Ronald Reagan said that?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49177034

"Mr Reagan, who was a supporter of Taiwan, called the president the following day to express his apparent frustration.

He said: "To see those... monkeys from those African countries - damn them, they're still uncomfortable wearing shoes!"

I'm sure someone will come along to explain. Isolated comment. Out of context. Did good for The Blacks. Tarnish his legacy.

 

Don't even have to read it. He was from a different age in time. My grandfather was a KKK member in his younger years. One of his best friends was a black man, his next door neighbor, that he went fishing with all the time. I never once remember hearing my grandfather talk bad about black people. It really surprised me when I found out. Racism, real racism, was much more normal and accepted back then. I'm sure every one of us has been caught off guard by what some old people would say.

 

Don't even bring the air traffic controllers in this.

 

Ever got a chance to talk to him about it? What was his rationale?

As for Reagan, is anyone really surprised?

 

Sadly, it was a different time. No excuse. He should have just called them idiots or something of the like.

 

I was too young to know, or should I say really understand. I never really "talked" to my g-parents. Now that I'm older I would have loved to. He was a cook on a battleship in WWII. I'm sure he had some amazing stories to tell, if he would have told them.

 

That's an outrage, Reagan National Airport should be renamed

 

It was 1971, before everyone was offended as easily. People then and now, say things that don’t always sit well in hindsight. I imagine in Reagan’s case it was out of frustration about something...it happens. I won’t lose any sleep over it.

 

Don't ever look too closely at your heroes.....Is there anyone here that would come out squeaky clean if everything that they ever said was scrutinized? Oh my god! Many of the founding fathers were racists!!! They must be crucified!!! (Not saying RR was a FF)
Perhaps we should just be happy that we are making much progress. Like all significant societal changes it takes generation(s) to take effect. Doesn't make it right, just the way it is.

 

Corrected.

 

Ummm, almost 50 years ago. Soooo, yeah, that was a very different time. Like motofun said above, don't look too closely at your heroes. I would think by this time in your life, you'd learn that EVERYONE has some kind of "skeletons" in their closet. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E Some are larger than others. I don't see a single person in here defending the words in any way. I don't believe anyone will.

 

Your grandfather named Clatyon Bigsby?

 

Hmmm, my daughter does tan super easy, so ya never know...

 

I'm sure the radical left will demand he be posthumously impeached for it.

 

He was born 100+ years ago, hasn’t been President for 30 years, has been dead for 15 years, and made the comment 50 years ago. Oh no, a comment made by a dude long dead 50 years ago was non-PC today. Who gives a shit.

Are the lefties going (more) insane and demanding we dig up his bones and tar and feather them?

 

So he can posthumously forget it happened.



It's all part of the play to paint the Republican party as racist. The might want to check their own closets first.

 

My grandfather was an awesome dude from what I remember, but he was a racist in his younger years from what I’ve been told. He was a shit kicker from Bakersfield born over 100 years ago, what else can be expected?

My dad told me he sent a black Navy buddy of his to his parents’ house to say hello, and my grandfather slammed the door and told him “get off my porch nigger!” I guess my dad was even surprised, and I’m sure incredibly embarrassed.

Best karma for that racist old man? I’m the last one to have carried on his family name, and I’m a half breed. My wife isn’t white either, so now everyone to carry on his name is going to be a damned darkie!

 

In context, it was likely about the UN vote and very specific African Africans. Then again, I never spent any time wandering around inside his head.