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

FoxNews ^ | 09/23/03 | Staff Writer

[dwd1]

Where in the "Men in Black" when you need them?

[AlexW]

"Racism is public indecency"

Your obviously a product of American education, and have been dumbed down to a low level.

Everyone in this world is a "Raciest".
Are YOU really colorblind? I don't think so.
Racism is nothing more then recognizing that there are OTHER races.

The term, "raciest" is nothing but a tool for the Marxist, and used for pandering.

I may call many white people "monkey". If you have a reaction and assume that it only refers to blacks, then YOU have a problem.

Lighten up, get a life, a glass of good red wine, and get over your hangup.

[dwd1]

For some reason, people don't like being compared to animals unless sports or positive outlook is part of the conversation...


Go figure....

And everyone here knows that the reference is a way of saying that a group of people is not civilized...

Just like some Indians... The ultimate insult is "You act like you have no relatives!" In the Navajo Society, good behavior is encouraged and enforced if necessary by family and older relatives...

[Made In The USA]

For what it is worth, I'm a big fan of Bob Lonnsberry here in Rochester, NY and do believe he made a mistake. Having heard other comments from Bob over the years, I truly do believe that he's not a racist.

[jospehm20]

I attended Army Equal Oppurtunity Leaders school a few years ago. We were told that the intent of the speaker to offend is not the issue. The issue is the perception of the people who hear a comment and wheter they are offended. That sounds pretty much like what this guy is saying.

[coloradan]

So basically, if a white person were to behave just like a monkey, you can call him a monkey and everything would be fine. But if a black person behaves in EXACTLY the same way, you can't. If you want to point to something that is racist, that is racist.

[Modernman]

So basically, if a white person were to behave just like a monkey, you can call him a monkey and everything would be fine. But if a black person behaves in EXACTLY the same way, you can't. If you want to point to something that is racist, that is racist.

Well, I think my point is that calling a black person a "monkey" carries a certain amount of historical, cultural etc. baggage while calling a white person a monkey would not. I suppose it's a question of what you can say in polite society. This guy may or may not have intended all of the connotations involved, but he should have been aware, living in this society, that calling a black man a "monkey" comes off as racist. Think of it this way- what if he had called the mayor a "gook." Would that have made any sense? Of course not, because that insult doesn't carry any meaning when directed at a black man.

[Tokhtamish]

The word is "racist" not "raciest" so we won't even go into your educational level.

Racism is about denying the humanity of another human being by using culturally loaded code words. Calling a black person a "slant" means nothing. Calling an Asian person a "slant" means a lot.

It is an act of war. It is an act of extreme hostility. Londonberry showed that he naturally views blacks as enemies. Well, enemies strike back.

And if conservatives are comfortable with regarding blacks as enemies, then doesn't the conservative right have precisely the level of black support it deserves.

[Tokhtamish]

So it is morally wrong to notice when someone hates you ?

[Old Professer]

Those who quote cartoon characters as though they had merit esp Simpson characters.

[ntnychik]

Lonsberry has opposed Mayor Johnson for other reasons:
http://lonsberry.com/writings.cfm?story=1055&go=4

Here's a column of Lonsberry asking Michael Savage to apologize:
http://lonsberry.com/writings.cfm?story=1104&go=4

Lonsberry ordinarily is a breath of fresh air on the Rochester airwaves. He has done much to reach out to the minority community, and I feel he genuinely respects African Americans. His comment at the end of a Hannity-like trash the lines segment was intemperate and warrants an apology and suspension penalty. But this is not typical of Lonsberry's work in any way. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported today that Lonsberry's temporary replacement took no phone calls, but the lines were jammed with people trying to support Lonsberry. I think his regular listeners know his heart. WHAM should not cave to politically motivated pressure from a few. His program is an asset to the community.

[RightWhale]

What is this business of respect being a right? Respect is something that must be earned, else it isn't yours.

In some cases additional respect may be earned, however, a starting point for Kantian ethics is that other people have basic dignity and must be treated with respect from the outset. All people must be treated with respect always, no matter what, even in war, even in the criminal court, even in politics. Always. Even criminals.

[Modernman]

Those who quote cartoon characters as though they had merit esp Simpson characters

The Simpsons is probably the smartest show on television, and has been for over a decade. Just because it comes from the mouth of a cartoon character doesn't mean it has no merit (well, nothing comes from the mouth of a cartoon character- it comes from the mind of a eriter).

[eddie willers]

so white people can call me a monkey anytime!

I just saw your picture on your profile page.

Wow!....I'll call you anything you wish to be called. :o)

[WillowyDame]

just don't call me late-4-dancing!


curtsy

[eddie willers]

bow