Media

‘I’m Troubled By The Hypersensitivity’: Barney Frank Hits Back at Critics Over Trayvon Martin Joke

It‘s a closely guarded secret of the Left that gay people and black people don’t always see eye to eye, even when they’re in the same party. For just one example, Louis Farrakhan recently called homosexuality “what God condemned in the days of Lot,” marking him as just one of many African American religious leaders who have recently attacked President Obama (as well as other liberal groups) for endorsing gay marriage on religious grounds.

Congressman Barney Frank Hits Back at Critics Of His Hoodie Joke for Oversensitivity

Still, interestingly, even when faced with this open opposition to their agenda within their own ranks – opposition that would otherwise be quickly labeled as “homophobic” or “hateful” – many of the Left’s most prominent gay spokespeople have remained oddly silent, as though solidarity with fellow Leftists trumps their group identity.

However, as Congressman Barney Frank is finding out after an admittedly tasteless joke about slain teen Trayvon Martin, this sword apparently only cuts one way.

Congressman Barney Frank Hits Back at Critics Of His Hoodie Joke for OversensitivitySome background: in a commencement speech to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Frank is reported to have made the following remark to his fellow honorary degree recipient, Hubie Jones, who happens to be an African-American:

One of the great men that I’ve worked with Hubie for many years and I’m particularly pleased that Hubie got an honorary degree today. You know, when you get an honorary degree they give you one of these and Hubie, I think you now got a hoodie you can wear and no one will shoot at you.

The joke met with an audible gasp from the audience, and Frank immediately found himself besieged with accusations of mean-spiritedness. For conservatives, this will no doubt sound highly ironic – Barney Frank is mean spirited? Perish the thought!

Nevertheless, Frank doubled down later, in what was supposed to be an apology, claiming he was using the joke to mock the notion – perpetuated by people such as Fox News host Geraldo Rivera – that hoodies were in any way signs of dangerous behavior:

I have used the ‘hoodie’ line to ridicule the notion that a hooded sweatshirt is somehow sinister. I wore a hooded gown in three ceremonies earlier this year, and in my remarks at those events I used the same joke on myself.

Since then, Frank has done what he does best in response to criticism – lash out – and for once, readers might find themselves agreeing with him. Here‘s Mediaite’s write-up of the Congressman’s take on the controversy:

Several days after Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)made a provocative joke at UMass Dartmouth’s commencement ceremony, the retiring congressman spoke to WHDH Boston about the criticism he has faced, saying that he is “troubled by the hypersensitivity” and he is “surprised people don’t understand.”

“When they give you an honorary doctorate they give you one of these [...] I think you now got a hoodie you can wear and no one will shoot at you,” Frank joked during his commencement address, referring to the fact that Trayvon Martin was shot and killed while wearing a hooded sweatshirt. Audience members reportedly gasped at the remark.

Frank did apologize for the joke, but this afternoon, he told WHDH that he was sorry people are so sensitive.

“It’s a joke I’ve made three times about hoodies,” he said. “This is the first time someone focused on it. And no, I think making jokes about serious issues to make a serious point is a good thing. And the notion that people are offended because you try to highlight something like that. I’m troubled by the hypersensitivity.”[...]

“By the way,” Frank added, “most people that talked to me about it were not upset. So in a country of 300 million people, if a couple of thousand people say something, it doesn’t mean a great deal.”

And here’s the video of the segment from WHDH Boston where Frank made these remarks:

On a serious note, whatever schadenfreude you get out of this excruciatingly ironic situation, it’s worth noting that Frank is at least taking a stance against oversensitivity that has plagued the Trayvon Martin case since its inception, and arguably hampered the ability of the media to report the facts accurately. For that much at least, we should be grateful to him.

Comments (91)

1 2 3
  • The-Monk
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:19pm

    I think most all Congressmen lose any Hypersensitivity to most things without term limits…

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:21pm

      Pretty funny coming from a guy who speacialized in hypersensitivity.

      Report Post »  
    • marhee9
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:33pm

      That’s a great point. I love how Barney talks about hypersensitivity when the shoe’s on the other foot. How amazing that this guy was elected time after time. Like there was no better representative that could be found. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5kwKTxxEy4

      Report Post »  
    • Tree_Butcher
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:34pm

      @Paws -> Bullseye.

      Report Post » Tree_Butcher  
    • nelbert
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 4:53am

      Barney Frank complaining about hypersensitivity had me thinking about something completely different. (Ouch!)

      Seriously, what a pugnacious, hypocritical slob.

      Report Post » nelbert  
    • disenlightened
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 7:30am

      Nothing more hypocritical than this fat Nancy Boy claiming hypersensitivity.

      Report Post » disenlightened  
    • birddoo52
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:52am

      Frank lost that a long time ago.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:15pm

    Lotta miles on ole brown nose Barney’s rump.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:06pm

      He sure gotsa perty mouth too.

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:20pm

      Reading about dirty hotel rooms, I hope I never have to sleep where Bwarney just slept.

      Report Post »  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:13pm

    I’ll bet his wittle hieny is hypersensitive. I think his partner poked accidentally poked him in the eye.

    Report Post »  
    • birddoo52
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:54am

      OMG I can’t believe that remark you just made! I wish I could have said it.

