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Post by Organized Chaos on Jan 15, 2009 14:40:56 GMT -5
Jimmie Walker, who played JJ on "Good Times," was on Letterman the other night. Dave asked what he thought about what's going on with current events such as Obama. Walker goes on to say, "I want you guys to realize there's a black President people. New rules! New rules! All white people report to the cotton fields for reorientation." Dave asks, "Really, is that right?" and Walker tells him, "Dave, I got a pair of gloves for you and a pickin outfit. Don't worry about it brother."
Where's the story on CNN and FOX News? Where's Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson, who supposedly fight against any & all racism, not just that committed against black people. (yeah right)
One might say, well he's a comedian and was just being funny. Really, was he? How do you know? He didn't say he was just kidding. Michael Richards was on stage "at work" when he had his outburst but no one said he's just being funny. Maybe Don Imus was just being funny too.
Could you imagine if a white person had told a black person on primetime TV that it was time to get back to the cotton fields? I'm not here to say whether any of these statements are truly racist or not, but to say the hypocrisy is sickening. Many people are afraid to admit that racism travels in all directions, not just whites towards blacks.
Things like this is exactly why electing a black President means nothing for racism in America.
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Post by Connie on Jan 15, 2009 17:03:15 GMT -5
Im surprised this hasn't been all over the news actually.. This is the first I've heard of it..
Let me climb on my soapbox for a minute (it's getting pretty worn out): When I first read the comments you said Jimmy made.. I laughed... they were funny and I can see him saying it.. however, if I understand what you are saying, I would say you are right.
I've been whining for years about racism being one-sided.. Just let me try to start a scholarship for underprivileged causcasion children and watch how fast I would be in court... I can start one for underpriveleged asian children or black children and that would be okay.
On a whole different hand (I only have two you know)... Michael Richards might have been AT work but he was directing his comments to an audience member and not trying to be funny.. Don Imus on the fourth hand.. was trying to be funny (he failed but he was trying)
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Post by tara on Jan 15, 2009 20:35:21 GMT -5
I laughed when I watched him on Letterman but you are right if a white guy had made that comment to a black man all hell would break loose. Michael Richards like Connie said wasn't funny. Don Imus I think made a very poor choice of words, I did not hear his comment with ill intent. But after the fact, it is obvious why it was taken as it was. Again I agree with Connie, it only goes one way. Soon white people will be the minority, maybe then we can have scholarships for underprivileged white kids.
Maybe it's my age but I don't get it, why can't we just have just have those scholarships for underprivileged people? Does being white somehow make you less poor than a black person in the same situation? maybe it's where I live. Honestly until this past year and this election, I never really saw racism. I mean yes I know what it is, yes I read about it and saw it on tv but never really experienced it or saw it first hand. I live in redneck country, admittedly mostly white rednecks. There were maybe 5 black kids I went to school with out of hundreds but I can honestly say I never saw them being treated any differently, They were picked on no more or less or differently than every other kid. I am sure things happened I never saw or people just showed off their ignorance and hatred when I wasn't around but for the most part they were just normal people like everyone else. Now the two brothers who had HIV from a blood transfusion was a different story back in 1990. That brought out the ignorance in full force.
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Post by havingfunnow on Jan 15, 2009 23:19:17 GMT -5
I do not agree with the fact that just because Jimmy Walker is a black comedian makes it acceptable to make such absurd statements. I find it hard to imagine Bill Cosby making such statements. Then again, I believe that Bill Cosby's opinion carries a great deal more weight/influence than a has been actor whose only claim to fame is that he can open his mouth bigger than his head. Maybe he was making such outlandish statements in an effort to get free publicity for a comeback. I think he is better left in the 70's. I will not say that I am without prejudice, as it is a learned behavior, but at least I try to understand Democrats...
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Post by tara on Jan 16, 2009 8:58:21 GMT -5
LMAO Some of my favorite people are Republicans. I love them anyway, everyone has faults.
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Post by Organized Chaos on Jan 16, 2009 12:45:35 GMT -5
As I said, my point wasn't so much whether or not the statements of any of the people I mentioned were truly racist or not, but the hypocrisy in it all.
Michael Richards was being heckled and chose to deal with it very poorly. During the outburst, the black man called Richards a cracker-ass and a F'n white boy. I'm not saying Richards was right for what he said, but we hear words such as cracker & F'n white boy coming from blacks all the time and for some reason it's ok for them to say it.
Imus was referring to the very masculine appearance of the Rutgers players as opposed to the Tennessee players they were against, who he said "all looked cute." He mentioned they all had tattoos and called them "nappy headed hoes." Yes it was a poor choice of words, but I don't think he was referring to their race.
My point is, when these 2 white men said what they said, black rights activists, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and all the major news channels were all over it. Yet nothing happens when a black man says that, thanks to the new black President, all white people will now be picking cotton.
Similar words are being echoed throughout the country now. After the election, I heard a black woman being interviewed who said she never thought this day would come and that she no longer had to work to put gas in her tank or make her house payment. Why would a black person say that? Simply because they think a black President means more handouts to the black race.
I'm just sick & tired of the double standard. I'm proud of my race & my ethnic background but because I'm white, that's considered racist and I'm not allowed to say it or show it.
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Post by Connie on Jan 16, 2009 15:51:02 GMT -5
I do not agree with the fact that just because Jimmy Walker is a black comedian makes it acceptable to make such absurd statements. I don't think anyone said it was acceptable just because it was black? My point was that equality should mean equality... not "this side can do that but that side can't".. I did find his comments funny.. and it wouldn't have mattered to ME who made them but as OC pointed out.. if a man of any other race had made those comments he would be in deep trouble... so where are all the groups that SHOULD be hollering? OC: I am amazed that women said those things about not having to pay for her gas or her house... does she REALLY believe that? Makes me wonder how many others feel the same way... pretty "out there"... if you ask me.
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Post by eileen on Feb 26, 2009 18:01:20 GMT -5
Jimmy Walker is a crappy comidean, he doesn't work much except to pradey his 'dino mite' role of the 70's. Dave must have been desperate for a guest.
And if you actually watched those media outlets you so decry all the time you would here them call out many minorities for the stupid things they say.
Walkers over the top comment was nothing compared to Michael Richards, who just went nuts with hate. As for Imus, he had been talking the trash for years and sometimes getting away with it. By calling these young women nappy headed hoes, he got personnel,he screwed up, he never dreamed how many fans the Rutger girl basket ball team actually had. Besides, Imus is back making a bundle again on the air; thats what he does.
Walker is just kind of stupid. It is what he does.
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Post by Organized Chaos on Feb 26, 2009 18:20:07 GMT -5
And if you actually watched those media outlets you so decry all the time you would here them call out many minorities for the stupid things they say. Fact is, you don't know what I watch & what I don't. So to imply that I don't watch the media outlets I disparage is ridiculous, but typical. I'm sure you think I'm glued to FoxNews and nothing more and if so, you're wrong. Although, in my opinion, even though they are a more conservative news station, they do provide the most balanced newscast and I do prefer them. I've said many times I watch other channels to hear both sides. Whether anyone believes it or not, I don't care. I don't drink the kool-aid. I'm not a mindless sheep. I may lean slightly in one direction but at least I can stand on my own. In the end I saw absolutely no backlash on any of the channels from what Walker said, and I waited & looked for it. If a white person had said it, even if it were only in jest, it would've been all over every station.
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