# Obama be shuckin' 'n' jivin', dontchyaknow! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 25, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784 "2012-10-25T01:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/81 "2012-10-25T16:42:16Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Something tells me Josh is only around so that DS can use the phrase “Hey, it’s ok… I have friends that are black!” And Josh keeps **Drunky Smurf** around so he can say to his real friends: “You guys will not _believe_ what this asshole said the other day..” ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/82 "2012-10-25T17:29:14Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And Josh keeps **Drunky Smurf** around so he can say to his real friends: “You guys will not _believe_ what this asshole said the other day..” Classic Josh. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/83 "2012-10-25T17:58:16Z")
Now y’all be Joshin’ me. ---
**Author:** ![Deser2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@Deser2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deser2)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/84 "2012-10-25T20:43:21Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I get the over all point you’re trying to make and I agree with you. > > But you used a really bad analogy. I call all my friends ‘brother’, including my black friends. The difference is, thats your friend. The way I speak to my black friends and the way I speak around black strangers is VERY different. When my friend Brandon walks into the house I’ll usually say something along the line of “uh oh, hide the VCR” joking about the stereotype that black people steal things. He usually will have some choice words about white people steroetypes. No way in hell would I say anything close to that to a black person that I don’t have a previous relationship with. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/85 "2012-10-25T20:47:53Z")
And of course, Palin was absolutely correct. And since the libs can’t refute it, all they can do is whine like whipped dogs about her use of a wide-spread slang term. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/86 "2012-10-25T20:50:26Z")
Every time I think “ **Clothy** can’t \*really \*be that dumb, can he?” … ---
**Author:** ![humblebumble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@humblebumble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humblebumble)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/87 "2012-10-25T20:54:40Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Can we at least all agree that Mitt Romney is a jive-ass honky? I don’t know about that, but he’s not playing with a full deck if you know what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/88 "2012-10-25T20:55:15Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Every time I think “ **Clothy** can’t \*really \*be that dumb, can he?” … You must not be able to see his avatar. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/89 "2012-10-25T21:03:31Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And of course, Palin was absolutely correct. And since the libs can’t refute it, all they can do is whine like whipped dogs about her use of a wide-spread slang term. Except more people are now talking about the “shuck and jive” portion of her quote than…whatever the fuck it was she was actually talking about. ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/90 "2012-10-25T21:36:14Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And of course, Palin was absolutely correct. And since the libs can’t refute it, all they can do is whine like whipped dogs about her use of a wide-spread slang term. Yep, it’s a wide-spread term. Why, I think I just heard it used the other day… back in the early 1970’s, when we were having dinner at Sambo’s. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/91 "2012-10-25T22:13:46Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And of course, Palin was absolutely correct. And since the libs can’t refute it, all they can do is whine like whipped dogs about her use of a wide-spread slang term. They’ve been refuting it from day one. She’s full of shit and so are you. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/92 "2012-10-25T22:16:29Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And of course, Palin was absolutely correct. This is sort of between Coulter-level and Palin-level. Medium grade. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/93 "2012-10-25T23:27:20Z")
The best way to test whether or not it was racist is to ask would Palin have used the phrase if Obama was white? I think the answer is obviously no. This also isn’t the first time someone used this phrase against Obama. I’m actually embarrassed for all of Palin’s defenders that, unless I missed one, haven’t mentioned that Andrew Cuomo, the current Governor of New York used the phrase in 2008 explaining Obama’s loss in NH said “you can’t shuck and jive at press conferences.” And yes, it was racist then and it’s racist now. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/94 "2012-10-25T23:32:55Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > If you believe that to be the same as saying “I bet Obama likes fried chicken and watermelon,” you’re making a despicable and indefensible statement. I’m sorry, but this is bullshit. Of course it’s defensible. Taking a wild stab in the dark and saying “I bet Obama likes fried chicken and watermelon” has about a 95% chance of being correct - because fried chicken and watermelon is _delicious_. It’s also so far off the offense-o-meter that it’s about as offensive as suggesting that the Polish invented the solar-powered flashlight. It’s a pathetic joke that idiot 4th graders said up until the late 80s. There are FAR more offensive things that jackass bigots say and insinuate, that getting up in arms when someone says that blacks enjoy food that 95% of the rest of the world enjoys is just asinine. Might I suggest instead of wailing and gnashing your teeth, you just point and laugh? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/95 "2012-10-26T01:34:24Z")
Anybody who doesn’t think that “shuckin’ an’ jivin’” isn’t racist hasn’t seen it said with the correct, and formerly standard, Stepin Fetchit mannerisms. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/96 "2012-10-26T01:48:26Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > To me they are two completely different animals. Coulter is very smart. You may not agree with her but she can hold her own in a debate with any talking head. She uses insults and hyperbole to get attention. And it works. > > Palin is just a moron that people keep giving attention to. Yep. Say what you will about Coulter, she graduated with honors from Cornell, has a law degree from the University of Michigan where she was editor of the Law Review. Stupid, she is not. And she can shuck and jive with the best of them! ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/97 "2012-10-26T01:53:57Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’m sorry, but this is bullshit. Of course it’s defensible. Taking a wild stab in the dark and saying “I bet Obama likes fried chicken and watermelon” has about a 95% chance of being correct - because fried chicken and watermelon is _delicious_. It’s also so far off the offense-o-meter that it’s about as offensive as suggesting that the Polish invented the solar-powered flashlight. It’s a pathetic joke that idiot 4th graders said up until the late 80s. There are FAR more offensive things that jackass bigots say and insinuate, that getting up in arms when someone says that blacks enjoy food that 95% of the rest of the world enjoys is just asinine. Might I suggest instead of wailing and gnashing your teeth, you just point and laugh? May I suggest that you practice what you preach— approach a group of black people at random (first driving yourself to a predominantly black neighborhood, if necessary), ask them if they like eating fried chicken and watermelon, and see how they react? And if they seem offended for some reason, advise them to get over it because you could’ve said far worse? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/98 "2012-10-26T02:13:38Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Something tells me Josh is only around so that DS can use the phrase “Hey, it’s ok… I have friends that are black!” But interestingly, if you ask Josh if he has any white friends, he never mentions DS. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/99 "2012-10-26T02:47:15Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And of course, Palin was absolutely correct. And since the libs can’t refute it, all they can do is whine like whipped dogs about her use of a wide-spread slang term. You betcha, Buckwheat. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784/100 "2012-10-26T03:28:58Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Anybody who doesn’t think that “shuckin’ an’ jivin’” isn’t racist hasn’t seen it said with the correct, and formerly standard, Stepin Fetchit mannerisms. I must have missed the part of the clip where Palin used those mannerisms, then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-be-shuckin-n-jivin-dontchyaknow/638784.md?page=6)