I was reading the newspapers and Buckwheat was watching Meet The Press at the Home for Retired Racial Stereotypes yesterday. Suddenly the famous Our Gang star emitted a high-pitched yelp, followed by uncontrollable giggles.
βWhatβs come over you?β I inquired, putting down my newspaper.
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βOh my, I think I jusβ heard Michael Steele say Sen. Harry Reid needs ta quit βcuz he done made a racially insensitive statement βbout Prezadent Obama, and I cainβt stop laffing,β Buckwheat managed to squeak before collapsing unto the floor in another bout of uncontrollable tittering.
βWell, I certainly hope you calm down,β I interjected. βI donβt see anything funny about Reidβs saying that Obama was able to appeal to white voters because he is light-skinned and does not speak in a Negro dialect. Thatβs the kind of stereotypical comment weβve come to expect from Republicans. Surely someone like you, whoβs been ridiculed for his appearance and for speaking Ebonics can understand why some find Reidβs comments equally insulting when they come from an important Democrat.β
βOh, I does, I does,β Buckwheat replied, struggling to get his breath and wiping mirth tears from his cheek. βIβse just as offended by Reidβs remarks as I wuz when Joe Biden said Obama was clean and articulate. Itβs stereotypinβ, no doubt about it! Reid was right to apologize.β
βThen why are you laughing your fool ass off about such a serious matter?β I inquired.
βDonβt you get it, Jack?ββ Buckwheat declared, as he lapsed into another fit of hysterical laughter. βIt ainβt jes whatβs beinβ said, itβs whoβs sayinβ it! And de one sayinβ it is MICHAEL STEELE!!!!!!β
βSo?β I interjected. βAs chairman of the Republican Party, he has a right to speak out.β
βNo doubt, but dis is de same MICHAEL STEELE who said blacks should join the Republican Party cuz he was putting out the fried chicken and tater salad!!!!β squeaked Buckwheat.
βDe same Micheal Steele who promised jes last week dey wud keep dere promises, HONEST INJUN!!!!!β
βMy goodness,β I said.
βSteele ainβt apologized yet,β added Buckwheat, as giggling overcame him again. βHeβs definitely an unrepentant Republican.β
βDatβs why Iβse Iaffinβ so hard,β Buckwheat said, between chortles. βLaffinβ to keep from cryin.β
βI understand how you feel,β I said, and started giggling, too.
is a former columnist for TIME magazine and a regular contributor to The Root.
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