Ron DeSantis Tells Florida Not To ‘Monkey This Up’ By Electing Andrew Gillum

[DaveSimmons]

I looked for myself on google and see the phrase being used a few times in the context of screwing something up. Making a mistake. I'm willing to give him a pass but I'm a middle aged white guy so I don't have a dog in that fight.

Just to satisfy my curiosity can you link to a couple of examples? I didn't find any in my search, and like I said above I've never seen it in my decades of life as a bookworm .

 

[mikeymikec]

If this was said by some random person I might be inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt and simply label them as a tone-deaf moron who doesn't pick their words carefully, but we are talking about a member of the racist uncle party here, so I'm inclined to think 'dog whistle'.

Even if I gave this guy the benefit of the doubt, I'd still strongly recommend that no-one vote for this utter moron because a politician who can't weigh their words is a freaking liability. e.g. Trump.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Even Fox News distanced themselves from this racist asshole, but not Doc Savage. Before Trump these racists would have kept their mouths shut.

I've never heard the term "monkey (something) up" in my entire life, in any context. Is it really so difficult for modern politicians to avoid using the term monkey/gorilla/etc when referring to black people?

There is a non-zero probability that he isn't throwing racist dog-whistles to the trumpers he hopes vote for him. But I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

The League of the South is very active in Florida. This message was for them, not us. More the same racist bullshit from the right.

 

[woolfe9998]

Yes I have heard monkey around many times and it is usually in reference to how children are acting at the time...

Also heard mess something up usually in reference not making a mistake... So he can recuse himself of conflict here...

But like you I have never heard them used together.

I have heard some very similar variations of common phrases that have been bastardized into adding simian words to common idioms to make them pseudo-racist... Like "chimpout" etc...

So TBH when I heard this today my first thought was passive aggressive racist insult and why didn't he just say not to chimp it up because I honestly think that is what he meant to say after careful consideration of how to phrase it and get away with it... Just imo of course...

Ever heard the expression "the ball is in your field?" I mean, as an idiom, not as a sports reference.

If your answer is "no." that's understandable. But it's something my wife said to me last night, to which I replied, "Uh, didn't you mean to say 'the ball is in your court?'"

People say the darnedest things, and they do it all the time.

 

[Chocu1a]

Just to play devil's advocate, these are pretty common sayings: monkey around=screwing around, wasting time. Throw a monkey wrench=screw something up.
Never heard monkey it up, but I would assume it used in same context; screw it up.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Just to satisfy my curiosity can you link to a couple of examples? I didn't find any in my search, and like I said above I've never seen it in my decades of life as a bookworm .

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/how-to-grill-pork-chops-tenderloin-ribs-belly-shoulder

I LIKE THE TASTE OF PORK SO I DON'T LIKE TO MONKEY IT UP TOO MUCH.

https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer...in-downtown-peterborough-at-hot-belly-mama-s/

"It took five of us to monkey it up there - nobody got hurt," Smith said. "I'm just so pleased to be able to put it somewhere - it's such a big part of Peterborough's history."

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_46563

As for the news - excellent. Let's hope they don't monkey it up.

http://www.peterverdone.com/odd-allen-wrenches-crazy-hubs-broken-parts-and-graphics/

I needed to tighten the nut in place but was out of luck and had to monkey it up to get by.

 

[umbrella39]

Ever heard the expression "the ball is in your field?" I mean, as an idiom, not as a sports reference.

If your answer is "no." that's understandable. But it's something my wife said to me last night, to which I replied, "Uh, didn't you mean to say 'the ball is in your court?'" People say the darnedest things, and they do it all the time.

Yes of course I have heard it in regards to it being in your court but your wife didn't say the ball was in your plantation she said field... so... anyhow...

We have a very well intentioned, sweet, and naive young RN who got into a little bit of trouble for saying these exact words to a young black baby in the same room as her parents:

Oh look at you fussing and acting like a little monkey...

In the NICU we all know this young girl personally and I would personally wager a nut she did not mean ANYTHING racist by it but the parents still reported her and she was not allowed to take care of this baby any more and they might sue...

So as a politician in THIS day and age ANY reference to monkey whatever is off limits you would think? I would have said 'fuck it up' before I said 'monkey it up' but that's just me...

 

[dainthomas]

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/how-to-grill-pork-chops-tenderloin-ribs-belly-shoulder



https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer...in-downtown-peterborough-at-hot-belly-mama-s/



https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_46563


http://www.peterverdone.com/odd-allen-wrenches-crazy-hubs-broken-parts-and-graphics/

Regardless, white politicians should follow these guidelines:

1. Is my opponent African American?
2. If the answer is yes, never say the words monkey/gorilla/chimp etc.
3. But what if it's a common expr....?
4. No.
5. But my family says it all the....
6. Just stop. Now.
7. But...
8. Zip it!

