# Rush Limbaugh calling Obama a "Halfrican American." WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 26, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513 "2007-01-26T02:20:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/21 "2007-01-26T04:49:18Z")
You know, I wonder if what really scares the right about Obama is that, while impeccably American, he’s so damned **cosmopolitan.** Just like Teresa Heinz-Kerry. Only worse, because he’s . . well . . . **you** know . . . ---
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/22 "2007-01-26T05:00:09Z")
So does this mean only half his success can be attributed to the media being very desirous that a black politician do well? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/23 "2007-01-26T05:01:32Z")
Not Jewish? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/24 "2007-01-26T07:29:21Z")
Well, it’s better than “mulatto.” While I’m sure it was intended to be insulting, I think it’s also a sign of progress. Up until know, American culture has held that “one drop of black blood” made you 100% African-America, This did not apply to other ethnic groups - while Halle Berry is always black, actors Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Tilly and Dean Cain, who each have one Asian parent, are never called “Asian-American.” Tiger Woods is the ultimate example of this: while he has twice as much Asian heritage as African, I’ve never heared him referred to as anything other than black. In short, maybe “halfrican-American” is a first step to seeing mixed-raced people as neither white nor black, but rather quintessentially _American_… and as such, more qualified than anyone to be president of the United States. ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/25 "2007-01-26T09:51:04Z")
I’ve got nothing to add except: Rush is a fucking piece of shit. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/26 "2007-01-26T11:34:33Z")
That same website mentions a different radio host used the same term earlier: [http://mediamatters.org/items/200612070006](http://mediamatters.org/items/200612070006) So I’m guessing Rush probably heard about the term from that guy and is using it with the same sort of rationale that guy did. > [@](#): > > SUSSMAN: Halfrican and, again, his father was – his father was from Kenya, his mother’s white. OK, now, I have nothing with mixed – nothing against mixed-race people but, my point is, when this guy stands in front of a black audience, pretending like he was born and raised in the hood, and he can identify with their problems, he doesn’t allow – he is not, in my opinion – 'cause my opinion is your average white guy – he is not allowed to wear the African-American badge because his family are not the descendants of slaves, OK? He can’t identify with the discrimination and the slavery and all of that that’s gone into these black families for generations; he’s a kid who was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth in a white family in Hawaii, OK? You wanna call me names for saying this? Go right ahead. I’m just telling you what the guy is. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/27 "2007-01-26T12:03:52Z")
I’d wager that perhaps most of the people currently living in the US who self-identify and are identified by others as “Black” are not the descendents of slaves. Would Rush dare to tell a recent Haitian immigrant that he’s insufficiently Black? It’s not about his actual ethnicity, or his ancestry. It’s about his socioeconomic status. He’s insufficiently “'hood”. If you ask me, the phrase “Halfrican American” is meant to imply that Obama should be unacceptable to everyone, too white for the blacks, and too black for the whites. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/28 "2007-01-26T12:14:53Z")
[QUOTE=lavenderviolet] That same website mentions a different radio host used the same term earlier: [http://mediamatters.org/items/200612070006](http://mediamatters.org/items/200612070006) So I’m guessing Rush probably heard about the term from that guy and is using it with the same sort of rationale that guy did. [/QUOTE] Or, perhaps Rush listens to NPR and picked it up on November 13, 2006, in an episode of _All Things Considered_: > [@](#): > > JEFF’S DIARY: > HALFRICAN > “What are you?” > > NPR’S ‘All Things Considered’ continues the “TEENAGE DIARIES” series > with the story of a BOSTON TEENAGER and his QUESTIONS OF RACIAL IDENTITY > > On Friday, November 13, NPR/WBFO will broadcast the audio diary of a teenager > trying to define his own racial identity. > > “Jeff’s Diary: Halfrican,” is the newest in a series of “Teenage Diaries” > airing nationally during NPR’s evening newsmagazine All Things Considered. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/29 "2007-01-26T12:22:57Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] My take is that is just trying to get the phrase out there. He’s a media whore, but his listeners are unlikely to abandon him if he simply reinforces the stereotypes they hold. He doesn’t give a rat’s ass if if the ‘libruls’ call him a racist. It would be more like a badge of honor. (Edit) Didn’t he popularize “feminazis,” and “environmemtal cases?” Same same. [/QUOTE] I believe his term is “environmental whackos”. ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/30 "2007-01-26T13:17:29Z")
> [@lowbrass](#): > > I’ve got nothing to add except: Rush is a fucking piece of shit. I totally agree but would add that the people who listen to him without complaint are also fucking pieces of shit. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/31 "2007-01-26T13:58:55Z")
Keith Olbermann had him as “Worst Person in the World” last night. And it’s funny you should bring up “Mulatto”, **Alessan** , as Keith pointed out that Rush was probably dying to say that instead. He might as well have. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/32 "2007-01-26T14:09:57Z")
