Michael Richards....i loved your performance in Transylvania 6-5000.

You racist douchebag.





christ, i need a drink and a smoke.....




sorted.

Michael Richards would be perfect for the lead in Mamet's Edmond. Seriously.

You know, I would really like to know what the heckler said to Richards before the footage started. I would think that it was more than a little "good natured heckling" in order to set him off like that. Personally I found the joke/insult that opened the taped footage somewhat funny, in a shocking sort of way. Evidently, based on the audience's response, I was not alone. I will guess that this is because the heckler was acting like an obnoxious douche, and the audience was fed up his behavior as well. While Richards should not have used the "n-word," there was no excuse for the ugly, racist words the heckler than called Richards, such as "fuckin cracker ass," & "fuckin white boy." I think its interesting, but not surprising, the way the media has covered this incident & their selective use of clips from the footage. I did not see any media coverage of the ugly words the heckler calls Richards.
H-GM, I appreciate where you are coming from, although I do not agree with much of your (original) post in this thread. But thank you for sharing your perspective with the board on this thread. While I think starting a serious, frank, open discussion on here about sensitive racial issues in the US would be interesting, I think it would be a fruitless endeavor that would more likely degenerate into name calling, rather than open dialogue. I do think its interesting, especially in regards to comedy in the US, how it is not okay (and apparently is national news when it happens) if a white comedian uses the "n-word" to refer to a black person during an act, while it is perfectly okay for a black comedian (Chris Rock springs to mind) to refer to whites as "crackers," or for a hispanic comedian to refer to whites as "gringoes." Just some food for thought.

somniferum wrote:H-GM, I appreciate where you are coming from, although I do not agree with much of your (original) post in this thread. But thank you for sharing your perspective with the board on this thread. While I think starting a serious, frank, open discussion on here about sensitive racial issues in the US would be interesting, I think it would be a fruitless endeavor that would more likely degenerate into name calling, rather than open dialogue. I do think its interesting, especially in regards to comedy in the US, how it is not okay (and apparently is national news when it happens) if a white comedian uses the "n-word" to refer to a black person during an act, while it is perfectly okay for a black comedian (Chris Rock springs to mind) to refer to whites as "crackers," or for a hispanic comedian to refer to whites as "gringoes." Just some food for thought.

I still don't understand what's not to get about it not being okay for white person to call a black person "nigger." My friends are pretty much in agreement that I usually resort to hyperbole and heavy-handed tactics in order to try and get a point across, so maybe the issue of white people calling black people "niggers" got lost in my original post. I'm also involved in a twenty-eight page thread on another board about this subject so I could just be getting tired of stating the same point over and over again.

In regard to the comedic angle of using racially-charged insults, "cracker," and "gringo (sp)," don't carry the same emotional, historical, and psychological weight as the word "nigger." Also, as stated earlier, Michael Richards wasn't engaged in comedic banter. He was verbally assaulting a black heckler by calling him a "nigger" over and over.

Let me also state that I don't think it's okay for blacks to use this word in regard to ourselves as well. It's ignorant, and well-established by this point that its continued useage doesn't strip any sort of power from it.

It's just a horrible word and I feel so wrecked every time I hear someone say it; even from my own people, but it's one million times worse hearing it used as an insult from someone who isn't black.

8 Pages of posts and none of you smartasses have made a joke about 'if only he'd had Heckler Spray'?

You're slipping.

In regard to the comedic angle of using racially-charged insults, "cracker," and "gringo (sp)," don't carry the same emotional, historical, and psychological weight as the word "nigger."

uh...yeah, not for you.

the easiest way to remove all the emotional, historical and psychological weight and hate and nastiness of the word "nigger" is to realize that it IS ONLY A WORD. if someone says it to you and you take offense then punch them in the face or tell them to get fucked like most people do when they get insulted. dont stand outside a comedy club and protest michael richards. thats just dumb.

cervixFORaHEart wrote:the easiest way to remove all the emotional, historical and psychological weight and hate and nastiness of the word "nigger" is to realize that it IS ONLY A WORD.

Here's some words describing you:

Idiot, Jackass, Moron, Ignorant, Dork, Cretin, Loser, Stupid.

Many more available, some even more descriptive.

I was under the impression that words are important to language and communication. I guess you mostly gesture or make grunting sounds.

cervixFORaHEart wrote:

In regard to the comedic angle of using racially-charged insults, "cracker," and "gringo (sp)," don't carry the same emotional, historical, and psychological weight as the word "nigger."

uh...yeah, not for you.

if you can tell me at what point there were "cracker" slaves and "gringo" slaves, I'll stop thinking you're the dumbest. deal? thanks!

How about when all the "crackers" and "gringos" couldn't vote? How about all the "cracker" and "gringo" separate water fountains? Or when the cops sicced the dogs on the "crackers" or that time when they turned the hoses on all those "goddamn gringos"? None of those things happened you say?

the easiest way to remove all the emotional, historical and psychological weight and hate and nastiness of the word "nigger" is to realize that it IS ONLY A WORD. if someone says it to you and you take offense then punch them in the face or tell them to get fucked like most people do when they get insulted.

that would be a physical manifestation of being offended. If it's "just a word" (stupid) then that shouldn't be an option either. you are admitting that it is offensive.

dont stand outside a comedy club and protest michael richards. thats just dumb.

I don't think anyone is doing that.



Troll.

cervixFORaHEart wrote:

In regard to the comedic angle of using racially-charged insults, "cracker," and "gringo (sp)," don't carry the same emotional, historical, and psychological weight as the word "nigger."

uh...yeah, not for you.

the easiest way to remove all the emotional, historical and psychological weight and hate and nastiness of the word "nigger" is to realize that it IS ONLY A WORD. if someone says it to you and you take offense then punch them in the face or tell them to get fucked like most people do when they get insulted. dont stand outside a comedy club and protest michael richards. thats just dumb.

I like you!

Never once in this thread have I advocated, or, supported any action taken against Michael Richards aside from condeming what he said.

If you think that "cracker" and "nigger" carry the same weight then you are clearly out of your tree.

i give up.

words are scary.

you win.