Online Article Excerpts About The Problematic Nature And Consequences Of The Saying "It Is What It Is"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents some online article excerpts about the history of the saying "It is what it is".

This post also presents some online excerpts about the problematic nature and consequences of the saying "It is what it is".
The Addendum to this post presents two excerpts from online articles about United States President Donald Trump's August 4, 2020 use of the saying "It is what it is" regarding the United States' response to Covid-19.

The content of this post is presented for linguistic, cultural, and political purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Pancocojams showcases the music, dance, language practices, and customs of African Americans and of other people of Black descent throughout the world.

There's no documentation that asserts or implies that the saying "It is what it is" is of African American or of other Black origin. However, although I can't prove it, I think its brevity, repetitious use of the word "is", and the resulting rhythmic flow, makes this saying sound like something we (African Americans) coined. For instance, the way that the saying "It is what it is" reminds me of the (probably African American coined) sayings "I like it like that" and "In it to win it", each of which have completely different meanings from "It is what it is". Each of those brief sayings have at least one word that is used two times - and that brevity,  structure, and repeated words creates creates a rhythmic flow.

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SELECTED ONLINE EXCERPTS OF 'IT IS WHAT IT IS"
These excerpts are given in no particular order, and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Excerpt #1
From 

https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/it-is-what-it-is/#:~:text=What%20does%20it%20is%20what,and%20must%20just%20be%20accepted. [no publishing date and author cited]

"WHAT DOES IT IS WHAT IT IS MEAN?

Deal with it. It is what it is is an expression used to characterize a frustrating or challenging situation that a person believes cannot be changed and must just be accepted.

WHERE DOES IT IS WHAT IT IS COME FROM?

According to the New York Times, the phrase it is what it is appeared as early as an 1949 article by J.E. Lawrence in The Nebraska State Journal. Lawrence used the phrase when describing the difficulty faced during frontier-era life in Nebraska:

“New land is harsh, and vigorous, and sturdy. It scorns evidence of weakness. There is nothing of sham or hypocrisy in it. It is what it is, without apology.”

It is what it is picked up steam in the 21st Century. A 2004 USA Today article by Gary Mihoces, titled “It is what it is,” pointed out that the phrase had become popular in sports about losses. Mihoces cited over a dozen examples of athletes and coaches using the phrase in that year alone.

[…]

It is what it is was noted in politics in 2004, when, according to The New York Times, President George W. Bush responded to an aide telling him his opponent John Kerry was leading the polls with, “It is what it is.”

Besides sports and politics, it is what it is has also seen exhaustive use in business, the military, and psychology. It’s also titled songs and even a 2001 film. Throughout these contexts, it is what it is is used as a kind of verbal shrug signaling resigned acceptance of an unchangeable situation.

[…]

For those expecting an actual solution rather than the non-solution of it is what it is, the phrase can be especially annoying. In fact, some people really dislike the term for its unhelpful vagueness…

LaRhonda

@LaRhondaS

“It is what it is.” Hate the term, and I’m beginning to hate anyone who says it! #Grrr

9:42 PM · Jun 12, 2019

Often times, according to critics of it is what it is, the phrase is used as an excuse by people who think the real solution is too difficult or time-consuming…

Brandon Oliver

@BrandonO_510

*Has a test tomorrow.*

Freshman year me: I need to pull an all nighter and cram for this test ASAP!!!

Upperclassmen me: If I don't know it by now, I just don't know it. It is what it is. *Goes to sleep.*

2:32 AM · Dec 4, 2018

It remains to be seen if the phrase will ever shake it’s defeatist nature but for now, well, it is what it is.”…

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Excerpt #2
From https://quotes.yourdictionary.com/articles/who-coined-the-phrase-it-is-what-it-is.html  “Who Coined The Phrase It Is What It Is” [no date or author given]

…”Who Coined the Phrase "It Is What It Is"?

You're not alone if you wonder who should be attributed as the author of the famous quotation "It is what it is." This is a commonly used phrase and it's applicable in a wide range of circumstances. Like the best idioms, it contains a kernel of truth that can't be argued with, and it manages to get across a whole range of emotions in just a few simple words.

"It Is What It Is": Origin of the Phrase

Strangely, the exact origin, or the moment when the phrase "It is what it is" was first coined, cannot be pinpointed. You may expect it to originate from a work of literature or poem like many common phrases that are actually famous quotes from Shakespeare or other renowned authors.

However, the earliest known written reference dates back to just 1949, according to the New York Times. The phrase appeared in a column written by J. E. Lawrence in the Nebraska State Journal:

"New land is harsh, and vigorous, and sturdy. It scorns evidence of weakness. There is nothing of sham or hypocrisy in it. It is what it is, without an apology."

