Dr. Laura announces she will end her radio show due to criticism of her N-word rant
August 17, 2010 10:41 pm ET by Matt Gertz
In an interview this evening on CNN's Larry King Live, Dr. Laura Schlessinger announced that when her radio contract expires at the end of the year, she will not seek to renew it. Schlessinger said that she was ending her show in order to "regain my First Amendment rights." According to Schlessinger, in the wake of her racial screed last week, highlighted by Media Matters, "my First Amendment rights have been usurped by angry, hateful groups."
Schlessinger was fifth on TALKERS magazine's 2010 list of "most important radio talk show hosts in America," behind only Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Michael Savage. According to Schlessinger's website, more than 200 affiliate stations broadcast her syndicated show. During her CNN appearance, Schlessinger stated, "I'm number three in most listened to talk show hosts in America."
On August 10, Schlessinger launched into a racially charged rant, during which Schlessinger -- in her own words -- "articulated the 'n' word all the way out -- more than one time." Schlessinger also told an African-American caller that she had a "chip on [her] shoulder," and suggested that "If you're that hypersensitive about color and don't have a sense of humor, don't marry out of your race." The next day, Schlessinger apologized.
On August 12, Media Matters posted full audio and transcript of Schlessinger's rant, which had apparently been expunged from her website. We also documented her history of incendiary remarks. Schlessinger became the subject of a firestorm of media coverage. She responded by slamming the media that "rebroadcast" her rant.
On August 16, Media Matters released a joint statement with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Women's Media Center, and UNITY Journalists of Color, condemning Schlessingers comments and stating that "This week, we will hold these advertisers accountable and find out exactly where they stand." Today, Motel 6 announced that in the wake of her comments, it would be severing its relationship with the radio host.
At the top of her interview with King, Schlessinger said of her rant that she "was trying to make a point to help" the African-American caller with "her hypersensitivity." She added that she was "trying to make a philosophical point," but that she was "wrong."
Schlessinger then announced:
I'm here to say that my contract is up for my radio show at the end of the year, and I've made the decision not to do radio anymore. The reason is, I want to regain my First Amendment rights. I want to be able to say what's on my mind and in my heart, and what I think is helpful and useful, without somebody getting angry, some special interest group deciding this is the time to silence a voice of dissent and attack affiliates and attack sponsors. I'm sort of done with that. I'm not retiring. I'm not quitting. I feel energized, actually -- stronger and freer to say the things that I believe need to be said for people in this country.
Asked how her freedom of speech was being denied by criticism of her comments, Schlessinger explained that "I don't have the right to say what I need to say. My First Amendment rights have been usurped by angry, hateful groups who don't want to debate, they want to eliminate. So, that's why I decided it was time to move on to other venues where I could say my piece and not have to live in fear anymore that sponsors and their families are going to be upset, radio stations are going to be upset, my peeps, as I call them, are going to be upset."
Schlessinger went on to criticize Media Matters directly. After King referenced "this group that was after you, Media Matters," Schlessinger said, "well, that's their job in life." She also said that a list of advertisers contacted by Media Matters who distanced themselves from Schlessinger due to her comments "proves my point." She also called Media Matters a "special interest group" that "decide[d] I should be silenced because they disagree with my point of view."
She claims for a Brief moment She forgot who She was & was Channeling Slim Shady.
Hey, i've been known to talk about someone's Mother, we all fall short of the Blessing.
Laura likes to hear them Scream in Deep Emotional Pain, after which she starts Regressing.
Speak truth to power.
Mr. News
If you want me to save you the trouble, "there ain't one."
Mind you, Eminem doesn't have a problem using nasty words to describe women and gays- but I don't expect right-wingers to object to that...
Dr. Laura, such a affront to the constitution cannot be tolerated. Get a lawyer to show them you will not be pushed around!
You have every right to say what you feel you need to say, just don't be surprised if others, who might find what you say to be offensive, exercise their rights too.
