Macaca is to monkey, as Senator Allen is to racial bigot
Submitted by Knightrider on August 16, 2006 - 3:02am.
Bigotry | Macaca mullata | Racism | Senator George Allen | The Rhesus monkey | Current Events
During the 70's and 80's, I grew up more fortunate than others, mostly in an upper middle class suburb in central New Jersey. But as the only dark-skinned American of multi-ethnic decent throughout most of my schooling from Grades 3-12, I've certainly been on the recieving end of many racial epithets, slurs and provocations. So admittedly, .. I've become very, VERY sensitive.
So when a leading 2008 GOP presidential hopeful, Senator George Allen (VA), addressed S.R. Sidarth, as "Macaca", I immediately recognised its racial connotation and became outraged. Sadly, racism persists today because of racial bigots, like Senator George Allen and others, who hold powerful leadership positions, but fail to witness and respect the cultural richness of their own constituency -- in the real world, real America.
I've read several blogs and its readers comments on this matter, including Mitch Dworkins' blog at CCN, Wonkette, Atrios and DailyKos. Each blog clearly recognised Allens' racial undertone, when he used the term "macaca." In fact, Frameshop at Kos identified 3 definitions, when it's used in a derogatory manner,
Here are the three choices:
1. 'Macaca' - French : racist slang; similar to English 'nigger,' used to describe Arabs.
2. 'Macaca' - English : racist slang; similar to 'nigger' used to describe Arabs.
3. 'Macaca' - English : racist slang; used by American white supremacists in 'insider' talk about African-Americans.
Unfortunately, there's a fourth meaning which I'll argue was the real definition underlying Senator Allens' remarks:
4. 'Macaca' - English : racial slang; used to slander a human beings' race to that of old world monkeys:
You see, Allen referred to Sidarth, as a common species of monkey, the "Rhesus monkey" or "Rhesus Macaque". But for biomedical researchers the Rhesus monkey is aka "Macaca mulatta", or "M. mullata."
And 'NO', ..that's not a misspelling. It is not aka "Macaca mullethead", or "M. mullethead", although this would explain Senator Allens' defense;
Allen said: "I don't know what it means." He said the word sounds similar to "mohawk," a term that his campaign staff had nicknamed Sidarth because of his haircut. Sidarth said his hairstyle is a mullet -- tight on top, long in the back ..."Washington Post"
Some could argue that Allen, unintentionally, failed to distinguish our native American Indians from West Indians -- afterall, Christopher Columbus made a similar mistake -- albeit over 500 years ago. :/ Of course, that was a different America then. Btw, did you know there is a Macaca species called Macaca nigra" or Black "Ape"? Regardless, here's how wikipedia describes the 'Macaca mulattas' and its behavior "in nature":
"Inhabiting arid, open areas, the Rhesus Macaque may be found in grasslands, woodlands, and in mountainous regions up to 2,500 metres in elevation. ... The Rhesus Macaque is noted for its tendency to move from rural to urban areas, coming to rely on handouts or refuse from humans. It has become a pest in some areas, perceived as a possible risk to public health and safety.
No, those are not "mohawks" on these monkeys. However, one could infer that Senator Allen certainly regarded Mr Sidarths' presence in the 'mountainous' 'urban' 'regions' of southwestern Virginia, as a 'pest' and/or 'risk' to his public campaigns' 'health and safety.'
But let's review Allens' remarks again and understand why it was clearly intended to be racist:
YouTube video :: "This fellow here, over here with the yellow shirt, macaca, or whatever his name is. He's with my opponent. He's following us around everywhere. And it's just great," Allen said, as his supporters began to laugh. After saying that Webb was raising money in California with a "bunch of Hollywood movie moguls," Allen said, "Let's give a welcome to macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia." Allen then began talking about the "war on terror." Washington Post"
Here's a little more scrutiny on Allens' remarks; and why I believe that Allen had slandered many minority Americans and its cultures.
- First, "Macaca" is not pronounced, "Mo-haw-ka", that explanation is just too lame and ridiculous an excuse for a defense, particularly since he articulated it twice on videotape. Although there exists 20 different species of the Macaque monkey, there's is one that exists in North Africa, Macaca sylvanus, aka the "Barbary macaque". "Exterminated" in most regions of the African continent, however, it's now found mostly on Gibraltar. We may thank actually Churchill for this, who believed that "as long as Barbary Macaques exist on Gibraltar, the territory will remain under British rule(wiki)." "Macaca", as a derogatory slur by the French and English, however, likely derived its root meaning, here But once one accepts this truth, all of Allens derogatory intentions above fall into place.
