Lindsay Lohan Calls Obama "Colored" (Video)
In a move that inspired forehead smacking that could be heard across the country, Lindsay Lohan, America's favorite (little g) gossip girl, called Barack Obama "colored." In an interview with Access Hollywood's Maria Menounos, Lindsay said, "It was really exciting. It's an amazing feeling. It's our first colored president."
I have two questions: First, why is anyone asking Lindsay freaking Lohan's opinion on politics? (I'm not saying she can't have opinions, I just don't know why anyone would waste live interview time asking her about them.) And second, which is the question being asked around the blogosphere today, is "colored" an acceptable descriptor of a black person?
There are many terms that people have used to describe differences in skin tone but, rappers notwithstanding, only a few are generally used in polite society today. In the media one generally hears "black" or "African-American." Occasionally there is a reference, often in legal terms, to "a person of color" but that is often used to describe almost any skin color besides the peachy-pink we call "white." The last time I heard the phrase "colored" was by my nutty-as-the-Planter's-guy and admittedly racist grandmother. I will not repeat her statement here except to add that it resulted in no less than three family members launching across the room to put their hands over her mouth. And that's a lot for an 86-year-old woman.
But even if it were a generational issue, Lindsay is definitely not in the same demographic as my grandmother. Though they do share a strange penchant for leggings and muumuus.
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Has anyone ever heard of the NAACP?
What does that acronym stand for, I wonder.
She wasn't asked about that. The NAACP is 100 years old. Lohan is in her early 20s. She has no excuse.
The term "colored people" is acceptable for all of us who believe in it, so leave Lindsay alone. we are all one color or another. There are a lot of things in live to get upset over. This is NOT one of them. My ancestors came from Africa, Europe, and North America. Which color should I claim? Red? White? Black? People make up labels. By now, I am sure someone has said "Uh, Lindsay, Sweetie, school time...." Me, I'm moving on. I am glad she campaigned for our president-elect. I am glad she was so excited by the win. If that is the worst term people use for a President Obama, we can be thankful. There are other battles we will have to fight. but then, that's my 2 cents.
Honestly, I get so tired of hearing about that useless organization as if blacks, african americans, people of color, whatever are all card carrying members looking to them for leadership. They wore out their usefulness when the term was abandoned.
What color?
Lohan is rich and educated (?)
this makes her look like a dim-bulb-
She could have used another term.
This is 2008, people need to know something for a change,
enough with the cover-ups...
She said good, if you listen closely.
So, George W. was one of many paleface Presidents, yeah, people can be racist in thought and language without knowing it.
Leave her alone. She does not know the meaning of the term colored in the historical sense. Give the girl a pass. It is not as offensive as you all make it to be.
says who? and no she won't get left alone, she'll get educated.
Why do people want to beat up on Lindsay Lohan for that. Obama is part black and part white. So he isn't an african american or black, he is COLORED. Now before you start jumping on me. I am white and married to a lady that is part black and part white and when people ask her, she says she is "colored".
Yeah? And how old is she? 80? Because MODERN Black people do not refer to themselves as "colored," my friend. I should know -- I'm 42 years old and Black and do not know of ANYONE younger than 70 or 80 years old who SLIPS and identifies themselves as being "colored." As for your wife, she's "BLACK" -- See "The One-Drop Rule." It has been the basis upon which Black people have been identified from the inception of this country. It was one meant to degrade by saying that one drop of African Blood makes a person Black. Ironically, it mobilized Black people to gain civil rights and become and independent force for change because Black people of ALL hues were able to come together because there was no differentiation between pure Blacks and mixed Blacks.
She's very young. She wasn't even around when the term "colored" was being widely used. I think she was probably thinking in terms of the expression "person of color" and innocently drew that word out of it.