 

[woolfe9998]

Yes of course I have heard it in regards to it being in your court but your wife didn't say the ball was in your plantation she said field... so... anyhow...

We have a very well intentioned, sweet, and naive young RN who got into a little bit of trouble for saying these exact words to a young black baby in the same room as her parents:

Oh look at you fussing and acting like a little monkey...

In the NICU we all know this young girl personally and I would personally wager a nut she did not mean ANYTHING racist by it but the parents still reported her and she was not allowed to take care of this baby any more and they might sue...

So as a politician in THIS day and age ANY reference to monkey whatever is off limits you would think? I would have said 'fuck it up' before I said 'monkey it up' but that's just me...

Sure, it's a bad idea to have used that word in that context. But the discussion here is whether the intent was racist. I've heard so many strange variations of idioms, and other forms of verbal gaffs, that I'm not ready to conclude that this one had actual racist intent just because the speaker is a republican.

 

[shortylickens]

The original expression is not racist.

I guess I could see how nowadays SOMEBODY might take it that way.

 

[Hans Gruber]

They took his comment way out of context. He was referring to monkeying up the system with regards to socialism and the ideas and ideals the democrat candidate espoused. Saying that Florida is a much more conservative state and now is not the time to change the political climate. Hence the word monkey wrench or screwing with an already broken system.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Regardless, white politicians should follow these guidelines:

1. Is my opponent African American?
2. If the answer is yes, never say the words monkey/gorilla/chimp etc.
3. But what if it's a common expr....?
4. No.
5. But my family says it all the....
6. Just stop. Now.
7. But...
8. Zip it!

I'm just saying that the context I could see it used was not racist. It seemed to have a common meaning from what I could see of screwing something up or doing it kind of haphazardly.

 

[Blackjack200]

Given the context it's quite clear that DeSantis knew what he was saying. It's also clear to me that the best way to respond is for Gillum to focus on the message that won him the nomination in the first place. His platform is wildly popular, absolutely no need to respond to a vile man that will be soon be forgotten.

Starting to think Gillum might be on the right track here and it could have been intentional to provoke a response. He doesn't seem to be taking the bait.

Perfect.

 

[dainthomas]

I'm just saying that the context I could see it used was not racist. It seemed to have a common meaning from what I could see of screwing something up or doing it kind of haphazardly.

The definition of a dog whistle is a statement that can be explained away as innocent and yet still conveys the intended message to a set of recipients. Something that has been happening quite a bit the last couple years.

 

[woolfe9998]

I'm just saying that the context I could see it used was not racist. It seemed to have a common meaning from what I could see of screwing something up or doing it kind of haphazardly.

Part of the context, I might add, is this: "The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state."

That is a reference to ideology and particular policy positions, not race. Gillum is widely recognized as being the more progressive of the two dem candidates in the primary, and his comment was a reaction to that. Referring to every progressive candidate as "socialist" is standard GOP rhetorical playbook going back decades. Because "socialist" calls to mind "communist" and anyone who remembers the cold war may have an ingrained bias making them susceptible to this rhetorical pitch. The point being, we know exactly the reason he was telling people not to vote for Gillum because he told us the reason. We don't need to parse his idiomatic gaff and look for hidden meanings in order to understand it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/how-to-grill-pork-chops-tenderloin-ribs-belly-shoulder



https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer...in-downtown-peterborough-at-hot-belly-mama-s/



https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_46563


http://www.peterverdone.com/odd-allen-wrenches-crazy-hubs-broken-parts-and-graphics/

Thanks! I guess it's the french benefits, cut and dry, point is mute, intensive porpoises effect as literacy levels decline in a video-based culture.

He's probably just covfefe not intentionally racist this time.

 

[sportage]

Racism hasn't died. It's always been here. The difference now is racist can come out and run for office, shoot people and get away with it, and say whatever they want openly and publicly.
No, racism never died or went away, it just stayed hidden within the underbelly of society.
DONALD TRUMP has enabled racist to come out of their closet.
To run for office. To speak openly and publicly. To fire up their base.
And Donald Trump enjoys this. Trump grants his blessings for their coming out and running for office and stirring up their base.
So, what else is new?
Who do think this president is anyway? Hasn't Trump proven himself time and time again?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Part of the context, I might add, is this: "The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state."

