Richards Apologizes for Racial Slurs (Story Says Mel Gibson's Tirade More Newsworthy)

AP Television News ^ | 20 Nov 06 | LYNN ELBER

[SkyPilot]

What Richard's did was terrible.

However, I totally disagree with the premise that Mel Gibson somehow deserved more media punishment because he was more "famous" than Richards (aka Kramer). Seinfeld was the #1 show on television for years, and a cultural phenomenon. Who doesn't know who "Kramer" is? This is the media trying to innoculate themselves beforehand against any criticism regarding the orgy of outrage they rained down on Gibson and any comparisons with Richards.

There is a double standard at work because much of Hollywood hated Gibson for producing "The Passion of the Christ." Let's be honest about that.

Also, the reason the audience laughed is because people have not used the term "Afro-American" since the 1970's. Richards should have polished up on his proper hyphenated lables in order to please the PC gods.

[hnj_00]

kramer uses the "n" word....biggest story of the day...keeps pelosi and the lib/dems off the radar regarding alcee hastings!!!

if kramer does a mea culpa for the lib/dems....he will be a hero...maybe he could sit next to jimma carter in the 2008 faux coronation of the piaps for president convention!!!

[Paulus]

I don't like the word. I wish people of color would refuse to use it when speaking with one another and it would somehow disappear like Latin.

[BigLittle]

"I've never seen anything like this in my life," Levine said Monday. "I think it's a career ruiner for him. ... It's going to be a long road back for him, if at all."

Oops, wrong public tirade

[SkyPilot]

The rationale goes: "If you are black you can use the word, if you are white you cannot."

What offends me more is people who use the Creator's name and "damn" in the same utterance - and think nothing of it.

[Sprite518]

Remember it is not the N word people have an issue with... it is WHO is saying it.

I do think it was terrible what Richard's said, and I look down on anyone who uses it. WHO said it does not matter to me.

[Clock King]

I don't like the word. I wish people of color would refuse to use it when speaking with one another

Exactly. If Richards had been a black comic in a Black Comedy Club, it would be accepted. Until we stop calling OURSELVES this vile name, we can't expect to be taken seriously.

[Thrownatbirth]

That would've played well at the Apollo. :-)

[Khepera]

What do you believe the creators name is?

[rhombus]

Hey how about a special "N-channel" on cable. Every week they could "out" someone who uses or at one time in their past used the "N-word". Then everyone could enjoy a 20 minute hate session and in the and the "guests" could apologize profusely as they enter rehab. It would make us all feel so good about ourselves. ;-)

[chemicalman]

"Once the word comes out of your mouth and you don't happen to be African-American, then you have a whole lot of explaining," Rodriguez told CNN.

Paul knows.

[beyond the sea]

"I'm not a racist. That's what's so insane about this," Richards said

I heard it yesterday on the radio (Beck's show). He sure sounded like a racist.

[tsomer]

What is terrible is that certain words are more offensive than sticks and stones. It is terrible that a public employee is fired for using the word "niggardly" because someone thinks its the word.

This is insanity.

[RetSignman]

Usually, whenever you see this kind of incident by 'has beens', it's sole purpose is to get back in public view, it doesn't matter how outrageous, he will be noticed again. His apology on Letterman was incoherent and might lead one to suspect, he has mental problems (drugs?).

He may have to do the routine 'rehab' option or apology tour of some kind.

[durasell]

He came close to capturing Jackie Mason's record for career suicide, but not quite.

[raybbr]

"Once the word comes out of your mouth and you don't happen to be African-American, then you have a whole lot of explaining," Rodriguez told CNN. "Freedom of speech has its limitations and I think Michael Richards found those limitations."

A lot of irony in there.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

"Lost his cool" ain't gonna cut it with the media attention this is garnering. Richards (if he cares)will need to say he was on prescription drugs and immediately enter rehab and anger management. Once he is done he will have to receive absolution from Jesse Jackson (after a significant under the table "donation"). That course of action should "cure" him in the media's eyes.

Personally, I just think Richards is a little nuts. (And always has been going back to his days on Fridays.)

[par4]

Unless you're a Senator and Klansman from West Virginia. Then you get a few words on page B32.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

While there is some chuckling in the audience throughout the outburst, someone can be heard gasping "Oh my God" and people respond with "ooh" after Richards uses the n-word.

We're about to be wiped out by Islamic fascists, and they're worried about an epithet.

[Biggirl]

When a person of color uses the "N" word, I would view it that they have no
self-respect.