Fox News just can’t criticize the leader of the free world without adding a racially tinged backdrop.
According to Politico.com, guests at President Barack Obama’s 50th birthday celebration included former NBA player Charles Barkley, comedian Chris Rock, rap artist Jay-Z, comedian and radio host Steve Harvey and actor Tom Hanks. Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock were among some of the performers at the gala.
However, the party was a little too “hip-hop” for Fox News. Their website, FoxNation.com, picking up the story from Politico, provided the headline “Obama’s Hip-Hop BBQ Didn’t Create Jobs.“
Bill Shine, executive vice president of programming for Fox News, provided what he felt was an explanation to Yahoo’s the Cutline, a news media blog, about why he picked that particular headline. “We used the hip-hop reference per Politico’s Playbook story this morning, which stated, ‘Also present: Chicago pals, law-school friends, donors-and lots of kids of friends who stole the show by doing dance routines to hip-hop songs in the center of the East Room,’” he said.
New York City Councilman Charles Barron didn’t hold his tongue when discussing Fox News’ actions…and had some choice words for Obama as well. “Fox News is a racist, lowlife media outlet led by Rupert Murdoch, who’s already in trouble abroad and he should be investigated and be under scrutiny here in America,” he said. “[But] I still find it very challenging to defend the president at a time when he has really betrayed our community with this capitulation to right-wing conservatives in Washington.
“We should hold up on our vote until he starts delivering those jobs to our community [and] stops the bombing in Libya. This is a president we’re not gonna always defend every time the right wing says something racist. We know they’re racist, but he has turned his back on our people.”
This isn’t the first time that a network connected to Fox has used racially charged language when referring to Obama and his administration.
Eric Bolling, of the Fox Business Channel, got himself in hot water after referring to the White House as the “Hizzouse,” the “Hizzy” and “The Big Crib.” He also called guests of the administration “hoods” on the air and suggested that Obama was “chugging 40s” during a trip to Europe.
Likewise, a few months ago, Fox News, along with the conservative website the Daily Caller, attempted to spark a controversy when rap artist Common was invited to the White House for a poetry reading organized by first lady Michelle Obama.
“You know, the White House’s judgment on inviting someone who would glorify cop killing during Police Memorial Week, of all times, you know, the judgment–it’s just so lacking of class and decency and all that’s good about America with an invite like this,” said Sarah Palin to Greta Van Sustern on Fox News back in May about Common’s invite.