Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

[jsteele]

Let's see if it is possible to have a civil discussion about a racially-charged topic. I learned yesterday that some -- maybe many -- African Americans consider the use of the counting rhyme "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" to be racially insensitive. This came about because the Washington City Paper's Loose Lips headlined an article with that phrase. Very quickly commenters chastised him and the headline was changed. Today, Sinclair Skinner has posted an article demanding an apology from the City Paper:

http://www.sinclairskinner.com/2011/04/27/231/

According to Skinner, "the rhyme was originally a poem used to describe what white slave owners would do if they caught black slaves trying to escape."

Wikipedia gives a much different history of the rhyme:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eeny,_meeny,_miny,_moe#Origins

I admit that I am aware of a version of the rhyme that used the "n-word" in its second line. Full disclosure, as a very young child, I learned that version though I didn't actually know what I was saying. When my father heard me saying it, I was sternly corrected. Henceforth, I always used "tiger" instead.

Why this is interesting to me is that recently my youngest son started using this rhyme when counting things. He seems to have learned it at school. I listened carefully to what words he was using and he also said "tiger". His school has a large percentage of black students and, if this rhyme is widely considered to be racially insensitive, I wouldn't want him to use it. Moreover, I would be shocked that his school allowed a racially insensitive rhyme to be said in school.

How wide spread is the view that versions of "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" that do not employ the "n-word" are racially insensitive?

And, in all seriousness, what other counting rhymes are there if you can't use that one? I can't think of others if I need to teach my son a new one.

[Anonymous]

How about "one potato, two potato..?"

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:How about "one potato, two potato..?"

Yes, of course. Wow, that brings back memories.

[Anonymous]

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

That's reserved for bus trips. My son just needs something for when he has, let's say, three pieces of candy and is only allowed to eat one.

[Anonymous]

I never learned it that way, but I wouldn't be surprised that that was the original wording.

I have always preferred "My mother and your mother were out hanging clothes...", because there was some variation in where the fist would land.

[Anonymous]

Alternatively, you could use, "Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish, how many pieces do you wish?"

But that might just further infuriate your son that he only gets to have one of the three candies...

[Anonymous]

I only learned of the n-word version of the rhyme when someone sued an airline (I think it was Southwest) because their flight attendant used the tiger version in her safety presentation. This was quite a few years ago. Even my 60+ year old mother, who grew up in the south, said that she had learned the tiger version. I think there's enough distance that taking offense at this is proof that you are actively searching for something to get upset about. At least three generations have now learned it as a nonsense rhyme, and to resurrect an old version is just childish and counterproductive.

As for "what white slave owners would do if they caught slaves trying to escape"... they'd let him go? (...if he hollers, let him go.) Well, that doesn't sound so bad.

[Anonymous]

I think a similar controversy arose a few years ago with reference to the term "tar baby." Some think it carries racial implications (correct or incorrect), but most people using it do not intend any racial implications. I've heard similar concerns about the term "Chinese wall" in the context of walling someone off for conflicts purposes. There probably are others.

My own personal opinion is that if no racial connotation is intended, there should be no objection to using the term. However, in recognition of the fact that many people perceive (correctly or incorrectly) a racial element, it's polite/proper/best to avoid the use of such terms, since they may cause offense and make it harder for someone to hear your message.

[Anonymous]

Huh. Never heard the N- word version before. I think it's unclear enough whether this was "original" version or just an American racist adaptation of an earlier rhyme. I guess, though, if it carries this connotation for so many, maybe it's best avoided.

I don't have a better counting game, but I'll note that my 10 year old now uses this one to set up a lengthy process of elimination extravaganza ("... and you are *not* the one to beeeeeeeeeeeeee it!") that challenges my sanity. I WILL tell her about the racist connotations, which will horrify her, because getting this rhyme out of our lives may just help her get to the point!

To 12:00-- I guess it makes me think of what else they must have done to get him to holler.

[Anonymous]

Ink a dink, a bottle of ink, cork fell out, and you stink.

[Anonymous]

No, no, no. You should continue to teach it to your children with the n-word in it. You must preserve the artistic integrity of originator of the poem. Never mind about the legions of black adults and children who are pained or offended by a white person saying it.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:No, no, no. You should continue to teach it to your children with the n-word in it. You must preserve the artistic integrity of originator of the poem. Never mind about the legions of black adults and children who are pained or offended by a white person saying it.

Very clever. But, there is no evidence that the n-word version was actually the original.

[Anonymous]

My husband is from Northern Ireland. The version he learned was "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe catch a Taig by his toe." Taig is a derogatory term for an Irish Catholic.

But seriously, the first time I heard about the other version was when 2 passengers sued Southwest Airlines because a flight attendant said "Eenie meenie minie mo, pick a seat, we gotta go."

[Anonymous]

I highly doubt the "n" word was the original. Possible origins of the rhyme date back centuries and are in many different languages from many different cultures. Actually, until just now, I had never heard of the racist version. I learned "tiger." I grew up in the Midwest. I wonder how many other Americans would be surprised to hear the "n" word in the childhood rhyme.