Rush should be more niggardly in the number of puns he makes. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/33 "2007-01-26T14:11:50Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] Or, perhaps Rush listens to NPR and picked it up on November 13, 2006, in an episode of _All Things Considered_: [/QUOTE] Holy crap. I’ve never been so offended! NPR is a bunch of racist fucktards! I can just picture this thread going into page two with all the posters who slammed Rush for making this statement will go on to slam NPR for doing the same thing. That’s what’s going to happen? Right? Bueller? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/34 "2007-01-26T14:13:18Z")
[QUOTE=DianaG] I’d wager that perhaps most of the people currently living in the US who self-identify and are identified by others as “Black” are not the descendents of slaves. [/QUOTE] Really? What makes you think that? African immigrants comprise only a small proportion of the black American population. The rest of the black folks living here descend from the slave trade diaspora, which includes immigrants from the Carribean and South America, as well as those whose ancestors have been in the US since the founding of the nation. In the US, I think you’re much more likely to come across a black descendant of slaves than not. As far as the Halfrican-American thing, I don’t get the ire. Even though I’m not at all impressed by efforts to create new racial categories for people (because doing so gives undue credence to the idea that race is a meaningful biogically-determined construct), I don’t see how Rush’s comments are offensive. He obviously sees Obama and Halle as a group different from other blacks (because of their parentage). But that’s not offensive to me. It’s a bit ignorant, maybe, but not a slap to the face or anything. ---
**Author:** ![GLWasteful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GLWasteful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GLWasteful)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/35 "2007-01-26T14:31:05Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] You know, I wonder if what really scares the right about Obama is that, while impeccably American, he’s so damned **cosmopolitan.** Just like Teresa Heinz-Kerry. Only worse, because he’s . . well . . . **you** know . . . [/QUOTE] . . .not a chick? ---
**Author:** ![GLWasteful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GLWasteful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GLWasteful)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/36 "2007-01-26T14:38:19Z")
[QUOTE=you with the face] As far as the Halfrican-American thing, I don’t get the ire. [/quote] I think that it’s because of the source. After all, this is the same individual who herked and jerked while explaining how Michael J. Fox was simply _acting_ as if his Parkinson’s were doing. . .well. . .what Parkinson’s actually does. He’s an idiot who plays to his base. He’s also smart enough to know what his base wants. > [@](#): > > It’s a bit ignorant, maybe. . . Dunnno as I’d allow “a bit”. Or “maybe”. ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/37 "2007-01-26T14:49:35Z")
[QUOTE=DianaG] I’d wager that perhaps most of the people currently living in the US who self-identify and are identified by others as “Black” are not the descendents of slaves. Would Rush dare to tell a recent Haitian immigrant that he’s insufficiently Black? [snip] [/QUOTE] [hijack] The majority of [Haitians](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti) are the descendents of slaves. It’s the only nation to form from a succesful slave revolt, in fact. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/38 "2007-01-26T14:49:42Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] My take is that is just trying to get the phrase out there. He’s a media whore, but his listeners are unlikely to abandon him if he simply reinforces the stereotypes they hold. He doesn’t give a rat’s ass if if the ‘libruls’ call him a racist. It would be more like a badge of honor. Didn’t he popularize “feminazis,” and “environmemtal cases?” Same same. [/QUOTE] This is what I think it is. Rush is certainly a right-wing fucktard, but he’s also an entertainer, and he needs to come up with stupid shit like this periodically to maintain his notoriety. Now the dittoheads (so called because their minds are fuzzy and smeary) have something else to identify each other, and relive when they meet a fellow traveller. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/39 "2007-01-26T14:56:36Z")
_slight hijack_ I’m not sure if its along the same lines, but WTF is with all of this racist shit coming out of the wood-works!? Its like someone is cranking up the Jim Crow machine, Big Time!!! A few years ago, when I was younger & more foolish, I subscribed an email account I have to a place called ‘Joke of the Day’. The jokes were stupid, but every 3rd one seemed to be Clinton-bashing and/or racist/sexist. I tried to unsubscribe several times (I was totally ignored) so I spam-blocked them. I hadn’t heard anything from them since Bush was first elected. Now, this January, their racist/mysogenist shit-missives are starting to creep past my spam-filters again. Must be ‘Dirty Tricks’ season again… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513/40 "2007-01-26T15:09:07Z")
Not sure what the point would be, but I take it as the fat tub of goo and vicodin is saying - “hey this guy is claiming to be all black and he’s only half black”??? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-calling-obama-a-halfrican-american-wtf/389513.md?page=3)