Why don’t we just cut through the bull and make it law
More on the “Kramer” outrage:
Los Angeles community activist Najee Ali and a number of other community groups held a protest outside of the Laugh Factory Monday and met with the venue’s owner Jamie Masada as well as comedian Paul Rodriguez, who was at Richards’ show and witnessed the incident.
[...]
“His apology is unacceptable at this point,” Ali told EUR’s Lee Bailey in a phone interview. “It’s only the first step in the process of healing.
We’re asking to meet with him and we feel he needs some racial sensitivity and anger management classes, and to support the programs that support racial conciliation.”
“We want to do the same thing the Jews did to Mel Gibson,” Ali continued. “They made him publicly apologize and to feel some pain, some contrition. And that’s what black folks need to start doing.” (source)
And of cour$e Ali know$ when a white per$on i$ truly $orry.
Last night my family and I watched Rush Hour 2 as Chris Tucker used just about every stereotype about Asians as comedy. I won’t even go through the long list of Black comedians who point out white folks in the audience to flame them and their culture. But all of a sudden this has become an intergalactic crime because a white man did it. In an effort to show themselves as culturally sensitive, some whites in the press have jumped on this story to demonstrate that they hate stereotypes just-as-much-as-we-do.
Let’s just cut through the bull here and make it law that Black folks (because of years of slavery and oppression of course) have the full license to use all forms racial stereotypes to demean other races. I say, put this one right under the Voting Rights Act Of 1965. Why stop with this unspoken code crap? Push this through the House and Senate as the “Minstrel Rights Act of 2006″. Get Bush to sign it while being flanked by all of OUR comedians that get paid to do the same thing to other races. Finish off the signing ceremony (in the Rose garden of course) with a good ol’ fashion barbecue with plenty of koolaide, booze, a few mutt strippers and of course a few comedians doing their usual stand up routines peppered with plenty of derogatory comments about other races INCLUDING ours.
Ask your local Congressman/Senator to support the “Minstrel Rights Act of 2006” because it is time for us to legalize the double standard.
In no way should Michael Richards’ bizarre outburst be used to minimalize the issue of racial discrimination in American society, as you’ve done here.
Comment by MIB | November 22, 2006
Duane… I see what you are saying. And sometimes there seems to be a double standard when it comes to blacks and racial issues. Like blacks using the “N” word on a daily basis, but when non blacks use it, then they are being racicist.
But what Michael Richards was doing was not comedy. It was not a slip of the tounge. It was an good example of what a lot of non blacks want to say but don’t want to get the flack that he’s getting. If he were attempting to make a joke, and used the “N” word, like many black and non black comedians do, then it would not have gotten the attention that it did, but he was just lashing out… Just like Mel Gibson.
I watch Comedy Central, and when I hear Carlos Mancia say the “N” word like us… I’m bothered, but then I ask myself “why does he feel he can do that in comedy and get away with it?” hhmmmm…
In regards to the Michael Richards tirade, why did Paul Rodriguez say on CNN “If you are not black and the word nigger comes out of your mouth, then you have a lot of explaining to do…” But from what little knowledge I have, Mr. Rodriguez appeared Hispanic, not black, so what’s his explanation?
But I digress…
I would have to say that I’m bothered by your post, because I would not have figured such ideas to come from you.
But who asked me anyway?
Comment by UnsolicitedCritic | November 22, 2006
Yes MIB, I’m using Richard’s mess to to minimalize things like slavery, cross burnings, Jim Crow, lynchings — you know, the everyday racism we have to deal with. In the meantime, let’s skip over all the racist crap that comes from members of our own community as you have demonstrated here.
Comment by Duane | November 22, 2006
No one needs any particular word(s) to reinforce racism. Any word or no word at all will do. Every word that has ever been used to refer to non-white people has also been used to denigrate them. When those words aren’t enough, they will invent or co-opt words that have other meanings. Has anyone ever called you a Black bastard? Bastard wasn’t bad enough, they had to denigrate your racial heritage as well. It wouldn’t matter if they called you a Nigger bastard, a African bastard, a Darky bastard, or a Spade bastard. They have an intrinsic antipathy towards your racial heritage.
