Another US story today, but one that made it to UK newspapers.
http://m.guardiannews.com/world/2013/mar/30/republican-don-young-hispanic-workers-wetbacks
His apology seemed a bit unwilling and ungracious to me. As usual, I have a theory as to why.
In the original comment, he seems to draw a distinction between wetbacks and people…
Let me talk to you, Don
Let me lend you a hand
Cause I honestly think
That you don’t understand.
I know you’ve been told
That you caused some offense
And your “poor choice of words”
Has made everyone tense.
So you’ve made an apology –
Well, of a sort
Though I don’t think you’ve given
The matter much thought.
You think terms like “wetback”
Should not be taboo
And those crying “racist”
Are bullying YOU.
The term was descriptive
You meant no ill will
It’s only a word, right?
Nobody got killed
But here is the problem
You gave it away:
The reason that bigots
Don’t watch what they say
They believe that all people
Are equal and free
But “wetbacks” aren’t people
They’re labour, you see?
On your ranch, all the “wetbacks”
Aren’t needed no more.
Due to mechanization
Of menial chores
Their feelings don’t matter
Their troubles: who cares?
They aren’t really human
To you: they’re just… spares.
Tom Juniper Poetry 