- "Hollywood moguls" is interesting, since it would make a direct comparison to the "Mughal Dynasty" of India. Not coincidentally, it's this same empire that controlled the region of the world, which now spans India and Afghanistan, today.
- "Real world" would evoke a comparison to "Old World (monkeys)". And yes, Macaca mullatas can still be found there, in its natural (ie foreign) habitat.
- It's this same habitat or region where we're supposedly fighting this so-called, "war on terror". However, I'm fairly certain that they're not Islamic fundamental extremists.
There should be no doubt that Allens' remarks were racially-motivated and inspired, and were a derogatory attack against Mr. Sidarth. But shamefully, Senator Allens' was also an insult to all Americans of minority decent, as well as to every legal immigrant. To Mr Sidarth, be assured of one fact, Allens' world is not America. Throughout our history, minority Americans and immigrant Americans of every race have especially worked hard to progress our democracy and enrich our country; but the same, who've more often than not, been burdened by the consequences of prejudism and racism because of the words and actions of bigoted leaders like Senator Allen.
As a Virginia resident, I'm particularly concerned with George Allen and his machine as they roll around the state addressing audiences like the one featured in the video. If only Siddarth could have panned the crowd and had that on video. Not only were Allen's remarks about Siddarth totally intended to incite and pander to his audience, but surely, you heard the response. He got just what he intended-the good ole boy crowd's loud guffaws were sickening. True, they didn't know the word Macaca or what it meant, but you didn't have to be a French student to realize the intent. Sadly, I don't know how this will play out in my state, where there are still plenty of racially biased citizens. I would hope though that the many Indian American groups who currently support and contribute to Allen's coffers will come down on him like a hammer and reject his lame excuses.
Not only is Allen a dufus, he's a mean dufus.
Knight, would you consider an op-ed or letter to the editor to one of the major Virginia papers? It's getting a lot of press, but I don't know that everyone gets it.
I'm sure that he did not fully understand that this was a personal attack against him by Allen. As a American-born citizen of Virginia, Sidarth must have been unfamiliar with term, "macaca" addressed at him. I also agree that it was an unfamiliar to term to most everyone who attended the meeting, as well. As a biologist, I only recognized the term and its racial connotations because of its scientific binomial name.
That video will follow him for the rest of his career. And it won't play as well to a national audience as it does to pockets of rednecks.
Hope you put it on Kos as well. Of course, in addition to his racist remark, Allen was playing the injured innocent act re the Webb tracker, imo. Of course Allen had two trackers on Webb from the beginning of his campaign--one of them got in trouble for harassment. Webb and his campaign treated them with professional courtesy.
It is too bad that this is not resonateing more--the incident was the lead-off on a CSPAN open-line session this AM--not caller response whatsoever. Theincident has been front page in VA for 2 days, tho.
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
Hope you put it on Kos as well. Of course, in addition to his racist remark, Allen was playing the injured innocent act re the Webb tracker, imo. Of course Allen had two trackers on Webb from the beginning of his campaign--one of them got in trouble for harassment. Webb and his campaign treated them with professional courtesy.
It is too bad that this is not resonateing more--the incident was the lead-off on a CSPAN open-line session this AM--not caller response whatsoever. Theincident has been front page in VA for 2 days, tho.
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
If you don't have time to completely craft a kos diary, here's a thread where your beauteous post fits:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/16/95039/9022
Psychologizing Allen Hotlist
by Gareth
"There is an important way to look at George Felix Allen's recent "macaca" outburst, which I haven't seen discussed. Racial epithets work in two directions: they create a `them," and, at the same time, they create an "us." In many cases, it is the creation of the "us" that is the most important.
Many of us were introduced for the first time to George Felix Allen by the public flap and the ample controversy over just what "macaca" means and why it was said. Perhaps different things stand out for some who learned of him in this fashion. For some, the things that stand out about Allen's history may be his father, the famous football coach;, his college history of Confederatophilia, and his being a Republican Governor and now Senator from Virginia. For others, perhaps one of the things that stands out most is that Allen, who is not from Virginia, was insulting a man, Siddarth, who was born and bred in Virginia. Welcome to Virginia? Hold on a sec.
