Comments on: 'Kramer' Apologizes, Says He's Not Racist

Actor Michael Richards Says His Rage Went 'All Over The Room'

[ihave4rugratshelp]

Culturally acceptable? Or double standard? If racism is to stop in this country, there must be tolerance of ALL by ALL. Culturally acceptable is not tolerance--it's a cop-out.

[onepurpose2]

Hey you are right. It shouldn't be culturally acceptable. There are a lot of things that are considered racism that should'nt be. In Texas, a guy was shot more than 10 time because he shot at Police. Now a few civil rights groups are claiming that the Police shot him because he was Black. Look. There are idiots on both sides. We just need to learn from eachother so that the next generation doesn't do the same dumb stuff ours is doing.

[onepurpose2]

emokev,

Heckling is apart of the experience of Stand-Up Comedy. If a comedian wants the audience to laugh at what is funny then they need to learn how to deal with responses that say they are not funny. A comedy club is a business that provides humour to its patrons. If the comedian is not funny then the customer does not get what they are paying for.

Would you go to Starbucks, order a Latte, not get it and stand there and not say anything?

[siobhan84-2009]

Why is it considered culturally acceptable? That's I want to know. It shouldn't be acceptable because it just opens the can of worms for everyone else. That's what needs to be realized. Just because a black comedian's making fun of other races, including white, doesn't make it any less racist than a white comedian making the same comments. As for perhaps racism being the cause of more racism, well, that's kind of what I'm saying. It doesn't matter which side is doing it, as long as someone it spreads it. That's why I'm frustrated with people screaming they're being put down cause of their color than turning around and doing it right back to someone else. It doesn't do anyone any good but only pushes someone else to turn around and be racist.

[tonnie45]

Culturally acceptable, give me a break. There is no difference in black or white people doing it. People just want something to complain about. So they cry racism at the drop of a hat and the next thing you know, you have a message board like this one. Full of alot of angry bitter people (black & white).

[onepurpose2]

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
--Martin Luther King Jr.

[ihave4rugratshelp]

And people wonder why blacks and whites don't get along? Michael Richards responded to two hecklers in the audience, his response was stupid to say the least, a professional stand-up usually knows how to handle hecklers. But the two hecklers are not completely innocent either--if they didn't want Richards to say anything to them, then why didn't they keep their mouths shut? Had they not opened their mouth, we wouldn't even be talking about this incident. Still, that does not excuse Richards comments to them. But still, one wonders if this whole incident could have been avoided if the two hecklers didn't feel the need to heckle the comedian?

[onepurpose2]

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.
-- Martin Luther King Jr.

[onepurpose2]

Because some things are culturally acceptable does not make them correct or justified. Heck, abortion is socially acceptable, but there are those who find it repugnant.

[onepurpose2]

Anyone who tries to make you feel guilty for the actions of your ancestors is just ignorant. If you feel guilty or uncomfortable because of what your ancestors did without anybody having to tell you, then it may be happening to somebody around you and you just aren't recognizing it.

Look. I'm not angry at any White person for anything that was done to my people in the past. It just bothers me when people act as if it was a hundred years ago that we were hung upside-down with a fork up our @- -.

Black comedians talk about white people all of the time.... But it is actually considered culturally acceptable. Most of the time they are talking badly about other races too.

[tonnie45]

Thank you Siobhan84: That is the point I have been trying to make. Be careful others on this site will twist your words.

[limited94]

Also, I left out that I still do not think referring to even that specific type of person as an "N" word is still not OK. I just think this is how it is used.

[siobhan84-2009]

Also, being angry with white people as a race for what history has done does nothing but spread further anger and abuse. How are we supposed to change our attitudes when we're being held responsible for the crimes of the past? I'm in no way whatsoever a racist. In fact, my very best friend in the whole world is a wonderful young black man who is basically the godfather of my child. Yet, I've been made to feel uncomfortable by colored races because I appear white and it's only in appearance as my father's a pure blood mexican. When I have that happen to me, it's hard not to lash out... anger and bigotry does nothing but spread it further. Just felt I had to say that :D.

[limited94]

One thing to maybe think about also is that the N word, at least as I have seen it, isn't meant to mean "a black person". If you say that in that manner, that would assume you meant it towards all people of your race. I think it is more used to describe a certain type of black person, therefore not actually racist at all. Now, don't jump me, because I am just going on what I have seen and heard, but it seems that word is more used to describe, for example, the woman with 18 kids and no job collecting a welfare check. I think a lot of black people will agree with me that this kind of person does not help any of us Americans. Just food for thought.

[siobhan84-2009]

What bothers me is I've seen colored comedians make fun of white people and make racist comments about them, but it's okay. Why is that fair? Other races scream racism while they practice against white folks. Yes, racism exists but it's a two way street and only white people are being called on it. It's not right. I am a strong believer in you live by example and when it's spread, it doesn't matter what race is doing it cause it infects everyone. I'm just tired of everyone pointing fingers at the caucasion people because our ancenstors were confused about a few things. Both sides are slinging mud and only one is being fingered for it.

[agnim]

angelikdemon at 02:38 PM : Nov 21, 2006

Away with your hypothetical, the rabid richards DID go off.

And you make sure to stress the white part of your mixed heritage and down play the arab part; or they might just pick you up and dump you for a Caribbean vacation at Guantanamo. LOL

[ratsstar1]

Cord? What cord? Are you seroius. How old are you Tonnie45? I knew youre comments were a bit immature but come on now? Gotcha? How childish is that? LOL

[onepurpose2]

One other thing...

The other reason why Black Americans are so offended is because the racism that many white people say is gone still exist. It wasn't that long ago that Black protesters had fire hoses turned on them... The Civil Rights Act was not signed until 1968 (38 years ago) but that doesn't mean that the legislation fixed racism.

This country has been in existance for 230 years. Of that time, Black were slaves, beaten, families split apart, descriminated against, lynched and murdered just because of their liniage. Anyone who believes that 38 years is enough to forget about systematic and institutional bigottry and hatred needs to have their head examined.

I as a Black man do not hate or wish ill upon White Americans because of their past. I do, however, expect my White brothers and sisters of this great nation to understand that what has happened in the past is repeating itself because we are still viewed as less than American and in some cases, less than human.

I am an American.... The color of my skin should not matter. Its just sad that it does.

[ratsstar1]

Actully I did leave for a bit Tonnie45, had a very important appointment; however I am back...


Tinker3478, how do you know what Malcolm would or would not listen to? Feel free to elaborate, I'm always hungry for knowledge no matter who spits it. Dont leave me hanging, and please make it intersting. I'll be leaving you good people in a minute. I'll be sure to chime in tomorrow. Until then...

Holla

[onepurpose2]

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Unfortunately, the comments of Mr. Richards opens the wounds of the past. His words were stupid and hurtful to an entire race of Americans. What many do not understand is that the word Ni$$er was used in our past to dehumaize and denegrate and entire group of American citizens. When Black people in the south endured lynchings and were murdered because of the color of their skin, the word Ni$$er was used as the "battle cry" of the perpetrators.

Some also say that there is a double standard because Black people use the word but don't want it used by a white person. From the surface, it seems that way, but the truth is that the word was brought into Black culture to deminish the sting and strength that it had demine the community. Also, Black people do not use the word the same way that it is used when it is meant to do harm. It is actually an endearing word a friend or close aquantence. The Spelling and pronounciation of Ni$$er and the way it is used is what causes the offense... In the Black community the spelling and pronounciation is different. Ni$$a is not used to put someone down in the same way Ni$$er was used by Mr. Richards. (nobody should use the term in any form)