Fox News' Kilmeade: Sting would "be happy" in the Brazilian rainforest "raising money for those with plates in their lips"

GREEN: That came from totally, like, over here. Lauren's response seemed odd. I wonder if she had a word with him off camera?

It seems that right wing humor is mean spirited and the jokes are always ast someone elses expense and often just degenerates to making fun of cultural and ethnic differences including the use of racial slurs. I often here people cite Dave Chapelle's humor (which sometimes was too over the top for my taste), but I think most people missed what he did. He was making fun of the ethnic exaggerations and stereotypes to illustrate how asinine they are. Some just took this as a que that making fun of ethnicity and cultural habits was just an OK thing to do. I watched Imus one day last week and his producer-sidekick engaged in one of the most racist and sexist "comedy" skit that I've ever seen. The Imus crew couldn't restrain the laughter, although Imus complained that his producer was going to get him off the air, he just rolled with laughter.

The switch is located in the right wing.

Forget National Geographic for a moment (I can't stand to read the sensationalism that is rampant in it), but what does it mean for a Kayapo to have a "plate" in their lip. Do all Kayapo adorn themselves with such "plates." Has Kilmeade's comment brought anything but a stereotype, has it attempted to explain a seemingly exotic practice or has it merely reinforced an exoticed view of the "other?" And clearly, not all Native peoples of the Amazon practice this form of adornment. What can we say about the Xavante or the Shokleng? The Kalapalo or the Wakuenai or the Suya? What have we learned? Nothing. Why draw attention to "plates" in the lips? Why not to the areal phenomenon of "ritual wailing" which a number of anthropologists and ethnomusicologists have documented (see especially the work of Greg Urban and Charles Briggs). Why not talk of linguistic exogamy along the Vaupes River Region? Because Kilmeade was offering an exotic stereotype, he was othering them--and in othering them (the process of temporal and spatial distancing) we need only know that they are different than "us" and understanding need go no further. That is the problem with Kilmeade's comment. he dehumanizes them, he makes them objects, he makes them fetishes. He does not take them seriously an inquire into the whys of a specific practice.

First of all race baiting is a right wing perfected tool, starting with the RNC's infamous southern strategy. Moreover, while not all people on the right are racist, (I would like to assume that the majority of you aren’t) most racists are right wingers. I think racists feel more comfortable in the Republican Party because when they engage in racist speech people like you come running to their defense and accuse those that chastise their racist remarks of being race baiters. It seems that you dislike people that condemn racist more than you dislike the racists.

"I'd imagine every adult male in that tribe fits that description. So, it's not a stereotype, it's as accurate a description as you'd get from National Geographic."

You make a speculative assertion, turn it into a 'fact,' then draw an unfounded conclusion from it. Do you actually go through life making idiotic statements like that?

Plato

First is the issue of why Kilmeade thinks it's funny to mock somebody else's values. The greatest irony is that Sting probably would like to be in the rainforest raising money for people, some of whom wear plates in their lips, because he believes in helping Amazonian Indians. Remind me again exactly why that's funny. Why does Kilmeade even need to mention it at all, especially in an arch, dismissive, and condescending tone?

Second is the issue of the offensive nature of Kilmeade's use of "those with plates in their lips" as if that is why Sting is interested in them. The implication is that Sting is ridiculous for raising money to help a bunch of jungle primitives because they have plates in their lips. It's pure, bigoted ignorance masquerading as humor.

Third is the issue of how pathetic it is that comments like Kilmeade's are defended in legalistic terms by apologists who are so desperate to take the other side that they can't just admit when someone whose politics they share makes a stupid, embarassing remark. When your best defense is that it depends on what the definition of 'is' is, you've lost. Just admit it. Kilmeade made an incredibly tasteless, insulting, deriding joke about a person and topic of which he is callously ignorant. You don't have to defend every dope on your side -- there are too many of them.

-mid.

Lonewacko:

Kindly explain the PURPOSE of Kilmeade's characterization? The depiction of "plate in the lip" had a reason ... and it was derision. Directly, Kilmeade sought to deride Sting, and to do so by speculating that his choice of activity (what would make Sting "happy") was something ridiculous, worthy of ridicule.

I'm sure Rightwingers talk amongst themselves in this "code" of racism all the time. It's a natural thing, and an easy laugh from fellow elitist bigots. But, when in a "conversation" show like "FOX & Family", it's dangerous to drop the facade and "be yourself".

So, Lonewacko, that's the TRUTH. What is your "spin" on what it is Kilmeade MEANT to say? Are you suggesting Kilmeade was innocently educating us on an indiginous people's customs, ala Discovery channel? For educational purposes? Is that the lie you wish us to buy? And he meant no slam to Sting OR a derision of the Brazillian tribe?

"Being a Southern white male from the sticks, I have a lot of baggage that I have to work with and try to shed, so take your shots as you may." ufleirx ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I think it's admirable that you own up to one's biases. We have to examine them and figure out the whys of them and that's how we eventually shed them. I too was raised with people that held certain biases and un-factual assumptions about other groups. At some point you grow up and realize whether intentionally or not some otherwise decent family members and family friends taught us certain prejudices. You conclude that the ideas you were taught were not rooted in reality and you move on. That’s why I feel so sorry for those little girls “Prussian Blue” they are the unfortunate recipients of a legacy of enculturated family dysfunction.

nittacci, I think you're a little confused. (Brian) Kilmeade is NOT the woman pictured in the photo, that is Lauren Green. Kilmeade is the curley-haired guy on the right.

While Kilmeade was being perfectly accurate in describing the practice of a plate in the lower mouth used by the Kalapalo tribe, he did it in a demeaning way. Which is VERY typical of him.

He SHOULD stick to sports...though he's NOT all that good at THAT either...

If someone did tell him, he'd probably ask who the hell is Brian Kilamede? I know what I am about to say is juvenile, but the Fox and Friends gang are like the biggest nerds. They remind me of the goofy cheerleaders from the SNL skit.

I said it, but you're right I know of no real survey on the issue. Yet when racist groups or members of racist groups have attempted to enter the legigimate political arena ( ie David Duke and others ) they enter through the right door. I really don't think that racists would exactly embrace the traditional DNC platform of advancing civil rights and accepting diversity as in this official statement on the issue ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Democrats are unwavering in our support of equal opportunity for all Americans. That's why we worked to pass the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act and will work to ensure reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2007. On every civil rights issue, Democrats lead the fight. Democrats support expanding opportunities in jobs, health care benefits, and education. We support vigorous enforcement of civil rights laws."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I venture a guess that if you surveyed the membership of the KKK and other racist organizations you would find that they supported the Republican party.

--i think the one they were going for was from the old "tarzan" movies. different continent, but the same racist sentiment.