Is the indignation at Michael Richards' racial outburst convincing or warranted, either one?
923969
i think he went over the line with the comments, but i understand them. i don't think he said them because he has these deep-seeded feelings though. i think he said them out of anger, he unwisely chose the terms that he figured would hurt the heckler the most.\n I understood the anger. Comedians HATE hecklers. Why? they are getting paid for a monolgue, 99% of them have their act scripted out for them ahead of time, they only have so much time on stage, so when they have to deal with a heckler for ten minutes is screws up their act. Some people don't understand this at all. here is a great video that illustrates the point http://ebaumsworld.com/2006/09/comedian-heckled.html\nthe comedian uses the term "towel-head" and a do-gooder liberal lady in the audience is offended by the term. She will NOT let the comedian move on with the joke or his act. he tells her numerous times to shut up and it ends up with her running up on stage and assaulting the comedian. Who is she to stop the show? What is going on in her head? Does she think everyone in the audience agrees with her and it's her duty to stop the show? Apparently that's the case. People wuld never dream of doing this in a movie theater. if the movie isn't to your taste, you get up and leave. Comedy performers and the audience at a live show deserve the same respect.\n That doesn't excuse michael richards' racial tyrade though. he should have handled it better.
950581
yes it is hypocrisy. you are right.some say that we took the word from whites to take the control of our identity as black americans.i use the word.i use those other words too.this is the real killer, in private there are still white folks that call blacks, the n-word.and there are black folks that call white people, whatever it is we say in private.i think that he is lucky that the black folks in the audience did kick his azz.i'm not saying any of those words are right all i know is we have to live with people and sometimes people say the craziest things.i would not stand up in a room full of white people and say derogatory things, because i would not want the shoe to be on the other foot. and im with you his career is totally over.
723734
I saw the whole thing. Have always admired Jason Richards skills in acting on the big screen, TV and Broadway. This was a very sad sight to see. Why does anyone need to use racial slurs to get a point across? Would have been better to have ignored the hecklers. That would have taken the better person. I sincerely hope he is sorry for what he did.
817304
No. There's never a good reason to say such things, no matter how upset you are. ESPECIALLY knowing that you're in the spotlight. Why is it these stars, actors, whatever say these hateful things and expect that an apology is going to make it all better? Did you hear his apology that was on Letterman? He threw in all this stuff about hurricane Katrina and the war, almost like he was trying to mix it in to downplay the whole situation or something.\n\nAlso, almost all comedians have hecklers and most know the appropriate way to either put them in their place or tolerate them without resorting to this BS. Maybe he should consider getting out of the stand up biz if he can't handle the heat.
1115112
Absolutely not!  I don't think you have to justify your personal convictions to anyone.  Finally, finally, someone in this category that makes perfect sense to me!\n\nOur technicolor skin/blood lines should be the least of our worries, or I would have to give thought to the ridiculous news on this category that whites will be extinct!   I told a story once in a seminar about two Indian kids sending smoke signals to each other in the New Mexico desert near Trinity Site.  Just about then, the H-Bomb was tested, and when the huge cloud of smoke exploded, one kid said to the other:  "I wish I could've said thaaaaat!"\n \n\nYour wisdom shines!  I wish I could've said that.  Thank you, madam.  Have a great holiday!
268006
i have, even though they were my anscestors, i still say, i am sorry that that happened.  My family is black, i am white. it is not a guilt that i neccesarily carry in my own heart, it is just a true and deep human desire for me to say to someone, i am sorry that someone hurt you.\na friend looses a loved one, we say were sorry even though its not our fault the loved one died.\nwhen a race that i happen to belong to dehumanizes another race, just because of skin color? the least i can do is say, im sorry; know that "I" take no pride in that, and know that i see how it has hurt and affected millions.\n\nto those who say, well it wasnt me? it might not have been you, but you would surely say something to a friend who is hurt; \nit places no blame on you directly, takes nothing away from your pride, and promotes human understanding, all in about 3 seconds.