Who is the real outsider here?..."
I had already prepped and crossposted at Kos, after summercats' suggestion, yet before reading his blog and your advise, here. :/
But at least I can offer another perspective, which attempts to address the root meaning behind Allens' racial slur and remarks.
Allen not from Virginia? Interesting to know. When I worked in Virginia and North Carolina there was what I was calling the Simon Legree Syndrome (Simon Legree, the slave driver in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," was from Pennsylvania). It was Yankees who got to the South or went there because they perceived white Southerners to be racist or generally speaking in the phrase historian Dan Carter has used on occation, "American fascist." Newt Gingrich, George Bush and Allen have all adopted the South and what they perceive to be Southern sensibilities and there is not an iota of Southern culture, character or honor in any of them. They are all faux Southerners dressing up like Thomas Nelson Page's "Little Confederates" (speaking as one who's wife and daughter are Virginia Pages). Actual Southern people have integrated and assimilated in an enormously complex biracial passage running 400 years next year - a "Southern burden" the great historian C. Van Woodward called it, which has honed the South through suffering, poverty, war and the curse of slavery into American citizens with a deep and subtle nature. Neo-confederate Gingrich has even written a novel about the Civil War, and guess who won? I was a magazine editor when Allen was governor for state science museums in Virginia. The state bureaucracy was in a state of utter mayhem lacking management from top to bottom because Allen hired only political aparatchiks, none of whom knew a thing about their jobs. At one point the state managed to lose some giant mamoth and sloth bones collected by Thomas Jefferson. The priceless treasure of which Jefferson and Virginia were enormously proud randomly misplaced by Allen's faux Confederates (one employee actually wore a Confederate uniform to work every day - he had no other clothes) became the general theme of that unfortunate time in Virginia's history when the state was commandeered by ideologs.
He used to keep a noose hanging on a tree outside his law office, he had a deep interest in the confederacy. He featured a confederate flag in one of his campaign ads when he was running for Governor. He even opposed a state holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
I find that somewhat bizarre because he isn't even a southerner, he was born and raised in Southern California. It is rumored that he was responsible for some racist graffiti in High School, though it never got publicized because the school did not want to embarrass Allen's father.
I find it even more disturbing that Allen takes his racism with him into official matters. He sent a letter a few months back trying to help disgraced Gen. William Boykin to get promoted and reassigned to a high profile job. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the Boykin scandal by now...
God help America if this sorry excuse for a man ever becomes President.
I just hope this incident wakes Virginians up to what Allen really is.. if there is any good that can come of it.
When I watched that video, I could see the "smirking chimp" in Sen. Allen and recognized it as his Mel Gibson moment. The word he used is understood in Spanish to mean monkey. My brother said the people in Argentina refer to Brazilians using this word and the Brazilians call the Argentinians Cucaracha, which means cockroach. I suspect, since African slavery was brought to this part of the world initially by Spain, this is a very old term. Allen knew what he was saying. I'm sorry that he hurt Sidarth and anybody else who heard it. Creep needs to go into the bug extermination business with DeLay and get out of public service.
Condoms: a woman should never have to ask permission from her partner to save her own life - www.GatesFoundation.org
http://americablog.blogspot.com/
I've just confirmed that "macaque" is a French slur for black people - this is a variation of the word Senator George Allen used
by John in DC - 8/15/2006 06:43:00 PM
It's confirmed. "Macaque" is a word that French soccer fans have used in the past as a slur against black players (often of North African descent) on opposing teams, they'd yell it at the opposing players. George Allen's mother was a French-speaking French citizen who lived in North Africa. You do the math.
And now George Allen is giving the standard non-apology apology. He's sorry if the other guy was offended No, Senator Allen. The proper response is "I'm sorry," period. Or even better, "I'm sorry I called you the French word for 'nigger.'" Worse yet, Allen didn't even bother apologizing to the guy he slurred. He gave his apology to a reporter. Classy. Not surprisingly, the Washington Post hasn't caught up to the fact yet that the word Allen used is a variation on a French racial slur.