Full opinion at http://exodusmentality.blogspot.com/
Comment by Dwight Hunter | November 23, 2006
What group am I trying to fit in?
Comment by Duane | November 24, 2006
Chance,
Get a life beyond cyberspace. Your off-topic rambling is a dead giveaway.
Comment by Duane | November 24, 2006
It is truely difficult for me to understand the mindset of Black conservatives. I am in favour of true family values, the Bible, children with two parents, and fiscal caution, in short, many things that conservatives espouse. But I cannot understand how any African American can adopt a positon that excuses or minimalizes white racism against Blacks, in any context or for any reason. Our ancestors stuggled so hard, and suffered too much for us to take sides with those who wish to oppress us. I don’t care if money is involved or what. I fully condemn the comments that richards fellow made(I’m sure that is not his real last name), and will never accept any “apology”.
Comment by exe | November 24, 2006
“…how any African American can adopt a positon that excuses or minimalizes white racism against Blacks.”
How am I minimalizing what Richards has done here? Let’s review the definitions of the word Racism:
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Now here are some questions for you:
>Do you personally know Michael Richards?
>If so, has he ever stated that he supports in some way, shape or form the system of racism OFF THE COMEDIC STAGE?
>When non-white comedians have used the same freakin’ terminology against whites in their audience, do you apply the same standard?
The raw truth is that wrong is wrong–period. If Richards is to be considered a racist and treated as such for what he said that night, then we should apply the same standard to non-white comedians who commit the same crime. Secondly, as a Black man, you are in no danger of suffering from “Racism” from Richards no more than the two guys he blasted in the club that evening. He is a pinhead comedian with no political power over you or any person in this country.
Before you start kicking around the line about how our ancestors suffered, let me remind you that their deffintion of suffering is light years away from the soft crap we scream about today. When our people would raise hell about Racism, you better believe it was over something a lot more signifficant than a comedian’s remarks.
To me this is neither a Conservative or Liberal issue. But if you are finding that Liberals are holding a different standard of right vs. wrong based on skin color, then that is something I cannot comment on.
Comment by Duane | November 25, 2006
what the writer has done is the trickery of the so-called Black
racist. you cannot give me one instance in Rush Hour 2 or any other movie;Or any Black or Non-Black comedian - who has done what Mr. Richard’s did - to White people. making a joke is making a joke - racially stereotypical or not; going on a racist tirade is something else. that, because you do it - i can mantra that you are spewing is played out and primitive; and i wish you understood that.
Mr. Richard’s does not have to apologize - he just showed the world who he is - move on. most White people have those kinds of thoughts and notions about African Americans.
the writer is correct when he says that the things we whine about are light years away from what Our African American Fore Parent’s cried about. . . but that is no excuse. i am finding that many of Us - especially those who find salvation in the forums of White acceptance - have to deny truth; at any and all cost. this, again, is not something that i am upset about;or even care about - at the end of the day, you have to look at yourself in the mirror… and decide upon what it is you see. all the coonery and buffoonery and denial in the world ain’t gonna change what White folk see…
“i’d rather be in the group being chased,… than the group doing the chasing…” Nikki Giovanni, African American
(yeah, all inferences are intended)
Comment by denise | November 25, 2006
Chance,
I am banning you from this site. Your long history on other blogs for talking off topic then turning it into harassment has got you pegged–no matter what name you use.
Comment by Duane | November 26, 2006
I am surprised to see someone rise up to defend my criticism of Richards. By denoucing Richards as a racist/bigot or however you wish to finely define him, we should not be assumed to have automatically let Black comedians who use racist terminology, off of the hook.
The experiences of our ancestors are not so far away that we can ignore those who today carry on the traditions, and hate, of those who were their opressors back then. We owe it to them to make progress and to push back those who would oppress us on any level.
Personally, I could care less about richards. To be frank I didn’t even know his name before this ugly episode occured. I also do not care what “white folks see”. However, self defense, against hate is a basic right. If you think that I am being over-reactive remember what happened to Jessie Jackson after it was reported that he used the term “hymietown” - he was never forgiven. We can not forgive or shrug off richards.
Also, being quick to defend the terms “conservative”, or “liberal” terminates the intellectual process.
Comment by exe | November 26, 2006