"President Obama" VS "Mr. Obama" (Local news related)

picoandsepulveda · February 2012

My local news constantly refers to our President as "Mr. Obama" or "Obama" but never "President Obama".

Seems a little disrespectful to refer to him as such. Seems like they should have a little more respect for the President of the United States. I never heard them refer to George Bush Sr/Jr. as such nor Bill Clinton.

You don't have to like the president but i do think that he should be called "Mr.President" or "President Obama" as all of the Presidents before him were called "Mr. President" or "President such and such".

How about your local news? Are they doing this too.

Tried searching for this very topic online with very little results.

seems kinda racist to me. What do you think?

incompletejigsaw · February 2012

I don't know if it's necessarily racist, but I do think that it's a sign of disrespect to not address the President with that title attached to his name. Even Kanye West used the word President before disrespecting Bush on live national television.

Here in DC there's nothing like that on the news. The newscasters always say "The President" or "President Obama." I've never heard a newscaster just say "Obama." Where is your local news located? Could it possibly be a region where the approval of the President isn't on the positive side and the newscasters are just reflecting the sentiments of the viewers? I don't know. I just don't like to rush out and call every disrespectful act a racist one without knowing why the act was done to begin with.

picoandsepulveda · February 2012

i'n in cali 90025. seems this is happening quite a bit all over the country:

http://www.witn.com/blogs/notesfromthenewsroom/39861842.html

incompletejigsaw · February 2012

I had never noticed it before, but reading the comments below the article show that others have noticed it for years. One of the comments kind of irked me to an extent.

Can we just say, Supreme Commander Lord of All Obama? That's what all we NON racists want the Supreme Commander Lord of All Obama to actually be, so lets cut the crap and prove we are not racist and demand the respect our Most Merciful Supreme Commander Lord of All Obama deserves. I love my Supreme Commander Lord of All and therefore you cannot find a mean, greedy, or racist bone in my body. Get over yourselves and your "respect". Mr. Obama is a man in an office. Mr. Obama should be treated like a man in an office. Has nothing to do with his policies or skin color (since most the people on this comment board only see him as a black man). Because if we were to discuss his policies, the proper title would be "boy" since he has a kindergartener's understanding of real economics.

Sometimes I wish that the President could call out these people and ask them, "Why are you whining?" And to me, a real non-racist wouldn't have to state that they are non-racist.

Guzzo · February 2012

picoandsepulveda said:
My local news constantly refers to our President as "Mr. Obama" or "Obama" but never "President Obama".

seems kinda racist to me. What do you think?

I wouldn't consider calling someone "mister" racist. can you tell me why you believe it to be so?

picoandsepulveda · February 2012

if you cannot see it then i cannot help you my friend. b/w you sound white.

batmon · February 2012

Its racist.

Guzzo · February 2012

picoandsepulveda said:
if you cannot see it then i cannot help you my friend. b/w you sound white.

I am white, your answer sounds mad defensive and quite ignorant. I asked a question hoping you can tell me why you feel it racist. as far as I know mister is not a racist term. If you know otherwise well this is your platform and go ahead and speak on it.

IMO the racist card is not being played. Sounds more like someone is reading a little too much into the "racism" behind the M-word

batmon · February 2012

Guzzo said:
picoandsepulveda said:
if you cannot see it then i cannot help you my friend. b/w you sound white.

I am white, your answer sounds mad defensive and quite ignorant. I asked a question hoping you can tell me why you feel it racist. as far as I know mister is not a racist term. If you know otherwise well this is your platform and go ahead and speak on it.

IMO the racist card is not being played. Sounds more like someone is reading a little too much into the "racism" behind the M-word

Its about respect.

Consistantly describing the President as Mr, shows u dont really embrace him as the President.

Its subtle. Its totally understandable for you not to "get it". Its ok.

But this shit is insidious.

Relinquish the Mr word and see whats behind the broadcasters description.

If he is alternating i wouldnt call foul but if hes not given this dude his due, shit smells....imo.

Throughout Bush time i dont recall the media here in NY describing Bush, anything but the President.

"Mayor Bloomberg, Former President Clinton was in town to meet Mr Obama....."

kitchenknight · February 2012

Agree 100% with Batmon, and even some members of congress (all Republicans, from what I recall) have been doing this. It is a subtle insult, one I've never seen before (again, no matter how people hated Bush, he never got this treatment) and almost certainly based on race.

And, frankly, every journalist should know better... Addressing the president is some pretty basic journalism shit.

BeatChemist · February 2012

gareth said:

And, frankly, every journalist should know better... Addressing the president is some pretty basic journalism shit.

This.
I mean... isn't this standard professionalism?

Oh, wait we're talking politics and journalism... there's no such thing as professionalism anymore. Standards be damned!! If I was an editor and one of my journalists used Mr Obama I would be giving them shit. I guess unless I was a ruthless republican.

Guzzo · February 2012

batmon said:
Guzzo said:
picoandsepulveda said:
if you cannot see it then i cannot help you my friend. b/w you sound white.

