Mike in the News
By now everyone has heard about, witnesssed, watched, and commented on Michael Richards' raging lambast of two black hecklers in a comedy club audience.
Richards, best known for his role as the wirey-haired Cosmo Kramer on the long-lived sitcom Seinfeld, microphone in hand, used the "n-word" with the -er ending, lending it expletive status.
The Mike Committee hopes that the negative press generated by this Mike's angry response doesn't reflect poorly on Mikes, Michels, Michaels, Mitches, Mickeys, Micks, Miguels, Mikels, Michelles, Micheles, et al...
On the other hand, Richards has handled this with class, as much as is possible. Black community leaders like the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, usually quick to levy heavily publicized criticism, have responded fairly and reasonably, save a ridiculous Jackson-instigated boycott of last week's Seinfeld DVD release.
Richards' sincere apology and willingness to take responsibility seems to have opened a dialogue about the uses of the word...... Just yesterday, African-American comedians and leaders held a press conference in which they asked musicians, movie studios, and actors to stop using the derogatory term...with both the "er" and "a" endings.
posted by Michelle at 6:36 AM
4 Comments:
It's all very interesting, how this has brought this n-word debate once again into the forefront. Maybe some good will come out of it, but I think it'll probably just get forgotten, in the wake of Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock's earth-shattering divorce.
Still, though, the funniest words in the inner-city patois HAVE to be "Nigga, PLEASE!" in expression of disbelief or sarcasm. And yet I can't use it, because I'm white.
Still, it's HILARIOUS when you hear it. Let's face it.
Isn't it especially hilarious when Dave Chappell says it! Yet we laugh and feel a bit guilty at the same time.
I'm in favor of anything that brings Pamela Anderson back to the forefront.
I have never seen Dave Chappel, though my students would like to nominate him for President.
Pamela Anderson is a free woman(again). Too bad you are married.
Spoil sport
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