By Mark Rhoads -
The image shown here is commonly called a "monkey wrench." Some hysterical backers of Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum must think that the wrench name is intended to be a racial slur against African Americans. They are trying to claim with a straight face that Gillum's GOP competitor Ron DeSantis is appealing to a racial slur because he said that Florida voters should not "monkey around" and make the mistake of backing a Bernie Sanders-style socialist clone for governor. Mr. Gillum is African-American. Gillum backers and their media allies should remember that the boy who cried wolf too often was not believed when the threat was real. Real racial slurs are ugly and a menace and far too serious to invite dishonest accusations.
Actually, the picture shows a “crescent wrench,” also known (to the British) as an “adjustable spanner.”
DeSantis should learn to THINK first, then choose his words more carefully, to avoid giving opponents opportunities like this.
Can I still use the term “horsing around?”
Somebody please contact the word police.
Good point on DeSantis being more careful but the media is still being dishonest in claiming an intentional racial slur in the word monkey.