Gothamist: Michael Richards Speaks to David Letteman

Harry

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 06:11:40 -0500

How much will it cost for the absolution of Michael Richards? When I saw the video of Richards' racist tirade, I thought as most of us, 'What an ass.' Recently, Richards appeared on Jesse Jackson's program and now there are calls for him to pay money to those who he offended. Why? He said he was sorry and whether or not you believe him, it's over. Lets move on.

Kelley

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 18:03:23 -0500

In France Richards would have been arrested for those comments. Of course there's freedom of speech in our country, even when overt racism is concerned(unfortunately)...Richards has used his word against himself. He's the one who'll be enslaved by those brutal comments -a double edged sword... I hope the people insulted will get over taking it personally.

Ray

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:06:30 -0500

Richard's simply has the right to dislike whomever he pleases. If you don't like his racism,don't go see him. To Hal2814 regarding the Apollo...almost every comedian I have ever watched from there has made racist remarkes somewhere in their routine. The only difference here is that white audiences of black comedians seldom go running to the press everytime they hear a racist remark. The race-baiters do exactly this and I guess they enjoy their work. To me racism is saying it's ok for blacks to use the "N" word,but not for me...because I'm white? Isn't using my skin color racism??? Have you noticed that Black people will jump on anybody they feel is racist,excep their own? Every race on this Earth is racist to some extent..we just need to learn get over it.....

Shmurf

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 23:12:11 -0500

What a butt hole !

David S

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 01:05:43 -0500

Jerry Seinfeld is full of it. The only thing he's worried about is that the sales of his Seinfeld DVDs and syndication of his show will suffer and therein cause him to lose tons of money. If this goes the wrong way, stations across the country will drop his show like a hot potato. No wonder he's doing damage control.

Ben Dover

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:16:36 -0500

If I had a dime for every time I've yelled, muttered or thought while driving;, "Stupid f*cking chinks!" I'd be a millionare by now.

sandy

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:22:13 -0500

it was the "hanging" that made me cry... just look at us...my gosh, look at us...i went to hug my 8 year old son...

Borat

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:35:32 -0500

WHat is wrong with the Kramer? He hate the Nigger like I hate the JEw. I Make 25 million opening day and he has to apologize on the letterman. Jagesmash!

dug

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:22:06 -0500

what violence?! what seperatism?! the quote is from the all-knowing miquel. you should read the exchange if you want to respond to it. what have i said that would 'get me hurt'? oh well, you already see my 'true colors'. pfft.

zowie the new girl

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:12:13 -0500

Wow, I never knew white separatists were on gothamist? what's with the violence, dug? so, you do know what you say will get you hurt? how do you know that? we see your true colors.

dug

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:59:13 -0500

"Most of the white people who post here have NO black friends. If you do, I'd dare you to share ANY of your comments here and see how they react." and how does that not imply courageless and isolated white folks? that we don't have the courage to say what we think to our black friends for fear of how they'd react? is having "NO black friends" somehow different from being isolated? you have an awful lot of insight into people you've never met, don't you think? does your 'cultural education' include something on how to make baseless claims with qualifiers like 'most'... you know, so you can't be held accountable for making personal attacks outside the debate. keep backpedaling, miquel.

anonymass

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:55:21 -0500

I don't think anyone is defending his rant - it was ugly and everyone knows it, especially Richards himself. Though, I think he does harbor some deep-seated issues - that video where he repeatedly says "blacks" is a little difficult to watch. I kept expecting for him to slip and say "coloreds" or something equally offensive. My comments, as well as those of a few others, were more to the 'dialog' on racism that so many people (say that they) want to have. Only the dialog these people usually want is one-sided. Racism has been bent in our society to mean a white man stereotyping or using disparaging labels for a minority. Full stop and I don't find that tunnel vision particularly fair or useful. I would never equate Richards' rant with the comedy of Chappelle, however the latter uses stereotypes that would never fly in reverse. But hey, if you're smiling it doesn't matter what you say, right? Same with Carlos Mencia, only he isn't even remotely funny.

Miquel

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:31:37 -0500

"blanket pigeon-holing of the entire gothamist readership as courageless, isolated white folks. but thanks for your 'cultural education'." ...Never used the words: entire, couragless, isolated, or white folks, but good try. I also usually qualify things that don't apply to all as most. I agree w/ Ace. Some people are just so rigid and stubborn that no matter what they have to stay the course...

