Perry's Racist Rock Issue
Rick Perry's campaign blasted back and fellow GOP candidate who accused him of "insensitivity" toward blacks after Washington Post report that the Perry's family hunting camp once was marked with a racist word.
Perry's Racist Rock Issue
Thomas Fitzgerald, Inquirer Politics Writer
Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s Republican presidential campaign found itself scurrying Sunday to limit potential damage from a Washington Post report that raised questions about racial insensitivity – to wit, that the entrance to the Perry family hunting camp was once marked by the word “Niggerhead” painted on a large rock.
The Perry team disputed facts in the Post story and said the word has long been removed.
It can be tricky for white Southern national candidates of a certain age (Perry is 61) to navigate the shoals of race, and this odd story is an example of that.
Fellow GOP contender Herman Cain, who is African American, jumped on Perry, calling him “insensitive” for his handling of the situation. “There isn’t a more vile, negative word than the ‘n word,’ and for him to leave it there as long as they did is just plain insensitive to a lot of black people in this country,” Cain said in a Fox News interview.
“Mr. Cain is wrong about the Perry family's quick action to eliminate the word on the rock, but is right the word written by others long ago is insensitive and offensive. That is why the Perrys took quick action to cover and obscure it,” Communications Director Ray Sullivan said in a statement.
“The Post story acknowledges the rock had been painted and turned over. The Perrys did not own, name or control the property, they simply rented hunting rights to 1,000 acres of the ranch.
As Gov. Perry told the Washington Post, ‘The old name has its origins from another time and era when unfortunately, offensive language was used to name some land formations around the country. When my dad joined the lease in 1983, he soon painted over the offensive word. It is my understanding that the rock was also turned over to further obscure what was originally written on it.’”
I heard that rock voted for Barack Owe-Bama in 2008.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt- African Americans have used the word--amongst other African Americans--to try to alleviate some of the power of the word, since for over two hundred years the word was used in the most hateful way imaginable. Ever read a book? Seriously.— Jim C.
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One Major Fact Missing from this article by this Hack Reporter Stephanie McCrummen: . . . . Rick Perry was a DEMOCRAT when this happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— CobraKai- Oh yeah, Solyndra - the Obama camp is afraid of Perry. Please. This brainless log couldn't win the local Blueberry contest. Are Rethuglicans TRYING to find the most unelectable idiot around? So far, so good.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatus
- Every new story about Perry proves he is not ready for prime time, not only is he too stupid to do well in a debate, he didn't have enough sense as Governor of Texas to not allow this type of situation to be associated with him. Anyone who sends money to Perry is throwing valuable political dollars down a rat hole which could be used to beat Obama in 2012. If Perry is the Republican nominee Obama will probably win because Perry is too stupid to beat Obama in a debate despite the fact Obama doesn't have a legitmate leg to stand on as to why he should be re-elected.— Speak-truth-2-power
- The President is taking it on the chin...Team Obama turn the smear machine up a notch to take some of the heat off him !— Barking Dog 61
- Why was the camp called N-head to begin with?— Mr. Smith
- It's a cultural thing. — whatwhat
- Teleprompter Barry
Why are so many are surprised at the liar-in-chiefs actions?
These morons voted for this liar who hid his records completely.
These morons voted for this liar who lied about his history.
These morons voted for this liar who lied about his socialism.
These morons voted for this liar who lied about the Constitution
Now the morons see the liar-in-chief as he is.— WallyT - You forgot that he's a Kenyan Muslim who hates white people, freedom, apple pie, and kittens. — whatwhat
- At least Perry didn't throw his grandmother, "a typical white person", under the bus.— gxel
Finding fault in a offensive "rock" on his father's property is a non-issue. If Obama's father being a devout Muslim and Rev. Wright being his mentor wasn't deemed important to the masses, this shouldn't be either.— dogman5- I love reading these post. It's good to see the lame excuses Republicans are coming up with. I think they about used up the excuses for there racist views. LoL— alotatea
You can reach Tom Fitzgerald at 215-854-2718 or tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
Reach Thomas at tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
