If you haven't heard by now, Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld) had a tirade while performing a standup set where he used the N word repeatedly. There's been an outrage that's been brewing from the incident, inflamed by his half-hearted apology on the Letterman show. Sure, Richards said some nasty things, using the N word, which is inappropriate and shocking. However, I think there are some things that should be stated in review of the situation.- The African-Americans were heckling a comedian. There were some terribly hurtful things being hurled by the two audience members and Richards reacted. Overly reacted...
- During the initial outburst, the audience members laughed. Only when outrage was directed back toward Richards did the audience walk out. There's still a huge enjoyment of racism on stage.
- The African Americans threated Richards immediately following the tirade. When is it right to fire back racist comments and threats of violence to some words?!! Should I fight someone because of a derogatory asian comment (often hurled toward me from black people)? Why is it allowed for blacks to call other people names without threat of violence? There is a stupid, ignorant double standard implimented by African Americans where the N word is completely verboten while other words directed against other races is alright, chuckled off. If the injured party took the high road, then this outrage would be alright, but there's attacks from both ends.
- Attention comedy club attendees, don't go to a show if you plan on heckling throughout the set. Don't go. It shows very low class and stupidity. A comedian can suck, but just shut the f up and don't laugh.
- Richards apology, though rooted in the Mel Gibson routine half-hearted apology, is interesting in that he looks like he's in shock.
- The one guy makes a good point: Richards is washed up.
Either that, or let's just be consistent and ban all race slurs, including cracker.
3 comments:
well done, chuck. if this is the biggest threat to our culture, as far as race relations and multi-culturalism goes, i think our society is well ahead of the curve compared to many others around the world at this point in time.
word.
No one's called me anything in years.
this is only tangetially related, but its been on my mind lately. The western world will simply not even consider the notion that a purely open democracy may not be possible forever and may not always be the best society. If you look throughout the middle east, you can plainly see that democracy not only is not but can not work there. The people there do not like each other and will not cooperate. Spare the line that its just the extremeists. Thay may be so, but they are the ones that kill people and protest, so even if they are a minority their collective effects are much greater than the silent majority. You can look at other areas of the world where an open and free democracy is not working. It seemed to be working fine in russia and eastern europe, but corruption is taking over again. So why is this relevant in the US? Something bad will happen in this country in our generations lifetime. People are more or less completely free, which is good right? Well, yes and no. Because we have convinced everyone in our country that they are free and equal, they take that to mean in areas where it isnt' meant to apply. For one example look to how little people respect academics and other experts. people are less inclined to believe an expert because they feel that their experiences and ideas are just as good.."equal"..as anyone elses. If you don't believe me just look at the intelligent design arguments. Another area where I see this is in respect and behavior, which is the loose connection to the Micael Richards story. Because everyone is equal, there is no standard for behavior anymore. People act however they want to and follow whatever laws they feel like it and just say that its their "right" and that they know whats good for them moreso than anyone else does. I personally don't believe that everyone is created equal. I do NOT believe that there is any racial or sexual component to the inequality but a genetic and social one. I can't beat Lance Armstrong in an endurance competiton or out jump micheal jordan, so why is it so hard for people to accept that some people are genetically smarter or better than others? I'm not sure theres a better gov't than the one we have, and I have no suggestions, but when it comes to the future of the US just remember the phrase, "too many cooks spoil the broth". If the founding father had to appease every farmer and drunk in the streets, we'd never have a country. Some people just know better than others.
Post a Comment