A friendlier venue might be the local Klan, or other white supremacist group - you might want to stay away from the Neo-Nazi groups, I understand they're not too tolerant of Jews.
On second thought, why don't you speak to a Neo-Nazi group, in a nice secluded setting - I'm sure your caring, compassionate understanding would move them to understand your "philosophical point."
In Dr. Laura's case the public said "we don't want to buy products from advertisers that support her bigoted view" and that had enough clout to make her show non-profitable. Saying it's against free speech was intellectually dishonest and she knows it. 1st amendment really only protects you from the government not from the public. She knows that.
quote: "She also called Media Matters a "special interest group" that "decide[d] I should be silenced because they disagree with my point of view.""
I can't speak for MMfA, but as a supporter I disagree with Schlessingers' point of view. Mostly because she's a racist. Dr. S, if you need some help figuring out why people think you're a racist, invite Dr. Cornel West on your show. He'll set you straight. :-)
Whether the show stayed on the air or not was irrelevant so long as she stayed accountable. Here in Canada she was taken off air a while back because of ethics violations.
A strong accusation...What is the specific thing she said that indicates she is a racist?
Yep. That's it.
Did it for me.
What Dr Laura said: "If you're that hypersensitive about color and don't have a sense of humor, don't marry out of your race."
Did it for me.
It's not that hard to figure out what she said that makes her a racist and why.
Okay, Dolly. Just tell me what you think is the best example of a racist statement for Dr. Laura. If she's such a racist, it should be easy to come up with something.
Sorry, but 'racists' doesn't apply in this case. As is typical with MMfA, liberal intolerance DOES apply here.
<Sigh .....> here we go again!
It's really a bigger shame that Schlessinger wasn't moved by this incident to try and understand what was at the root of that caller's concern and many who feel disenfranchised in this country and why. The way she brought President Obama and the idea that most black people only voted for him because he was black shows that Schlessinger may be a frequent drinker of the conservative kool-aid.
I would have rather seen her stay on the air and vow to open up her popular venue to a more frank and honest discussion about the real attitudes keeping America divided, but instead she choose to play victim (in very much current media conservative fashion) and cancel her show at the end of her contract.
I even still hope that she will learn from this experience. Not to close herself off and be more angry at the part of America she doesn't understand, but instead to make an effort to learn and grow.
Hopefully she will understand that repeating the N-word was just the red flag, and the rest of her diatribe was the core reason many found her response to that caller to be offensive.
Schlesinger is not capable of empathizing with her caller. Her entire function on that show is to judge and look down her nose at the people who support her. Empathy doesn't even come in the picture.
I think Dr Schlessinger, like so many conservatives, has neatly packaged all black people into the "them" category. This is how she is able to rattle of terms like "blackthink", equate HBO comedy specials with everyday regular guy and gal social interactions, and assume "they" only voted for President Obama because he's one of "them".
I fear you may be right, Newbee, but I still hope that her experience was enough to act as a catalyst for spiritual growth.
this woman is more of a maroon then i gave her credit for (which is saying something); no state entity has abridged her free speech rights, just other, private citizens, have exercised their's.
the amazing thing is that there was a group of people who actually took her seriously to begin with.
"no state entity has abridged her free speech rights, just other, private citizens, have exercised their's." She is silenced along with her point of view. The end has justified the means.
I never was there anyone has a 'constitutional right' to do a radio show. My point is that you and MMfA and anyone who writes to an advertiser or someone's boss to complain, is doing so to SILENCE a viewpoint that you disagree with.
She silenced herself. She must take accountability for her stupidity. She's been in the biz long enough to know that she couldn't say such a thing without such repercussions. She can whine all she wants. As I said in the other related thread were I to "advise" one of my residence hall students or a co-worker in such a manner, I would have been fired for doing so. In this day and age, such behavior is no longer tolerated.
As for sponsors pulling their ads, that is their right. Who DO you think they're going to listen to? The folks who help fill the coffers.