I am white, your answer sounds mad defensive and quite ignorant. I asked a question hoping you can tell me why you feel it racist. as far as I know mister is not a racist term. If you know otherwise well this is your platform and go ahead and speak on it.

IMO the racist card is not being played. Sounds more like someone is reading a little too much into the "racism" behind the M-word

Its about respect.

Consistantly describing the President as Mr, shows u dont really embrace him as the President.

Its subtle. Its totally understandable for you not to "get it". Its ok.

But this shit is insidious.

Relinquish the Mr word and see whats behind the broadcasters description.

If he is alternating i wouldnt call foul but if hes not given this dude his due, shit smells....imo.

Throughout Bush time i dont recall the media here in NY describing Bush, anything but the President.

"Mayor Bloomberg, Former President Clinton was in town to meet Mr Obama....."

Disrespectful yes, racist...not ready to sign off on that. The poster who started this thread is a LA resident, and local news is a crazy melting pot of damn near every race/ ethnicity imaginable. I'd find it hard to say that the local Los Angeles news is sending out racial undertones. just knowing the PR shit storm that would surround that. Every Los Angeles station is corporate owned and the area market is very diverse.
I can see it done as an EP or exec trying to be disrespectful politically, but I can't see it being done as an act of racial hate

The_Hook_Up · February 2012

Guzzo...why do you think they are purposely being disrespectful to the President? Do you think it is because he is a democrat? Clinton, Carter nor Kennedy were never so casualy refered to as "Mr. Clinton", etc. in fact we still refer to them as "President". Is it because he went to Harvard? Let see, is it because he used to chain smoke? Let's see, is it because he killed Osama Bin Laden? Or perhaps it is because he is a lawyer? I know, it is because he is a "liberal" or perhaps more accurately a "centrist"?

Really, you don't see any evidence of racism in the lack of respect in not calling him "President Obama"?

HarveyCanal · February 2012

I prettty much only call him: Punkass Obama.

Big_Stacks · February 2012

The_Hook_Up said:
Guzzo...why do you think they are purposely being disrespectful to the President? Do you think it is because he is a democrat? Clinton, Carter nor Kennedy were never so casualy refered to as "Mr. Clinton", etc. in fact we still refer to them as "President". Is it because he went to Harvard? Let see, is it because he used to chain smoke? Let's see, is it because he killed Osama Bin Laden? Or perhaps it is because he is a lawyer? I know, it is because he is a "liberal" or perhaps more accurately a "centrist"?

Really, you don't see any evidence of racism in the lack of respect in not calling him "President Obama"?

As much as I was 'anti-Bush' during his 8-year term, I never referred to him as 'Mr. Bush.' Love them or hate them, people deserve the basic respect that should come with occupying a particular role, especially the thankless job of President of the United States. Hell, you see how haggard they all look when they leave office! It just shows how far afield we have gone in this country, wherein human decency is trumped by one's political agenda or leanings. It's sad and I would feel that way irrespective of who is serving as President.

Peace,

Big Stacks from Kakalak

HarveyCanal · February 2012

Y'all have to be kidding me on this shit. I woulda poked a fire stoker through George Bush's eye if given the chance. Yet, you were busy respecting his title??? Get off it already. Sure, there are plenty of racists who want to bring down Obama with anything they can muster. But the dude is a chickenshit crook, sock puppet...just like everyone since at least JFK who has held the position y'all are acting like needs to be bowed down to. Be serious already.

Unherd · February 2012

I do find this pretty disrespectful, and while people had good reason to consider Bush illegitimate after 2000, the people who consider Obama illegitimate generally base this on nothing. Some of these people express this by using Mr, and in my opinion, a lot of that's due to racism. I still think it's a jump to draw a straight line from Mr to racism, but most people here have acknowledged the distinction.

I will say that searching the New York Times website for "Mr Bush" brings up a ton of results, for what it's worth.

batmon · February 2012

HarveyCanal said:
Y'all have to be kidding me on this shit. I woulda poked a fire stoker through George Bush's eye if given the chance. Yet, you were busy respecting his title??? Get off it already. Sure, there are plenty of racists who want to bring down Obama with anything they can muster. But the dude is a chickenshit crook, sock puppet...just like everyone since at least JFK who has held the position y'all are acting like needs to be bowed down to. Be serious already.

No one said anything about being bowed down to. Thats your hangup.

I dont give a shit about any President.

In this specific scenario, those broadcasters are on some bullshit.

Big_Stacks · February 2012

batmon said:
HarveyCanal said:
Y'all have to be kidding me on this shit. I woulda poked a fire stoker through George Bush's eye if given the chance. Yet, you were busy respecting his title??? Get off it already. Sure, there are plenty of racists who want to bring down Obama with anything they can muster. But the dude is a chickenshit crook, sock puppet...just like everyone since at least JFK who has held the position y'all are acting like needs to be bowed down to. Be serious already.

No one said anything about being bowed down to. Thats your hangup.

I dont give a shit about any President.

In this specific scenario, those broadcasters are on some bullshit.

Yeah, what Batmon said!!!

