The thing that gets me about the whole incident is the role technology played in it. If it wasn’t for a cell phone capable of shooting video and the Internet the whole story would have been just a blip on the radar. Most of us probably never would have heard about it.
So is that a good thing? Or are we blowing this way out of proportion?
Does Michael Richards deserve to be vilified and have his career ruined (not that the parts were rolling in right now)?
I think a very well written comment on a recent post at BuzzMachine puts it well:
As a Black man I’m all in favor of people of all colors using the n word all they want, but I’m also in favor of people beating the piss out of non-blacks who use the word poorly, as in the case of Kramer.
To me the n word is like lsd, semi-automatic weapons, and unprotected sex. In the wrong hands and in the wrong situations it could be a bad trip. But when used properly it can be a positive, life changing tool.
All seriousness aside, one of the first things I thought of was how much it seemed like something out of a “Seinfeld” episode—like the one where Kramer accidentally burns a Puerto Rican flag.
I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought that. If you were a fan of “Seinfeld,” then you’ll enjoy National Lampoon’s “lost episode.”
WARNING: it might not be entirely work-friendly.
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6 comments:
It sounds like you are putting this in the “no big deal” category. What Richards said is a disgrace to the human race. What he said made me sick to my stomach. How can you sit there and say “The thing that gets me about the whole incident is the role technology played in it. If it wasn’t for a cell phone capable of shooting video and the Internet the whole story would have been just a blip on the radar. Most of us probably never would have heard about it”. Oh Cummon. It does not matter if he was recorded…He is still a racist biggot and deserve everything he gets. I will not tolerarte a biggot and society as a whole needs to take this approach. He’s not sorry…no way…It is just some old-fashion “Mel Gibson” damage control. He needs to go away with all the other racist including, Lott, Bird, and Gibson.
Incedently, if Rodney King was never caught on video tape, does that mean what the police did should just be “a blip on the radar” and society as whole should just say it’s no big deal?
Woah, woah, woah…let’s dial it down a notch, my friend. Right now, I’m not putting this in any category. I’m leaving that for everyone to debate.
First of all, saying it would be a “blip on the radar” does not diminish the severity of the act. I’m merely saying that it would not have been widely reported a story and Richards would not have wound up on Letterman a few nights later apologizing.
If the Rodney King beating was not caught on tape, that story probably would have gone unreported. That does not mean it would have been “no big deal.” When I say “blip on the radar” I’m referring to news coverage of the event.
Now all that said, I do not take Richard’s rant lightly. I think there was more at play than “rage and anger.” They are clearly racist statements.
However, to uttering a word—no matter how hateful—is not a “disgrace to the human race.” The holocaust was a disgrace to the human race. What’s going on in Darfur is a disgrace to the human race. A washed up comic blowing his lid and spewing some racial epithets is, well, just a washed up comic blowing his lid and spewing some racial epithets.
If anything, I pity Michael Richards. I think the ordeal has made him seem like a very small person.
If my skin were a different color, would I feel differently? Perhaps. Again, I refer you to the comment on BuzzMachine. I think that’s an interesting take on use of the n-word.
Ok…I took my meds and I’m calm down now. I see what your intended point is now. I’m glad to see you do not take Richards' rant lightly. You are right as far as it being a blip on the radar if it wasn’t recorded. As a society, we sometimes need to see or hear something for it to become effective. Is that a bad thing…I guess it depends on what the topic is.
either way you view it, that clip is hilarious!!!
Apparently, Andy Dick has pulled a similar incident recently...
I want my own Dalek...
http://ww.tmz.com/2006/12/06/wayans-drops-n-bomb-faces-fallout/
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