Media reacts to professor’s racist taunt against Ben Carson
…With a big yawn
By now, you may have heard that University of Pennsylvania religious studies professor Anthea Butler is under fire for comments she made about Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson.
Butler suggested that Carson, a renowned pediatric brain surgeon, should get the ‘coon of the year’ award.
We covered the story at College Insurrection. In fact, we’ve written extensively about Professor Butler at College Insurrection over the years:
- U. Penn. religious studies Prof. calls God a white racist after Zimmerman verdict
- U. Penn Prof: Racist Republicans caused shutdown because they hate black President
- Prof Suggests Charleston Killer Won’t be Called a Terrorist Because He’s White
Surely, a professor who said something similar about Obama would face a backlash.
Most media is ignoring the racist taunt.
The panel on The Five discussed the issue yesterday and ironically it was Juan Williams, easily the most liberal participant, who felt that Butler should be dismissed from her position.
According to Al Weaver of the Washington Examiner, there’s been no official response:
Prof. Justin McDaniel, who chairs of the religious studies program at UPenn, called Butler a “valued colleague and faculty member,” but did not offer any direct comment on the tweet itself.
“Professor Butler is on sabbatical and not regularly on campus as she is writing a book on African-American religious history,” McDaniel told the Examiner via email Tuesday. “She will be back on campus teaching regularly in the spring. She is a valued colleague and faculty member, but I have no comment on the tweet, because I have not seen it nor know the context of the comment.”
When presented with the tweet, McDaniel simply said “no comment.”
Featured image via YouTube.
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Comments
What exactly is the “Coon of the year award”? Is there money involved?
This whole affair is a product of affirmative action PERIOD!
Language that is common in the ‘hood is now on display in everyday America so that part is a big yawn to me.
My biggest concern is just how smart is this so called “academic” and can she measure up to her peers of other racial circles?
I don’t think so…
Penn wishes to pretend this ignorant fool is adding to the development of the students’ minds, but the reality is she is an Affirmative Action nightmare who has previously bragged that she can say what she pleases since as tenured faculty she can’t be fired.
Not sure about Penn, but most schools treat tenure as a license to academic freedom, NOT a carte blanche to say any stupid thing that pops into your otherwise empty head, and statements outside of academic writing which bring embarrassment or controversy to the institution can be used to dismiss tenured faculty.
Not that Penn would, being the gutless PC leftists they are.
Technically, Prof Butler was not speaking on behalf of U of Pa., she was exercising her first amendment privilege to use language dripping with racial prejudice. Firing her will invite a lawsuit that she will win. AND HER COMMENTS, THOUGH STARTLING, CONTAIN A REFRESHING HONESTY. Much like John Derbyshire’s remarks at takimag.com in 2012 [ http://takimag.com/article/the_talk_nonblack_version_john_derbyshire#axzz1rJPlABLB ]; but Derbyshire had a long tenure at a PRIVATE entity that could terminate based on speech, thus National Review immediately fired him for comments reflecting racial prejudice — since he was battling leukemia at the time (and continues to), a non-firing suspension would certainly have been more appropriate, assuming a health plan termination was also involved.
Derbyshire has since suggested the existence of a “Cold Civil War” paradigm that is perhaps worth reflection. [See http://takimag.com/article/the_cold_civil_war_grinds_on_john_derbyshire/print#axzz2XPkPCmyw%5D.
While applying the paradigm to Cecil the Lion, he wrote [see http://www.vdare.com/articles/john-derbyshire-cecil-the-lion-and-the-goodwhite-badwhite-cold-civil-war ]:
“Because, inevitably, the whole incident became refracted through the lens of current public discourse in the U.S.A. into a skirmish in what I call the Cold Civil War: that is, the everlasting struggle between, on the one hand, the Progressive goodwhites who dominate our country’s mainstream culture—the Main Stream Media, the universities and law schools, big corporations, the federal bureaucracy—and, on the other hand, the ignorant gap-toothed hillbilly redneck badwhites clinging to their guns and religion out on the despised margins of civilized society.”
In trying to understand the Prof. Butler dynamic, the element in Derbyshire’s writing I find useful is that IN PRACTICE, the prevailing norms on speech and thought have nothing to do with correcting the conduct of minorities. Media outlets aligned with the Cultural Left will not offer the slightest outrage and may in fact double down their support for the minority offender. Further, it seems clear that if the expression is about a minority who publicly advocates conservatism, the reactions will have no speech norms enforced whatsoever.
I think most of the media views this as unwarranted and mistaken outrage. Like they do often in matters that pit progressives against any non-progressive in a cultural clash. I’ve read a couple of pieces that I would summarize like this: The prof is not the bad guy, it’s the NASCAR fans. She was just projecting the slur as if it came from their mouths about Dr. Carson. In other words, since he was pro-flag he must get some award (from them). Never mind the words never came from NASCAR or its fans. They came exclusively from this loony academic. But, since they think her intent was to slander or denigrate those folks, some in the media will happily comply!!
So the media is basically and willingly projecting the slut back on NASCAR. Go figure.
What is up with Andriod??
The last bit should be: “So the media is basically and willingly projecting the slur back on NASCAR. Go figure.”
I think you had it right the first time. Look at that hair.
OMG! It’s Rachel Dolezal’s black mother!
