Thanks Man It bothers me to no end the . . .. attempt to make this less than it is Also just something I notice . . . The Thread changes tone on Page 7 . . .interesting to me 7 pages . . .no real defenders . . .then Brah-Man speaks and they come out . . with the Not so Bad Arguments I guess they needed a . . uhm . . black man to say it 1st . . . Could be Coincidence Rocket RIver
i noticed that too. but i think the thread has been pretty respectful. this is still a very important topic in america. we are better off getting it out in the open and talking about it rather than sweeping it under the carpet. we need to quit, the quick-to-judge, he said/she said crap and talk about the reasons why racism still exists.
You'd better inform the Universities of Virginia, North Carolina, Wisconsin-Madison, Massachusets; UCLA and Howard University (among many others); the Library of Congress's Geneology Research branch; the Afro-American Newspaper of Baltimore/D.C.; the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center in Ohio; the Afro-American Cultural Center of Charlotte; the Chicago Public Library's Vivian Harsh Afro-American History Collection; the National Center of Afro-American Artists, etc, etc.... The term African-American didn't really come into play until the 80's (despite Malcolm X's introduction & promotion of it in the 60's), and now it's largely a matter of personal/organizational preference. I was just pointing out that it's silly to point to someone's use of the term "afro-american" as being indicative of some sort of throwback racist mentality ("folks that still think in the 60's way"). And this is in no way a defense of the original outburst by Richards.
For some reason I see this as an example Chris Rock would use in defining a ***** and a ******. In fact didn't he even use examples regarding black people making so much noise at a movie theater? Or when people say "I take care of my children." And he responds well "You're supposed to!" I dunno I don't agree with the racist comments but this just has Richard Pryor and Chris Rock definitions of a ***** and a ****** all over it. Ah well I still like Kramer and still think Seinfeld is one of the best sit coms of all time. I can't help but think if it was Richard Pryor going off like that people would think its a great bit because frankly the man was crazy enough to pull such a stunt. Anyhow just my .02.
For the Record Do you think Richard Pryor could have told the Clayton Williams Rape Joke? A joke about Jews and Ovens and Concentration Camps? A joke about Rwandan Genocide. . where he finds a Rwandan in the audience and tells him . . I'll take you home so you can be chopped up or something like that? This is beyond the N-word Rocket River
i guess i need to preface things so i don't get misunderstood with the point i am trying to express because things get lost in translation when people have online discussions about stuff like this. i'm not saying the stuff he said wasn't "so bad" or trying to morally justify what he said as being less offensive because of what he might or might not feel in his heart. i am only discussing how the word n----r has evolved into something that has meaning outside of its racist origin because it is so taboo in modern american culture. i'm just stating the point that someone can pull out the n word simply to piss someone off or hurt them. i remember trying to get this point across to my african american studies prof back in college and she just couldn't grasp it or wouldn't accept it. i guess it's just a perspective issue. if i talk crap to a girl by telling her if this were a 100 years ago i would rape the b**** and make her cook me dinner it might mean i hate women or it might just mean i am trying to be extremely hateful towards the woman in question. am i getting my point across effectively? i am trying to state there can be a disconnect between spewing hateful words towards a person of a certain group just to be hateful towards the single person and yet still not have a problem with the group as a whole. you would just be using the insults because they are the most offensive thing you can say to the person to hurt them, shock them, or enrage them. when richards starts ranting and saying "oooooh it shocks you!!" i just interpret that to mean he is saying the most offensive thing he could pull out of his ass to shock people and anger people. again, i am not saying it is any less offensive. i am only stating that one can throw around racist terms as insults and yet still not be racist. it's a small little point but i am trying to make it clear.
Yes Robbie - I get your Point .. but I don't agree - I think that he went the extra mile . . . Me throwing a punch at you . . is trying to hurt you Me shooting at you . . is totally different Rocket River
I'm not denying he went waaaaaaaaaaaay overboard and that he is a huge a-hole. I was afraid if I spoke on the point I was trying to make that I would be seen as trying to dismiss what richards said. it's difficult getting stuff across online sometimes. and your analogy is dead on.
this whole saga has been ugly, really hard to watch. for me though, it is less about racism and more about a disturbed individual. this was a psychotic episode and something he probably has been needing to deal with for some time. why not address what's behind this hatred rather than condemn the man. don't you think he should be rehabilitated? how should he be punished in your opinion? he screwed up big time but there was no premeditation, he simply couldn't help himself, he exploded. i can't imagine what would bring someone to say those things but frankly, i feel sorry for him.
I just got done watching the two victims on CNN with their lawyer. They were talking about meeting with Michael Richards directly to get a direct apology and discuss this in person. There were also hints at a lawsuit on the horizon potentially.
What kind of lawsuit could there possibly be? I think if they try to cash in on this, they are gonne end up disappointed. Of course they probably have lawyers offering them their services for free, so it won't really matter to them. But still, seems like a waste of time. You can't sue someone for insulting you. What's next? Maybe he would counter-sue, for the "cracker-ass" comment, and the threat "we'll see what happens" when they walked out.
The two dudes were on the Today Show this morning; apparently that w**** Gloria Alred (sp?) is now 'representing' them, as if they need representation for being called names. The guys came across so good on the show I thought, but having her there just took something away from it. Rocket River; let me also give you props - calling someone an Uncle Tom for sharing a different opinion than you definitely deserves them. I avoided watching the incident for a couple of days for fear of it ruining my love for Seinfeld. After seeing it today, I'm still in shock and felt funny (embarassed even) perusing the DVD at the store today. Weird and sad is all I can say about what I saw. Not sure if this will affect sales of the new DVD but I certainly wasn't about to walk out of the store with it today. I'll get it eventually but I need time I guess.
http://www.kramerhater.com/ KramerHater.com is a website launched by social justice organization "Brothers Against Divisiveness And Social Sabotage" ("BADASS") in reaction to racist comments made by Michael Richards at a recent public performance. We are not alone in declaring this type of behavior unacceptable and we encourage others to join this running commentary on Richards' racist diatribe
