Michael Richards loses it

[the]

Originally posted by fintstone
I answered the post you made. If you did not mean to use those words...you should either explain or retract them. Implying that I am stupid is really not a very effective tactic and only reinforces my point.

Answered the post I made? The post that you quoted didn't ask a question. What question do you think you answered?

If I "did not mean to use those words." What words?

"explain or retract them." Explain or retract what?

[the]

But let's try one more time.

My quote you highlighted:

Originally posted by the
But the fact is, Foxworthy can use "redneck" on TV because a large majority of the population find it acceptable. Right or wrong, it's an observable fact...

to which you responded:

Originally posted by fintstone
Your logic is quite flawed. "Nigger" was completely acceptable to a large majority of the population when I was growing up. Right or wrong, an observable fact. I guess if we let that be our standard for discourse, it would still be used to describe about 15% of our population and would still be perfectly appropriate for TV too.

Funny how easy it is to justify harmful stereotypes when they are applied to someone else.

First, my post that you highlighted, and all my related ones in this thread, aren't "logic" statements. So there is no "logic" to be flawed.

I merely observed that at this time in American society, "redneck" does not carry the weight and is not as unacceptable a slur as the N word.

Specifically, I stated that is the case, "right or wrong." Which means that I specifically am NOT commenting on whether it is right or wrong, or justified.

That point was specifically made again in response to Jeff's posts.

Then you fail to comprehend my posts by suggesting that I was "justifying harmful stereotypes." Nowhere did I ever try to "justify" anything.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by the
Answered the post I made? The post that you quoted didn't ask a question. What question do you think you answered?

If I "did not mean to use those words." What words?

"explain or retract them." Explain or retract what?

Seems pretty simple to me..and I am the one that supposedly has poor comprehension.
According to Webster, the definition of “answered” is “to speak or write in reply”. There is no prerequisite of an interrogative…a statement or action is just as easily answered. If you insist...let me refresh your memory:
Your statement:

Originally posted by the
But the fact is, Foxworthy can use "redneck" on TV because a large majority of the population find it acceptable. Right or wrong, it's an observable fact.…

My response:

Originally posted by fintstone
Your logic is quite flawed. "Nigger" was completely acceptable to a large majority of the population when I was growing up. Right or wrong, an observable fact. I guess if we let that be our standard for discourse, it would still be used to describe about 15% of our population and would still be perfectly appropriate for TV too…

Your response:

Originally posted by the
Your comprehension really isn't great...

BTW, IMHO It seems to me that either racial slurs are permissible or not. If you justify one...you are making the case that all are justified.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by fintstone

BTW, IMHO It seems to me that either racial slurs are permissible or not. If you justify one...you are making the case that all are justified.

*sigh*

[fintstone]

Originally posted by the
...
I merely observed that at this time in American society, "redneck" does not carry the weight and is not as unacceptable a slur as the N word....

It does not in your community...it does in mine. Imagine how outraged you would be if I were making the case the n- word was an American norm...because I hear it a lot.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by nostatic
*sigh*

*belch* (Winterhook, the Redhook Brewery's seasonal ale... yum...)

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
*belch* (Winterhook, the Redhook Brewery's seasonal ale... yum...)

*urp*

black bean burritos with extra sharp Canadian cheddar and plenty of tabasco sauce

[the]

It doesn't happen frequently - but I'm at a loss for words! wow. I'll take the cue of the gastrically distressed and hop off the ride here.

In the immortal words of Nathan Thurm, circa 1985:


"Is it me? It's him, right?"

[Britwrench]

When someone like Michael Richards, with little talent and a "one act peformer", trying to get back into the mainstream was never going to be easy.
The last episode proved again, that apart from Kramer, there is nothing else, didn't help.

[dd74]

According to the "news" Richards is currently in therapy and working the black talk show circuit. Jeez, if it was only that easy for everyone to get over their...um...prejudice/brain freeze or whatever...

[speeder]

Originally posted by fintstone
BTW, IMHO It seems to me that either racial slurs are permissible or not. If you justify one...you are making the case that all are justified.

