Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Michael Richards.
I am sure everyone by now has watched the rant by Michael Richards, aka-'Kramer', on Reuben's blog or directly via You-tube, so here's the letterman interview.
http://hotair.com/archives/2006/11/21/video-michael-richards-apologizes-on-letterman/
Now, The interview itself doesn't solve or say much; however, while watching it, it made me think.
Everyone has a racial boiling-point. Some have it to more extensive degrees than others, but in the end, everyone has it.
I've thought about it a number of times, when someone of the other race just absolutely pisses you off. Sure I'd probably get pissed off more easily than others about certain things, but when someone pisses you off, you get angry and attack them in any way you can.
A couple years back when I had umpired a Cricket game and a bunch of black guys started swearing at me--whilst spewing idol threats--I wanted to call them all niggers and send them packing back to Africa. Why? Am I racist for even thinking that?
You see, a lot of bad things have happened to many communities through racial means. You have the Apartheid from South Africa; the tortures that took place during the British Colonization of India; the Americans with the blacks, etc... Let's use the latter as a means of explanation:
A situation occurs when a person pisses you off to no end. No minor pet-peeves, just absolute, unquestionable belligerence. For me, I start to think of all the bad things that should happen to him, and almost hope for it. Then I am reminded of a time when his community suffered through means of pain and wish that on him. The person happens to be black and I happen to be pissed; What happens? I wish back for slavery so that this sand-nigger can get his 'comeuppance'. He's the sole reason why some people keep their inherent racism and stereotypes about 'bad' black people. So I wish it on him; I don't hate other black people and hope they live in harmony; but I hate this mother fucker and want him to get hung by a noose.
Had the person been Asian, I'd want his ass deported back to China. To a communist nation where he can be a peasant. Not saying that I think this way about China, but I would have hoped that on him.
The fact is, when you get mad, you are susceptible for taking the racial-route. This is, in no way, a justification for anything but it is a rationale. I wouldn't question anybody based on their race, but if a circumstance arises, in which I shall use their race and heritage as fuel for hateful comments because that person was an asshole to me, then that is precisely why it would happen.
Again, I don't condone this type of behaviour, but just like to add some insight as to why people act a certain way at times. Perhaps in lieu of what happened, people can share a broader vision, than simply label him as a 'racist'.
http://hotair.com/archives/2006/11/21/video-michael-richards-apologizes-on-letterman/
Now, The interview itself doesn't solve or say much; however, while watching it, it made me think.
Everyone has a racial boiling-point. Some have it to more extensive degrees than others, but in the end, everyone has it.
I've thought about it a number of times, when someone of the other race just absolutely pisses you off. Sure I'd probably get pissed off more easily than others about certain things, but when someone pisses you off, you get angry and attack them in any way you can.
A couple years back when I had umpired a Cricket game and a bunch of black guys started swearing at me--whilst spewing idol threats--I wanted to call them all niggers and send them packing back to Africa. Why? Am I racist for even thinking that?
You see, a lot of bad things have happened to many communities through racial means. You have the Apartheid from South Africa; the tortures that took place during the British Colonization of India; the Americans with the blacks, etc... Let's use the latter as a means of explanation:
A situation occurs when a person pisses you off to no end. No minor pet-peeves, just absolute, unquestionable belligerence. For me, I start to think of all the bad things that should happen to him, and almost hope for it. Then I am reminded of a time when his community suffered through means of pain and wish that on him. The person happens to be black and I happen to be pissed; What happens? I wish back for slavery so that this sand-nigger can get his 'comeuppance'. He's the sole reason why some people keep their inherent racism and stereotypes about 'bad' black people. So I wish it on him; I don't hate other black people and hope they live in harmony; but I hate this mother fucker and want him to get hung by a noose.
Had the person been Asian, I'd want his ass deported back to China. To a communist nation where he can be a peasant. Not saying that I think this way about China, but I would have hoped that on him.
