Jesse Jackson Says Michael Richards' Tirade Was 'Hate Speech'

[Extra!!! Extra!!]

The Reverend Jesse Jackson says actor Michael Richards' racial tirade during a standup comedy routine amounts to -- quote -- "hate speech."

More... (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,231943,00.html)

[Franklin]

How's this for racism: People are expected to believe that millions of black people can be represented by two self-serving, ignorant, arrogant, dishonest creeps such as the alleged reverends, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. But that's what Richards was led to do by his so-called public relations expert.

Suppose a black celebrity offended white people and wanted to apologize for it? To whom would they make the apology? Dubya? The KKK Grand Wizard? Who is the leader of the white race? Oh, there is none. We enjoy the freedom and dignity to think for ourselves and those original thoughts to be respected as such. Some of us are liberal, some conservative - we don't all vote the same way.. It's time to start treating Black's with the same respect. Why isn't anyone complaining about the perpetuation of this "Black Leader" nonsense?

As for the hypothetical question at the top of the previous paragraph - it would be nice if it wasn't hypothetical. There are at least two situations that call for such an apology - Louis Farrakhan, one of the most bigoted people that I've ever had the misfortune of listening to, and Sharptom himself for the Tawana Brawley fiasco - the fraud that made him (in)famous.

Sharpton also whipped up racial hatred in Brooklyn after a black child was killed in a traffic accident where the driver was a Hasidic Jew. Four days of rioting ensued and a member of the Jewish community was stabbed to death by the racist, black crowd, egged on by the fraudulent "reverend". How about an apology, Reverend?

If these alleged leaders were so concerned about the dignity of their race, they would have responded to Richards' apology with something along the lines of, "I'm sorry, but I cannot accept or reject your apology on behalf of the millions of people who happen to somewhat share my ethnic heritage". That would require humility and sincerity.

BTW, I saw Richards' apology and I think it was as sincere as it could be. That of course is very subjective. I have no more ability to be sure of his sincerity than anyone else has to be sure of his insincerity. And I do not excuse Richards for his rant - I can't imagine how that could have been more hateful or insulting.

[WileyCoyote]

Under the tutelage of Gloria Allred, the "victims" of Michael Richards' tirade are seeking compensation. Mind you, Gloria is only representing the two hecklers, not the rest of the audience that also endured the rant.

The entire audience should receive a refund for the show, to be paid by Richards, as well as any other expenses incurred by the club's management. That's all. If the product is not what it's advertized to be, then the cost should be refunded and nothing else.

If we could sue people for offending us, then O'Reilly would owe me quite a sum. (Sorry, had to take a shot at Mr. Bill)

[hokeshel]

Franklin, I agree with you on your points about Jackson ans Sharpton, I just coudln't figure otu quite hwo to express it.
We need to stop suing everyone for everythign said. I have been offended plenty of times by insults to women, overweight people, people divorced more than once, single moms, my religeon and political views. Who hasn't been offended? But, you have to shrug off or joke about what you can and file the rest under ignorence. Dont' let it become your problem. I think it is important to let people know when you feel they have crossed the line but, there is also a point when we need to just calm the hell down.