Left: S.R. Sidarth; right: a screen capture of Virginia Sen. George Allen making the instantly infamous racially-charged “macaque” remark in reference to Sidarth.
Virginia Sen. (and presidential hopeful) George Allen referred to a young volunteer of Indian descent as “macaque,” which is tantamount to “monkey” or the “N word” among African immigrants.
Allen made the remark to S.R. Sidarth, a 20-year-old campaign volunteer who works for Allen’s opponent in the Va. Senate race, and who was taping Allen’s public appearance. In his “apology” to Sidarth, Allen said:
I would never want to demean him as an individual. I do apologize if he’s offended by that. That was no way the point.
The Washington Post followed up with the $64,000 question.
Asked what macaca means, 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.
Actually, “mohawk” doesn’t sound very similar to macaque at all.
About the word itself, Ryan Lizza at the New Republic writes:
Not only is macaque apparently a French slur used to describe North Africans, Allen would have good reason to know it is. His mother is French Tunisian (yeah, that’s in North Africa), and Allen speaks French.
Salon has the best writeup (ad wall) of Allen’s background and the slur’s etymology:
Today, the word is used mainly by two groups of people: scientists studying African and Asian primates, and bullies looking to insult others for the color of their skin. An online dictionary of ethnic slurs lists “macaque” as a French and Belgian word for black North Africans. In the Oxford Spanish Dictionary, “macaco” and “macaca” carry the colloquial meaning of “little devil,” “Chinaman” and “ugly person.” Anthropologists who study Brazilian street slang have noted that the police will call the local kids “macaco,” or monkey, in reference to their African heritage. Robin E. Sheriff, a professor at the University of New Hampshire, has written that the purpose of it is to demonstrate “interpersonal domination” and signal “the historically entrenched structures on which that domination is based.”
Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) apologized Monday for what his opponent’s campaign said were demeaning and insensitive comments the senator made to a 20-year-old volunteer of Indian descent.
At a campaign rally in southwest Virginia on Friday, Allen repeatedly called a volunteer for Democrat James Webb “macaca.” During the speech in Breaks, near the Kentucky border, Allen began by saying that he was “going to run this campaign on positive, constructive ideas” and then pointed at S.R. Sidarth in the crowd.
“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.”
If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.
By Fred Klink, August 24, 2006 at 9:56 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I agree with Robbie Wood—the Democrats get a pass no matter how outrageous their comments. Do any of you have a clue that Hillary Clinton made a public statement about Mahatma Ghandi running a gas station in St. Louis and then immediately followed it with a question about whether he still runs that gas station? How many of you heard Democrat Joe Biden explain that you can’t go into a donut shop or a 7-11 unless you have an Indian accent? Of course you never heard about Robert Bird’s comment about “white nig—-s” did you? Your hypocrisy is sickening.
As long as we are on the subject, how many of you can honestly say that you ever heard the word “macaca” before August 16? And no, he didn’t say “macaque” as we have all learned is an obscure French term used by that country’s low-lifes to described person of North African descent. We are told that an “on-line dictionary” which is never identified says that macaca is a racial slur. However, my pursuit of Answers.com, which has every racial slur in the books in it’s listings, finds that the only reference to macaca is the scientific classification for the macque monkey. No reference to it being a racial slur is given. Wikepidia, on the other hand, has two definitions for macaca, one being the macque monkey and the other being a racial slur. Ah, but there’s more to it than that! The Wikipedia entry was last updated on August 23, 2006! Gosh, do you suppose new scientific information about the macaque monkey just came to light this month and some public-spirited individual decided to update the Wikipedia entry. Yeah, right.
Anyway, I’ve already written too much for the short attention span, sound-bite driven liberals. If any of you really read this far, much less understood what was written, I welcome your comments.
By kevin99999, August 16, 2006 at 9:52 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Why do I get the feeling that the racists remarks by the Republicans are deliberate part of race baiting by a party that has nothing going for it and needs an issue. The GOP is entirely deviod of ethics or morality, all they care about is reqarding wealthy and the corporations, and other issues are merely proxy issues.