That is a reference to ideology and particular policy positions, not race. Gillum is widely recognized as being the more progressive of the two dem candidates in the primary, and his comment was a reaction to that. Referring to every progressive candidate as "socialist" is standard GOP rhetorical playbook going back decades. Because "socialist" calls to mind "communist" and anyone who remembers the cold war may have an ingrained bias making them susceptible to this rhetorical pitch. The point being, we know exactly the reason he was telling people not to vote for Gillum because he told us the reason. We don't need to parse his idiomatic gaff in order to understand it.

What's sad is that some are insisting on using the same "reasoning" as the Right with Obama. As someone said on this forum today it seems that it is the tribe determines the worldview. It would be better if thought were applied to the full context of the situation as you just have. We know that Obama is a Muslim because he bowed before a Muslim king kind of thing.

People, stop being what you say you despise, irrational and illogical.

 

[woolfe9998]

What's sad is that some are insisting on using the same "reasoning" as the Right with Obama. As someone said on this forum today it seems that it is the tribe determines the worldview. It would be better if thought were applied to the full context of the situation as you just have. We know that Obama is a Muslim because he bowed before a Muslim king kind of thing.

People, stop being what you say you despise, irrational and illogical.

I agree, but I want to more specific here about this particular problem because it has to do with political correctness. This is why I sometimes agree with conservatives on that topic, even though I do actually believe a disturbingly high percentage of them are racists. We shouldn't have to constantly worry about stepping through a rhetorical minefield every time we speak, hoping we don't say something that will be construed as racist or sexist. That kind of environment is not conducive to healthy political discourse in a democracy. One could say the rule is simple. Just don't use the word "monkey" in the same sentence with a reference to a black person, but there are too many ways to inadvertently implicate yourself as racist even if you aren't.

I think in relation to this issue, there is a certain amount of manufactured outrage on the left. Not faux outrage. That is more common on the right. Rather, manufactured outrage is when someone says something like this, media sees the controversy and immediately leaps on it, then opinion leaders start labeling it racist, after which actual black people start to actually become outraged. Yet the original comment is at most ambiguous, so who or what is causing the real problem here?

 

[nOOky]

At least he didn't use the word niggardly I guess?

 

[Maxima1]

Part of the context, I might add, is this: "The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state."

That is a reference to ideology and particular policy positions, not race. Gillum is widely recognized as being the more progressive of the two dem candidates in the primary, and his comment was a reaction to that. Referring to every progressive candidate as "socialist" is standard GOP rhetorical playbook going back decades. Because "socialist" calls to mind "communist" and anyone who remembers the cold war may have an ingrained bias making them susceptible to this rhetorical pitch. The point being, we know exactly the reason he was telling people not to vote for Gillum because he told us the reason. We don't need to parse his idiomatic gaff and look for hidden meanings in order to understand it.

Well, duh. But there's a good chance he did this intentionally.

 

[Blackjack200]

Part of the context, I might add, is this: "The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state."

That is a reference to ideology and particular policy positions, not race. Gillum is widely recognized as being the more progressive of the two dem candidates in the primary, and his comment was a reaction to that. Referring to every progressive candidate as "socialist" is standard GOP rhetorical playbook going back decades. Because "socialist" calls to mind "communist" and anyone who remembers the cold war may have an ingrained bias making them susceptible to this rhetorical pitch. The point being, we know exactly the reason he was telling people not to vote for Gillum because he told us the reason. We don't need to parse his idiomatic gaff and look for hidden meanings in order to understand it.

What's sad is that some are insisting on using the same "reasoning" as the Right with Obama. As someone said on this forum today it seems that it is the tribe determines the worldview. It would be better if thought were applied to the full context of the situation as you just have. We know that Obama is a Muslim because he bowed before a Muslim king kind of thing.

People, stop being what you say you despise, irrational and illogical.

Galaxy brain.

 

[soulcougher73]

I'm going to join the poor choice of words category unless this guy has a history of racist comments. If so then i change my vote.

 

[woolfe9998]

Well, duh. But there's a good chance he did this intentionally.

There's a "good chance" of anything when you're guessing at what someone actually meant by what they said. That's because people don't always speak with the utmost clarity, and none of us is telepathic. Which doesn't mean it's a good idea to stoke anger and outrage over a comment whose true meaning was only known to the speaker, but which on the surface could easily have been just an odd variation of an idiom, which is the sort of thing people do all the time. It's important to be cautious in how you interpret remarks like this or, as I said, we end up creating a very stifling and unhealthy environment.

 

[Jaskalas]

Starting to think Gillum might be on the right track here and it could have been intentional to provoke a response. He doesn't seem to be taking the bait.

If the media is obsessing and providing coverage to one candidate (promotion) over the other, then the response has been provoked and given.