Actually it was an R. Crumb reference to a character in an old underground comic from the 60's. Big Ass Comix #1.
Same here. I use it all the time and it has zero racial inference in my mind. But, it's the season. So all spin is fair game.
I think people can definitely offend with words, and I suppose that the person offended chooses to be offended, but sometimes that can't be helped. When someone calls Louisiana "Lousyana" in front of me, I get offended. I absolutely can't help it because it cuts to the quick inside of me. If I were a black person called "uppity," I would find it extremely offensive, as I would find it offensive to be called a "nappy-headed ho." Words are extremely powerful weapons.
the beauty of this one is that no one was offended, in a way. i mean, he was giving an interview to reporters, far different than in many other circumstances.
