Texans for Rick Perry/Flickr
From a gallery of Governor Perry's hunting trips
"N*ggerhead" was once the name of a mountain. More than one, actually. One can search and discover hundreds of American hills, creeks, canyons, bays, valleys, springs, lakes, ponds, knobs and gulches with variations on "n*gger" in their histories. Americans could, once upon a time, purchase "N*ggerhead"-branded items: soap, oysters, tobacco, golf tees, shrimp, pistols and (sigh) even watermelon. Also, it seems, you could lease a hunting ranch in West Texas that went by that name. That's what Rick Perry's family did.
As detailed by the Washington Post this weekend, the name was written legibly on a stone marker outside the camp a hop, skip and a jump away from his hometown of Paint Creek. Asked about it recently, Perry offered an explanation for how the family handled this issue:
"My mother and father went to the lease and painted the rock in either 1983 or 1984," Perry wrote. "This occurred after I paid a visit to the property with a friend and saw the rock with the offensive word. After my visit I called my folks and mentioned it to them, and they painted it over during their next visit. Ever since, any time I ever saw the rock it was painted over."
The rock, as described from photographs viewed by the Washington Post, was poorly painted over, the word still faintly legible through a "sloppy" coating of white paint. There are claims that the rock was also turned over to hide the name.
But the county where the camp is located is virtually devoid of Black residents, and more than once in the article residents refer to "N*ggerhead" as a common reference to the property (now renamed "North Camp Pasture") that locals used (ahem) indiscriminately. Governor Perry reportedly hosted events there for supporters and fellow legislators throughout the years. Even today, the article claims that several residents interviewed for the piece "spoke matter-of-factly about the hunting camp and its name and wondered why it held any outside interest."
It seems that it took his going national for this to become a potential liability.
Ironic, then, that the first fellow contender to air a beef about this report was Herman Cain, considering his own history of public intolerance. Still, he aired his beef yesterday on Sunday-morning news shows. Via Politico, Team Perry responded to Mr. Cain, and to the Washington Post's reporting:
"A number of claims made in the story are incorrect, inconsistent, and anonymous, including the implication that Rick Perry brought groups to the lease when the word on the rock was still visible. The one consistent fact in the story is that the word on a rock was painted over and obscured many years ago..."
The next Republican debate is in a little more than a week; I suspect someone will ask him about this. But does it say more about Rick Perry, or about the America we live in? Ta-Nehisi Coates argues that it's the latter:
Surely there are people, in both stories, who find the name offensive. But what we see on display in the quotes is the insidiousness of racism, the way it gets in the blood, and literally alters the senses. A black woman in the county claims she was constantly addressed as "N*gger." A white man, in the very same county, claims that "Blacks were perfectly satisfied."
Several people in the story have no notion of why the name "N*ggerhead" would be offensive. It's just what it is. I'm sure the people quoted recognize racism, on some level -- like say an outright lynching -- but if calling a hunting-ground "N*ggerhead" isn't offensive to them, I think it's safe to say that white racism doesn't really exist as an actual force in their minds.
What say you?
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Actually...I would expect this from Perry and his family. Not surprised at all.
He's just sorry this is out...and it probably would not have been had he not put himself on the national stage.
I'm sorry = I'll learn to cover this up better in the future.
Disgusting.
Not only disgusting...it's proof.
Since Ms. Maddow has chosen to speak of this horrible 27 year old offense of Mr. Perry's family several African American Democrat politicians have come out saying Rick Perry has not a racist bone in his body. What a terrible subject to twist and use to fire up the base, way to go!
There have been many names of streets, towns and such that I have come across in my lifetime that I have found offensive or downright embarrassing. Only to find the locals refer to a location or item without any intent to offend anyone or anything. It quite simply is a name. Another far reach of the left, again, in an attempt to smear a politician in "that other party" and spread the hate. Can't we all just get along?
Can you give an example of the "many names of streets, towns and such"? I'm over 50 and can't think of one. Maybe funny ones but not offensive to the degree this is.
The Republican Party made their bed.
Yahoo listed about 170 offensive town and location names that currently exist and many more that have been changed.
good source
I can only say one thing: A man is known by the company he keeps.
Personally, I think that it speaks more to the history of our country. I won't deny that racism still exists here, but it was certainly more blatant in past generations, like the time in which that particular parcel of land was named. However, as little as I like Rick Perry, I can't help thinking that this is a non-story. His family leased some land that had an offensive name, they painted over the name (however badly), and some people still call it that. I won't deny the racism inherent in the culture surrounding the area or in naming the place, but taken by itself it does not necessarily point to active racism on the part of Perry or his family, in my opinion.
