Code Word

There are code words to denigrate individuals and groups. One is the word “monkey” applied to African-Americans. That is why this statement from a white political candidate about his black opponent was objectionable. If he used the phrase without thought, it was serious enough. If he used it deliberately, he is a racist. The word isn’t common as a verb, so it is not a situation in which he used slang from everyday speech. His communications people must have winced when he used it. If they didn’t, they are as insensitive as the candidate who claimed he was taken out of context. Any way one looks at it, the candidate lost votes with one word. He deserves it.