AggieDave 6 #1 August 16, 2004 WTF? Apparently with all other important news reported, this reporter had to stir shit and make up a smear campaign. This absolutely amazes me! QuoteMoovin' On Up Does DQ's new drink ring some racist bells? Mike Weber A rejected Dairy Queen campaign? Eye of the Beholder: Graffiti is considered an urban art form among some hip, darkly dressed gallery denizens, but not when it gets in the way of other forms of inscrutable art. The Lawndale Art Center and Copy.com have been putting up artwork on billboards across town. Some spray-can critics apparently didn't see the point of Katrina Moorhead's piece called Sky Sampled, so they improved it. The piece will be replaced and its run extended so that Houstonians can enjoy to the fullest a nearly blank billboard. Feature HCCS's Gift Basket Bonanza* *Offer only applicable to some trustees' friends and families News Hitting the Bricks Preservationists try to keep the pavers from a Fourth Ward legacy -- brick streets Letters Letters Dairy Queens are so ubiquitous in the Lone Star State that the familiar red logo is sometimes referred to as a Texas stop sign. So naturally we were interested when the company sent out a release saying customers would get a free sample of their new frozen drink if they brought an actual, live cow to a Dairy Queen on August 24. Initially we had two thoughts: 1) Who brings a cow to a place that sells hamburgers? Is this some kind of "Scared Straight" program for bovine juvenile delinquents? And 2) Isn't it kind of unhealthy having an animal dropping cow patties all over a place that serves food? The city's department of health confirmed that it would indeed probably violate a passel of laws; a DQ spokesman said farmers use the drive-thrus every day with livestock in trailers. So instead we focused on the new drink -- the MooLatte. Which to our ears sounded a lot like "mulatto," which is a tired racial epithet we really hadn't heard since the last time we watched the movie Mandingo. Or, to be classy, Roots. We're not the only ones. "Doesn't Dairy Queen have any black employees?" asked Timothy Noah of the online magazine Slate. "Or at least someone who's seen Show Boat?" (Show Boat was the Mandingo of its time.) We figured there was a vast, untapped treasure chest of archaic racial names that DQ was missing out on, so we contacted the spokesman listed on the bring-a-cow press release. Chad Durasa was most helpful: Q. This drink, it's not the "Mulatto"? A. No. No. No. "Moo," meaning cow, and then "latte," meaning -- Q. OK. We were thinking of some other possible items, and I just wanted to run them by you. How about the High Yellow Butterscotch Sundae? A. I'm not sure if I understand what that is. Q. Just like a sundae with butterscotch topping, but this would be High Yellow butterscotch. A. You mean like a higher quality? Q. Yeah. That's just something to consider. We were also thinking -- the MooLatte has three separate flavors, but if you took eight flavors and combined them, you could call it the Octoroonie. A. Octoroonie? Q. Yeah. A. Actually -- wow, that's actually a pretty good idea. Q. And then one more here...Sambo's Extra Dark Triple Chocolate Shake. How's that grab you? A. Actually, Dairy Queen doesn't make shakes. They make Blizzards. Q. OK -- Sambo's Extra Dark Triple Chocolate Blizzard. A. [Writing it down] What would that be? Q. I would say you would find the blackest cone you could find and fill it with chocolate ice cream. And go from there. A. All right. Interesting. Q. Well, it's just something to think about. We can't wait for DQ to introduce these. And hey -- everyone who drives up in blackface gets one free!! http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2004-08-12/hairballs.html--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #2 August 16, 2004 sounds like a slow news week in houston... ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 August 16, 2004 Quote sounds like a slow news week in houston... Exactly. You know, I've seen the MooLatte advertised and not once, not even for a second, not even as a joke thought it sounded anything even similar to a racial slur. *shrug* I guess I'm not cultured enough to truely understand racism and racist comments...--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #4 August 16, 2004 Actually, I'm a little offended. I used to be a fatty, and cows are what they called fat people. "Moo." So, what DQ is doing is actually insulting fat people by using "MOO" in the name. I also tend to procrastinate. "latte" is one letter away from "late." I'm insulted that they would choose to pick on fat procrastinators. Why don't we honkey cracker redneck peckerwoods start our own shit like this? No longer should the food product be called a "cracker." Instead, they should be referred to in their past form as a "biscuit." I will also report any person who refers to me as, "Da man!" Those are fighting words from this point forth... My buddy went hunting and shot what he called a "white honker." Though he meant a goose, that's a little too close to "white honkey." I wondered if there weren't other names he could call it. While I'm at it, I will no longer tolerate anyone calling my son a "baby." Sure, he's less than a week old, but "baby" has turned into either a term for someone who cries a lot (any of you say he does, I don't care - it's wrong) and "baby" also is a term used to insult womyn, as in,"hey baby" My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #5 August 16, 2004 Funny post. You da man! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerock 1 #6 August 16, 2004 I always thought 'mulatto' referred to someone of very mixed ancestry, specifically african and european, rather than as a racial slur. I suppose it may have similarly dubious roots to other, popular racial slurs of old. "Mulatto"'s root comes from "mulato" which means "little mule" in spanish. I can see how some would deem it offensive, although personally, I've never heard it use in a derogatory manner. Perhaps this warrants some more research. -R You be the king and I'll overthrow your government. --KRS-ONE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #7 August 16, 2004 QuoteI can see how some would deem it offensive, although personally, I've never heard it use in a derogatory manner. Perhaps this warrants some more research. Here's a quick and easy way to research it. I see that you're from Florida. Go to Overtown in Miami and start referring to people as mulato. Report back the response Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,534 #8 August 16, 2004 Dave, what are you doing reading the Houston Press anyway? It specializes in being very and unabashedly liberal to the left-wing degree. Of course, they have excellent entertainment coverage, but this really is a consider-the-source kind of thng. And, ya know, if they thought of it, others might have too. It's what the whole free press thing is about -- the ability to point out stuff, throw some shit, and see if it sticks. This will probably slide right off. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #9 August 16, 2004 If you're giving the boy an assignment, at least get him some travel time. Have him go to the hills over Rio and ask around.witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #10 August 16, 2004 Quote Dave, what are you doing reading the Houston Press anyway Linked off of a more fun news link site I frequent (Fark.com). It was linked due to the free drink with cattle, though, not the racism comments.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerock 1 #11 August 16, 2004 Actually, I'm not from Florida. What should I expect if I ever find myself in Overtown? Wouldn't it be wiser to ask the people there what they thought of the word 'mulatto' rather than blurting it out indiscriminately? I can imagine how 'mulatto' would be derogatory to one cultural or ethnic group and not to any other. I've seen a lot, but I've not seen 'mulatto' used in an insulting manner. -R QuoteQuoteI can see how some would deem it offensive, although personally, I've never heard it use in a derogatory manner. Perhaps this warrants some more research. Here's a quick and easy way to research it. I see that you're from Florida. Go to Overtown in Miami and start referring to people as mulato. Report back the response You be the king and I'll overthrow your government. --KRS-ONE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #12 August 16, 2004 QuoteActually, I'm not from Florida. What should I expect if I ever find myself in Overtown? Wouldn't it be wiser to ask the people there what they thought of the word 'mulatto' rather than blurting it out indiscriminately? I can imagine how 'mulatto' would be derogatory to one cultural or ethnic group and not to any other. I've seen a lot, but I've not seen 'mulatto' used in an insulting manner. -R QuoteQuoteI can see how some would deem it offensive, although personally, I've never heard it use in a derogatory manner. Perhaps this warrants some more research. Here's a quick and easy way to research it. I see that you're from Florida. Go to Overtown in Miami and start referring to people as mulato. Report back the response LOL I think we have strayed away from the actual topic. It's MOOLatte It's not the same word. That's like Calling a guy named BOB - "Booby" Not the same word - not the same inference.