I could feel sorry for her but; for some reason, don't.
Somehow I think that she will be a guest soon on Fox News.
The only person silencing her, is herself. She said she has decided not to try and renew her contract, nobody else has said that. Also, you don't have a right to a radio show. She still has her first amendment rights. She can write a book. She can blog. She can start her own website (if she doesn't have one already). Her rights have NOT been violated, as in, nobody from the Government took her rights away from her.
Help help, I'm being silenced because I don't have a guest spot on Larry King to spout my personal points of view!
Well...she's exactly right, isn't she? MMfA's ultimate goal was to get her off the air because it did not like the language she used. She is not a racist. Where is the racist quote? You simply do not agree with her point of view so she needed to be SILENCED.
Job Well Done, MMfA! You should be proud [/sarcasm]
Oh yeah, THIS really sounds like MMFA want to get folks off the air;
Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.
MMFA is not responsible for what Dr. Laura CHOOSE to say. Dr Laura, needs to take responsibility for her own ignorance and racism and quit blaming someone else.
Telling that African American woman caller she shouldn't marry outside her race, referring to what she just heard from the African American caller as "black think" and then saying hypersensitivity is being "bred" by black activists is racist, stereotypical bullsh*it.
And the "N" word? The cherry on top of the sundae.
Just because Black comedians use the "N" word does not give Dr. Laura the right to use the word. The last time I checked, Dr. Laura doesn't look like ANY Black comedian I've seen on HBO.
And the "Black folks use the "N" word, so why can't I use it"?
Knowing the history of White folks and the "N" word, WHY do we have to explain this?
As for silencing Dr. Laura?
It's all about the M O N E Y. If companies thought her program was a good place to advertise their products on, they'd still be with her. But Dr. Laura's sponsors didn't want their product associated with her ignorance so they bailed.
It's just that d*mn simple.
I hate to appear as defending this woman, but she told her if she is that hypersensitive she shouldn't marry outside of her race. that statement alone doesn't indicate a belief that blacks are genetically inferior. Bigoted? Perhaps. Racist? No.
"And the "N" word? The cherry on top of the sundae."
My beef with her use of the word is her use of the word. she didn't call anyone the word. She didn't refer to anyone as the n word. The reality is that the word is a vile and immoral word that shouldn't be used by anybody. Period.
"Just because Black comedians use the "N" word does not give Dr. Laura the right to use the word."
That is ridiculous. Just because someone has darker skin and is descended from slaves doesn't make their use of the word any less vile and immoral.
"Knowing the history of White folks and the "N" word, WHY do we have to explain this?"
You do need to explain this. Your tacit approval of young African Americans in the street using the word every other time one comes out of their mouth is appalling. I don't care what color you are or who your ancestors are, the word is vile and has no place in our society. I don't know your race Ms. Scott, but if you are African American I would hope you have taught your children that there is never an acceptable time or reason for using that word. But, by reading your post, it appears as though you have taught them that it's ok for them to use the word just as long as their skin is dark. Pitiful.
It's just that d*mn simple.
Amen to that one. I agree with your explanations for use of the words she used. There is no racism in those statements, only hatred and anger coming from mmfa and it's liberal posters.
achrispage6992-- You do need to explain this.
She needs to, but she will ignore it. Typical liberal already has racism ingrown into their family unit, now wants to regulate others racism. What's that Bible verse that says; before you worry about the speck in my eye, remove the plank from your own eye. Pearl has quite a plank to explain, but it appears you have already explained why she feels that way.
Fox news/Rush say outlandish incorrect things daily. For the most part they are rewarded financially and politically their allies seem to get positive results from their misinformation. Yes we here criticize them but the bottom line is that overall they continue to be rewarded, not discouraged.
Holding media fiqures accountable is not about shutting them up or necessarily getting them off the air. It IS about analyzing and possibly challenging what is being said factually and logically.