The fact is, when you get mad, you are susceptible for taking the racial-route. This is, in no way, a justification for anything but it is a rationale. I wouldn't question anybody based on their race, but if a circumstance arises, in which I shall use their race and heritage as fuel for hateful comments because that person was an asshole to me, then that is precisely why it would happen.
Again, I don't condone this type of behaviour, but just like to add some insight as to why people act a certain way at times. Perhaps in lieu of what happened, people can share a broader vision, than simply label him as a 'racist'.
Comments:
I agree. And I hope some day people will forgive him for what he said. It was pretty horrible, but like you said, everybody has their boiling point.
You know what's funny, there was a black comedian that was interviewed on CNN yesterday who sorta said what you said, calling it a "really bad day at work." Coincidentally enough, I actually thought about you wishing ill on those black guys from the cricket game when I saw the Richards clip.
Btw, Sand-niggers are Arabs. Get your racial slurs right.
Btw, Sand-niggers are Arabs. Get your racial slurs right.
who's to say that they weren't arab, biatch?
Okay, so they weren't, but that doesn't change shit. Btw, there's no conclusive evidence that Sand niggers are Arabs. According to wikipedia, they're middle-eastern, but there's no citation stated.
Okay, so they weren't, but that doesn't change shit. Btw, there's no conclusive evidence that Sand niggers are Arabs. According to wikipedia, they're middle-eastern, but there's no citation stated.
I can understand what you're getting at, although I don't really see things like that, personally. I normally just stick to regular ol' vengeful thoughts, i.e. gets run over by a bus, etc etc.
And another thing I caught, for you the grammar-nazi (although I hesitate using that phrase, what with the content of the post and what not):
"This is, in no way, a justification for anything but it is a rationale."
Commas aren't needed. As it stands, it's an interruptor, and changes the meaning of the statement (i.e., remove the interruptor, should mean the same thing). Soooo, this is kinda how I read it:
"This is a justification..."
I know the rest of the sentence doesn't really work, but I thought it was kinda humourous when I read it...
And another thing I caught, for you the grammar-nazi (although I hesitate using that phrase, what with the content of the post and what not):
"This is, in no way, a justification for anything but it is a rationale."
Commas aren't needed. As it stands, it's an interruptor, and changes the meaning of the statement (i.e., remove the interruptor, should mean the same thing). Soooo, this is kinda how I read it:
"This is a justification..."
I know the rest of the sentence doesn't really work, but I thought it was kinda humourous when I read it...
True. I actually meant to say: "this is not, in any way, a justification...". I realized it after you said it.
While I agree with the racial boiling point thesis, is it credible that Michael Richards' racial boiling point is so low that a couple of hecklers telling him he isn't funny is enough to set him off? I don't know if "My friends don't think you're that funny" is belligerence comparable to that which you faced from the guys who were swearing and spewing idol threats at you. Either Richards is the lamest low-boiler ever, or there's some other factor in play.
And Jamieson, I'm sure people will forgive him, but that shouldn't be his biggest concern. A bigger concern is whether people will still be able to find him as funny as before.
And Jamieson, I'm sure people will forgive him, but that shouldn't be his biggest concern. A bigger concern is whether people will still be able to find him as funny as before.
I still find him funny, based on a Seinfeld episode I watched last night. I don't think him being racist would change that.
Well, if you listen to the apology on letterman, he said that he went into the gig already in a pretty bad mood. The heckling was just the straw that broke him.
I never found him all that amusing myself, as I've never watched Seinfeld regularly. Although, he was alright in a Just for Laughs I saw... but, my point is, I probably won't look at him the same way. Even if Gautam's theory held true.
I never found him all that amusing myself, as I've never watched Seinfeld regularly. Although, he was alright in a Just for Laughs I saw... but, my point is, I probably won't look at him the same way. Even if Gautam's theory held true.
I like to believe people when they make apologies. I thought his apology was sincere, though part of me wonders if he's sorry that he offended the black folks, or sorry because of the subsequent backlash from media and fans alike.
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