Posted on 11/19/2004 10:27:24 AM PST by squirt-gun
U.S. National - AP Radio Host Calls Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Fri Nov 19,12:33 AM ET
U.S. National - AP
By JAMES A. CARLSON, Associated Press Writer
MILWAUKEE - A radio talk show host drew criticism Thursday after calling Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) 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 (news - web sites)'s national security adviser and was named this week to replace the departing Colin Powell (news - web sites) 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 (news, bio, voting record), 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.
___
Associated Press writer JR Ross in Madison contributed to this story.
Don't worry. Jesse Jackson and the NAACP will defend Condi!
Gotta use the FR search function too.
"Aunt Jemia??"
These liberals just can't get over losing, can they? Have the demorats even PUT a person of color or a woman in as high a position as Bush has? (Except on a bed, of course.) Cheez.
These liberals just can't get over losing, can they? Have the demorats even PUT a person of color or a woman in as high a position as Bush has? (Except on a bed, of course.) Cheez.
What does a liberal have to do to be called a racist? I mean does this A-hole have to burn a cross on her lawn?
OOPS, sorry for the burp.
He said Thursday night that he was referring to remarks by singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte…
Scared little racist boy, running to hide behind a big famous black man for protection.
Chickenshit.
Should we find the phone number and increase the calls by 100 fold?
Well, heck, who cares what goes on in Madison, WI? The place is full of whack-jobs(no, that's not fair to whack-jobs - I guess I'll have to apologize). :)
Because this guy is a leftist, it is unlikely any action will be taken against him for his racism. However, because he is a white leftist, there is a SMALL chance he might be sanctioned. Any conservative, white or black, who said anything the least bit racist, would be fired.
She is Aunt Jemima's little sister.
Ah liberals the party of the compassionate and tolerant!
No, but Clinton put poor Betty Curry in a difficult position.
Jemia? Copy and Paste are your friends.
OMG, that's funny! Maybe she is related to Uncle Tim of Uncle Tim's Cabin fame.
What a sad "dis-organization".
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