By Hilding Lindquist, August 16, 2006 at 8:58 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Well, there we have it in a nutshell, don’t we?: The Southern political strategy: Racism.
The Republicans took over where the Democrats left off ...
I remember to this day the emotional shock in the 50’s of coming straight out of a progressive childhood and youth growing up in the upper midwest and the Pacific Northwest and traveling into Georgia and Florida. I couldn’t believe I was in the same United States of America. And then following the Civil Rights movement throughout the 60’s ... the strong peaceful dignity of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vs. the bullying violent boorishness of Police Commissoner Bull Conner of Birhingham, Alabama.
If this doesn’t doom any bid for national office by Senator George Allen, I will be surprised.
By Fred, August 16, 2006 at 7:36 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Why is this type of behavior from a Republican so shocking, look at where Reagan began his campaign in 1980: Philadelphia, Mississippi talking about states’ rights.
By Miguel Nieto, August 16, 2006 at 5:51 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Racism, even among politicians, still thrives. I’m sure if I were in a crowd of Allen supporters (me, not being one, of course), Allen would have welcomed me to America, too. Being brown skinned I’m sure he would have thought I was an immigrant (or maybe an illegal one?). I would have had to correct his thinking and state that my ancestors were in America long before “white” man.
By Mad As Hell, August 16, 2006 at 4:06 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
OK, I’ve been slimed for saying this before, but Senator Allen’s remarks back me up:
Southern Republicans are by and large racists. The GOP, starting with Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” have deliberately tapped into Southern White racism to move the old dixiecrats into the GOP, where they have happily lived for nearly 40 years. Yeah, there are exceptions, but for every Fred Thompson (a decent guy), there’s a dozen George Allens, Trent Lotts, and Jim Bunnings—not to mention Jeb Bush. (Jeb Bush a racist? With all the hispanics in his family? Ironic, isn’t it since he’s been behind the disenfranchisement of Blacks in Florida—I classify THAT as racist!)
Don’t ever be surprised to scratch a Southern Republican and find a racist. It was the express object of the “Southern Strategy” to give a new home to all the segregationists.
By Robbie Wood, August 16, 2006 at 4:02 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
As usual the press takes a comment by what they see a a right winger and runs it in the ground when the blinders are on when it comes to a long term senator that was a KKK member…..press and the left areout of touch.
Too Soon to Tell: The Case for Hope, Continued
 . '/' . substr('9780375708732',-6,3) . '/' . '9780375708732' . '.jpg'; ?>)
Email 
Print
Share
Email to a friend
Newsletter 
Like Us
Follow Us
Get Our Feed
By Fred Klink, August 24, 2006 at 9:56 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I agree with Robbie Wood—the Democrats get a pass no matter how outrageous their comments. Do any of you have a clue that Hillary Clinton made a public statement about Mahatma Ghandi running a gas station in St. Louis and then immediately followed it with a question about whether he still runs that gas station? How many of you heard Democrat Joe Biden explain that you can’t go into a donut shop or a 7-11 unless you have an Indian accent? Of course you never heard about Robert Bird’s comment about “white nig—-s” did you? Your hypocrisy is sickening.
As long as we are on the subject, how many of you can honestly say that you ever heard the word “macaca” before August 16? And no, he didn’t say “macaque” as we have all learned is an obscure French term used by that country’s low-lifes to described person of North African descent. We are told that an “on-line dictionary” which is never identified says that macaca is a racial slur. However, my pursuit of Answers.com, which has every racial slur in the books in it’s listings, finds that the only reference to macaca is the scientific classification for the macque monkey. No reference to it being a racial slur is given. Wikepidia, on the other hand, has two definitions for macaca, one being the macque monkey and the other being a racial slur. Ah, but there’s more to it than that! The Wikipedia entry was last updated on August 23, 2006! Gosh, do you suppose new scientific information about the macaque monkey just came to light this month and some public-spirited individual decided to update the Wikipedia entry. Yeah, right.
Anyway, I’ve already written too much for the short attention span, sound-bite driven liberals. If any of you really read this far, much less understood what was written, I welcome your comments.
