Celebrating "Black History Month," Feb. 3, 2010...

Hey y'all! Hugs, kisses, yada yada yada...

Warning: This is likely to be a real "ramble," so if you've got better things to do, just move on along. There are a whole lot more interesting things on the worldwide computer to look at. And, I will begin (after a brief editorial note) with some serious, and personal junk.

(Editorial note) Yesterday, I posted this photo of Shreveport, LA Mayor, Cedric Glover.

In the comments, Staci asked (probably mostly tongue in cheek) if the white guy in the picture was wearing a white mask, or if he was in whiteface.

So, just in case y'all don't know, that is a Mardi Gras mask being worn by the honky. This photo was taken at a Shreveport Mardi Gras Parade. Mayor Cedric served as a float in one of them last year. (End of editorial note)

Now, to the serious, and the personal. On this day in Black History (really American history), the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. On Feb. 3, 1870, the 15th amendment, prohibiting the States from denying the right to vote to any citizen due to their race, color, or if they had previously been a slave was ratified.

While I am one that believes the Constitution should be amended rarely, I'm thinking this one was likely necessary. Just sayin'...

Also, on this day in Black History, the Negro National Baseball League was formed in 1920. And, 69 years later a black man, Bill White would become, on Feb. 3, 1989, The President of The National League. By doing so, White held the highest executive position in professional U.S. sports by a black man ever.

Personally, I'm glad that black guys broke into the major leagues. If they hadn't, it'd be nothing but Hispanics by now, but I digress.

On another serious note, I want to ramble about "terms." I don't always catch Rush Limbaugh, but I happened to listen to some of his radio show today. He was talking about BozObama's chief of staph infection, Rahm Emanuel. It seems that Rahm is all up in trouble because he said Senate Democrats were acting like a bunch of "f-ing retards." I listened as Rush continued to use the terms "retard, retarded, etc." I know what Rush was doing. He was illustrating the hypocrisy of lefties who would certainly call for the dismissal of someone on the right, had they done the same thing.

But, what got me on this thinking jag was a call from a woman (I do not know where she lived). She seemed to be hurt by Rush's use of the word "retarded, retard, etc." It seems that she has a son that is, according to her, "developmentally disabled." And that's cool if that's the term she wants to use.

Let's give y'all a couple of Andy facts here. I have four wonderful sons (aged 29, 27, 20, and 13). I can not imagine one thing that I would not do for them, even to the giving of my own life. They are ALL highly intelligent. #1 son is a Chinese Linguist in the United States Air Force (not a career for dummies). #2 son is brilliant, pulling down a 30+ on his ACT, and lives WAY TOO FAR OFF from here, dangit! #3 son also pulled EXTREMELY high ACT scores (30+), is a Medic in the US Army Reserve, and a Biology major in college.

#4 son is retarded.

He suffers from a mild form of autism that causes him to be socially, physically, and emotionally retarded. I have been chastised by readers from time to time for using the word, "retarded." But, he is. Words have definitions. "Retarded" has as its' root, the word "retard."

The dictionary defines "retard":

1. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.

2. Music A slackening of tempo.

Now, I know, I know, I know!!!...Nobody needs to tell me that the word "retard" has become a pejorative, used to insult the "developmentally disabled," or the "handi-capable," or whatever... Folks, I'm sorry! No, I'm really not sorry. I'm not gonna play that silly game.

When #4 son left the safety of elementary school, and headed off to Junior High Middle School, I anticipated difficulties for him. The kids are bigger, less supervised, and more likely to feel their oats when it comes to picking on the weak. Junior High sucks! It did when I attended, and it still does.

Not too far in, I got a call from the school that something had happened in gym class to my son, he had had a "meltdown," and I should probably come get him. Without knowing all the details, I had a pretty good idea of how it all went. As we pulled out of the parking lot of the school, I noticed that my life-long friend, Bart, was at his office across the street from the school.

I thought that Bart and I may be able to buck up #4 son together. As we walked into his office, I gave Bart "the high sign" to play along. We talked for a good while, as Bart picked up on every verbal clue I gave him...and Bart told #4 son about how tough it was for him and me when we were in Junior High, etc. When we left, #4 son was feeling much better.

Later on that evening, I decided to delve into it deeper. I asked my youngest more details. I finally got out of him that some older boys had made a good bit of sport of him. And, they had "called him a name." So, I asked what name they had called him.

#4 son: "Don't want to say that word."

Me: "Why not? You know you can always tell me anything."

#4 son: "Don't want to."

Me: "Did it start with an 'R'?"

#4 son: (kinda tearing up) "Yes."

Me: "Honey, let me ask you something. If those boys had called you 'stupid,' would it have hurt just as much?"

#4 son: "Don't know. Probably so."

Me: "If they had called you 'developmentally disabled' would it have been better?"

#4 son: "Don't think so. Woulda hurt."

The point I'm trying to make with all of this is that it's not the term we use to describe someone, or some condition that is important. It is the spirit behind our words that make the difference. I would NEVER, NEVER, NEVER address a "developmentally disabled" person by calling them a "retard." But, while describing their condition, "retarded" is an accurate word to use.

I used the word "retarded" yesterday to describe someone who had landed at Andy's Place while Gooble searching for images of "can I get aids from swimming in a pool with black people." "Retarded," is an accurate term to describe such an individual. That person definitely exhibits a "hindering" of their personal "progress," and a "slowness." Plus, they're just an ignoramus.

I am a gentleman (kinda). As a gentleman, I never seek to offend folks personally. At the same time, I believe that to adjust to every single wind that blows in pc-ness does a great disservice to not only our beloved English language, but also to the roots of our culture itself.

This brings us back to "Black History Month." I have also been chastised for using the term "negro," while referring to black folks. I'm not going back through all of that fall-de-rall, and explaining why I refuse to drop the term (when appropriate). Just let it be known that, in my mind, the same rules apply to "retards," and "negroes."

It is the spirit in which those words are used that really matters.

(In fact, I have had several request to re-post the most highly acclaimed work ever published at Andy's Place. I might do that one day during Black History Month.)

All that being said...

Ladies & Gennemens...I give you "The Niggars!"

Chappelle's Show
The Niggar Family
www.comedycentral.com
Buy Chappelle's Show DVDs Black Comedy True Hollywood Story