'Baby Mama' Trauma

Monday, June 16, 2008

Fox News offends the Obama camp, referring to Michelle as Obama's "Baby Mama."

Last week, when the caption "OUTRAGED LIBERALS: STOP PICKING ON OBAMA'S BABY MAMA!" appeared during a report on whether Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, has been mistreated by media, political blogs were all abuzz. To some, "Baby Mama" is an obvious racial jab. The Urban Dictionary defines "Baby Mama" as "the mother of your child(ren), whom you did not marry and with whom you are not currently involved."

Since Obama and Michelle are very much married, it's difficult to imagine what was going on in the mind of the segment's producer. (The culprit has so far gone unnamed) Did they think they were being funny, hip, or did they succumb to an uncontrollable desire to rhyme Obama with mama?

Some consider "Baby Mama" a harmless moniker, that can be employed for lighthearted effect--as in its use as the title of a new mainstream movie starring comediennes Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Still, we're not so easily swayed. Especially when you put it to the McCain test. Can you imagine Fox using the Baby Mama caption on an image of Cindy McCain? What do you think: Is this a racist slur or a stupid mistake?

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Both

- Crisa

Posted 06/16/08 08:46 PM

I agree it’s both. I don’t find the moniker offensive, but see where it is not an appropriate way to refer to Sen. Obama’s wife.

- Nicole J.

Posted 06/16/08 08:50 PM

Its silly lol!!

- Tracy

Posted 06/16/08 08:59 PM

Lighten up people!

- dixiegirl

Posted 06/16/08 09:55 PM

Who really cares!!!! If Obama’s wife wants to be out on the camp trail then she needs to take the heat. Cindy McCain does what a wife should do and just stands by her man. Just like ole Bill Clinton should have just shut up and stand behind his wife and let her run the show. However I don’t like Obama or his wife. I don’t trust either of them at all. So what ever you may have to say about them go right ahead by me.

- Zachary

Posted 06/16/08 11:34 PM

During one speech, Michele Obama introduced her husband as being her “baby’s daddy.” So it’s okay if she uses it, but it’s racist if someone else uses it? Makes no sense to me.

- April

Posted 06/17/08 09:27 AM

i do think it’s offensive in this context. i’m neutral on the politics end though. i think if c.mccain had been referred to in that way it would have offended that group -because by definition she is not just his “baby mama” but his wife and partner and yes, the mother of his children.

- stinkybrat41

Posted 06/17/08 09:28 AM

I really think that people need to stop babying Obama and his wife. If they are not tough enough to handle things like this, then how in the world can he be tough enough to handle the highest office in the land?

- Lesley

Posted 06/17/08 10:11 AM

Sorry Leslie, I disagree. Yes, I will admit she opened up her own can of worms when she referred to him as her “boo.” Unfortunately, given this racially charged election (when they already accused him of being a terrorist for wearing a turban in Kenya), Michelle and Barack have to be super careful. However, it is VERY unprofessional for any news entity to put ebonic jargon on the taglines for their stories. News should be better than that.

- SugarPlumFairy

Posted 06/17/08 12:48 PM

And we know that wouldn’t call Cindy McCain somebody’s “baby mama.”

- SugarPlumFairy

Posted 06/17/08 12:49 PM

They wouldn’t call Cindy McCain a “baby mama” because Cindy McCain has never introduced John McCain as being her “baby daddy” - which is exactly what Michelle Obama called Barack Obama, during a 2004 speech when he won his Senate seat. That term was clearly not offensive when she used it to refer to her husband, so why is it suddenly offensive to them when the term is used in reference to her?

- April

Posted 06/17/08 01:42 PM

even if Michelle Obama used the term first in 2004, “baby mama” is never appropriate for the news to use to title someone. It’s just unfortunate that anyone even brought the term into the campaign.

- Shell56

Posted 06/17/08 03:21 PM

In the context it was used, it was a slur!!

- proud mom of 2

Posted 09/18/08 12:40 PM