With communication, isn't this always the case? What is said and who is saying it is important. Then the message is recieved, interpreted and fed back to the communicator.
Dr. L's show was popular because of her outspokenness, just like some commedians. If she wants to be outspoken, she shouldn't be suprised if there might be a backlash. If the backlash is big enough, she is off the air.
The Black commedians get away with the n-word because, quite simply, the audience has no problem or even expects it. Since part of the meaning of what is said comes from who is saying it, for now there are no consequences. Sorry if you don't like that, but this is the world we live in.
Larry King asked the right question. When she broadcasts over the air, we have the free speech right to discusss, analyze and criticize what is said. Dr. L seems to find this oppressive because it might hit her bottom line. Well too bad. That is how the broadcast business works.
At the very least, she is an unstable idiot who shouldn't be giving advice to anyone!
You don't see anything racist about saying "Don't marry out of your race?"
Seriously, what type of troll stoops so low as to try to defend this jackass?
Especially against a totally absurd accusation that MMFA had her fired. She done did that herself!
This site must be gaining some traction. I've heard many of the band of fool's news blowhards saying how much they hate this site! Good WORK!
MMFA's Next Victim: Ann Coulter??? ;)
I can only hope!
It's an offensive word. It was being used at an inappropriate time. I think just about all of us realize Schlessinger didn't refer to the caller as that term.
Again, the "N-word" was being thrown around recklessly while speaking to a black caller. The use of that word is not even the worst of that diatribe for hundredth time!
Besides:
Would you find it in good taste for a male host to throw around the words "wh*re" or "b*tch" when speaking to a woman caller that was being insulted by male co-workers for example? Suppose the woman caller wasn't sleeping around and only being accused of it by male co-workers?
And like I asked a previous thread, what if it was a Jewish caller, and a Christian or Muslim host threw around an anti-Semitic epitaph eleven times in their conversation?
Just because you aren't calling someone a specific term, doesn't mean it isn't being used in very poor taste.
Where in her post did pearlene imply that is was ok for black comedians to use the n-word? She said black comedians using the word didn't make it ok for Dr. Schlessinger to use it a point jade the caller made before she was told she was being too sensitive. You and Floyd need to save your phony lectures for those that need them like Dr. Laura.
How pompous of you to lecture pearlene about how she raised her kids. You have some nerve to distort her post drawing conclusions from thin air to things that was never said.
You and Floyd just like Dr. laura assumed and of course made generalizations based on stereotypes and prejudice. The caller jade in no way defended the use of the n-word by black comedians. she didn't bring it up it was hurled at her as a defense for whites saying it around her,which she said made her feel uncomfortable. Why is that a defense ,where was the implication from jade that it was ok for blacks to say it? Where was the evidence provided to Dr. Laura that jade was exhibiting "black think"? WTF is that anyway but some made up stereotypical racist BS. Why would Dr. Laura assume that this women needed or was being led by some "black" activist. The good old roble rouser, because everyone knows black people all think, look and act a like and can't think for themselves. Like Dr. Laura said , blacks only voted for Obama because he was black which only further proves our racism,right? If you and Floyd have to have it expalined to you how this is nothing more than racist stereotypical speech you know nothing of the history of this country particularly when it comes to race. You two should be the last people lecturing others.
Floyd you want to use the use the n-word and you think it ok for Dr. Laura go right ahead. I encourage you do so,exercise your freedom of speech. The late great social critic and comedian Richard Pryor told a joke that had profound insight into the issue at hand. It was about the assimilation of the Vietnamese into American culture. "They had the Vietnamese taking english classes, he said, trying to teach them how to say the n-word correctly." The joke ended by the instructor urging them to keep trying..."If you get your arse kicked you know you made it." So go right ahead Floyd.
I didn't say that I thought Dr. Laura was saying she thought Black folks were inferior, so I'm not sure where you got that from.