It's unknown if Lawrence created the phrase but since that date midway through the twentieth century, it steadily rose in popularity. It really took off in the 1990s and through the 2000s, and today you hear it frequently in areas as diverse as sports, business and politics.

What Does "It Is What It Is" Mean?

Though there's no official dictionary definition of the phrase, you can figure out the meaning of "It is what it is" based on how it is used. When someone says this, it's often an expression of frustration or resigned acceptance of a situation. It's usually used to answer a question that cannot be adequately answered.

For example, when someone asks why something bad happened, the person to blame may have already apologized. When there's nothing left to say or no way to answer questions about what happened, "It is what it is" puts an end to the conversation, usually with a shrug. It's another way of saying, "I don't like it either, but there's nothing we can do about it."

[…]

"It Is What It Is" in Popular Culture

This popular phrase has also been used in books, movies and music - and not just in conversation or dialogue. It's also the title of the following:

A 2001 film by Billy Frolic

A 2002 song by The String Cheese Incident

A 2007 book by David Coulthard

A 2008 rap album by ABN

A 2010 song by Lifehouse

A 2013 song by Kacey Musgraves

"It Is What It Is" in Other Languages

Similarities to the idea expressed in "It is what it is" can be found in other languages. In Persian, "Fihi Ma Fihi" means the same thing and was the title of a famous work by Rumi, a 13th century writer. In Spanish, the phrase "Que será, será" means "what will be, will be." This is a somewhat more optimistic twist on the idea (and popularized in English by a Doris Day song in 1956), as it is in future tense and suggests hoping for the best rather than accepting an action that cannot be changed.

Accept it and Move On

Though we may never know who first coined the phrases "It is what it is" in English, it's a very useful saying that can help you move on from a topic of conversation that is going nowhere. It's also a great way to show acceptance of what has happened and a readiness to forge ahead without dwelling on a past that cannot be changed.”…

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Excerpt #3
From https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/the-stupidity-of-it-is-what-it-is.html

The Stupidity of 'It is what it is...'Sometimes certain phrases creep into our vocabulary without our even noticing. This isn't always a good thing. by Peter Economy, Nov. 12, 2015

"Certain phrases seem to creep into our vocabulary without us hardly even noticing. Before we know it, everyone's saying it, and it becomes a regular part of how we respond to situations on the job or at home.

[…]

Here's the problem with It is what it is. It abdicates responsibility, shuts down creative problem solving, and concedes defeat. A leader who uses the expression is a leader who faced a challenge, failed to overcome it, and explained away the episode as an inevitable, unavoidable force of circumstances. Replace It is what it is with "This resulted because I failed to do __________" and you get an entirely different discussion.

It is what it is is especially damaging when used to frame a response to a problem ("Our overhead costs unexpectedly increased, so we missed our revenue this quarter. What could we do? It is what it is.")

It is what it is is an admission that the problem is too hard and suppresses the attitude that leads to creative, unseen solutions. Even if a leader racks his brain for a solution to the challenge, yet can't find one...he should realize that his team contains a wealth of unique experiences and perspectives to contribute. It is what it is negates their value.

It's time to let go of It is what it is. This all too common phrase has no place in the lexicon of leaders who rely on the intellectual, emotional, and creative power of their people. It says "We can't," when success demands that leaders instead ask, "How can we?" The difference will be decisive.”

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Excerpt #4
From https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/7025/it-is-what-it-is/ 

"It Is What It Is " by A Conscious Rethink, last updated 6th August 2019
"It’s a flippant remark that often gets tossed casually into conversation, yet it could be doing you more harm than good.

“It is what it is” – who would have thought that these 5 little words could have such a profound impact on your life?

But they do.

The phrase has become a siren song for millions of people who have accepted their lot in life without so much as a whimper of protest.

It has stolen the power and hope from these people and left them at the mercy of politicians, corporations, and society as a whole.

So the next time you feel these words on the tip of your tongue, stop and think whether you really mean to say them.

[…]

When It Really Is What It Is

Some things are beyond our control. That’s a fact.

In these circumstances, it’s actually okay to speak those 5 little words, shrug your shoulders, and accept things rather than fight against them.

In fact, it’s often beneficial to do just that.

A bird flying overhead drops a white, wet, sticky bomb on your head. Unfortunate – yes. Something you had control over – no.

Your train is cancelled at the last minute because of technical problems. It sucks, but there’s no way you could have foreseen it.

