Fact:
Unless DNA testing proves otherwise, Michelle Obama is Barack Obama’s “baby mama.” Thus, FOX News has correct in the following video clip:
(H/T – J$P)
Apparently, writers at Salon.com still use the term “baby mama” in its archaic sense, namely:
slang for the unmarried mother of a man’s child, and not his wife, or even a girlfriend
And, hence, are feigning outrage at FOX using the term in its modern sense, i.e. the mother of one’s child.
However, as Slate points out:
Salon recently called Tom Cruise “Katie Holmes’ baby-daddy,” even though the couple is engaged.
Salon is being pretty sloppy here. And it’s too easy to spot their anti-FOX agenda.
UPDATE:
G-Man points out that Michelle Obama, in fact, refers to Barack as her “baby’s daddy.”
WATSON: He’s coming up.
BLITZER: We can take a look. Maybe he will and maybe he won’t but she looks like she’s about to introduce him. Let’s listen in.
MICHELLE OBAMA, WIFE OF BARACK OBAMA: My baby’s daddy Barack Obama. Yeah!
BARACK OBAMA, SENATOR-ELECT, ILLINOIS: Thank you, Illinois. Thank you. Thank you, Illinois. I don’t know about you but I’m still fired up. I am fired up. Look at this crowd. Thank you, Illinois.
Let me begin by thanking all the people who have been involved in this effort from down state to upstate, city, suburb, from every community throughout the state. Let me say how grateful I am to all of you for the extraordinary privilege of standing here this evening.
Now, I understand that people hate FOX, but when blogs like Salon blast them for no reason the legitimate complaints are less meaningful and the credibility of the attacker, be it Salon.com, Olbermann, etc., goes down the drain.
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11 Comments
I didn’t realize that the term “baby-mama” had been around for long enough to have both archaic and modern usage. I’m pretty sure–using Fantasia’s 2006 single “Baby Mama” as a reference–that almost everyone considers a baby mama to be the unwed and frequently-unsupported mother of a man’s child, most often used in the African-American community.
Regardless, referring to the relationship of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, a white celebrity couple that had a suspiciously hysterical courtship and whirlwind, shotgun engagement as one being the other’s “baby-daddy” is playful and tongue-in-cheek–like a sorority sister throwing up a gang sign in a group photo (though both are a very weird and sad reflection of our culture).
Referring to a politician’s wife–and the potential next first lady–as his ‘baby mama’ when they have not only been married for several years, but have also been the subject of passive-aggressive racist remarks, is just another subtle way of reinforcing the negative stereotype that all black couples are having children out of wedlock and abandoning their families.
In short, it’s a horse of a different color (no pun intended). Either way, it’s an unprofessional term that a leading media outlet should avoid using.
She’s called Barrack “My babys’ daddy” in her introduction of her husband the night he won the Senate seat in Illinois in 2004. Does that mean they’re not married?
Thanks, G-man!
At G-Man. That’s a little different, isn’t it? First off, there’s no reason to question her motivation, seeing as she is probably his most ardent supporter. If she uses a racially loaded term with him, given the context of her close relationship and history with him, I’m sure its not meant to be derogatory.
However, when Fox News uses it, there are at least two problems. First, using slang like that is unprofessional and atypical of the news network (especially without quotes) and so it calls attention to itself as extremely intentional usage. Second, its most well known usage is perjorative (whereas designating someone a “babby daddy” is notably less so). To use such a stilted and suggestive term is simply bad journalism and mean spirited.
Basically, I agree with Stine on this one. I would add, however, that they are just words, and the Obama campaign should not make a big deal out of this other than to point it out as another case of media bias, which they have also benefited from to an extent.
Jjmz,
We are talking about a public statement in which she introduced a politician, I would expect her to be more professional than a news network.
It’s not like this was something that she uttered in her own home.
Not an excuse. FOX News is supposedly a professional news organization. If they would just say Dems warn not to pick on Obama’s Wife, then that would be at least some professionalism in the news.
But no, a ghetto slur to a woman that shouldn’t ever taken place ever in a chyron. That’s why there’s outrage! If that was the case, then why don’t they focus on John McCain’s first wife, the mother of his first three children. Damn, its ugly head is sprouting out again! That little word that people seem to forget about our own country. Post 9/11 illegal immigration and Black people with success are what drives that “R” word back into fray.
Brian Beach,
As I told the other commenter:
Honestly, if you think FOX was out of line then I expect you’ll be voting for McCain, because for Obama’s wife to use the “slur” is even more out of line for a potential first lady.
“for Obama’s wife to use the ’slur’”
Except that she said “babies’ daddy”, not “baby daddy”. “Baby daddy” is a single lexical unit, “babies’ daddy” is just an unremarkable genitive construction. It’s just an informal way of saying “the father of my children.”
Regarding your claim that the derogatory meaning is “archaic”, Urban Dictionary disagrees. Only one submitted definition unambiguously indicates that it’s even possible for the term to be used in what you claim is the “modern sense.”
Actually, she said “baby’s daddy.”
Also, I’ve linked to an article above that did a lexicographical survey of how the terms “baby daddy” and “baby mama” are actually used:
Note that Salon is guilty of using the same “slur”
The connotations of words change with time, Sergei.
“Actually, she said ‘baby’s daddy.’”
No, she said “babies’ daddy”. The transcript says “baby’s daddy” because they are pronounced the same and the person who produced the transcript was apparently not cognizant of the fact that the Obamas have more than one child.
As for the Salon article, kindly note its date, and compare it with the dates of the Urban Dictionary definitions. It appears likely that there was some amelioration going on, especially towards the beginning of the decade, but that the trend has since reversed, with the word regaining its original connotations. It also does not appear that it was at any point in time free of the negative connotations, and that they have always been more common.
And what exactly would those “negative” connotations be?