Condoms: a woman should never have to ask permission from her partner to save her own life - www.GatesFoundation.org
Huff Post:
GOP Senator George Allen's Sister Documents Her Brother's Bully Tactics: "He Saw Dentistry As A Perfect Profession - Getting Paid To Make People Suffer"...
Senator George Allen’s racial remark to a 20 year old Indian man last week, has re-highlighted accusations that the Senator is a bully and a bigot. Senator Allen’s sister, Jennifer Allen, documents many cases of her brother’s bullying in her book Fifth Quarter: The Scrimmage of a Football Coach's Daughter. Read the excerpts below.
Explaining why she is scared of heights, Ms. Allen writes that “Ever since my brother George held me over the railing at Niagara Falls, I’ve had a fear of heights.” [Fifth Quarter: The Scrimmage of a Football Coach's Daughter, page 43]
Referring to George’s relationship with one of her boyfriends: “My brother George welcomed him by slamming a pool cue against his head.” [Fifth Quarter: The Scrimmage of a Football Coach's Daughter, page 178]
Referring to George’s early leadership skills, Jennifer wrote: “We all obeyed George. If we didn't, we knew he would kill us. Once, when Bruce refused to go to bed, George hurled him through a sliding glass door. Another time, when Gregory refused to go to bed, George tackled him and broke his collarbone. Another time, when I refused to go to bed, George dragged me up the stairs by my hair.” [Fifth Quarter: The Scrimmage of a Football Coach's Daughter, page 22]
Referring to George’s early career aspirations, Jennifer wrote “George hoped someday to become a dentist. George said he saw dentistry as a perfect profession - getting paid to make people suffer.” [Fifth Quarter: The Scrimmage of a Football Coach's Daughter, page 22]
Referring to George’s habit of terrorizing a Green Bay Packer fan in their neighborhood, Jennifer wrote that the fan’s mailbox often “lay smashed in the street, a casualty of my brothers' drive-by to school in the morning. George would swerve his Mach II Mustang while Gregory held a baseball bat out the window to clear the mailbox off its post. . . . Lately, the Packers fan had resorted to stapling a Kleenex box to the mailbox post to receive his mail. George's red Mustang screeched up beside us, the Packers fan's Kleenex mailbox speared on the antenna.” [Fifth Quarter: The Scrimmage of a Football Coach's Daughter, page 16]
Same pattern of delinquency that I observed from the bullies, here. The difference, however, is that most were able to "grow up."
I have a sense that "bullying" could partly be a consequence of an absense of a father figure, as a proper role model. I'm sure it's well studied by now. But I had observed this form of extreme behavior in a friends 8yo son, who typically had temper tantrums, made derogatory comments towards classmates/people and often got into fights at school (apparently against those he knew that he could beat). She would just spend a lot of time with him, until he calmed down. I mention this because she was recently divorced, but the childrens father had completely abandoned all custody of them.
Anyway, last year a student seriously beat him up (to his surprise), and he changed. I'm not advocating it, of course, it's just indicates something about his 'psychology'. I'm hopeful for his future.
Although I worried for ours, as it's clear that Allen has some serious issues to resolve, imo.
Condoms: a woman should never have to ask permission from her partner to save her own life - www.GatesFoundation.org
pattern I have seen too........ and I've seen another... very demanding fathers always criticizing their sons... who are never good enough for them... then they in turn bully others... in my generation I saw a bit of that .......
there is a great site online called 'bully something' I'll look it up ... bullies in the work place... at home.... at school ... etc. it has great psychological profiles and solutions...
but Allen seems more than a bully... if his sister is saying that she felt he would kill you if you crossed him... that ain't a bully it is more than that .....
Condoms: a woman should never have to ask permission from her partner to save her own life - www.GatesFoundation.org
http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/
I've read different areas of the site before - it has some good parts .....
Very interesting e-b, thanks! I'll look over it later tonite. I was unsure where to bookmark it, so I just filed it under my Neocon/PNACklhead folder :)
Update to post :: I just wanted to post this excerpt from that site ::
"Bullying is the common denominator of harassment, discrimination, prejudice, abuse, persecution, conflict and violence. When the bullying has a focus (eg race or gender) it is expressed as racial prejudice or harassment, or sexual discrimination and harassment, and so on. Although bullying often lacks a focus, bullies are deeply prejudiced but at the same time sufficiently devious to not reveal their prejudices to the extent that they contravene laws on harassment and discrimination."