Ace

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:15:54 -0500

I find it amazing that some people are actually trying to defend Richards in this. For anyone who watched him on Letterman, you could tell that he wasn't going to try. He was deeply ashamed, and rightfully so. End. What can he possibly do to make it right? Nothing. Its out there, and, based on what I saw last night, it doesn't necessarily seem to be a representation of him as person. So why is everyone here acting out their deep seated hatred and racism in response to an apology admonishing that very same thing? Freakin idiots.

J

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:02:03 -0500

supposedly sophisticated NYers who happen to be bored, or are just enjoying voicing their opinions on a subject, and listing to others.......

dug

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:59:10 -0500

did you even hear what the hecklers were saying prior to his racist tirade? no, dig dugg, that's the point. an apology does not 'confirm' anything but regret and an attempt to take a higher road. and miquel, among your other pointless comments, i was referring to your blanket pigeon-holing of the entire gothamist readership as courageless, isolated white folks. but thanks for your 'cultural education'.

nola

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:54:47 -0500

Why does anyone care about this ridiculous story? Does it really matter if some actor is a racist or anti-semite? Will a single life be impacted by the opinions of an idiot who stands in front of cameras reading lines for a living? This story is just another example of the celebrity obsession that afflicts so many supposedly sophisticated NYers.

Miquel

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:38:26 -0500

And like dig dug said, you can see him digging himself deeper. I think he was trying to go several different ways with it and what came out shocked him. Right after he strings five n-bombs together with a clear R at the end of each, he starts to say the word differently, using the n-word with an A. Watch the video. I think he was so mortified by his own words that he immediately started damage control. But he knows it's too late as the crowd starts to disperse and he is left muttering the kind of nonsense I'm guessing people say when they envision their entire life's work being sucked down the tubes...

Hal2814

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:33:30 -0500

Too bad Richards wasn't doing his "comedy" at the Apollo. Then that racist sack of sh*t would find out what heckling really is. Stick a fork in him, he's done.

Miquel

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:16:11 -0500

The video that he appeared in is a SPECIFIC example of Michael Richards referring to an African American as a N-, 5 times. The content, which I have viewed speaks for itself. Richards himself appeared on Letterman to apologize for his comments, which simply confirms that this actually happened and he is responsible for saying those things. There is very little you could do to explain his actions to me or provide context that would in any way lead me to the conclusion that these are not racist comments. I never said Michael Richards was racist. I don't know him. These comments are. I never said the hecklers' use of cracker was OK, I just agree with him that the comments were uncalled for and inapproriate. Specific enough?

dig dugg

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:12:50 -0500

The patron said "Cracker" as he was leaving the club. So that would mean AFTER Richards dropped the N bombs and lynchings and how much money he has. After the "cracker" remark, Richards said something like, oh, is that a threat? The "that's what you get for messing with the white man" was sooooo early on. If you notice Richards look to his Left when addressing the heckler. Then as the heckler leaves the club he addresses him center stage. I can't get enough of this video, he keeps digging himself a bigger hole each time I see it.

lani

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:02:52 -0500

This is so silly, haha of course it looks sincere. He's an actor, they pay him big bucks to ACT!

dug

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:55:30 -0500

Michael Richards: "That's what you get for messing with the WHITE MAN!!!" Yeah. That definitely is not racist at all. was that before or after the heckler made racist comments toward him? oh, you don't know? perhaps he was fighting on the same level as the heckler? that's not racism, that's taking the bait. but since we don't know, let's just call him a racist for good measure, eh? more pointless blanket assumptions please, miquel. you're on a roll.

national buffoon

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:36:45 -0500

Black people post on Gothamist? How do you know that? You can see through people's monitors? You can see who is typing what? OK, what am I? and I'll give you one chance. One can be whoever they want on the Internet. It's only when they cross the line and visit the Dateline house is when they get caught.

Irritated

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:32:21 -0500

"Kalda, who I worked closely with would get all sassy with me" That's racist.

Mark

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:27:24 -0500

Michael Richards is an idiot!!! He should have made a song called "Throw the Nigger down the well" and made a movie about it as Kramer and talk to people on the street with scripted reality and he would have made millions like Borat.

miquel

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:26:21 -0500

Pickles- You didn't know? Gothamist bloggers are particularly fond of racism. And if the topic is not Race specifically, they make it racial with hateful comments about poor black people from behind their monitors... Not all of you, but most of you make me hope you don't reprouce and spread the disease to your kids..

loo

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:20:59 -0500

Michael Richards: "That's what you get for messing with the WHITE MAN!!!" Yeah. That definitely is not racist at all.

pickles

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:20:11 -0500

why is this posted on gothamist?

jj

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:19:18 -0500

Everyone's a little bit racist It's true. But everyone is just about As racist as you! If we all could just admit That we are racist a little bit, And everyone stopped being So PC Maybe we could live in - Harmony! Christmas Eve: Evlyone's a ritter bit lacist!