And Dr. Laura did a lot more than just tell the caller she was hypersensitive. She said that IF the woman was hypersensitive AND didn't have a sense of humor she shouldn't marry outside her race. Then she went on to say the woman callers so called hypersensitivity was "black think" which was "bred" by "black activists".
I concluded Dr. Laura is an ignorant, bigoted, racist woman, period!
You don't have to have a "Dr." before your name to understand the woman caller was looking for a way to explain to her husband how his not commenting on the White neighbors remarks hurt her feelings and venting about the insensitivity and asinine questions asked by the same White neighbors.
Chris, YOU should have remembered that I'm the 75 year old African American woman born in 1934, that knows MORE about the use of the "N" word that either YOU or Dr. Laura.
When Black folks started using the "N" word back in the 60's it was used to counter the way White folks used and STILL were using it. It's stuck around longer and became a hip way for Black folks to address each other and later was used by hip hop and rappers. It have NEVER been used by African Americans addressing other African Americans in a negative way, NEVER.
As the country became more intergraded, younger White folks wanted to use the "N" word the way they heard young African Americans and were surprised when they received a negative response. It was the "You can use it so why can't I" complaint.
My response?
HISTORY has decided for YOU! And it's just that D*MN simple!
YOU know NOTHING about ME or how I raised my children. YOU ASSumed and I'm sure you know where ASSuming gets you.
I don't, nor have I ever used the "N" word. And having raised 3 college educated daughters, and 1 grandson, I've never taught them to use it, nor have I allowed them to use it in my presence.
But THAT does NOT mean that I don't UNDERSTAND.
It's just that D*MN simple!
YES it does. You are being racist by NOT allowing her to use words that YOU decide who can, using race as the decider. Since you claim she cannot use that word because you don't like it,j then you are a racist too. I'm sure you'll fit in nicely at that angry, hateful group. So much for your claims to being a good Christian. You're just another hater, like the rest of the ilk at mmfa.
Seems to me that this is a silly issue to try to defend.
Mr. Floyd, Next can you please explain to me how this is President Obama's fault? I'm sure you'll get a gold star on your teabag if you are the first to pin this on the administration. Come on, I know you can do it. Summon all your Super troll powers!
It's good to see you posting again, Miss Pearlene. I value your posts, because they're always so thoughtful. You bring a unique perspective to MMFA.
Thank you Txthinker
My Momma used to say, "If you live long enough, you'll understand".
It is my hope some folks live long enough TO understand.
She has the constitional right to use the n-word. We have the constitutional right to say what we think about her using it. She was not prevented from using the n-word. She could use it every day until her last show. We don't have to like it and we have every right to say so.
The problem for Dr. L is that a lot of people found her using it unacceptable. Is that fair? Maybe, maybe not. The point is that in a free society, broadcasters should be ready to be criticized if people don't like what they say.
Maybe Dr. L can spend the rest of her life promoting the idea that its ok for everyone to use the N-word. Maybe she can convince Black people that theres no harm in it. Also she could spend her time trying to convince Black people not to use the n-word. Let her arugue that point if it is so important to her.
Instead she goes for the pathetic victim role. It seems like she is the one that is so overly sensitive about ethnic things since she can't use the n-word as much as she would like.
I feel for white people sometimes. They can't say the n-word without being criticized then others get away with saying it. What oppression! What horrible oppression... (sarcasim)
Fact is, I've heard David Cross, a white comedian, use that word onstage. Pretty ballsy, but I never heard anyone complain, because he used it in an insightful, funny, and most importantly sympathetic manner (making fun of Strom Thurmond, Trent Lott, and people who would be buried in segregated graveyards). Dr. Laura's use was anything but sympathetic. She was basically complaining about not being able to say the word, since blacks say it. Question is, why does she WANT to say it?
People can say it if they want, but they're taking a chance, whoever they are. And if you're white, the risk is significantly higher, because it means something significantly different coming out of your mouth. You can't ignore that context.