And yes, as was pointed out, the NAACP is still using the term, so it's obviously not technically off limits. For a while, the word "black" wasn't okay either - it was supposed to be African American - but that's changing. These things fluctuate, and the intent is the bigger part of what an interpretation should be.
wow.......no wonder she never been in a movie with a black co-star she kept asking for a "COLORED" person
In defence of Lindsay Lohan, I dont think she meant to be offensive . I believe she is from Long Island,New York ,either Nassau or Suffolk county, a lot of the people from these counties are blue collar or working class Whites. Many are second or third generation Americans . The term "colored" is frequently used by these working class Whites. Ms Lohan obviously picked this term up from her parents or grand parents.
And those areas have a long history of racism. No one cares where she picked it up. She was born in the late 80s into an integrated world and media, not the 30s. There's no excuses. She was also slick enough to blame an imaginary black man for a fake carjacking. I guess her parents and grandparents taught her that too, huh?
And, this term hasn't been used in a generation -- but she most definitely has heard the term, African-American. This was a choice. Her choice. So be it.
Interesting excuse you offer her. Never mind this girl has lived most of her life in Los Angeles. Although, as an African American, her comments dont offend me, because my regard for her is so low. But your excuse for her is ridiculous. Would you be okay being called a sl ut if I told you Ive spent the last year watching nothing but po rn?
She said good, if you listen
Why is every little thing people say picked to pieces - most the time it means nothing and is not meant to be a slam, racial or anything - just a comment that possibly could have been worded better.
Of course Except this is the same chicjy who was quick to "blame the black guy" when she had her little car jacking episode.
I agree she probably did not mean it how it sounds. I think she's not too savvy, and maybe not as sophisticated as her wealth might indicate.
This reminds me of a conversation overheard on a bus, between an elderly woman of African descent and her granddaughter. It took place in the 80's.
Grandma: '(something--I think it was a granddaughter's new job) things changing for colored people
Granddaughter: Grandma, you don't say "colored person,' You say "Black" or "Person of Color."
Grandma: That's what I said - Person of Color - colored people! It's the same thing!
Granddaughter: No, it's not!
Word use changes. "Colored" was what my parents used. When I was coming of age, it was Black. It's peculiar that Lohan used a term that's been out of fashion since before she was born, but that may be the term her parents or grandparents used, with no disrespect intended.
The real issue is, with kids in Mississippi being yelled at by bus drivers for saying Barack Obama's name, DOES THIS MATTER?
Black guy here!
SO WHAT!
I doubt very seriously that someone who supports the guy not to mention someone her age even knows what that word colored means. She just misspoke in trying to say the first person of color.
My beef is always with the people who have power to effect the lives of others and not all this GOTCHA
BS
We have work to do people!
Look up!
Since we are talking about colors, I consider myself to be deeply tanned. ;)
My coloring is outside the lines. 200 years ago,I was tall.
A line is just a very long dot. ;)
Man, this just speaks volumes about the Lohan family, doesn't it.
Is it just possible that everyone responding to this is, to some siginificant extent, correct?
Lindsay used a term that is historically offensive to many Blacks, specifically African-Americans.
She clearly did it innocently, out of ignorance, and meant no offense.
Many other Afriican-Americans are not offended, but understand why others are.
White Americans are at various stages in their evolution from the influences of an historically racist soc iety to one considerably less so. Remnants of perceptions and language are lodged in their experiences and occasionally are expressed innocently. Black Americans have their own evolutionary issues, as well. Social collisions of language and expressions are inevitable. Black Americans can generally tell the intent of the speaker from the context.
I suspect that white Americans are more embarassed over Lindsay's comment than Black Americans are offended by it. That is a good thing, and another sign of the progress that elected our first African-American president.
it is such an ignorant and stupid comment that it is embarrassing for anyone, words do have a meaning and this one is about belittling people..ignorance being a huge part of racism, this poor fool still reveals a mind set that she is probably not even aware of
that the press seriously covers such uneducated people like her or Palin is beyond comprehension
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