Desk Sgt.

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:18:37 -0500

Racism is a disease. Some of us suffer it ALL the time, others go thru periodic outbreaks. Some fortunate ones are even immune. Just read some of the comments posted here by black readers and you'll see that underneath the surface they also have the illness lurking. Black, white, yellow or whatever, we've ALL said something regretful at one time or another about other races. Difference is; most of us don't work with live microphones on stage when it happened. Give Michael a break. He's OBVIOUSLY distraught and handled his apology well. He seemed sincere and remorseful. What the fu*k else can you expect from a fellow human-being?.

Reg!

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:18:23 -0500

Dude, he said 50 years ago he would have stuck a fork up him, and that's what you get for interrupting a white man(arguably, the only thing close to a joke, lol). While the firestorm would have been as big if it was just the n-word, it wasn't just the n word in this case.

according to wikipedia

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:16:41 -0500

"please" actually, in the late 60s the NAACP asked the public to refer to their people as "Afro-Americans." This later changed to African-Americans. so its not offensive. And if it is, make up your mind.

dug

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:15:27 -0500

he was pissed and went for the most hurtful comments he could find. that's not necessarily racism. if people didn't take such deep offense to a simple word, it would disarm so many. in the end, you only feed the fire with PC / censorship and give people something more to hurt you with.

Miquel

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:08:26 -0500

Good question Aileen. More people should ask rather than assume. Anyone posting here definitely needs the dialogue. these are some ideas based on my experience... It is also a slippery slope. Afro-American is from the 60's and 70's. No one uses it anymore unless they haven't referred to black people since the 60's or 70's. The term black or blacks is still often used, but as my friend Monica says "it makes me feel like a crayon'. She'd prefer African American. My W. Indian roomate, D, hates African American, as it masks his Jamaican heritage. So he would prefer W. Indian in reference to himself and Black Americans in reference at large. Kalda, who I worked closely with would get all sassy with me when I'd say African American because 'it's too snooty'. 'Look at me, " she'd say "I'm black". In mixed company, I say 'people of color', because it allows me to include everyone of the non-white majority. So as you can see, the reality is that you should never assume. you should get to know someone before using emotionally charged words that may have historical meaning to others. Each of us is an individual and is very different black or white. I think the problem on Gothamist is clear. Most of the white people who post here have NO black friends. If you do, I'd dare you to share ANY of your comments here and see how they react.

Please

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:02:09 -0500

Are you really asking how "Afro-Americans" is offensive? Think on that for second and maybe it will come to you.

Reg!

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:00:37 -0500

Chapelle's telling JOKES. Same way Sarah Silverman can say the word, and while some people get mad, she's not on Letterman apologizing. Are they wrong, perhaps. And, even for Jessie his 'hymietown' comment from 20 years ago still dogs him. I am surprised at the lengths everyone is going to defend Richards. To the other anon, all I can go by is the tape which starts right when everything goes wrong, so I don't know if they were getting racial first with their heckling, or if it was a response to Richards going there(the video clip making the rounds makes it looks they called him cracker after the fact). Regardless, I disagree that it was part of a joke, he clearly lost control.

Georgia Cracker

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:56:26 -0500

"Why isn't anyone culturally competent in the least? It seems that people are always more worried about their 'side' being 'right' than having open dialogue about the realities of race and class in NYC/America." Exactly!

anonymass

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:50:30 -0500

Easy question: if 'whitey' is acceptable, is 'blackie'? Didn't think so. Racism certainly exists everywhere in this country, but it isn't the one-way street some people would like to portray. I find it remarkable some of the content that Dave Chappelle delivers with nary a comment - an equivalent white comic would never get the free pass to make such racist cariacatures without hordes of ACLU and NAACP officials swarming in, not to mention Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton et al.

