It’s true: Words may have different meanings to different people.
Think about it.
"Bad" can mean unacceptable, like in "bad" behavior.
"Bad" can also mean acceptable, like "that's not bad."
How about the word "nice"?
"Nice" can mean very good, like "wow, that's nice."
"Nice" can also mean very bad, like "nice accident."
This past week I learned that the phrase "tar baby" has different meanings to different people.
In the March 15 issue of FOCUS SB, I ran a SettleTalk column, "A primer for Shreveport City Council candidates," with 15 points.
Number 12 read:
"Be ready to suddenly have a campaign tar baby that will go with you to church, the grocery store, work, social events and even to bed. As the campaign goes along, the tar baby will be bigger, heavier and more intrusive."
I used this phrase to describe a difficult challenge that is only aggravated by attempts to solve it -- like an issue that is stuck to you, and you cannot get away from. Seemingly, this phrase used in the context of the two sentences conveyed my intent.
Last week, I received calls/texts from five friends, all of whom are African-American.
The message was the same: " John, I know you are not a racist and did not intend to use the phrase 'tar baby’ in a racist fashion. But some of your readers interpreted otherwise."
I am appreciative of the input from these friends, and I regret use of the phrase that offended some readers.
I have been around long enough to know that practically everything and anything I do, say or write can and will be criticized by some. I know that having a well-deserved reputation of being a straight-forward, hard-hitting journalist always brings scrutiny, criticisms and sometimes outright disdain.
Despite the noise, I believe my record speaks for itself.
To those readers I have offended, my sincere apology.