Posted on 11/22/2006 3:57:53 PM PST by LouAvul
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Rev. Al Sharpton said Wednesday he refused to accept an apology from actor Michael Richards, who spouted a racist rant at a comedy club last week.
But Sharpton said he did agree to meet with Richards to try to start a process to address racism in America.
"I [told Richards] you need to sit down and deal with this," Sharpton told CNN. "This is not about accepting an apology, this is about starting a process to really deal with the continual problem of racism in this country." (Watch Richards' meltdown on stage -- 1:39 )
Sharpton said he got the call from Richards earlier Wednesday.
"I think that what he did was so injurious that he has to sit down with a group and decide how he tries to ... deal with healing the obvious problem he's got in his own mind and his own heart, because it couldn't come out of you if it wasn't in you," Sharpton said.
The incident took place Friday night at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, California.
In a video clip posted on the celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.com, obtained from an audience member, Richards unleashed a nearly three-minute tirade punctuated by racial slurs at a group of African-American hecklers.
In it, he made a reference to lynching and added shortly before walking offstage, "That's what happens when you interrupt a white man."
TMZ.com is a subsidiary of Time Warner, as is CNN.
Richards apologized Monday on CBS's "Late Show" with David Letterman, saying he is not a racist.
"I was at a comedy club trying to do my act and I got heckled, and I took it badly and went into a rage," said Richards, who appeared on the show via satellite.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Why should Richards apologise to Sharpton? He wasnt at the show.
Sharpton should learn to mind his own business.
He clearly sounds like someone seriously disturbed.
Although I don't condone his outburst, it sounds like a cry for help. His apology later made him all the more pathetic.
My question: what is Sharpton's excuse for his own behavior? Maybe he should be a little bit more forgiving.
Hey al... I have two words for you...
TAWANA BRAWLEY! You never apologized, you racist POS!
LLS
They smell lawsuit and they smell opportunity. I wish he would have insulted me. /s just kidding
Before Seinfeld, I remember Richards from an 80's late night comedy show called Fridays. It was so anti-Reagan that it made me puke. I hope that stupid a-hole gets grief in spades!< ?
Jackson and Sharpton will likely forgive him if he donates his royalties from the Seinfeld series to them. Then it's all all right
Literally hounded him from baseball. It was disgraceful what they did to him.
Comedians not ready to accept Sharpton's apology for Tawana Brawley?
Which guy are you talking about, Sharpton or Richards?
At least Mel Gibson is happy this happened so we can all move on, especially since this is before his next movie comes out.
The MSM.
Oh, LMAO, now that the mention it, that could be taken either or!! Fits!
"The *Rev.* Al Sharpton said Wednesday *he refused to accept an apology* from actor Michael Richards.." The mantra of the Dim party not so long ago...What would Jesus do? By not accepting the apology, HE (Sharpton) is not assisting in the healing process.
Richards is toast professionally and financially. He is going to make the communist sympathizer's list blacklist look friendly.
We all need a really good solid laugh here. Not at Richards though, they are shaking him like a champion rat terrier would shake a rat. (Old country expression).
I caught CNN tonight. The male announcer actually suggested to Gloria Aldred, that these two young men could sue etc. I am ok with these two fellows myself. They are playing the part of the offended and dignified innocent party. No complaints here.
CNN followed with a quick coverage of a university group. Young conservatives who have instituted a scholarship "for whites only". The idea is to expose the REAL racisism of those who isolate themselves and claim privilege.
Sad though this is, someone has to start a big belly laugh. I will have to think of an analogy for later.
Whenever Rocker appears on TV it's always the same topic. They will not accept his apology, and seem to glory in his career being destroyed.
The hecklers are on H&C right now, with Gloria Allred, and they've just said that they are looking for money from this.
They just lost any sympathy I might have had for them. Richards was probably willing to apologize publicly to them, but no, they want money.
I will stop now, before I have to apologize to someone.
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