Anonymous

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:48:36 -0500

Reg!, I never said blacks never heckle blacks. I suggest you read my comments again. Although, these blacks seemed to have something against Michael in the begining due to their heckling. In combination with their racist comments, a pattern of racism seems to emerge. Ultimately, there is no way for us to know how they would treat a black comic, but they have given us a pretty good idea. I don't know what the hecklers looked like other than they were black. My point was that it is customary for comedians to make fun of their hecklers. Michael went too far in this case. There is no doubt he was angry, but he was attempting to be funny at the same time. I think those that see anything else are reading their own bias into this.

Kojak

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:47:58 -0500

I'm sorry, but cracker Michael Richards was grasping at straws the entire night and tried to add shock value to his routine. GOOD comedians can use any bad word in the book and make it funny. Richards Failed miserably in that respect.

jammer

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:29:57 -0500

he could have called the hecklers any EXPLETIVE in the foul-mouthed canon. ANYTHING. asshole, fuckfaces, dickheads, ANYTHING. but he had to go there. I think he's more sorry for his career (whatever vestiges of one he's had left since the end of Seinfeld, and the Problem Child franchise) more than he's sorry for his internalized racism. Any of us are capable of ignorance and fear. That's the seat of discrimination. At least he admits that much. and for the record, Sarah Silverman is only anything because she's attractive. Not because she's particularly funny. and yes, i get her humor. If only she were groundbreaking (sigh).

nabisco saltine

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:27:05 -0500

The audience guy said "cracker" after Richards crazy tirade. And, before he dropped the bombs he mentions how much money he has. So, he made it personal and racist from the get go. You don't make an apology on a late night talk show at 11:35pm. That's what you have an Agent/PR guy for. This guy is racist to his bone and now the whole world knows it.

Miquel

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:24:26 -0500

edEx- Q: What's worse than a racist? A: Anyone who considers what Richards said a 'joke' edEx said: "what michael richards did (his reaction to the heckler) was bad. he apologized... there's not much else he can do except therapy for his rage. i'm sure he's not racist. he didn't come to the stage that night and plan to piss off the blacks in the audience, the joke failed, but the hecklers are at fault as well." So first, it is his rage that he needs to work on not his bigotry? What? You are SURE he is not a racist. Sure? SURE? After watching that clip and his apology, you are SURE he is not a racist. Dude! You are ready to vouch for someone you've never met. Why? Beacuse he's white ? He did not PLAN to piss off the blacks, so because he did it inadvertantly, that's OK? That probably didn't dehumanize them as much as if it were pre-meditated. Douche. Lastly, I saw NO joke. It was not meant to be funny, nor was it a part of the act. He totally flipped out and went where no white people should ever go. Why isn't anyone culturally competent in the least? It seems that people are always more worried about their 'side' being 'right' than having open dialogue about the realities of race and class in NYC/America.

Reg!

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:24:07 -0500

Um, black hecklers heckle black comics all the time. Its probably even more often in black comedy shows then not (on the flipside, black comics, even bad ones, tend to be ruthlessly witty when dealing with them just because of the past trials by fires). I don't see how anything in the act was funny, it was clearly off the cuff non comedic ranting. In the past ive seen celebs/comics get taken to task for people being waaaaay too PC, but I don't think anyone non-biased could listen and find any even attempt at jokes in the rant. He lost his cool, period. If the hecklers were fat, short, he would have made jokes along those lines. And probably the hecklers were fat or short...he's the one who decided to go for a bee line towards the race card. And even that, could have been in bad taste but FUNNY. The set became a stream of conciousness hate speech.

Anonymous

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:15:01 -0500

If Michael Richards is a racist, then so are the black hecklers in the audience that made racist remarks back to him. While I understand their anger toward Michael, they did exactly the same thing they were upset with Michael for -- involving race while expressing anger. Those black hecklers proved they are no better and should not be excused. Here's something else to ponder, would the black hecklers have heckled a black comic? I'm betting not. Michael has provided a sincere apology. I don't believe he is racist. I believe if the hecklers were fat, he would have made a fat joke, if they were short, he would have made a short joke. While he shouldn't have said what he said, it isn't evidence of racism or that he is a racist. He simply said some things that he knew would upset the hecklers while attempting to be funny at the same time. Obviously, this backfired miserably. We have seen similar situations with other comics play out in the past without race being involved.

Reg!

