Syd is right on. The most common legacy of our racist history, and the most difficult to overcome, does not involve the explict actions and statements of fringe hate groups (e.g. marching in white hoods).

It involves recognizing and rooting out the deeply embedded, and often unconscious assumptions, perspectives and practices of representation and speech that are often preceded by "I am not a racist, but..."

That's the point. That is an expression that made it into the lexicon because it was never considered wrong to be racist. The fact that Dobbs use it so easily and your "grandparents" use it, means we still have a long, long way to go before the color of someone's skin isn't an issue anymore.

What do you think Cotton-pickin refers to? It doesn't refer to white folks picking cotton, I can assure you. It refers to black people who are, and were, considered inferior by mainstream white america. It's phrase that was generated to cast them in a negative light and in a racial light.

It's like saying: calling a spade a spade. What do you think that expression came from?

right ben.......everywhere i go i hear people saying "damn ths cotton pickin economy!!!"

"damnit this cotton pickin car in front of me is too slow"

He was going to say "cotton pickin", it's an old American colloquialism to express frustration.. ask your grandparents. It's not generally considered to be racist or derogatory.

I wish Brave New Films would take on FOX News and its hateful propaganda, which encourages the knuckledraggers in society to come crawling out of the woodwork and do evil. There is a strong connections between their "reporting" and the upsurge in hate crimes, as reported below:

New Website to Dispel Myths Spread by False Media Reports

The FBI reports that in 2006, Latinos comprised 62.8% of victims of crimes motivated by a bias toward the victims' ethnicity or national origin, up 35% since 2003. During that same time frame, more than 300 anti-immigration groups formed, with half labeled as "nativist extremist." These facts demonstrate that the impact of inaccurate and inflammatory statements in the media may have a life-threatening impact on the lives of hardworking people.

For too long, immigrants - be they legally here or unauthorized -- have been demonized and blamed for society's ills. The new 'Truth In Immigration' website arms advocates with the facts and law to paint a more accurate picture of America 's dependence upon immigrants and immigrants' contributions to the economy and society," stated John Trasviña, President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). "We must take back the 'bully pulpit' from the bullies. We will do so with the facts and figures found at the new Truth In Immigration website by clicking here.

Truth in Immigration will provide regular updates on communications about immigrants and Latinos in the media, political campaigns, and in the public messaging of anti-immigrant organizations.

Woa. I also like his truly Bush like response to a problem. Got a problem with diversity? We are the most diverse people in the world. Got problem with our wars? We are the most peaceful country on the planet. Got a problem losing your pension? We are the richest country in the universe. Got a problem with our environmental policies? We are the cleanest...