So, conversely, does this point to passive racism? Smacks only of historical white supremacy? Don't think so. That's a bit complacent for me.
ekd74 makes a valid point. I live in a very liberal town that, nonetheless, features a "Squaw Bay". I acknowledge that it is insensitive and embarrassing, but I did not name the bay, nor do I have the power to change the name of the bay. And yet, my conscious has allowed me to fish on said bay. If I were to run for office, would the righteously indignant lefties accuse me of being a racist for having fished on a poorly named bay in my own hometown? There is a problem with the name, yes, but not necessarily with everyone that has ever spent time at the place.
Can we put this distraction aside and focus on Perry's destructive policy positions instead? That's where your "active racism" lives.
As a person who experiences racism on a fairly regular basis, I find the implication of "active" racism being the only harmful kind rather offensive.
I agree, restaurant refugee. Having lived in Texas and been on the receiving end of "active racism" (swastikas; notes with "n*gger lover" or anti-Mexican sentiments on them; and being physically followed when I left work after discussing issues relating to race or immigration) I can say it's just as distressing to see how comments well up on occasions like this. To me, people get defensive about it because they don't want to admit that they have been guilty of racism, but there are some troubling common practices that I have witnessed-- and not just in Texas.
I have always taken this to mean that people know what they are supposed to say (a la the Perry camp, even when confronted by a member of their own party), but it does not temper what possibly takes place in private company (rock painting and jokes among friends might be among this type of conduct).
The subtler forms of racism are fairly common, and yet most people do not confront them when they see them. Why do shop clerks follow around a racial minority customer, but stay at the register for someone who is white? Why are police more likely to pull over a racial minority driver, even when they don't have probable cause to do so? Why are racial minority applicants denied credit or housing, even when they meet a qualifying bar that other white applicants don't? (check housing agencies that actually use applicants from either race to help illustrate this).
While most know not to say a word that rhymes with "trigger" in polite company, fewer people are opposed to doing things like following customers in a store or denying someone credit, even without thinking about whether bias contributed to their behavior... and perhaps that is why people like Perry still don't see a [formerly?] painted rock as a problem.
Thom in Madison is the best answer. The names mean less than the actual impact of policies when covert racism is at the core of those policies. We can deal with overt racism because it is easier to deal with as an issue. But covert racism is the more serious of the problems because people refuse to see it or they rationalize it away.
It's those who are closet racists that are scary. They don't admit it, yet bring it to every policy they create.
Does adding the asterisk to @!$%#, make it appropriate? We still know what the word is, so what's the point?
Maybe the author or speaker doesn't wish to type or say the word.
Not every instance of self-censorship or restraint is for the benefit of others. Sometimes the benefit of self-censorship or restraint is for the self.
Freedom of speech is not only the right to say whatever, but also the right to not have to say words you don't want to say.
OMG...it automatically changed the word!
Hence the asterisk.
Oh, you have your Newsvine settings set to do that. I don't, so I only see the asterisks when people deliberately put them there.
Contrary to this being a "post racial" society with the election of the first African-American President - racism & discrimination still exist, unfortunately! For Perry to say that "his parents painted over the sign in 1983 or 1984" a full 20 years after the "Civil Rights Act" was passed, truly shows insensitive ignorance towards a people!! I'm sure that Gov. Goodhair wouldn't want to be referred to as "po' white trash", and would probably be filled with righteous indignation if he was! While I agree with Herman Cain (for once) - he obviously forgot what he said regarding Muslims & Islam! Hypocrisy the other name for the "GOP"!!
Perry never saw the word on his subsequent visits just like Obama never heard a disparaging word for the 20 years he visited Jeremiah Wrights church.
Non-story from a crap news outlet.
Ad hominem much? False equivalence much?
Weren't you guys saying the EXACT same thing during slavery? Then the Emancipation Proclamation? The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments? Jim Crow?black codes? Civil Rights? Lynching?
Seems to me it has always been a certain group is afraid that they are not as smart as they would like to think and a whole lot more vicious than they would care to admit.
Perry pretends to buy into the offensiveness of racial slurs, but in reality it is a badge of honor for his kind. He's got no intention of caring the teeny tiniest bit about racial issues. It is what it is.
