Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Choice of words.

A few posts back, I mentioned how some headline writers were using the word "raps" with Obama in terms of criticizing McCain and that I doubt we'll see that word used with McCain's camp.

Today's Toledo Blade has an interesting headline that accompanies a story about Barack Obama's visit to Michigan over the weekend. Here it is.

Article published Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Obama adds 'soul' to plea for victims
DETROIT - Barack Obama vamped a few words from Motown songstress Aretha Franklin's classic "Chain of Fools" here yesterday before turning serious about the storm that forced millions of people along the Gulf coast to abandon their homes.

*****Now, while the article mentions that Barack made a reference to an Aretha Franklin song, do you think the author of the article, intended there to be a hidden racial double meaning with the use of the word "soul"?

Furthermore, again, do you think that we would see "soul" put in quotes in a headline describing John McCain if he did the exact same speech?

6 comments:

Cliff said...

Was it the author of the article who wrote the headline, or was it a copy editor?

My thinking is the media will have to be extra careful and weigh their words carefully in the next two months.

Anonymous said...

Good point, Cliff. The headline editor might have let this one "slip" by. I agree with you about the media needing to be extra careful.

I think the little double-meaning headlines like "soul" and "raps" are unnecessary.

Connie said...

Yes, they are unnecessary, but I have a feeling we will just see more of that sort of thing in the days ahead.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe they do such things, but obviously they do.

I find it rather annoying though.

Things are definitley heating up though with this whole election. I'm finding it rather entertaining as of late.

Anonymous said...

Between 10 and 11 tonight (Wednesday), Sarah Palin will speak. Must see TV.

Anonymous said...

Struke, I am eagerly awaiting your thought on THE speech!

=) Bella