Posted on 11/22/2004 1:20:38 PM PST by Mike Fieschko
In the face of furious pressure from across the county, talk radio host John Sylvester has begun to apologize for racial insults he used against members of the Bush administration last week.After he called Secretary of State nominee Condoleeza Rice "an Aunt Jemima" and outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell "an Uncle Tom," Sylvester's initial response was to apologize only to Aunt Jemima.
But now, after news outlets repeated his comments nationally and members of African American groups slammed his comments as ignorant and hurtful, Sylvester has broken from his initial stance, and issued a letter to newspapers today that apologizes to blacks, but continues to deride Rice.
"I'm concerned that I have offended many African Americans by using a crass term to describe an incompetent, dishonest, political appointee of the Bush administration," he wrote. "I apologize. I know the term 'Aunt Jemima' is not complimentary to African American women who have worked so hard and yet receive so little from our great country."
He went on that he "will not, however, apologize for pointing out that while Condoleeza Rice has clearly enjoyed the American Dream, she has allowed herself to be used as a black trophy by an administration who is working so hard to deny that dream to other African American women."
The Urban League of Greater Madison, which last week called for Sylvester to apologize, was not immediately available to respond to Sylvester's letter. Last week, they said that criticizing conservative African Americans by using racial slurs "failed to allow a diversity of ideas and opinions with the African American community."
"We do not feel African Americans should be forced to adopt a monolithic point of view," The Urban League wrote.
Since Sylvester, who is known as Sly to his listeners on WTDY/AM 1670, made his remarks, he has been deluged by e-mail, much of it furious with him. Many have also written to The Capital Times, calling for his resignation or firing.
"He's a hack looking to get on the front page once in a while to keep his job," wrote Jamie Schliesmann, of Middleton.
Patrick Runde, of Madison, called him "way over the top," and was incredulous that at first he refused to apologize. "Get him out of here," he wrote. "Fire him."
But Sylvester said his favorite e-mail came from a listener who wrote: "There are times when I guess you can be seen as being adolescent, mean and offensive. I like that element. It is a fine spice to toss into the stew you dish up. Please, keep it up, big guy!"
So far, no disciplinary action has been announced against Sly, and he broadcast his show this morning. The radio station is running an online poll, and over 70 percent of the respondents this morning said that Sly should apologize to Rice.
The whole dang county, eh?
Well this guy has been BRANDED --- R-A-C-I-S-T ....
It is across his forehead, and it's not coming off.
Hip, hip, hooray for the Urban League!
And the apology should be rejected.
OK.
His apology means nothing. Fire the bastard.
Hip, Hop, Hooray! Fo' Shizzle.
It wasn't even an apology. He still labeled Dr. Rice a "black trophy" in his pathetically transparent attempt to slow down his imminent firing.
I know the term 'Aunt Jemima' is not complimentary to African American women who have worked so hard and yet receive so little from our great country."
***
Why would he say it then, if he knew?
Could it be a racist soul?
Amazing--they all look like they dropped out of the same fraternity.
I bet Qwesi Mfume, or whatever his name is, over at the NAACP hasn't said a word about this.
Over the years, in many of the cities I've lived in, I've seen several of morning zoo type DJs get fired for saying much less, profuse apologies and all. Why does this guy get to stay? Just because he's an NPR type?
Exactly! That is no apology. It's just using different words to communicate the same racist mindset that no real black person would deviate from some kind of imaginary African American liberal group think.
Or sliced from the same loaf of white bread.
By a black Trophy did he mean how the Democrats use Coretta King? How the Dems use Jesse Jackson but never give him a job? Does he mean how the Dems use black churches for Political campaigns?
Republicans give important jobs to deserving blacks and are then called Uncle Toms and Aunt Jemima's by people who arent fit to shine their shoes.
Their signal probably just blankets Madison only. My sister lived 40 miles north of Madison, and all you hear is static.
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