Posted on 11/19/2004 7:39:47 PM PST by Paul Atreides
MADISON, Wis. -- A radio talk show host who called Condoleezza Rice an "Aunt Jemima" issued an apology Friday, but not to Rice.
"It is with a heavy heart that I apologize this morning to Aunt Jemima," John "Sly" Sylvester said on WTDY-AM in Madison. "She wasn't a self-serving hack politician who got up in front of Congress and lied. Aunt Jemima didn't kowtow to Don Rumsfeld or Dick Cheney."
Sylvester made his comments in conjunction with a giveaway of Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup to listeners. Sylvester, who is white, said he called Rice "Aunt Jemima" on Wednesday's show to describe her and other black officials as having only a subservient role in the Bush administration. He also referred to Secretary of State Colin Powell as an "Uncle Tom" _ a contemptuous term for black people whose behavior toward whites is regarded as fawning or servile.
NAACP president Kweisi Mfume said people who make such remarks "are just as bad as those who hide under sheets and burn crosses." Mfume said Rice is "an example of how far hard work, education and determination can take one to new heights."
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz called Sylvester's remarks "racially insensitive," while Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold said he joined all Wisconsin residents in rejecting the statements.
Tom Walker, general manager for Mid-West Family Broadcast Group, which owns the station, said he doesn't agree with Sylvester's statements but defended his right to free speech.
"He has the right to do it and say it," Walker said after Friday morning's broadcast. "As long as he isn't hateful and as long as he isn't racist, I'm fine with it."
Sylvester told listeners he would resign if his employer lost advertisers or was hurt by the uproar over his comments.
He said Aunt Jemima was really a "strong, independent black woman" named Nancy Green. Born a slave in Kentucky, Green was hired in the 1890s to advertise the pancake mix.
"Aunt Jemima never lied about yellow cake uranium, she just makes a damn good pancake," Sylvester said.
The incident came after Mark Belling of WISN Radio in Milwaukee had his talk show taken off the air all of last week after using the word "wetback" to refer to undocumented Mexican immigrants. That sparked protests from the Hispanic community.
He often talks about his mother who has long been an activist for Planned Parenthood. Hates Bush, loves all Unions, has no clue about how business or economics works therefore business is evil, rabidly pro-drugs, pro-choice and anti-death penalty -- sounds like the typical lib, right? Except he likes guns. So that makes him a Libertarian by his definition.
Won't happen. Donovan McNabb's butt will be handed to him by Tom Brady.
Tom is yesterday's vunderkind. The parity in the NFL made the Pats look better than they are.
Remember who ended that record-breaking streak?
DECISIVELY...It wasn't even a game.
ping
Here might be a good source:
http://www.madisonsource.com/viewpage.php3?id=11
"Here might be a good source:"
Thanks. I noticed from the link that this station is part of Mid-west Family Broadcasting. We live in ironic times.
See my post 69.
There is no shame, honor, or integrity in the leftists. They are racists of the worse kind, and I only hope someday the African American's in this nation will finally catch on to this. What a slime.
bumping. Love that movie.
>>>Well, Lawrence O'Donnell did say that the Blue States have all of the wealth.
The dictators. Not the working class.
"Tom is yesterday's vunderkind."
Wishful thinking. Tom is just fine.
"The parity in the NFL made the Pats look better than they are."
What? I'd say the past 23 games speak for themselves.
"Remember who ended that record-breaking streak?"
Yep. Thanks for the wakeup call. See you in the playoffs.
Sooooo-EEEEEEE!
Well he certainly has the perfect face for radio! (Maybe he should lay of the cheese for a while and have a salad or something)
Yes I did. In fact I heard reports of this before reading the article as well.
Why?
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