Michael Richards And The "N" Word

At first I thought Michael Richards aka Kramer was doing a bit when I saw his rant. When he went on Letterman, he attributed it to rage. Consequently it seems pretty obvious it was his inner racism coming out. But what stuck with me most was a comment by Hispanic comedian Paul Rodriguez, "When a white man uses that word, he has some explaining to do." Or, something to that effect.

Watch this brief two minute video.

I'm not excusing what Richards did. But it seems to me the same people who have denounced Richards the loudest, also defend the tolerance shown to members of the Black community, particularly rappers, who use the epithet all the time. We're told it's simply a form of address. I disagree and I think the usage is mostly used to encourage the worst in individuals.

Certainly nothing about the usage of the word in the second part of the video above is endearing.

The civil rights crowd needs to stop embracing a double standard and level the playing field if it wants to make a case against certain words in the language. The case deserves to be made on principle, not appearance. The appearance doesn't add up to me.

Comments

[Steel]

Dan, the use of racial epithets only serves to perpetuate that usage.

The same applies to stupidity, bad manners, and rude behavior.

The best way to stop something that is wrong from happening, is to stop doing that wrong thing.

That rational human beings do not grasp that very simple fact will haunt me until the day I die.

[hobo]

They been gaming the white man for 200 years and will continue unless people collectively say "enough". You can bet your sweet ass they don't cavort with successful blacks, because the successful ones worked to get their money and don't want to be associated with riffraff. Nobody gave it to them and they have self respect and teach their children not to look for hand outs like most of the blacks continue to do. Jackson and Sharpton will probably try to benefit from the squeeze and with the ACLU and NAACP involved, putting pressure on some weak weasel of a liberal judge, you can bet Richards will become homeless soon. If he called them niggers, I bet you couldn't count the number of times they called each other nigger. Anyone gets pissed off that I used the 'n' word, you can just jump up my white ass, because I was partly raised by Negroes in Texas and I'm very proud of it. The McNarys (successful black family)of Oakland adopted me and consider me black so I have the undisputed privilege of using the word nigger. Any asshole out there gets upset with what I say here, I say go out and get an honest job and develop some self respect. Stop beating your women, tell your sons to marry the girl if he gets her pregnant, stop raping white girls, become a leader for the good of all in your community, become good examples for your children. Then and only then will the white man look for something else to rag on because you will be above all the crap he dumped on you because it was the truth and he was able to get away with it. Stand up and be a man.

In closing, I heard one of the complainers call Richards a "white cracker mother fucker". Sounds to me they broke even.

[chip]

not to defend the Richards remarks & certainly not the spirit in which they were made........but this is not getting the attention of the general public :

http://cbs.sportsline.com/columns/story/9822797/1

wonder if our civil rights leaders....Sharpton/Jackson et al will ever acknowledge the double standard in this country.....racism cuts both ways
but for some reason the definition in America is a white person making remarks about other other ethnic groups........

so the fool that leads the Black Panthers can spout any kind of hateful remarks with no outrage.....& at least by my defintion of racism Jesse is one of the biggest racists in American today.........

but what do i know....i am white & feel people are human.....no matter what color their skin might be.......40+ years after MLK nothing has really changed......it's just been turned around....

[tally]

if it's now acceptable for a few to use the N word, then it should be acceptable for everyone to use it.

[Nazareth]

I don't agree with anyone using racial rhetoric, but on the other foot- Beign a Christian- some pretty vile crap has been thrown my way & guess what? I've survived it just fine as have millions of other Christians #2 While Richards was a moron for doing what he did, he should be countersuing Allred for causing him pain and suffering for attacking him for expressing his views in a country that supposedly protects free speech.

Either we have free speech, or we don't- it would appear that Allred doesn't think free speech applies to racists. As the fella above stated, black folks use deroggatory words toward white folks, but that is protected- change the situation around, and all of a sudden it's a national crisis worthy of a multi million dollar lawsuit?

Glenn Beck brought up a good question to Al Sharpton who was complaining that a black couple went to cracker barrel and had to wait 45 minutes & he accused cracker barrel of racism- A writer emailed Glenn and said they had to wait 45 minutes too, but the difference was that they were white & the staff was black- Glenn asked Al if this was racist- Al hemmed and hawed & incredibly said "Nope"

Hobo I heard them say that too- but I guess Richards doesn't get to play the 'oh I'm so hurt' card like the black folks do

http://sacredscoop.com

[H. Lewis Smith]

BOOK CRITICAL OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO USE THE N-WORD

Los Angeles, CA., Author H. Lewis Smith has written a thought provoking, culturally divided book that will not only spark heated conversation, but can also bring about real change. The N-word is often used in the African American community amongst each other and is generally not a problem when spoken by another African American. However, once the word is used by a Caucasian person, it brings on other effects. The question is "who can use the word and why?" Smith believes it is a word that should be BURIED!!!!

The book is written in a manner that all can understand. The points are well-taken and the wording is easy to follow. There are quotes from great people in our history including Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, James Baldwin and many, many others. Smith has mixed history with honesty, love with life, education with effects. This is a great book for educators, parents, managers, professionals, newsmen, and anyone else wanting an in-depth look at the N-word, the effects and the solutions. A MUST READ!!!!

To learn more about Bury that Sucka, please visit http://www.burythatsucka.com

[patton]

lots of demographics have mean words they use on each other, that others should not use . gays , women , marines , frats , even siblings . why is it so hard for white people to understand the samething applies to the n-word . who says any of these words, determines how they are taken . is that really that hard to understand ?

[Janet Grace Riehl]

What upset me about the hub-bub around Michael Richard's use of "The N Word" is the attacks against Richards were so personal...as if he were the only racist in the room. I believe that there is no way to be white in America without some degree of racist feeling that constantly needs attention to be neutralized and transmuted.