Michael Richards aka "Kramer" racist?

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

Originally Posted by OTW

I think he made a poor choice in using racial slurs like that, but unless he makes it a habit of doing that...I wouldn't necessarily call him a racist.

wow....

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

wow....

Dropping the n-bomb doesn't make you a racist. What makes you a racist is believing that another race is inferior to you. I don't know if Richards, in his heart of hearts, believes this. I do know that he used the wrong words to flip out at his audience...
Take this as you will, I'm white so I have limited perspective on this incident.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by centaur532

Dropping the n-bomb doesn't make you a racist. What makes you a racist is believing that another race is inferior to you.

Which is what he did by referencing lynching.

He's a racist.

I'd call for a boycott of his work, but he hasn't got any.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Which is what he did by referencing lynching.

He's a racist.

I'd call for a boycott of his work, but he hasn't got any.

Please don't go after me for this because I mean nothing by it, but I interpreted the comment differently...when he referenced lynching, I thought he was pointing out what that kind of behaviour would have resulted in 50 years ago. Of course, at the time he may have meant it the way you took it and I'm just objectifying the situation too much.
I already boycott his work, I hate seinfeld

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Which is what he did by referencing lynching.

He's a racist.

I'd call for a boycott of his work, but he hasn't got any.

So you know for a fact that he hates the black race and thinks whites are above them? I doubt it. Why are you getting so sensitive over this? It is her opinion.....which I agree with.

[DSTCHAOS]

The great "what is racism"/"is that person racist" debate. When will folks get tired of it.

I think that he appeared flustered by the heckling and went for the jugular--either because he really feels the words he said or because he knew that would really get to his target. No point in debating what that man thinks in his heart of hearts or what he's said and done in his personal life regarding race. Maybe he has mental problems, maybe he was caught off guard, or maybe he's a Grand Wizard in the Klan. It doesn't really matter. The man went on a tangent--a looooonnnnnng, racialized one and unless he was mentally too far gone, he knew what he was saying and even mocked the audience for being in awe. The fact of the matter is that comedy shows attract some audience members who don't mind heckling and often the audience and/or comics have been drinking.

The "cracker" response to him was also uncalled for--whether it came before or after Kramer's comments--not quite the same "umph" or social relevance as what Kramer said but uncalled for nonetheless. I'm glad that many in the audience left or expressed disgust, after they realized that it wasn't part of the act.