As if the Republican Party didn't already have enough image issues to deal with, a GOP senator used the racial slur 'wetbacks' in a radio interview Thursday.
It's been a rough year for the GOP and language. First there was the 'binders full of women,' then the definitions of rape, Bachmann saying Obamacare was killing everyone in sight, and now, racial epithets.
Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), one of the most senior representatives in the House and now going on his 21st term, sat down for an interview with Alaskan radio station KRBD that aired yesterday.
At some point in the interview he began recounting his childhood growing up in California. It was then that he had a foot-in-mouth moment, stating that his father "had a ranch. We used to hire 50-60 wetbacks ... to pick tomatoes ... it takes two people to pick the same tomatoes now. It is all done by machine."
Young was quick to apologize for the racial slur, saying that he didn't mean anything by it. He further explained that the word was taken out of context because during the interview he had talked about how much compassion he had for those workers.
Young also stated that he was not aware that such a term was offensive. He noted that back during his childhood it was an accepted part of everyday speech. The word 'wetback' became a popular way to describe migrant workers because they had crossed the Rio Grande River to get here, thus having wet backs.
"I used a term that was commonly used during my days growing up on a farm in Central California," Young said in a statement. "I know that this term is not used in the same way nowadays and I meant no disrespect."
This comes at a bad time for a Republican Party that is looking to overhaul its image, especially with the growing Hispanic demographic in America. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has already admonished the season politician for his lack of prudence.
"Congressman Young's remarks were offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds. I don't care why he said it - there's no excuse," Boehner said in a statement issued today.
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