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacefuljeffrey 0 #13 August 17, 2004 QuoteQuote sounds like a slow news week in houston... Exactly. You know, I've seen the MooLatte advertised and not once, not even for a second, not even as a joke thought it sounded anything even similar to a racial slur. *shrug* I guess I'm not cultured enough to truely understand racism and racist comments... I think that a LOT of people don't know of the term "mulatto." I can't help thinking that if not for the term "mulatto," there would be no "play" to putting "moo" and "latte" together, so YES, I do think that "moolatte" is derived from "mulatto." Is that indication that DQ is racist in an institutional sense? Absolutely not. But a little dumb in coming up with this name, yeah. And I am NOT the kind of person to go around "seeing" racism everywhere. But I have to go with the satire writer there; it seems done in bad taste. --Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #14 August 17, 2004 Maybe they did (the color of the drink is something like mulatto skin color, right?), maybe they didn't (and they had some thought we don't get). Either way, MooLatte is an asinine name. disclaimer: <I'm about to embarass myself because I serve overpriced fru fru coffee drinks to people who think they're good because they're overpriced> A latte is a drink composed of 10-15% esspresso and 85-90% hot milk. Why the hell would a frozen latte be called "Moo?" Does that tell you anything about it? No. A latte has a lot of "Moo" whether it's a normal latte or this stupid DQ frozen drink.witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 August 17, 2004 Ever been to a Dairy Queen? If you did you'd understand the Moo reference. Dairy means a lot to the place, atleast the ones in TX.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacefuljeffrey 0 #16 August 17, 2004 QuoteEver been to a Dairy Queen? If you did you'd understand the Moo reference. Dairy means a lot to the place, atleast the ones in TX. A lot of what, profit? So much that they probably shoot their dairy cows full of BgH or whatever that hormone was called, to boost milk production. "Ohhh, it's harmless. Can't tell milk from a BgH cow from milk from a non-BgH cow." Yeah, sure. And the Brits said that mad cow disease was no threat to humans -- until people died of it and then they said, "Uh, maybe were were wrong in insisting that." Does Dairy Queen use hormonally-treated milk cows? --Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #17 August 17, 2004 QuoteDoes Dairy Queen use hormonally-treated milk cows? No clue. I don't care either. Oh, that's what you get for trusting the British with a food issue...come on, have you ever had British food? You should know better.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacefuljeffrey 0 #18 August 17, 2004 QuoteOh, that's what you get for trusting the British with a food issue...come on, have you ever had British food? You should know better. I tried a steak and kidney pie in the school refectory when I took a semester in East Barnet. It, um, smelled and tasted like piss, so I dumped it. I can't believe anyone would want to eat KIDNEY, since I know now that it smells and tastes like piss. (I had not suspected before I tried it.) YUCK! I loved the fish and chips and the pastry-wrapped sausages and stuff over there. I don't quite understand the insulting of British and Irish food... I think it's enjoyable. --Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #19 August 17, 2004 Quote I don't quite understand the insulting of British and Irish food... I think it's enjoyable. I don't like it, its my opinion. Sort of like I don't like sea food either. I'll stick with my large steaks, chili, tex-mex and such.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #20 August 17, 2004 Oh yea, the wonders of british food. They only spice their meals with boiled water. They boil everything."According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #21 August 17, 2004 Certain British staple foods are quite good. However, the tendancy for things to be thrown in a pot and cooked until soft green/brown doesn't exactly help the international reputation for local cuisine. Irish food doesn't deserve a bad reputation. They are the masters of hearty, straight-from-the-earth foods.witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #22 August 17, 2004 Hence my reference to British foods"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #23 August 17, 2004 "I don't like it, its my opinion." Different strokes for different folks, some of our grub is crap, but not all Texan food is wonderful. What we need is a blend of the best.... Haggis burrito anyone?-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #24 August 17, 2004 there is a saying... in heaven the british are the police the french are the cooks the germans are the engineers.. in hell the germans are the police the british are the cooks the french are the engineers... ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #25 August 17, 2004 Quotebut not all Texan food is wonderful. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of our...well, I can't think of anything, but I'm sure there is something. Now if only we had a Braums this far south in Texas...--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