Peace,

Big Stacks from Kakalak

Scott · February 2012

HarveyCanal said:
Y'all have to be kidding me on this shit. I woulda poked a fire stoker through George Bush's eye if given the chance. Yet, you were busy respecting his title??? Get off it already. Sure, there are plenty of racists who want to bring down Obama with anything they can muster. But the dude is a chickenshit crook, sock puppet...just like everyone since at least JFK who has held the position y'all are acting like needs to be bowed down to. Be serious already.

You've become a lot more agitated since your "getting laid" thread.

DOR · February 2012

Hasn't always been. If you use Mr. It's Mr. President?

TheKindCromang · February 2012

People calling Obama "Mr. Obama" vs "President Obama" is a subtle way to show they don't respect his position as President of the United States. I used to say the same thing about Bush, "He's not my President". But that wasn't racist, it was just disrespect for the man as an effective leader.
The shit that is racist toward Obama is the birther bullshit, calling him "Un-American" or Republicans implying they are "more American". Even "Socialist" and "Muslim" in this context are racist dog-whistles. To continue to attempt to paint the man as some sort of "outisder" or "foreigner" is racist.

Brian · February 2012

Unherd said:
I do find this pretty disrespectful, and while people had good reason to consider Bush illegitimate after 2000, the people who consider Obama illegitimate generally base this on nothing.

lol

HarveyCanal · February 2012

Obama is a mind-controlled, cyborg from hell.

Guzzo · February 2012

The_Hook_Up said:
Guzzo...why do you think they are purposely being disrespectful to the President? Do you think it is because he is a democrat?

I think they could purposely be disrespectful towards him for multiple reasons, there are certainly more reasons to be disrespectful of someone beyond their race. I'm shocked (well, not really) that the first and the ONLY thing people in this thread are going to for why someone would say something disrespectful of a political figure is his skin color.

Also this is Los angeles local news, this is a huge market, one which is very race aware and I don't think on air racist statements would fly in this market without heads rolling, perhaps political statements but not racial ones.

batmon · February 2012

Guzzo said:
The_Hook_Up said:
Guzzo...why do you think they are purposely being disrespectful to the President? Do you think it is because he is a democrat?

I think they could purposely be disrespectful towards him for multiple reasons, there are certainly more reasons to be disrespectful of someone beyond their race. I'm shocked (well, not really) that the first and the ONLY thing people in this thread are going to for why someone would say something disrespectful of a political figure is his skin color.

Also this is Los angeles local news, this is a huge market, one which is very race aware and I don't think on air racist statements would fly in this market without heads rolling, perhaps political statements but not racial ones.

Mister/Mr. itself is not disrespectful. But dont u find it weird that they are consistently omitting his title?

Why wasnt this an issue with previous Presidents?

Horseleech · February 2012

batmon said:
Why wasnt this an issue with previous Presidents?

Because nobody made it one.

Referring to Presidents as "Mr. _______" has been commonplace for decades - the premise of this thread is complete nonsense, as anyone who actually pays attention to these things would know.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-4772225-503544.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2009/12/why_do_you_call_him_mr_obama.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=mr+bush&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q="mr+bush"&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=GPu&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&ei=7Q40T5T9NdPJ0AHggryrAg&start=10&sa=N&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f2900e4a30b61916&biw=1303&bih=624

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&btnmeta_news_search=1&q="mr+clinton"&oq;="mr+clinton"&aq=f&aqi=d1d-o1&aql;=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1735l5004l0l5174l12l12l0l7l0l0l351l1173l0.1.3.1l5l0

But then, acknowledging this obvious truth would deny folks here of the Soul Strut National Pastime, i.e., calling other people racist.

TheKindCromang · February 2012

I often refer to President Obama as "Mr. Mister"

Guzzo · February 2012

Horseleech said:
batmon said:
Why wasnt this an issue with previous Presidents?

Because nobody made it one.

Referring to Presidents as "Mr. _______" has been commonplace for decades - the premise of this thread is complete nonsense, as anyone who actually pays attention to these things would know.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-4772225-503544.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2009/12/why_do_you_call_him_mr_obama.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=mr+bush&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q="mr+bush"&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=GPu&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&ei=7Q40T5T9NdPJ0AHggryrAg&start=10&sa=N&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f2900e4a30b61916&biw=1303&bih=624

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&btnmeta_news_search=1&q="mr+clinton"&oq;="mr+clinton"&aq=f&aqi=d1d-o1&aql;=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1735l5004l0l5174l12l12l0l7l0l0l351l1173l0.1.3.1l5l0

But then, acknowledging this obvious truth would deny folks here of the Soul Strut National Pastime, i.e., calling other people racist.

VINDICATED

Bon Vivant · February 2012

picoandsepulveda said:
if you cannot see it then i cannot help you my friend. b/w you sound white.

:weaksauce:

Rockadelic · February 2012

Total disrespect of our President is something that has been going on for a good many years.

And there is no question that there are people who don't like our current President because he's black.

And there's plenty of people who don't like him because of what he stands for.

But I have a hard time believing that a bunch of local news anchors are flat out racists.

Community

"President Obama" VS "Mr. Obama" (Local news related)

Comments