Talk-Radio Host Suspended After Referring to Black Mayor as 'Monkey'

FoxNews ^ | 09/23/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

ROCHESTER, N.Y.

[Onelifetogive]

"I am not a racist. But then racism is in the eye of the beholder, not in the heart of the speaker."

Oh, really???

No matter what I think or do...if you say I'm a racist...I'm a racist...

That seems to be reasonable...

[Mackey]

I've listened to Lonsberry for some time-- he has a morning show running in Salt Lake City-- and think he's a pretty good guy. If the politician at issue was white, would the monkey references be a problem? If not, then why not?

[Dialup Llama]

At least he didn't use the N-word like a certain California goober-natorial candidate, or else he'd be in real trouble. (I like the way the N-word came so naturally out of Busta-move's mouth... like he says it all the time.)

[VU4G10]

On John & Ken Show you'll hear them call Gray Davis a pig and a whore.

[Tokhtamish]

Was that supposed to be some kind of apology ? It was nothing of the sort for making a racial slur.

His butt should be fired.

[WillowyDame]

racism is part of life! it will never go away.

and if the shoes were on the other side, blacks will be doing worse to whites! that is a FACT!!

people should lightn up! freedom of speech!!

if he physically hurt the mayor, that is another story!!

some monkeys has nice facial features and they are cute.

so white people can call me a monkey anytime!

[BibChr]

On John & Ken Show you'll hear them call Gray Davis a pig and a whore.

Then they owe apologies to pigs and whores everywhere.

Dan

[WillowyDame]

why should he be fired?

is racism a crime?

i will take a person like him over the those who think ill of you just because of your color but won't say it to your face.

he should not lose his job!!
we need more productive people!

if you fire him, then fire the whole damn world.

[Onelifetogive]

If the politician at issue was white, would the monkey references be a problem? If not, then why not?

Something I posted yesterday on a different thread...

The "societal" norm against making jokes about certain groups is to "protect" the sensitivities of "inferior" groups. Why is it perfectly acceptable to joke about "white men" and a complete taboo to make jokes about other groups (such as retarded children)? Society considers certain groups to be unable to defend themselves and established unwritten rules about whether it is inappropriate to joke about them or not.

The most insulting thing you can say about a group is..."You shouldn't make fun of them..."

[Tokhtamish]

Racism is public indecency. What you think personally is one thing. What you say over PUBLIC airwaves is something entirely different.

Tell me, what about racism is productive to you ?

[coloradan]

Note the double standard at work: if you call a black person a monkey, the comment is understood to be a racial slur, and you must be a racist. But if you call the president a smirking chimp, then you are thought to be an anointed elitist liberal "thinker," the comment is understood to not be racist, and you can not only say it but get lots of approving nods from other elitist liberal "thinkers." Right, MurryMom? No matter how much someone looks or acts like a monkey, if the person is black you simply can't say so, because otherwise you must be racist.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Fire him. He knew better.

I'm sick of loudmouths who go about with no respect for other people, hurl verbal bombs, whine when called on it - all while claiming they're Republicans.

[Modernman]

Note the double standard at work: if you call a black person a monkey, the comment is understood to be a racial slur, and you must be a racist

Words mean different things when applied to different people. Calling a white person a monkey has no historical, cultural etc, significance. Calling a black person a monkey brings up a whole host of historical issues (think about how racist literature has portrated blacks- as apes, "jungle-bunnies" etc. Imagine using the N-word on a white person- it would be meaningless and not really insulting. Use it on a black person, you get a different result.

Is this right? I don't know, but you have to be realistic as to the reaction you should expect when using certain words.

[SwinneySwitch]

Is the word DEMONRAT considered racist?

[per loin]

I think you should show more respect for this man, and not call him a loudmouth. Don't you know any better than to be throwing verbal bombs?

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

'Rats refer to Bush as "The Chimp" all the time. Given that racism is in the eyes of the beholder, 'Rats are racists.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

I have to agree, if the liberals take offense at someone calling a Black person a monkey. It must be because they think the monkey moniker fits, and indeed the person would be offended because they too thinks he looks like a monkey.

[bedolido]

everyone should be treated with respect and civility. The exceptions are those who forfeit both by their own actions. I respect the office of President, but don't respect former President Clinton. However, I would treat him with respect and civility for what he is/or has represented.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"I am not a racist. But then racism is in the eye of the beholder, not in the heart of the speaker."

Oh, really???

I think he was trying to be sarcastic by taking a swipe at the way these types of incidents are handled by the media. Just a guess based on the wording of his sentence.