1162528
I'll be honest... putting a quote in the support to your argument where the source admits it was wrong is laughable.  And I'll also admit, I couldn't stay focused on the whole article, but you are aware that nothing in there indicates he was black?  \n\nI mean the issue is irrelevant to me, but i really just want to see if you're aware that you failed to make your point.  By raising this issue at all you point out that A) you are racist and B) you really don't get the teachings of Jesus.\n\nColor and race were issues that Jesus never would have focused on, but rather loving and understanding each other are.  And I think you'll find that if you don't use quotes from a radical organization with a defined, set agenda to support your case you may win over some people.
808325
He was real wrong to say those nasty things, but i do not see how money would help anything. what really gets me is that i hear black people say that word and not one person even gasp, yet a white guy says it and they cant believe they have heard that word. Racism knows no color. to the lady who gave an answer addressed to me. I by no means meant to offend anyone. i really did not know there was a diff. i do appreciate you explaining that to me.
1113421
Yes, he was being racist. Unfortunately, people do not treat others in the way that they themselves want to be treated. His point has nothing to do with you, and is likely the result of the frustration he was feeling because of his alien status and the recent immigration ballyhoo. No he isnt worth you going to jail. Why dont people realize that they are being racially insensitive when comments like his are being made? Racism is not the one way street that most people believe it to be, and it is often an excuse for poor behavior.
925712
While he was performing, an African American man heckled him, and "Kramer" unloaded on this guy, using vulgar language and insenstive racial remarks. It was really quite disgusting; when it was shown on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Oberman, half of his words were bleeped out. I would try to run it through Yahoo! or Google news or search on some of the news sites. Take my word for it, it was vulgar and an apology won't even begin to cover it. BTW, I am white and I took extreme offense. No one should ever act in the way that "Kramer" did, no matter what race you are, period!!
843210
Sure, I believe him..\nAND..\nI don't care a bit about his having made these remarks ...\nI am so sick of this inane insane double standard political correctness I could puke...\nHave you ever watched the comics, black & white, at the Apollo \non HBO ???....Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, on and on and on...\nTotally racist profanity and not one word of complaint from anyone.
894594
Personally, I agree with what Richards said. The "Filthy Chimps" remark wouldn't offend anyone if it weren't so close to the truth. And that fact is what all the uproar is about.
1063609
People aren't pissed that he "allegedly" killed a white woman.\n\nThey're pissed because he 'allegedly' committed murder. \n\nThis isn't a racial problem.\n\nIt's murder.\n\nSheesh.\n\n(I say 'allegedly' b./c he wasn't found guilty. Don't think for a second that I don't think he did it.) :)
956360
The man is racist pure and simple and the worst kind at that.  \n\nHe is the kind that is lays low, the one that will hurt you when you least expect it.  I prefer the ones who show me hatred upfront.\n \n\nHis lengthy diatribe was not spontaneous at all.  Those were his  thoughts before he vocalized them in a frenzied rant.\n\nHis apologies were not sincere either, he's sorry he allowed his true self to show on public TV, is all.\n\nAnd make no mistake - whosoever makes excuses for him are JUST LIKE HIM.
1041683
jeez, the professor! when a "proud caucasion" tries to talk it sounds to me like someone that is overly impressed with the pretentiousness of the flatulence that spews from their mouth.\nand yes, i agree with your added comment, and in the words of jerry garcia, "if this situation says be outrageous, be as outrageous as you can possibly be."
340256
PANCHITA linda, name calling is not a powerful tool. Knowledge and good argumentative statements are for the wise. The more we use the word racist, the more the actual situation converts itself into a racist issue and not the original basis for solving a problem.  I am ignoring the racist variable altogether when formulating my opinion because this is an economic issue. Be objective when standing up for a cause. Subjectivity is cause for strife.
601154
You don't say specifically in what ways you might be over-reacting but I'm assuming your offended by the perceived racial connotations of their statements. Have you asked what they mean when they say this to you? \nAnyway, if the statements are intended to imply some racial slant then yes, you have every right to be offended.