Posted on 11/19/2004 3:43:24 AM PST by kattracks
MILWAUKEE -- A radio talk show host drew criticism Thursday after calling Condoleezza Rice an "Aunt Jemima" and saying she isn't competent to be secretary of state.John Sylvester, the program director and morning personality on WTDY-AM in Madison, said in a phone interview Thursday that he used the term on Wednesday's show to describe Rice and other blacks as having only a subservient role in the Bush administration.
Rice has served as President Bush's national security adviser and was named this week to replace the departing Colin Powell as secretary of state.
Sylvester, who is white, also referred to Powell as an "Uncle Tom" - a contemptuous term for a black whose behavior toward whites is regarded as fawning or servile.
He said Thursday night that he was referring to remarks by singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte that the price of admittance for blacks to the Bush White House was subservience.
As for Rice, "they're using her for an illusion of inclusion," he said, adding that he feels her history as national security adviser showed a lack of competence.
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz called the remarks "racially insensitive," while Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., said in a statement he joined "all Wisconsinites in rejecting" the statements.
Linda Hoskins of the NAACP's Madison branch said she could not comment on Sylvester's remarks until she had heard them in their entirety.
The station's corporate office received about 100 calls about his comments, Sylvester said.
He added that he has a long history of commitment to civil rights and has supported Madison's black community.
He said he was planning a giveaway on Friday's show of Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup. "I will apologize to Aunt Jemima," he said.
The incident came after a radio host in Milwaukee had his talk show taken off the air all of last week after he used word "wetback" to refer to undocumented Mexican immigrants, sparking protests from Hispanics.
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Associated Press writer JR Ross in Madison contributed to this story.
He characterized Condi as saying, "Yes em, massa Bush".
From her expression here, I'd characterize Condi as saying to this clown, "I haven't slapped a bitch in four weeks, and my slap-a-bitch arm needs a good workout!"
It just shows that he is a socialist. His belief is that anyone that works for someone else is a slave, and he doesn't realize that it includes HIM!
Secretary of State is a "subservient" position for someone? This is new to me. Let`s not forget that the President is subservient to the American people. We are his boss (as John Kerry found out), so I guess this is demeaning to white men. And speaking of Kerry, how many blacks were going to be in his cabinet again? Oh that`s right, zero. But lets make pretend that `Rats are better for blacks than Republicans. Colin Powell, first black man to become Secretary of state. Condi Rice, first black woman to become Secretary of State. Yeah, those Republicans are really terrible towards blacks aren`t they?
"John Sylvester, the program director and morning personality on WTDY-AM in Madison, said in a phone interview Thursday that he used the term on Wednesday's show to describe Rice and other blacks as having only a subservient role in the Bush administration."
John, you have been the "Massa" of black folks long enough with your need to keep them oppressed. Condi Rice, Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, and many others are FREE because they had the courage to think for themselves and to use their extraordinary intellectual talents to get and use the education which freedom offered them. You would like to intimidate them and place a net around them with your ulgy words but it will not happen because black people are onto your schemes and goals and they are not buying it anymore. You just watch as more and more turn to conservatism..
We should call this station and complain!
Translation: Let`s make pretend he never said it, because liberals are allowed to say this sh*t.
They recieved my e-mail yesterday. I trust the rest of you will do the same.
Say that to her face you Bozo.
The flea calling the lion a mouse.
Liberal racist bigot outing himself.
Any successful minoritis are not entitled to rights of any kind!
What is it with the lefties? For 4 years we heard about how Bush is just a puppet. Now suddenly he has become the puppet master.
And you know what will become of it??? Nothing, unless we continue to keep up the pressure to media sources and others who let people get by with garbage like this.
You want hate speech, I got your hate speech right here!
LOL! PING
Secretary of State is subservient? National Security Advisor is subservient? Subordinate maybe .. but to the POTUS, every position in government is subordinate.
Harry Belafonte is qualified to determine who is and is not qualified? daaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyooooooooooo
Well, we are talking Madison, WI here, a little piece of Berkley dropped in the midwest. Maybe there'll be an opening for this clown at Air America. First the Left lost the election, then they lost their so-called minds.
Bravo! Every time I read Dr. Rice/Condi's eloquent responses to racist slurs, I know the Hand of God is on her shoulder. She is a woman of great intelligence, grace, and accomplishment. So proud of her!
What a double standard! They can insult, lie and ultimately cause someone's death and as long as they are doing it, we are supposed to approve. If we just tell the truth about someone, we must be eliminated.
Only if you are black and conservative
Hey Buckwheat!!!...She's a lady with class......
Black American leaders such as athletes, actors, polititions, professors, etc need to come out against these racist statements if they want the country to take seriuosly their desire for an end to racism. It's the black community that needs to stand up and let their voices be heard loud and clear..otherwise vile, disgusting hatred amoung the liberals will continue and set this country back fifty years.
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