The CEO of Tennessee's Hospitality Association, Walt Baker, has joined the club of high-ranking public figures to hurl racial slurs at members of the first family. Hip Hop Wired has the full story:It was reported by the Tennessean of Nashville that CEO Walt Baker's e-mail compared Obama to the sidekick of character Tarzan, Cheeta. The message features a picture of the first lady caught off guard with her lips pursed, accompanied by a chimp that has a similar expression on its face.
Since news broke, Baker has apologized for his actions.
How many of these figures would be up here apologizing if they weren't caught? There's no point in saying sorry for something that had its full intentions when the idea first came to mind.
On Saturday, he stated, through e-mail to Nashville Metro Council, that the message was not meant to be looked at as being something malicious, but was only trying to provide some type of "political humor."
In his apology, Baker stated: "As I forwarded it, I did not think or consider its implications, other than that it was political humor. I am saddened that anyone misinterpreted the sentiments behind the email." Newsflash to all those who don't know -- comparing black people to animals, particularly monkeys, has a long and horribly painful history in the United States and it remains demeaning and offensive. It is clear that Baker knew what he was doing, and at the moment his desire to get a rise out of his fellow Obama-bashers overtook the cool-headed composure that is required of a CEO. Either that, or he is truly ignorant of social relations in the U.S. Anyone who lacks enough basic social grace to refrain from sending an off-color email should not hold a position of such high authority.
See the full email here, and leave your comments on Michelle being called a monkey, yet again, below.
via Bossip
UDPATE: Former CEO Fired Over Remark
Comments: (33)
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By: The Truth on 3/09/2010 6:17PM
You can't stress over what others think, promote or "forward" as e-mails. You can however minimize the damage done by ignoring it. The more you appear bothered or offended the more successful the message of hate becomes. The initiator then just sits back and admires his handy work. If the intent of the sender is to hurt someone in some way they will have succeeded if you let it bother you. Do not give it the energy it does not deserve.
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By: Sammy on 3/10/2010 12:09AM
Is this why the black so-called scholars, pseudo-intellectuals or people who run black organizations who regularly appear on the white tv shows to bash President Obama don't seem to be bothered by the many racist comment/emails being sent around the country? There is total and complete silence from them at all times. Guess they must trying to minimize the damage by ignoring these comments/emails?
You can't even count on Rev, Inc., to come out against this foolishness. When you need Jackson and Sharpton to shut up, they are flapping their lips all over the place. But they lose their voice when these racist pass these e-mails around (or make similar statement within tv range).
Even the racist donor packet recently put out by Michael Steele and the RNC causes our scholars, pseudo-intellectuals and pundits to be struck deaf and dumb.
Oh, but wait, I don't think that is it. The real reason there is silence is because so many of them are jigging on the white tv shows bashing the President. If these people were to speak out during their appearances on the white tv shows they would never be invited back.
Then they would lose the opportunity to get their faces on tv.
More importantly, they need to keep getting those thirty pieces.
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By: goddess on 3/09/2010 10:28PM
You right.
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By: goddess on 3/09/2010 10:42PM
You right--to TRUTH--NOT TO SAMMY. Sammy is a damn cracka
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By: Erskine Phillips on 3/09/2010 6:34PM
We are told time and again to "get over it".
What if the Jews are told to " get over it"
This person Mr Baker should be fired and sued for deformation of the First Lady. However as Mr Baker and his elk reval in their deeds, we "the harmed", our children and our grand children realise that nothing changes.
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By: goddess on 3/09/2010 10:39PM
Yes, more needs to be done than just talk about it and feed his evil deeds. But, yes--a law suit for defamation of character. I hope that it is being looked at.
But what is a major issue is when those crackas then make apologies--But the deed has been done. See those crackas play those petty games and hide behind fake social graces--but history tells their story. They make history everyday, then they wonder why people hate them.
But what is another issue is when negroes kowtow to crackas--oh yes, this is true for many Blacks. They will turn on you in a minute. And to tell the truth, the Obamas are being accused of being such a Black people--take for white people in a second--when they know that those crackas will turn on them in a second. This is a complex issue and I can go there . . .smh
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By: Sammy on 3/14/2010 3:16PM
What, pray tell, is a crackas? I've not heard of this. Is this a word used to refer to white people?
BTW, Miss goddess, it is so obvious that you lack the skills for linear and coherent thought and speech. Did you attend school and graduate?
One more thing, Miss goddess, I happend to be an educated black woman with TWO college degrees (BA and MA) and NINE hours post masters. Own my own home and retired at an early age from a job as a senior systems analyst at a multi-facility health care institution. Why? Because I could afford it financially.
I learned to speak and write english at a very age because education was important to my parents.
What about you? Still waiting for President Obama to send you that welfare check?
Do you use the made up word crackas to refer to black people who are obviously smarter that you are who call out phoney black people?
Best of luck to you with that.
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By: rasil on 3/09/2010 8:26PM
Good and I hope he has learned a life lesson. just looking at him I want to vomit. he looks like a rapist.
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By: MARIE on 3/10/2010 8:06AM
WELL JUST LOOK AT HIM, WLD U EXPECT HIM TO SAY ANYTHING NICE WITH THAT MUGGED HE CARRIES ALL HIS LIFE.
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By: Mrs W on 3/09/2010 10:25PM
PLEASE! The freakn nerve of this guy! He looks like the cartoon character "Peter" off the "Family Guy" show?
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