I can clear this up for you; racial slurs are not "permissible", for the sake of argument we will consider all racial slurs equally offensive, and lastly, "redneck" is not a racial slur. If it is indeed a slur at all, (I'll have to take your word for it), it does not refer to someone's specific ethnicity but rather their mindset. For 47 years I have understood it to mean right-wing reactionary w/ a dose of racist thrown in.

Your inference that "redneck" refers to a poor white person who works in the fields is a new one to me. Let me ask you a question that might illuminate things: Have you ever felt that you have been a victim of racism or discrimination due to being white? (Silly examples like being turned down at the United Negro College Fund do not count). If so, you would be the first person that I have ever heard of or read about, other than whites complaining about "reverse discrimination" from affirmative action.

I am getting a clearer picture of your views on Iraq and Bush from this, you truly have your own version of reality. Note that I am not accusing you of dishonesty, in fact I do not consider you dishonest or a bigot.

[MMARSH]

Originally posted by nostatic
*sigh*

+1

[fintstone]

Originally posted by speeder
I can clear this up for you; racial slurs are not "permissible", for the sake of argument we will consider all racial slurs equally offensive, and lastly, "redneck" is not a racial slur. If it is indeed a slur at all, (I'll have to take your word for it), it does not refer to someone's specific ethnicity but rather their mindset. For 47 years I have understood it to mean right-wing reactionary w/ a dose of racist thrown in.

Your inference that "redneck" refers to a poor white person who works in the fields is a new one to me. ...

Frankly my friend...you are wrong. Your definition has been incorrect for 47 years. It is not even close. Traditionally the term has been used more on southern democrats in recent times...not a "right-wing reactionary." Even Wikipedia explicitly covers the definition I provided...if you read past the Dukes of Hazzard portion that is there for bigoted folks in California. The term has been used for generations against my community. I see it as no different than any other such slur. It is just more PC to trash poor whites than others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally posted by speeder
I can clear this up for you; racial slurs are not "permissible", for the sake of argument we will consider all racial slurs equally offensive, and lastly, "redneck" is not a racial slur. If it is indeed a slur at all, (I'll have to take your word for it), it does not refer to someone's specific ethnicity but rather their mindset. For 47 years I have understood it to mean right-wing reactionary w/ a dose of racist thrown in.

Your inference that "redneck" refers to a poor white person who works in the fields is a new one to me.

Sorry man, you are dead wrong. The term redneck has a specific origin and meaning. It doesn't mean what you think it means. Take a look at fintstone's link, it should clear it up.

And the answer is YES, redneck is a racial slur.

[kach22i]

Michael Richards was great in Fridays way back in the early 1980's. His skinny guy on the beach with the shakey walk still cracks me up just thinking about it.

He totally stressed out in that video on stage, very ugly and yes there is a double standard at play here but that don't make it right.

Fridays
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridays

[M.D. Holloway]

Redneck was originally intended for Irish immigrants whose necks would get sunburned. Often businesses did not want them to apply for work would put a sign out that read "REDNECKS NEED NOT APPLY".

I know this first hand from my Grandparents who came over on the boat from the Ol Sod.

[Rodeo]

Yea, the term "redneck" sure is offensive. What with the comedy tour, books, calendars, dictionaries, and TV specials, it's offensively in my face

[gaijindabe]

What a silly thread.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by Rodeo
Yea, the term "redneck" sure is offensive. What with the comedy tour, books, calendars, dictionaries, and TV specials, it's offensively in my face

You are precisely the sort we have been discussing. As steadfast as you are ignorant in your perception. I guess there is no sense in being stupid if you can't prove it.

[Kemo]

Hmm...

I think Paul Rodriquez summed it up. to paraphrase: "If you aint black and you use the N-word, you got a whole lot of explaining to do"

So lets say that the black community has the open option to use the "n-word". Big deal. I'm white and have no need to use the phrase in any form or fashion.

While not offended by the term "Cracker" aka the "c-word", I do have to point out a bit of hipocrisy in that comedians, such as Chris Rock (mentioned earlier) seem to have free reign with zero restrictions on the use. by the same argument presented for preserving the "n-word" for blacks, shouldnt the same consideration be given when a non-white uses the "c-word"?

Could one assume from all this that "all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others?"