I am tired of examples like this being thrown around. My father, when taking an air traffic controller's exam back in the 80s, was notified by the exam prompter that if anyone in the room was a woman or a black, they were going to received 5 additional points to their final exam score. If you were a black woman, then you were to receive 10 extra points. My father is a white male. Is this not discrimination? So when another scores lower than my father, which did in fact happen, and they receive their "minority" points, they end with a higher grade, and my father is out of a job that he should have earned based on merit. I did not receive a position recently because a department was concerned about being diverse in their workforce. I'm just tired of hearing about "entitlement," because I've been handed nothing, and worked for everything. You either earn something on merit or you don't. It's very simple. So don't lecture people about what they can or cannot do, because my father and I were both told what we couldn't do something based on the fact that we are white men. I did NOTHING do oppress anyone of any race, yet I'm being discriminated against because of this so called "entitlement" white people have.
I am so grateful that the “people of color” in my family don't think like this. None of them consider themselves a "victim" with a constant chip on their shoulder.
Part of the reason is probably because my siblings and I grew up in severe poverty, so all of us, and our significant others, by our example, were motivated to be successful. Ten kids in a one-bedroom house with no plumbing in the Midwest without a dad who ups and dies on us. All ten of us kids have done very well, most going to college without government help and no extra credit points - along with our kids basically doing the same. We know it can be done, without any extra points, because we did it.
BTW, I was also discriminated against where I worked because of my gender and skin color. For the same reason as smitty, the need for a “diverse” work force, I was transferred to a staff position while a female minority took my place of managing 50 people. Not only this, I had to train her for the next two years and for a couple years after that got her out of scrapes whenever needed.
Dr. Laura is welcome to use the "N" word and I'm welcome to kick her a** when she does.
It's just that d*mn simple!
so what's with the "but mommy, they said it to!" argument?
for that matter how old is the good dr. that she uses such a lame argument?
and we're not not allowing her to use those words. we simply can tell the folks that sponsor her show that we won't be buying their products if they keep sponsoring her.
i suggest you give them a call and tell them that you support her using those words and you'll continue to buy their products.
you see how it works?
Oh yeah, THIS really sounds like MMFA want to get folks off the air;
Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.
MMFA is not responsible for what Dr. Laura CHOOSE to say. Dr Laura, needs to take responsibility for her own ignorance and racism and quit blaming someone else.
Telling that African American woman caller she shouldn't marry outside her race, referring to what she just heard from the African American caller as "black think" and then saying hypersensitivity is being "bred" by black activists is racist, stereotypical bullsh*it.
And the "N" word? The cherry on top of the sundae.
Just because Black comedians use the "N" word does not give Dr. Laura the right to use the word. The last time I checked, Dr. Laura doesn't look like ANY Black comedian I've seen on HBO.
And the "Black folks use the "N" word, so why can't I use it"?
Knowing the history of White folks and the "N" word, WHY do we have to explain this?
As for silencing Dr. Laura?
It's all about the M O N E Y. If companies thought her program was a good place to advertise their products on, they'd still be with her. But Dr. Laura's sponsors didn't want their product associated with her ignorance so they bailed.
It's just that d*mn simple.
Yes it is!!!
Her words were recorded in context and criticized. Some people were offended. I guess we should just shut up, let her say whatever she wants and collect her big paycheck. Only broadcasters should use free speech rights.
Notice how she was also bragging about how successful her show is. Poor little thing can dish out the criticism but she withers when its directed at her.
You're assuming one of them is telling the truth...
txt on the very next post: "...then I'm claiming a First Amendment right to call HER a hypocritical c**t."
You can say what you want, and I am free to react if you say something I find offensive, including asking that you be fired.
She needs to be booted because she is offensive.
The Muslim mosque near the WTC is not offensive.
I get it.
You're comparing Schlessinger's use of the public airwaves to spread hate speech across the country to the construction of a building that will not even be visible at Ground Zero because of other building in the two blocks between them. No comparison, and yet another feeble attempt by a mindless troll to cloud the issue by changing the subject.