Your favorite sports team just so happens to be languishing at the bottom of the league table. It’s a hard one to take, but what can you do?

In all of these situations, you could get angry, rage at those around you, and work yourself into a serious stress headache.

Or you could realize that some things are beyond your control, accept them for what they are, and make peace with them.

Sure, if there is something you can do to remedy the situation, by all means do it, but don’t punish yourself and others for the initial event.

Looking Back At The Past

The same mindset that relies on “It is what it is” as a means of defending inaction in the present is one that looks back at the past with a similar attitude.

We cannot change the past, this is certain, but to frivolously declare that “it was what it was” is to admit that those evil/unjust things that happened in the past were acceptable and unavoidable at the time.

It is to say that war was unavoidable, that slavery was inevitable, that women didn’t deserve equal pay with men.

And the problem with this sort of thinking is that it bleeds into the present day and causes the sense of helplessness we’re talking about in this article.

Injustices are still rife all across the world and so long as people feel unable to enact change, these abuses of power will continue.

[…]

What To Say/Think Instead

When you are faced with adverse circumstances, rather than let “it is what it is” cloud your vision, ask yourself these questions:

Was this outcome something I could have avoided?

If so, what lessons can I learn to avoid it happening again?

What can I do now that would improve the situation?

How I can encourage those around me to act and create positive change?

And say these affirmations:

I have the power within me to improve my life.

I believe a better life is something I should aspire to.

I will learn from the past to improve my future.

I will act with compassion and empathy when others experience hardship.”…

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ADDENDUM- TRUMP'S AUGUST 4, 2020 USE OF THE SAYING "IT IS WHAT IT IS"
Excerpt #1:
From https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/04/politics/trump-covid-death-toll-is-what-it-is/index.html  Trump on Covid death toll: 'It is what it is'

By Devan Cole and Tara Subramaniam, CNN, August 4, 2020

"Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump said the United States' staggering death toll from coronavirus "is what it is" in a new interview, again giving his administration credit for its response despite ongoing surges in new cases and a human toll that far outpaces that of any other nation.

When confronted with the US' daily death toll and Trump's messaging on the pandemic during an interview with Axios on HBO that aired Monday night, the President grew defensive and appeared frustrated by Jonathan Swan's questions about the crisis.

"I've gone to your rallies. I've talked to your people. They love you. They listen to you. They listen to every word you say. They hang on your every word," Swan said. "And so when they hear you say, 'everything's under control. Don't worry about wearing masks,' I mean, these are people -- many of them are older people."

"Well, what's your definition of control?" Trump replied, adding: "I think it's under control."

"How? A thousand Americans are dying a day," Swan said.

"They are dying. That's true. And you -- it is what it is," Trump said emphatically. "But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can. It's under control as much as you can control it."…

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Excerpt #2
From https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/democrats-trumps-make-case-72477001
"LAS VEGAS -- Democrats working to depict President Donald Trump as an ineffective and negligent leader are summing up their case by quoting the president’s own words on coronavirus deaths: “It is what it is.”

Democratic leaders, including former first lady Michelle Obama and former President Bill Clinton, highlighted Trump’s comment during each of the first two nights of the Democratic National Convention.

Trump’s comment came in an interview with “Axios on HBO” earlier this month, when he was asked how he could say the coronavirus was under control with 1,000 Americans dying every day from it.

“They are dying. That’s true. And it is what it is. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t doing everything we can. It’s under control as much as you can control it. This is a horrible plague that beset us,” Trump said in the interview.

Obama, headlining the all-virtual convention’s opening night, made a reference to the comment during her prerecorded 18-minute speech where she gave a dire assessment of Trump. She said Trump “cannot meet this moment” and “simply cannot be who we need him to be for us.”

“It is what it is,” Obama said, with a slight shake of her head.

Clinton quoted Trump during his Tuesday night remarks as he accused Trump of a flailing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying Trump “shrugged.”

“Did it have to be this way?” Clinton asked.

His wife, Hillary Clinton, will deliver her own spin on Trump’s comment Wednesday night.

“I wish Donald Trump had been a better president. But, sadly, he is who he is,” she says, according to excerpts of her remarks released ahead of the third night of the convention.

On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer put Trump’s remark in historical context, framing it as something that would never be said by a president facing a national crisis.
“President Lincoln, honoring the great sacrifice at Gettysburg, didn’t say ‘it is what it is.’ President Roosevelt, seeing a third of the nation ill-housed, ill-clad and ill-nourished, didn’t say 'it it’s what it is,” Schumer said Tuesday. “America, Donald Trump has quit on you.”"...
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