Word: allen
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...award for the most egregious use of the half-apology (i.e. misuse of the apology) goes to Sen. Allen, who referred to an Indian-American as “macaca, or whatever his name...
...Sidarth, a senior at the University of Virginia and volunteer for Allen’s political rival, was the only person of color at an August rally for Allen in southwest Virginia. As is common in political campaigns, Sidarth had been “tracking” Allen around the state all summer, videotaping his appearances in case Allen said something false or inflammatory that Democrat James Webb could use against...
...Sure enough, Allen delivered when he singled out Sidarth and told the crowd: “Let’s give a welcome to macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.” Which is more offensive, referring to someone as a type of monkey or welcoming an American citizen with dark skin to America...
...When asked to explain himself a few days later, Allen said, “I would never want to demean him as an individual. I do apologize if he’s offended by that.” Since Sidarth made clear in interviews that he was offended by the senator’s statements, Allen’s conditional apology (“if he’s offended by that”) sounds insincere and patronizing...
...possible that Allen really didn’t know the meaning of the word “macaca,” as he claimed? Sure. But public figures shouldn’t use words they don’t know. Likewise, they shouldn’t quote texts they don’t agree with unless they say so. And they shouldn’t apologize for something unless they are truly sorry. Otherwise they might end up like Larry: unrepentant, and, at least temporarily, unemployed...