Dr Laura said some things that many found to be offensive, and she has every right to do so. One could argue that she DID THE RIGHT THING by resigning. Perhaps the Muslim community should do the same and pull the plug and the community center.
By the way, the people building the community center own the land. Laura doesn't pay her salary, her sponsors do. The sponsors have the absolute right to determine where their money goes to. They started exercising that right once they were informed of Laura's horrendous statements. This is a victory for free-market capitalism more than anything.
By the way, where were all these folks when Tiger Woods lost sponsors over his affairs? I heard nary a peep about how Tiger's rights were being violated having sponsors disavow him.
Bad form? Bad form that someone wants to build a community center 2 block from ground Zero OR bad form that Muslims want to build a community center 2 blocks from ground Zero.
It's funny, in a sad, sad way, how you folks twist yourselves into a pretzels trying not say your objection is because they're Muslim, but unable to find ANY legitimate reason other than it's because they're Muslim.
WHAT, I wonder, do you want to do with the Masjid Manhattan on Warren Street, founded in 1970, 4 blocks from ground zero and there long before the twin towers ever were. Or Masjid al-Farah, founded in 1985, formerly on Mercer Street, moved to it's present location on West Broadway, about 12 blocks from ground zero.
Do they need to move, so that they don't offend anyone? Is 4 blocks ok, but 2 blocks unacceptable? Or is 12 blocks the magic number?
And what about the Muslims who died on 9/11? Should they be included in your concern about offending folks? Do they count, or just not as much as others?
Ok, so your REAL complaint is the fact that it's a Muslim community center, NOT that it's sacred ground or insensitive or some of the other bull sh*t excuses I've heard.
Do you remember the Japanese internment camps? You know, that time in American history where racial prejudice, hysteria, ignorance and fear over road COMMON SENSE.
See any similarities?
So much for the feminine touch, you know... a higher capacity for compassion, sensitivity, tenderness, etc.
Not to mention a few of the "Real Housewives"....
[sniffle, sniffle]
BYE, BYE, Laura . .
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/religious-right-launches-citizens-against-religious-bigotry-target-comedy-central
or this one:
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/gaynor/060202
or this one:
http://www.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147496348
or any other of the dozens of boycotts urged by groups like American Family Association (against Ford, for gay-friendly employment policies; Disney, for the same thing; against Roseanne, Ellen, The Today Show--and PBS, which they want entirely off the air for its "anti-Christian" agenda) and similar right-wing groups. Or, like Beck and others like him, is it only a violation of free speech when it applies to right-wing speech?
And to be clear--it's not a violation of anyone's rights for one person or a group of people to exercise their right to speak up when they disagree, not is it a violation of anyone's rights to inform sponsors that you will not patronize them, nor buy their products if they choose to spend their money to promote a particular way of thinking or doing business.
P.S. Listening to the original rant... she spoke so slowly. There was a five or ten second pause between each phrase. What was she thinking about? How could she take that long thinking of how exactly to phrase what she said and still come out sounding so stupid?
Being criticized =/ being silenced.
I'm smelling her future involvement in FOX.
"White people have a problem with black people holding anything against them, no matter what whites do to us to us. Remember the Sharoal (forgive the spelling) "scandal" and what she said about not helping a white farmer? This is what whites had a problem with. Although she had a compelling reason to be vindictive against white people (her father was killed by a white man who escaped justice), no white commentator wanted to explore the possibility that this black woman was within her right to be bitter toward those who benefited from an unjust society, at the expense of her own people. But that is not how white society behaves when blacks victimize white people. No, they are vengeful and they will make an example of you. Not only that, they NEVER forget ie O J Simpson."
Somehow this statement was not considered racist by you people so be careful when you sling the "conservatives are racist" assertions.