I had to login just so I could up-vote that comment.
The best way to hurt this poor, mean, stupid old woman is to deprive her of press coverage.
Substitute “a position in academia” for “press coverage” and you got it.
She is ideal for modern academia. That is the last place she would be shunned.
Deprive her of students.
“Professor Butler is on sabbatical and not regularly on campus as she is writing a book on African-American religious history,” McDaniel told the Examiner via email Tuesday. “She will be back on campus teaching regularly in the spring.”
From all appearances Butler’s “religious” book must only be a digest of Voodoo as practiced in the Caribbean.
I wish she’d give her mouth a long sabbatical.
“I wish she’s give her mouth a long sabbatical.”
Snort. Giggle.
🙂
When I first looked at the cover frame of the video, I remembered just how important it was not to judge a book by its cover.
Then I watched it, and realized that sometimes the cover of the book really does reflect the contents.
Al Sharpton, with even worse hair.
Al Sharpton’s sister.
To be fair, she’s not national newsworthy.
If the Media were going to report every insane thing said by every professor in America, there’d be no time for the weather forecast. Or Judge Judy. You know, the things people *actually* sit through TV ads for.
You’re right. It’s obviously not newsworthy if a person uses a racial slur against a black Republican politician. But it is news if somebody at or near a Tea Party event is accused of using a racial slur against a black Democratic politician, whether any such thing happened, or not.
Got it.
If someone is accused of saying something at or near a TEA Party movement event, it’s the event that’s newsworthy, not the person. Someone nobody’s ever heard of, tweeting something nasty about a black Democrat, is not news and you don’t hear of it.
Imagine if every “professor” like this idiot were fired and hired in their places were math, science and engineering staff.
There’s no outcry because of the linguistic racial double standard.
Blacks calling other blacks coons isn’t considered racist, just as blacks calling each other the n-word isn’t considered racist.
Therefore her calling Carson a Coon doesn’t garner outrage as a racial taunt; because it’s a pejorative insult used to describe a black promoting stereotypical Uncle Tom like behavior. Like a white calling another white a Redneck, a frequently used pejoratively to attack Southern White conservatives or degrade working class rural whites.
But the double standard would be activated if Donald called Carson a coon; blacks and whites would jump on His bones, kicking and screaming. But if Carson returned the slur and called Donald a Redneck he’d likely get a pass, as whites are more likely to be denounced, and blacks (even conservative ones) aren’t chastised for the same kind of insult.
So Donald, if you’ gonna insult him leave out the ‘C’ and substitute an ‘L’ – you’ll be on much firmer and accurate ground for the criticism to follow..
Empower Donald in 2016!
I propose SHE gets the award.
It’s her own idea, after all. Isn’t it?
Why hasn’t the media asked Clinton and Sanders if they agree with her or repudiate her statement?
I am curious, when she is not calling our peaceful neighbors demeaning despicable names, has *Professor Anthea Butler* ever addressed America’s expanding and shameful *National Epidemic of Child Abuse and Neglect,* aka *Poverty*, that for decades has deprived untold numbers of depressed children from experiencing and enjoying a safe, fairly happy American kid childhood.
Is Professor Anthea Butler aware that child victims of America’s expanding and shameful *National Epidemic of Child Abuse and Neglect,* aka *Poverty*, often develop into angry, frustrated, unpredictable, emotionally depressed teens and adults lacking empathy and compassion for their peaceful neighbors, because their lives suck so why shouldn’t their neighbor’s lives suck too!
Does Professor Anthea Butler recognize there is a substantial population of young immature teen girls and women creating life before acquiring the skills, PATIENCE and means to properly raise, nurture and supervise a developing young child who matures into a fairly happy teen and adult enjoying safe streets to play on or travel.
Is Professor Anthea Butler one of many highly educated Americans who hold blameless young immature teen moms for failing and emotionally harming their children…while the police, criminal justice and correctional systems are charged with protecting peaceful people from depressed, angry, frustrated, unpredictable teens and adults who were victims of EARLY childhood abuse and/or neglect at the hands of immature, impatient teen girls, young women and/or irresponsible men?
What is Professor Anthea Butler opinion of the May 2015 NYTimes article *Rise in Suicide by Black Children Surprises Researchers*?
By SABRINA TAVERNISE
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/health/suicide-rate-for-black-children-surged-in-2-decades-study-says.html
Has Professor Anthea Butler ever asked herself, “Who is responsible for physically and/or emotionally traumatizing children to the point young kids believe their lives are not worth living?”
Speaking At The Eulogy For The Honorable Reverend Clementa Pinckney, President Barack Obama asked:
*”Perhaps it causes us to examine what we’re doing to cause some of our children to hate?”* (Applause.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T_GwYI7MnQ
I am still waiting for Mr. Obama to provide the American people with an answer to his question.
Does Professor Anthea Butler share Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke’s sound advice offered to all Americans, *”Fix the ghetto!”*?
#TakePrideInParenting
#EndChildAbuseNeglect
#ProtectKidsFromIrresponsibleCaregivers
Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Rachel Dolezal, Holder, Obama; there should be a four-way tie for the Coon of the Year Award.
No one addressed the fact that a black liberal can say anything and not suffer any repercussions for it. A white male can suffer consequences for an innocent utterance that “offends” someone. We have a double standard, but that was not mentioned.