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:12:39 -0500

The OJ comment wasn't to rile up the other side, just him pointing out that some posters seem to be giving Richards a pass out of skin color, same way OJ gets a pass amoung certain africian american's for the same reason. There's really no explanation for the rant, especially considering the length and how venomous it was...those are just not one time 'I was angry at the moment' views.

aileen

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:12:33 -0500

"Calling them "the blacks" and "Afro-Americans" conotates racism for me." So then what is the correct term to use?

famdoc

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:07:10 -0500

First of all, Michael Richards looked terrible...I mean terrible. His friends and agent should take care of him. I really had the sense of someone who was completely and utterly distraught. Suicidal or likely to go on a drug or alcohol binge. No matter how despicable his words, the man needs some help and needs it now. As for his words, they were dispicable. Racist. No different than Mel Gibson or million other racists/anti-Semites/homophobes. I've heard some compare his tirade to Lenny Bruce. I believe the comparison is flawed: Lenny Bruce was in control of his routine. Richards was clearly out of control. I hope he rehabilitates himself and turns this into something constructive.

danx appalled

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:04:48 -0500

thank you, appalled. The OJ thing was meant to rile up the other side. And, there's too many questions for me to make a judgement regarding Brown and Goldman. Anyway, if there's any truth to the ole boys network, you're seeing it now.

Tim N.

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:01:44 -0500

Michael Richards only crime? He wasn't funny. I once heard it said that only a person without a racist bone in their body (and there are few of them) can truly tell a racist joke (with or without the N-word), and make it funny. It's not so much the words he used, it's the fact that the joke never materialized. He tried to go there, but he couldn't make it. Probably because (like many of us) he maybe had one or two racist bones in his body, somewhere. Paul Rodriguez said this morning that he was sitting in the audience thinking, "Michael, I'm getting old, get to the punch line!" And it never came. People laugh because they see a truth. But rather than point up our common fears and prejudices (a la, say, someone like Ricahrd Pryor or to a lesser degree Sarah Silverman) he just let go with his own rage and hate. As Jerry might say: Fear, funny. Hate, not funny. Does he come back? Hard to say, but doubt it. Mostly because, when he's not Kramer, he's not funny.

appalled

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:52:26 -0500

sta outta da kitchen has a good point, however poorly put -- you can't be angry at mel gibson and not forgive him for his awful comments, and then turn around and say it's ok for michael richards and he should be forgiven. i'm not really sure what oj has to do with this, as i don't think that he murdered nicole because she was white... more like he was a jealous lunatic.

career suicide

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:49:48 -0500

How do you know he's a racist and wasn't just trying to use the most hurtful words he could come up? Sounds like he has rage issues more than anything. He wanted to hurt the hecklers. Makes more sense than Mel Gibson lashing out at Jews with no prompting whatsoever.

homo

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:45:10 -0500

UGGH. I hate Jerry Seinfeld. The dude was soooo smug on the David Letterman show. When the audience laughed at Michael Richards he was like "DOn't Laugh! It's not funny!" but it fucking was Hilarious. It was like David Letterman was trying to coax Michael Richards into saying exactly what happened and Richards was trying to skirt the issue. It was classic Ricky Gervais humiliation. It was funny as hell. And you know that Seinfeld being a comedian makes fun of every race. I remember Seinfeld having jokes about chinese people in his stand up.

sta outta da kitchen

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:39:28 -0500

Hecklers are part of the job of being a comedian. If you can't handle that, then don't be a comedian. OH, that and he's a racist. don't deny it whitey. funny how truths come out when alcohol is involved and a stand up gig. How can you forgive him? If you forgive him, I forgive OJ, OK whitey boy?

appalled

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:39:02 -0500

wow, nothing brings out anti-semitism like racism, i guess. both are wrong. jojo's comments are deplorable, and he's a hypocrite.

buttery

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:37:20 -0500

Marie, it's probably no different than the hidden doubts that lurk in most of us for others who aren't like ourselves (not just race, but class, style, religion, etc). In times of stress, don't you find yourself thinking horrible thoughts about the bitch on the sidewalk in front of you, or the asshole in the train? I'd imagine this was probably an extreme case, further triggered by the high of performing or whatever. It's NO excuse for what he did, but I think it helps to see it on a smaller scale...by the same token I assume there are plenty who would react in the same way about my skin color. I don't take it personally.

Irritated

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:37:08 -0500

Marie, I hate you too. Just because...

profillstickybonbon

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:37:05 -0500

David Cross and Sarah Silverman both use the n word in their routines and are met with little outcry. It's not that word that did him in, it was the painful manner in which he did it and the seeming lack of humor involved. Richards' routine veered out of control quickly by the most obvious of comidic foes, the heckler, and his best defense was a Torrette's inspired stream of conscious rant? Unprofessional and awful. See more unfortunate and awkward events play out in the Seinfeld Season 7 DVD set, in stores now!