Report thisBy Sonal Panse, August 17, 2006 at 7:47 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
By George, when is the US going to run out of prime Georges?
What if this chap becomes the next President and puts us macaque monkeys on the Endangered Species List?
Just like the present George has done to our simian brethren in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon.
HELP!
Report thisBy kevin99999, August 16, 2006 at 9:52 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Why do I get the feeling that the racists remarks by the Republicans are deliberate part of race baiting by a party that has nothing going for it and needs an issue. The GOP is entirely deviod of ethics or morality, all they care about is reqarding wealthy and the corporations, and other issues are merely proxy issues.
Report thisBy jon b, August 16, 2006 at 9:22 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Senator Allen’s racial slur is a clear message to the world - US remains a racially divided nation and we have lawmakers to enforce it.
Nice job Allen.
Report thisBy Mr. Macaca, August 16, 2006 at 9:04 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I thought Sen. Allen’s comments were unbelievable. Reminded me of being a “Jungle Bunny” in third grade.
In any case, I made up some funny t-shirts and other stuff to celebrate the end of Allen’s campaign. Thought you might want to check it out.
I’m donating 30% of the profit to Allen’s competitor, Democratic candidate Jim Webb.
http://www.cafepress.com/macacashop
Report thisBy Hilding Lindquist, August 16, 2006 at 8:58 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Well, there we have it in a nutshell, don’t we?: The Southern political strategy: Racism.
The Republicans took over where the Democrats left off ...
I remember to this day the emotional shock in the 50’s of coming straight out of a progressive childhood and youth growing up in the upper midwest and the Pacific Northwest and traveling into Georgia and Florida. I couldn’t believe I was in the same United States of America. And then following the Civil Rights movement throughout the 60’s ... the strong peaceful dignity of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vs. the bullying violent boorishness of Police Commissoner Bull Conner of Birhingham, Alabama.
If this doesn’t doom any bid for national office by Senator George Allen, I will be surprised.
Report thisBy Fred, August 16, 2006 at 7:36 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Why is this type of behavior from a Republican so shocking, look at where Reagan began his campaign in 1980: Philadelphia, Mississippi talking about states’ rights.
Report thisBy Miguel Nieto, August 16, 2006 at 5:51 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Racism, even among politicians, still thrives. I’m sure if I were in a crowd of Allen supporters (me, not being one, of course), Allen would have welcomed me to America, too. Being brown skinned I’m sure he would have thought I was an immigrant (or maybe an illegal one?). I would have had to correct his thinking and state that my ancestors were in America long before “white” man.
Report thisBy TomChicago, August 16, 2006 at 5:40 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
“variation of Mohawk”, my ass. Just another overbearing good ole boy humiliating you while he’s slapping you on the back.
Report thisBy harald hardrada, August 16, 2006 at 4:50 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
weanie george allen would be the first to holler ‘anti-semite’ if anybody questioned our blind devotion to israel
Report thisBy Mad As Hell, August 16, 2006 at 4:06 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
OK, I’ve been slimed for saying this before, but Senator Allen’s remarks back me up:
Southern Republicans are by and large racists. The GOP, starting with Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” have deliberately tapped into Southern White racism to move the old dixiecrats into the GOP, where they have happily lived for nearly 40 years. Yeah, there are exceptions, but for every Fred Thompson (a decent guy), there’s a dozen George Allens, Trent Lotts, and Jim Bunnings—not to mention Jeb Bush. (Jeb Bush a racist? With all the hispanics in his family? Ironic, isn’t it since he’s been behind the disenfranchisement of Blacks in Florida—I classify THAT as racist!)
Don’t ever be surprised to scratch a Southern Republican and find a racist. It was the express object of the “Southern Strategy” to give a new home to all the segregationists.
Report thisBy Robbie Wood, August 16, 2006 at 4:02 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
As usual the press takes a comment by what they see a a right winger and runs it in the ground when the blinders are on when it comes to a long term senator that was a KKK member…..press and the left areout of touch.
Report this