Dear Mississippi Media: Yes, “Wetback” Is a Racial Slur

Mar 21, 2013
7:56 PM

File this one under the “We Have Now Seen Everything” category. In a local news article from southwestern Mississippi, reporter Caleb Bedillion was writing a dry standard story about corporate tax breaks.

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Rather boring stuff until you get to this part of the story, which quoted local county official Nolan Williamson. Wait for this one:

Williamson further mocked the idea that corporate tax breaks serve an economic development purpose and suggested that he if received a tax break, he could benefit the local economy.

“I might hire me two or three wetbacks, and I’d create jobs,” said Williamson, utilizing a term often considered a slur for Mexican immigrants in the United States.

Williamson’s quote was shocking, but what about the reporter? We are still trying to think of those situations where such a term is NOT a racial slur. And seriously, no one said anything?