Most normal American citizens, upon seeing a rock prominently painted with a vulgar and racist epithet at their newly leased hunting camp, would quickly either remove said rick or otherwise obscure the offending word and maybe "rebrand" their new camp with a more personal and entirely wholesome name. Real Americans do not use the "N" word and do not care to be associated with its use. rick Perry, obviously, is no ordinary American. His reaction, both past and present, to the "N" word on HIS rock and the controversy that has now surrounded it is quite telling of of his personal judgment. and of his opinion of black Americans. http://www.sunstateactivist.org
So you never read Huck Finn and if you do you are not a normal American, what if I go see Chris Rock or listen to rap? This is a non-story and making it one points to the desperation of those attempting to do so....sad.
I'd say it speaks more to the country in general and Texas, than to Rick Perry. Brazil nuts were referred to as N*gger Toes. And my father on very rare occasions used an N word phrase that slipped out of my mouth at work one day w/o thinking, even though I have probably only heard it spoken aloud a dozen time in my life.
Though if I were Rick Perry I would have made sure the rock was well painted over (or chiseled away) and that a new name was prominently displayed.
Racism cannot be eliminated overnight or a couple decades. All we can do is mitigate the effects until people change their attitudes. Racial epithets are not exclusive to the US and they are used in European countries who used to look down their noses at our country. We have acknowledged the problem which is the half of the problem and we are dealing with it which is more than we can say for other countries.
Seriously, what does this have to do with running for President of the United States? It is a deer LEASE, where people go to hunt. What a reach by progressives to try and muddy up a candidate. Irresponsible commentary on the far left AND RIGHT like this make this Independent cringe. Act like an adult. This country needs more adult conversation instead of smeering.
I see Hermann Cain chimed in. In my opinion he basically handled it appropriately. I would have chosen a higher plane for commentary - Racism and epiteths have been a part of our country's history. There is no place for that today and fortunately we are slowly maturing as a society. I would tend to believe Mr. Perry went there to hunt and likely did not hold a daily "church-like ceremony" around the stone. I doubt seriously he even gave the stone a conscious thought. So let's keep focused on the more pressing matters of this country to get it back on track.
Now that would be Presidential.
And that is precisely the problem.
And not for nothing, but I agree with you that we should be focused on the more pressing matters for the country. I just happen to view Equality as a pressing matter.
@restaurant refugee - Understood. Like I stated, I think it is slowly rooting itself out of our society. Now I'm not completely naive to think that their aren't some youngsters who still aimlessly believe something their ignorant parents or grandparents told them. Believe me, I still have to be exposed to that ignorance today. But it won't be continuing on to my children, I can assure you of that. And hopefully I am in the growing majority.
The history is reprehensible, yes, but I also think the story resonates on the same level as a lot of "character" stories in the media. While Perry seems to have done as much as could reasonably be expected to distance himself from the racist past of his upbringing, the symbolism of the story strikes a deep chord of warning, adding to the pile of red flags that may already be there regarding Perry's roots. Unfair? I no longer think so. Ask John Kerry who was lampooned for saying "Who among us doesn't love NASCAR?" Something he never said - but it nevertheless resonated with his overly nuanced style.
Beware.
The lot waiting in the wings to take over this country is on the stage.
Actually, this bit or outrage takes the focus away from an additional issue, which is the "raised in Texas wealth" angle of the story. You know, a family that actually leases or owns land just for vacations, etc.., one that Rick Perry is perhaps a second generation member?
Whenever you say "Kennedy compound," don't you just cringe at the ostentatious display of affluence it represents - regardless of your politics?
I wish I had a clearer point, other than the wealthy do what the wealthy do.
Respectfully I don't think this has anything to do with being wealthy and living the posh lifestyle. Every body has hobbies that they spend money on. Whether it's a Harley, hunting, golf - whatever - people do spend money doing what they like.
Words painted on a rock do not bother me as much as Perry's comment about sending troops into Mexico.What we have here is another GW Bush,shoot first and ask questions later,remember weapons of mass destruction.The real problem doesnt lay with Mexico anyway.It is the demand from drug users in the US.Now with all the cuts to budgets,police officers getting the boot,the problem will only get worse.You can bet that sooner rather than later the problems facing Mexico will be an American problem.Which it already is to a certain extent.
Economically speaking, legalizing Marijuana would destroy the pricing in the illegal market and drive the cartels right out of business. Unfortunately, many people still have a moral issue with that. I have a moral issue with people being senselessly murdered by animals.
