand that Obama make one of these denunviations it makes me see red.
I'm not talking about the PUMA Republican fronters, but the ostensible Democrats, who mewl about just not trusting Obama or understanding what he stands for. HRC has chosen not to shut people like Jill Iscol and Lady Racist "Yeah, I said it" Rothschild down and by doing so has given them carte blanche to traipse around with their little dog whistles about empty suits, inexperience etc.
If only we lived in a world where Clinton felt like she needed to follow up Lady RR nonsense or Dana Milbank's sloppy bullshit with a denunciation, but I saw something about that Ludacris song and knew that some Clinton jackass would be bleating after Obama for a denunciation
Posted by: cxs | July 31, 2008 3:03 PM
Have Kid Rock or Ted Nugent said anything stupid lately?
Posted by: fredo bush | July 31, 2008 5:34 PM
"So while we're here ... did any other random black people who like Barack Obama say something that offended you today?"
I don't think "any random black person" saying completely unrelated to the campaign that someone happens to "find offensive" is comparable to lyrics that state the only way McCain should be in any "chair" is "if he's paralyzed."
I don't frequently find myself on the former Vietnam veteran train of outrage but from that perspective, it *is* offensive--and not just a little.
Is there any doubt that this gruesome ditty is going to end up in endless anti-Obama/ Pro-McCain ads? Trying to say "oh, hip hop's irrelevant" is wishful thinking.
Everybody working for the Republicans again.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 31, 2008 9:56 PM
Maybe Ludacris likes his Bush tax cut after all.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 31, 2008 9:58 PM
Clinton Supporters Demand That Obama Denounce Ludacris.
This is the most read story on the New York Observer site.
Posted by: Jackie | August 1, 2008 1:28 PM