Obiviously, Allen has some serious issues. America won't survive through another "George."
This is too excellent not to be included in Knight's diary at kos. I've posted it there, as I think I remember you said you don't post there? Well, in any case, excellent find!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
I guess they are getting desperate, all logical explanations have failed so now it is time to bring in GOP loud mouths to make the issue go away.
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_081606/content/rush_is_right.guest.html
well, KR- I must say I never thought I'd see the day when George Allen could teach me anything! new word to me!!!
is from Cape Gerardeau, MO. I did an assignment there at a hospital when I was still working. It was the most openly racist place I have ever been. I worked in other hospitals in the south, where I witnessed more subtle racism, but this town wasn't subtle. I wouldn't be surprised if Rush also knew this word.
Thanks James, I usually prefer not to hit his site in particular, but the text is actually entertaining reading, as Rush falls flat on his face to try spin this in Allen's favor but looses all balance and falls flat on his face.
Excerpts::
"RUSH: All right. All right, now, "macaca," that's the word, and everybody is now debating, "What did he mean? Macaca?" Now, "macaca" is a word for monkey. Well, all you have to remember is Howard Cosell when you hear that. Allen was on Good Morning America today talking to ABC correspondent. Well, actually, this is a montage of the ABC info babe Jessica Yellin's report on Senator Allen, and she declares here that macaca "will haunt George Allen for years to come."
YELLIN: George Allen is considered a Republican superstar, a safe bet to keep his seat in the Senate and a serious presidential contender.
RUSH: There you go.
YELLIN: But how quickly presidential and political fates can change. It happened at a campaign appearance. The senator used a little known racial slur, "macaca," to apparently mock a man of Indian descent. Literally macaca describes an Asian monkey. But in Europe and some immigrant communities in America, macaca is used as a racial slur. It's not the first time Senator Allen has been accused of racial insensitivity. As governor, he issued a proclamation praising the Confederacy without mentioning slavery. In the age of the Internet, you can be sure the gaffe will continue to haunt Senator Allen for years to come.
RUSH: Hell, who needs the Internet, Jessica? (Rush starts to sink here,
) We can count on you to do it! We can count on you and ABC and the Washington Post to do it! Just stick with me on this, folks. Macaca, in immigrant communities in Europe and some immigrant communities in America is used as a racial slur. Allen says he meant to say "Mohawk," ..." (huh? ) ..."" that guy reminded him of a Mohawk, even though he doesn't have a Mohawk haircut. ... (ummm,...oooo--kay
)"
Now, you may thing that all Rush supporters and listerners instinctively suppress all laughter and critical thought. However, later this listener calles in:
"CALLER: Hi, Rush. Long-time listener, first-time caller.
RUSH: Thank you, sir.
CALLER: And I think Senator Allen is -- he really -- I think he's got himself in big trouble here, because a more blatant ethnic slur, I don't think I've heard in a long time. Right out in public, at a campaign, he singled out an individual of ethnic descent and uses a word Macaca, an American. He almost changed languages to take a shot at this guy and I think he deserves whatever he gets. He just opened himself up for all sorts of shots with liberals.
RUSH: Well, are you liberal?
CALLER: No, I'm a conservative Republican.RUSH: Well, then he's opened himself up to shots from you, too.
(Rush)
CALLER: And conservatives as well, as of this point, at least one.
RUSH: Well, I met another when I was up there.CALLER: Who uses the word Macaca?
RUSH: I am not -- (
at least not openly)
CALLER: Who uses that word?RUSH: I am not going to defend Senator Allen on this. I never heard of the word before.
CALLER: No. You gotta go out of your way to use that word. "
So much for a RUSH judgment
(btw here's Rush after the show --->
)
for Keith Olbermann's worst person in the world already...
I found it shocking the GOPers are rushing to Allen's aid instead of trying to put as much distance between them and him as they can.
I've notived that they don't really defend Allen, nor do they attack Webb. They distract attention and divert blame from the real issue that Allens' not fit to be a Senator, let alone a President. Instead, they've critized other Dems (like Sen. Clintons remards about Ghandi, or Sen. Bidens' remarks about 7/11s ) .. but what does this have to do with Allen himself?? It's about his bigotry, and he said it directly in the face of Sidarth, an American.