Then again, because of their learning disabilities, libbies usually have things backwards. For example Pelosi now says the people against the WTC mosque being built should be investigated - not those who are funding the building! This is why her approval rating is down around ONE digit!
SCHLESSINGER: My decision was not based on this incident. My decision has been percolating for about a year when I realized more and more that -- like Nancy Pelosi saying we should investigate people who have a problem with the mosque being built at Ground Zero. Investigating these people?
ROBERTS: That's not what she said.
SCHLESSINGER: And I'm just pointing out --
ROBERTS: Well, what she said it would be good to have the same transparency --
SCHLESSINGER: You know, it would be good if I could finish a sentence.
ROBERTS: I'm sorry. You're being inaccurate in what you're saying.
SCHLESSINGER: All right.
ROBERTS: I'm just trying to correct the record.
SCHLESSINGER: Well, I apologize for being inaccurate.
ROBERTS: She said in the same way that there should be transparency behind the mosque funding, there should also be similar transparency behind the people who are opposed to the mosque.
can't you?
BTW, how do you suppose she's gonna investigate me and the 200 Million other Americans who are opposed to this? Also, it should be really interesting watching her investigate the 9/11 victims families.
.
"But that is not how white society behaves when blacks victimize white people. No, they are vengeful and they will make an example of you. Not only that, they NEVER forget ie O J Simpson."
Apparently you don't think these two statements stereotype or profile groups. Okeydoke. 10-4. I understand.
Was it you who said, "when America catches a cold, blacks get pneumonia"?
No victim-hood in this, is there?
By this logic, I should have "critical feelings of black racism" because a few of them have done some horrible things to me and mine. My son was car-jacked and pistol whipped. One of my other sons had a big rock smashed into his face braking his nose and cheekbone. My wife, who was raised in the Projects, had a couple Animal Control blacks steal her puppy (which was properly licensed). She also had a black teacher steal her new coat, which she gave to her daughter (in the same class), who wore it to school the very next day! And another black teacher stole my wife's new bracelet. Then she had four blacks break a bottle then crush her hand into the glass requiring 14 stitches. BTW my wife didn't tell me about any of these things until after we were married for 25 years or so. In other words, she wasn't playing vicitmhood. None of any of these events were paid for by any of the offenders. I have more examples but you get the point?
Ya know what, forget it. I gotta stop my foolish attempts to prove you and your friends have so many double standards.
BTW it's not
Animal Control blacks but I'll attribute that to clumsy writing. Are you now playing victim by recounting your families incidents? How is talking about racism playing victim?
I say "liberals have mental issues and have mis-wired brains" to poke fun at you folks with sarcasm but I'm beginning to think it may fit for you.
And the only reason I brought this stuff up at all is to enlighten you that others beside Mrs. Sharrod have experienced race-related things.
One other thing. I never even met a black person until boot camp. I grew up in a very small town in Midwest BFE. Then while in the service (and I know you will call me out for "stereotyping" - of course, as you have shown, giving your fellow lefties a pass for saying the exact same sort of things), my best friends happen to be black. The first time I gave much thought about skin color was when my wife told me about the stuff that happened to her in grade school,and then also when my boys were attacked. Even then I didn't think much about race. I do have to admit the OJ trial opened my eyes about how deep the devide apparently was / is over race. I remember telling everyone OJ couldn't have done it. He really was an icon to me.
Anyway, to quote Rodney King, "can't we all just get along"? I wish everyone would just stop putting so much emphasis on skin color.
You on the other hand relate stories that may or may not have a racial basis. They may just have been criminal acts of opportunity the race of the person committing the crime does not make it racist. In Sherrods case the lynching of her father and uncle by the white sheriff and towns people was most certainly due to their skin color. It was both racial and criminal.
You may want to stick your head in the sand but the problems will not go away unless confronted openly and honestly. It always amazes me when white people say they don't see race then proceed to see race.
They are so good at dishing out lies and hate but, they cannot take it.
They are so good at talking about personal responsibility as long as it is not them.