Please

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:35:07 -0500

I'm not buying his apology. Calling them "the blacks" and "Afro-Americans" conotates racism for me. If one of my white friends used either of those terms in conversation, it would bother me. Don't even get me started on his use of the n word. White people need to get the memo that it will NEVER be ok to use that word. You think if some white people were heckling him he would have gone off like that? Doubtful.

edEx

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:33:16 -0500

it's a doiuble standard we live in. what michael richards did (his reaction to the heckler) was bad. he apologized... there's not much else he can do except therapy for his rage. i'm sure he's not racist. he didn't come to the stage that night and plan to piss off the blacks in the audience, the joke failed, but the hecklers are at fault as well. hecklers in comedy always exist, they're the real-life assholes of the world. they're the same people who whistle at women on the street, they're the same douche bags who talk loudly on the subway so everyone can hear them, the heckler is that guy or girl in the movie whos phone rings, they're the ones who command respect, but have none. they're the losers, the people no one really likes or wants to be around. *His reputation is broken...and maybe unfixable* not true. he's not ruined at all. he'll do something in a few months to fix all this.

Questions & Answers

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:31:31 -0500

Richards apology seemed sincere to me. He looked shaken and he seemd very contrite. Hey, like it or not there's a little bit of racism in many people in the US-- even in the year 2006. And one only has to read some of the posts on this site to see that a lot of them live in the tri-state area.

marie

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:29:57 -0500

Wahahahaha, Nobody! Forgive me, I still have that fork in my ass...

nobody

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:29:07 -0500

and also, its probably much easier to harbor hate in a bubble. when you actually interact with people is when you actually get to like or at least understand them.

jojo

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:28:09 -0500

according to Avenue A. Everyone's a little bit racist sometimes. But Michael Richards was obviously a LOT RACIST. The dude was alluding to lynching and saying "that's what you get when you mess with the white man!". He sounded contrite but bewildered in the Letterman apology and I'm sure the contriteness was more for the fact that he was caught and recorded saying it and it played for the internets. This racsim has been deep rooted. What disturbed me the most was that Jerry Seinfeld actually coaxed him to apologize just so his "SEINFELD LEGACY" would not be tarnished. He needs to sell a lot of those Seinfeld DVD Boxsets for christmas and now everytime people see Kramer they'll think he's the real Soup Nazi. Jerry Seinfeld was busy hawking those DVD's. What a jew move. You know those Seinfeld Get together's where all pretty much racist affairs. And we all know that Jerry's and Anti-dentite.

Betty Ford

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:26:34 -0500

Next he'll say he has a drinking problem and go to rehab.

nobody

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:24:20 -0500

marie: i hate you. but not because of your skin color. because you said 'wake-up call'.

J

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:23:08 -0500

O.K. to be sorry now... Instead of screaming the N-bomb how about.. Hey guys could ya give me a break, I'm trying to work here...! His reputation is broken...and maybe unfixable

Marie

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:20:44 -0500

It was a wake up call for me. If a rich, famous, living in a luxurious bubble guy can harbor all that hate against me because of my skin color --what do the rest of ya'll feel??

n

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:18:30 -0500

ben, did you watch the segment at all? he DID own up! he's really upset about it and seems genuinely sorry. it's good he's taken responsibility for what he said and is trying to make amends. i honestly feel bad for the guy. he's a quirky fellow who made a mistake. he deserves another chance.

djca

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:16:30 -0500

He should just have followed that Seinfeld episode --- go to the heckler's workplace and heckle him there while he's working.

Ben

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:09:29 -0500

Right... he's not a racist, he doesn't think those things in the back of his mind- those words were put in his mouth during an alien abduction when he was a little child after they touched him in ways that made him cry. And they implanted a chip in his brain to explode in racist-speak on demand. That's what really happened. People- especially famous ones- need to own up to the crap that goes on in their minds when it slips out. It would be so much more refreshing if someone who slipped up publicly were to admit that they struggle with seeing other people in equal lighting, but that they are trying and taking concrete steps to realization. Maybe then the larger society as a whole would be able to engage in real dialogue and do away with the PC pretenses.

Ace

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:50:40 -0500

It was a surreal exchange. Richards was really wearing his heart on his sleeve. You could tell it was coming out at an unfiltered pace, very earnest . . . But for chrissakes, man. Indefensible comments. I hope the people he insulted in the audience forgive him.