Michael Richards - Kramer

[theloniusfleabag]

If there was segregation, there would not be the opportunity to be offended.

Not exactly, for I would still find this comment and segregation itself extremely offensive.

[Melanie_]

I think I've had too much wine tonight, letting Leafless get under my skin. I know what to expect from him, and usually ignore it.

You are just too close to the issue.

No, you are too far removed from it. People who advocate segregation clump others together based on the colour of their skin, not recognizing that each person is an individual. Sharing a skin colour doesn't make people any more alike than sharing eye colour or hair colour. My skin is white, and I'm assuming Leafless' is as well, but we are vastly different in our approach to just about every topic on this discussion board.

If there was segregation, there would not be the opportunity to be offended.

I disagree - segregation emphasizes petty differences, and causes them to be blown out of proportion. This leads to unending opportunities to offend each other.

[ft.niagara]

If there was segregation, there would not be the opportunity to be offended.

I disagree - segregation emphasizes petty differences, and causes them to be blown out of proportion. This leads to unending opportunities to offend each other.

Aren't we talking about the use of the word ni@@er and its use of has been blown out of proportion? This was caused because we were NOT segregated. Further, the use of that word is banned on this board, but it certainly is not illegal to use, or is it? Mr. Richards will probably pay money damages for what? Better segregation.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear ft.niagara,

Aren't we talking about the use of the word ni@@er and its use of has been blown out of proportion?

Not exactly. Had Mr. Richards used the term in a sentence such as "Me and my niggaz were chillin' in my crib the other day, when..." It has a different connotation than when used disparagingly. As he actually did use it. So, the problem lies with Richards using the term 'nigger', a racial slur, in the most derogatory and hurtful way that he knew how. It isn't about which word he used as the racial slur, he could have said 'Darkies, Blacks, (or even the once accepted racial classification, Negroid) etc...So, he hurled profanity laced racial slurs against people in a public place. That is the real problem, though some may feel it isn't an actual 'problem'.

Mr. Richards will probably pay money damages for what? Better segregation.

WTF???

[Melanie_]

No, I entered this thread's discussion in response to Leafless' comment that races are not meant to live together, not in response to Michael Richards' nonsense. Stating that segregation would help diffuse racial tension is illogical - when people see others as individuals, rather than as stereotypes, we will see decreases in racial tension. Segregation creates barriers that will just lead to more stereotypes and prejudices.

[ft.niagara]

No, I entered this thread's discussion in response to Leafless' comment that races are not meant to live together, not in response to Michael Richards' nonsense. Stating that segregation would help diffuse racial tension is illogical - when people see others as individuals, rather than as stereotypes, we will see decreases in racial tension. Segregation creates barriers that will just lead to more stereotypes and prejudices.

Lets just say that there is racial tension and steriotyping with and without segregation. Instead of closer proximity to white society rising the black, it seems more the other way around with closer proximity lowering the white. Out of wedlock births, and rap music to name a few.

I feel sorry for Richards who felt he was under attack and outnumbered, and fought back with his tongue and wits. No one recorded the taunts. Only one side was recorded to my knowledge.

[geoffrey]

The taunts are evident on the recording. You can find them on YouTube.

I really struggle with your assertion that living nearer to blacks increased the out of wedlock births of white people.... I actually am a little shocked.

[theloniusfleabag]

and fought back with his tongue and wits.

The point kimmy makes earlier is that he did not use his wits, they went out the window and instead he hurled racial slurs.

[Melanie_]

Instead of closer proximity to white society rising the black, it seems more the other way around with closer proximity lowering the white.

"White society"? "Black society"? Raising and lowering? Your prejudice is really showing now. Your assumption that whites are superior and blacks inferior is incomprehensible. My point throughout this discussion has been to see people as individuals, not as representative of all who share their skin colour. I certainly don't want you, and your attitude, being seen as representative of me.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear kimmy,

Your contempt for any mode of entertainment devised since Al Jolson was in his prime is once again apparent, fleabag.

-k

I think I figured out why, and oddly because of some stuff written in the 'atheist' thread. Humans are basically walking (albeit independently sentient) computers. We process, repeat and act upon only that which has been previously entered into our memory banks. I seek to control that which enters my memory, and I try to keep out that which I have deemed to have little or no value. A judgement call to be sure, but one I am happy with. I am free to fill my memory banks with re-runs of 'Gilligan's Island', but since I feel that society itself is stuck there, the key to escape cannot be found within it's comedic foibles, the answer must be sought elsewhere.

[Charles Anthony]

I am free to fill my memory banks with re-runs of 'Gilligan's Island', but since I feel that society itself is stuck there, the key to escape cannot be found within it's comedic foibles, the answer must be sought elsewhere.

It does not sound like you want to get off the island.

Seinfeld sales soar

DVD rush despite racist rant

Sales of the new Seinfeld DVD soared by an incredible 7,000 per cent in the week following star Michael Richards’ racist outburst.

Black rights leaders in America had called for a boycott of the newly released seventh series in the wake of the comic’s on-stage tirade at a Hollywood comedy club.

But the appeal has fallen on deaf ears, as sales of the title on Amazon rocketed almost 70-fold – 6,925 per cent, to be precise.

A spokesman for the online retailer said: ‘It seems there's no such thing as bad publicity.’

Chortle

There may not be bad publicity but there is certainly bad comedy. This steps into the direction of the advertizing debate. Can this bad publicity change what people want or just tell them that it is still available?