Robstown High School. Robstown Texas. The Cottonpickers
However one answers the question, this kind of thing is not evidence of anything. In most situations, people in the minority have very good reasons to keep their reactions to themselves regardless of what else might be true.
Nothing wrong with it at all, bless your heart. 
Nowadays everything is offensive. It’s best just to keep yr mouth shut.
Possibly, although this is a man who makes his living by giving his opinion of things.
The commentator was being intentionally insulting, which means that offense is intended. I would agree with your sentiment in the case where you can’t say anything nice, it is probably best to keep your mouth shut.
Whether the comment was racial in nature in such a way that it also insulted others is up for debate (I don’t really think so), but whether it was intended to offend is pretty much a given.
So, maybe the lesson to be learned is that when you are insulting people in public, be careful about how you do it, as more than just the target of your insult may take offense. (Or maybe, just maybe, it’s better not to do so at all.)
Or–just maybe–it could be used because it has the same cadance as “mother fucking”, just as nonsense phrases can be substituted for other words or phrases… (Shut the front door!)
So does peanut planter.
Not racist, but probably just outdated.
Racism and nonsense are not exactly mutually exclusive
It seems that Fox Sports (or the NBA) doesn’t like their videos out of their control so unfortunately, this is the best I can find. You be the judge of whether or not you think it was intentionally insulting. I don’t think it was.
I believe the euphemism you’re thinking of is “chicken-flickin’.”
If everyone is always finding offense with things you say, you should stop and consider that maybe everyone has a point.
I never took it that way myself, but what do I know.
“Cotton picking mind” doesn’t sound nearly as harsh as “keep your cotton picking hands off.”
I thought it maybe had something to do with being out in the sun too long. Or less strongly similar to ‘gathering wool.’
something like 'twitter tweeting attention span" might be a modern alternative.
I agree with this. I don’t find it personally offensive but if it makes some people feel bad enough I’m willing to let it go. I’ve got other words I can use. I appreciate the correction.
I never thought of it as such, but I’ve also never used it. I can see the racist implication.
No relative of mine ever picked cotton, or owned anyone who do, so I will defer to those who think it racist, and never use a phrase I never use again.
Neither. My (white) mom grew up in the South, and used to tell me about her days of picking cotton as a teenager.
It doesn’t bother me, but I understand why it would someone else.
This is it. It has nothing to do with picking cotton, just as “mother fucking” doesn’t actually refer to fornication with one’s maternal parent.
Haven’t used that phrase in a coon’s age!