There is no such thing as passive racism, just racism that has become a community standard, so apparent and so accepted that those within the community don't bother to hide it or point it out as wrong. This illusion of racism as a passive part of society only highlights the fact that bigotry is still a part of culture, and reminds the descendents of the oppressed that some people wish things had never changed.
In reference to the comparison of "sqaw" to "n*gger" the first refers to an Indian woman... not offensive as I can tell.. at least that is the original definition when I looked it up on Google. The latter we know is an offensive referral to blacks...no proof needed.......it is offensive in any language. If Perry didn't think the name on the rock was offensive to him or saw to it that it was removed ... then he is just being true to his colors .. so to speak. He is a GOP candidate and from Texas where the politics is marred with Christianity and misgivings of reality. If the truth was known about Perry...he still thinks the "south shall rise again..." and his plantation is already on the drawing board. Will the republicans ever get away from this brand of politics.....!!!!
I don't know, let's ask Senator Robert Byrd (D) about it?
Lots of offensive words don't begin as derogatory words but end up that way because of the the way people use them. Squaw is indeed a derogatory term in modern day usage.
When in doubt you should probably ask the people the word is used towards if they find it offensive.
I have no doubt. I would never call an Indian woman a squaw. Perhaps it's more obvious to me because my community is home to the Yurok people. So, I'm conscious of the fact that it's not just a word.
Rachel, Please check out Politicalgates blog. It's about the Bloomberg article on the Koch brothers...a must read!
I'm inclined to agree with others who consider the more interesting question, "how did the family afford it?" Perry makes a point of growing up poor, and his father's job never paid much. So where did the money come from to buy a private hunting ranch that currently charges visitors luxury resort rates?
Not surprised. The Republican/Tea Party's message clearly is that it's OK to be a racist, a homophobe, hate the poor, hate the sick, hate the government and the people who work for it. And the saddest thing is there are millions in the US that now think it's just fine too. And not one Republican, save for Gov. Christie and his appointment of a Muslim judge, has repudiated these messages. This behavior and sentiment is becoming the norm; a silently approved process where millions encourage the behavior and millions more shrug their shoulders and are content to ignore it, thinking that it's just not such a big deal.
When a shooting war opens, you take out the big targets first- the targets that pose the biggest threats to you. Or do you take the shots that are easiest to make?
Which candidate would you rather have run against the President?
Is that perverting truth? Absolutely not. The truth is that the bastards want to take the White House back. The truth is that Romney is the biggest threat. The key story that people need to understand is how President Mitt would be a national disaster. THAT it the truth.
So why do this story now, and not in September 2012? The right wing establishment is doing their damndest to eliminate Perry now. So why help them do their work. Why blow the impact of the story now and not use it for maximum impact in 2012? Why tell the Perry story and not the other ones about Romney?
Because "everyone is doing it"? Because every journalist and his cousin are "piling on", joining in the GOP/ FOX initiated drive against Perry? The Group think of MSNBC is stunning. The Pro Cyclic journalism is stunning in its predictability- the reptilian brain response that can always be counted on by media manipulators.
Whose side are you on?
I would agree Mr. Romney has the television looks for presidency, but that pesky Mormon religion - I don't think it's going to fly.
Why does everyone in his party seem to hate him? Publicly, he seems no worse than any of the other Republican candidates.
Dwight Hedrick,
Obviously you dont know any Natives. Because if you did you would know that squaw is as offensive and derogatory to Natives as n&**er is to Blacks. Please pass this information on to others who may be ignorant as well.
As insulting as it is; Can any pundit or reporter get Rick Perry to say why it wasn't removed without stumbling over his words, Or at least that because Daddy is a racist
I'm concerned no one is asking the real question of Rick Perry or his father (if alive).
WHY? Why was it even named that to begin with? I heard on Christ Matthews lots of places and things used that term from the 1860's forward. But the question still remains. WHY? Its not named that unless there is a reason for it.
They need to dig up that entire ranch. I have a feeling there are a lot of dead lynched bodies out there. Wouldn't surprise me if it was some kind of game preserve either. They shooting bucks now but I bet it was black bucks back then.
These gun nuts love guns. They would love nothing better than to take a life with their gun. Problem is, they never really get a chance to do it. So, in order to appease their craving for death they probably created the n*****head ranch.
Heck, Perry shoots coyotes while jogging.
While Rick Perry knew what the shooting ranch was called, painting over the name is not dismissing the racist overtones, neither is removing the rock, but at least we no the klanmen under the white hood or white rock; As for Herman Cain ask him of his prejudice of muslims so we can watch him paint a different picture for us or the same picture