      Report Post »  
  • joey g
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:10pm

    ass bandit….hahahahhahahahahah

    Report Post » joey g  
  • nobull14
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:07pm

    Bend over Barney will need a Lubing Ointment for this blunder !!!

    Report Post »  
  • Skee
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:02pm

    He’s suprised by hypersensativity.
    What party pushes sensativity classes so no one is offended?
    No homophobic, Islamophic, racist or any other speech that
    would offend a class of people.
    So what he is saying is that the dems have created a hypersensative monster
    or his he saying his backside is hypersensative. Don’t be to sensative Barney by
    my obvious politically incorrect statement.

    Report Post » Skee  
    • Quack Addict
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:25pm

      Oh those loony lefties. I love a good family squabble (not my own of course).

      Report Post » Quack Addict  
  • DDD
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:00pm

    He wore a hooded gown on three separate occasions recently, what? Is he a closet member of the KKK now, too?

    Report Post »  
  • zoro51
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:59pm

    FO ALREADY you TIRED OLD SMELLY PATHETIC QUEEEEEENNNNNN.. gwad for you to still be on the payroll is sickening.. its not the comment u made its HOW u acted while being a elected GAY official.. .. HUST GO AWAY TROLL!

    Report Post » zoro51  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:55pm

    Ole Bawney Frank ye of soiled depends you‘ve inflicted yourself on us for so many years and you’re at the end of an awful lifetime political career,why do you insist on speaking in public? Haven’t you done enough damage to our republic you megasoreass.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • nighttrainno9
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:54pm

    Bawney, your a sad excuse for a human being, I, for one,
    am glad to see you go. Watch your arse, err, I mean your back.

    Report Post »  
  • lassiegirldawn
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:54pm

    The only thing on his mind is surveying the audience looking at the young men. Hoody was an after thought.

    Report Post »  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:51pm

    ‘I’m Troubled By The Hypersensitivity’

    Remember, this is coming from a man whose 4th point of contact is so numb (and can probably fit all the Village People head first and down to their ankles) all sensitvity is long gone…

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:44pm

    Frank your mealy mouth looks like an anus and might as well be with all the BS that spews from it on a daily basis.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • barber2
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:39pm

    Leave it to the Lefties to make hoodies an acceptable fashion piece. I had always associated hoodies, masks, and covered faces with the molotov cocktail throwers shown in videos of car torching, anarchist actions, carjackings and other criminal acts. Since the Left is all about ” redistribution,” MIC check shout-downs, ACORN protestors in bankers’ front yards, mob rule and “occupies,” guess a preference for hoodies makes total sense ! Nothing like a little camouflage to go along with the deception, intimidation, and lawlessness the Left promotes. The Left doesn’t need the Constitution. The Left doesn’t need the Supreme Court. The Left doesn’t need a fair and balanced media. The Left is so above all of those old, silly, traditional American values and institutions. Today’s New Left is just one big Chicago – style, Hooded Organization .

    Report Post »  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:39pm

    Leftism/nihilism makes for strange bedfellows (interpret as you will). Cue the next brown-skinned leftist making a queer joke or nihilistic comedian verbally ripping into a woman for being a woman.
    Now remember, folks: Barney is a member of a protected class beyond reproach. If he wants to arrive at the podium and start talking about the beautiful merits and activities of his private life, you’ll shut up and take it… like a man (once again, interpret as you will).

    Report Post »  
  • SCARY313568
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:37pm

    The only thing Barney Frank can fire are blanks into his boyfriends arse.

    Report Post »  
  • de31372
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:34pm

    It’s “hypersensitivity” when anyone reacts to an offense uttered by a lefty, but when a Republican says something the left thinks is insensitive they grab hold of it and won‘t let go until there’s blood. Remember when Trent Lott told Strom Thurmond at his 99th birthday party that the country would have been better off if he had won the presidency? The hypersensitivity argument didn’t sooth the critics then. The left is so hypocritical.

    http://www.bigrede.com

    Report Post »  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:30pm

    Bawney, you just might have a smidgen of an idea of how conservatives feel when they are actually falsely accused of racism. You actually used a black man as a butt of a joke as well as Travon. What a complete fool!

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • 208hendrix2020
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:29pm

    Why do people get all offended about someone excercising their RIGHT to free speech. Bad taste? Maybe to some, but to those of us that grew up in a town where you could be shot for the COLOR of the hoodie you were, this is nothig serious and if all the people weren’t such sensitive dusche bags this country and in fact this world would be better off.

    Report Post »  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on May 31, 2012 at 6:22am

      You’re missing the point. And besides, Barney deserves whatever he gets for being such a p.o.s. for most of his life.

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:28pm

    …
    Barney is starting to get a taste of his own medicine and he doesn’t like it.
    You reap what you sow Barney.
    Karma.

    Report Post »  
  • scrudge
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:27pm

    Ah Yes….. next bARNEY will probably experience a drive by…. the girley boys will be upset

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:26pm

    I think all those mangoods in his rectum have effected his brain…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • mr.goodvibe
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:21pm

    I’m sure the graduation gowns are not the only ones Barney has been wearing.

    Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:20pm

    He is not troubled in the least; he is seeking to cover his fannie.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • republic2011
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:18pm

    Yeah.. up until the point that someone calls you a tail gunner. Then you get really sensitive, don’t you Barney? :-)

    Report Post »  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love