Condoms: a woman should never have to ask permission from her partner to save her own life - www.GatesFoundation.org
great ! .....info is universal... I thought useful did you read narcissist (sp?) or the article on lying very good too....
The calvary has arrived, hopefully well get the DSCC in here to give us an extra boost to knock this guy off.
Just got this email from Barbara Boxer's through her "PAC For A Change"
=================================
Dear Xxxx
By now you've probably heard about the remarks recently made by Senator George Allen at one of his campaign events, aimed at a young Democratic volunteer who was attending and videotaping the event.
Watch Senator Allen's stunning remarks here.
As you can see in the video, Senator Allen calls this young Webb campaign volunteer of Indian descent "macaca," which means monkey, and is a racial epithet used in some European cultures for people with dark skin. And he doesn't use this term once, but twice. On top of that, Senator Allen tells him, "Welcome to America" as if he's some kind of outsider.
Well, this young Webb campaign volunteer has a name, and it's S.R. Sidarth. Senator Allen should have known this because Mr. Sidarth introduced himself to the Senator before the event. Mr. Sidarth is a student at the University of Virginia, and he's an American, born and raised in Virginia.
This is just one more example -- a very visible and disturbing one -- of how out of touch Senator Allen is. So far he has only offered a half-hearted apology to Mr. Sidarth, claiming he had no idea "macaca" was a racially charged term. The facts belie this explanation.
This feeble attempt at an apology is simply not good enough.
Let's send Senator Allen a strong message from our PAC for a Change community that America deserves better. If George Allen can't appreciate the diversity of Virginia, then he simply doesn't understand that this is what makes America so strong.
Stand up and reject Senator Allen's divisive politics -- Please contribute to Virginia Democratic nominee Jim Webb's campaign for U.S. Senate today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/boxer4webb
As you know, Democrats have a great shot at taking back the Senate this year. And even before George Allen's recent gaffe, Virginia has already been a huge potential pick-up opportunity, thanks to Democratic nominee Jim Webb.
Jim Webb is a decorated Marine, winner of the Navy Cross and two Purple Hearts, and former Secretary of the Navy. As a soldier, Jim was a legendary fighter. As a citizen, Jim has been a principled and persuasive leader. An early and frequent critic of the Bush Administration's foreign policy, Webb opposed President Bush's invasion of Iraq from the very beginning, while Sen. Allen has been the chief cheerleader of this war.
Please contribute $50, $25, or even $10 to Jim Webb as he takes on Senator George Allen to win back the Senate seat in Virginia!
http://www.actblue.com/page/boxer4webb
If Jim Webb wins on November 7th, there's no stopping us! With your help, Democrats can -- and will -- take back the Senate this fall.
In Friendship,
Barbara Boxer
U.S. SenatorP.S. After contributing to Jim Webb's campaign, please forward this email to everyone you know! Help us expose the truth about Senator George Allen.
I haven't seen you around, and I hope everything is well...
And I am surprised to read about Sen. Allen and what he said. I feel bad for Mr. Sidarth, and that most have been such an awkward moment for him. : (
Yes, things are busy for me, presently. Paperwork and completing some tasks before starting a new job soon,... but hopefully, can dedicate some real time to help out Webb's campaign - I'm very VERY motivated, now.
Hey, good luck on your new job : ). You are definitely an ambitious person and Webb is lucky to have you as part of his team, that is from what I have seen and how you support Gen. Clark and CCN ; ).
T-33’s are sending best regards to Gen. Wonder and Cpl. Punishment.
but my efforts for Webb will be purely voluntary, boots on ground kinda thing. But, hopefully CCN will be active as well, and have its phonebanking drive back up soon; then we can all help. Thanks! :)
Sen. Allen is a bigot. I was shocked when I first watched the video posted on Kos. This was before I knew for certain what the term meant. Allen was fed up with this guy following him around with a video camera. The tone of his voice and his mocking style as he said, "Welcome to America" gave me chills. That statement, in and of itself, made it clear what Sen. Allen thinks of dark-skinned people in general.
I was horrified as evidence emerged what the term he used meant, not once but twice.
Sen. Allen can deny till he's blue in the face and it won't change the facts. He is a racist who lost his temper and showed his true colors.