If you read today's RedEye or my
earlier post, you got a sneak peek at some of our Pop Pundits who will be featured in the paper. Here are even more of the local tastemakers, pop eaters and artists I asked to weigh in on the question of the week.
Michael Richards is on the cover of Entertainment Weekly because he and his "Seinfeld" castmates will be on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" this fall. Do you think he has served his pop penance? Does he deserve to be back in the public eye? My take on the issue is
here. Now, check out the pundits' opinions, after the jump..
Credit: "Seinfeld"
Michelle BenjaminAbout Michelle: Graphic Designer and (A self-proclaimed pop culture addict)
Age: 39
'Hood: Lakeview
I love both Seinfeld and Curb. That being said, Richards is absolutely not absolved of his hate-filled rhetoric. I'm tired of actors/comics so-called "rants" that include racist, homophobic, sexist, on anti-Semitic language, with a PR-driven "Whoops! Caught me...Sorry..." and no sincere attempt to make it right. Shame on us as a culture for not holding these jerks' collective feet to the fire for longer. We all know the line. If you're stupid enough to cross it, say you're sorry. Donate money/time to awareness organizations and seek therapy. We will all hope you mean it.
Tony BrownAbout Tony: Actor/Writer/Bartender/Jack Bauer addict; Working on One-Man Play & 2 Screenplays
Age: 38
'Hood: North Side
If C.Y.E. is smart & witty per usual, they will absolutely make
mention of what he did: Have the castmates "Black Sheep" (did I say
that???) him on the show a bit and have the type of sitcom episode you
would never see on today's network sitcom television. He's paid in
full as far as I'm concerned. The hardest part IS getting the work.
T-Y Green aka Green St. GoochAbout T-Y: Up-and-coming hip hop artist. Check him out at facebook.com/greenstreetgooch, myspace.com/greenstreetgooch
'
Hood: Englewood
Me personally, I think and feel everyone deserves a second chance, regardless sometimes of how uhhhhhh let's see....... Dumb, ignorant, racist, bigoted of an action he/she might have taken. So to answer the question: yes. (Entire statement stated with all sarcasm!)
Shari WeissAbout Shari: Chicago Now's Social Media intern; Entertainment enthusiast in charge of TeenDramaWhore.com and BreakingTweets.com/entertainment
Age: 22
'Hood: Illinois Medical District
Depending on your level of sensitivity, we all had different reactions to the "n-word" fiasco. I don't think he owes the public any kind of pop penance, then or now. Celebrities don't owe us anything, and they can live and speak according to their own standards. There's hardly any circumstance that should prevent someone from trying to have a career and sustain a living. But it's up to the consumer whether he succeeds. Richards has all the right in the world to be on the cover of EW. If you have a problem with him, don't buy the issue and don't watch the episodes. It's that simple.
Kidd RussellAbout Kidd: Hip hop artist/Head of indie label: Junkyardproductions.net
Age: 28
'
Hood: Bucktown
Oh lord. This could be the best birthday gift Michael Richards ever received.
Never in a million years would I have guessed he'd explode into the worst racist rant in years. His punishment fits his crime (not literal crime). The public ultimately agreed that what he did was not acceptable and he hasn't worked since! Now, we'll see if the people have forgiven him, like my pastor says "that's what Jesus would do" lol!
Who's right? Who's wrong? Tell me which pop panelist you most agree with, and why?
31 Comments
antuck said:
I'm still not sure what the big deal with Michael Richards is. I understand what he said but I've heard black comics rip into whites and nobody cares. Besides as many time as I've heard a black man use the 'n' word it can't be a bad word. Seriously, if it is offensive, then no matter who uses the word it should be considered wrong. This was then and is now made into something it isn't.
Synthia Rose said:
I actually understand the "big deal" about Richards. And I can't watch Seinfeld, one of my favorite shows, because of him -- and because Jerry Seinfeld defended him and was so dismissive of what Richards said.
I will never watch anything with Richards in it. On a gut level, I reject entertainment by anyone who feels as he does about people who share my heritage.
*** What Richards said can't be boiled down to the "n-word." I laugh when people get caught up in debates over labels. Like Shakespeare said, "what's in a name?" Communication is CONTENT. And it doesn't really matter what labels Richards used, the content of what he said is that he detests black people, they are beneath them and don't have a right to heckle him because of it, and if it had been 50 years ago they would deservingly be lynched and hanging on a tree where they belong.
Now, that's some pretty powerful content to be unleashed on the spur of the moment. You just know that had been bubbling inside for sometime. And this wasn't a "joke" so I don't get the comparison to black comics "ripping" into whites. This was a departure from his comedy to address a heckler. I've seen under pressure that many people go to the lowest and basest part of their character.
Now, those who don't mind that vile part of Richards should hire and watch him. I won't. I sift my entertainment for value.
As for black comics, I've heard few black comments make vile racist statements. In fact the thing that irks me most about black comics trying to do racial comedy is that they glorify whites and make blacks look like weak cowards -- for example, jokes about dangerous situations ..whites will investigate and blacks will flee. I hear jokes like this all the time. This praises whites as explorers and blacks as cowards. There are also jokes bout whites being responsible and protective of their credit, while blacks are carefree, lazy, and spendthrifts. Are jokes like these really ripping whites? No, these are blacks who are so brainwashed they don't need to be on stage with an audience. Most black comedians embarass themselves and me with racial humor, but not really whites. There are some black political comedians who can make racial humor incisive and it's not to bash whites put to point out something in the social fabric of America. Richards isn't doing anything like this here. (and racial humor is not racist by the way).
Kyra Kyles said:
You tell 'em, Synthia. I wish I'd seen your response before I typed mine. You got all my points and then some. Everybody on this page should read her post twice.
klactose said:
Hey Synthia, on the content vs label debate we are cut from the same cloth! I've been saying the exact same thing for years, I usually don't get a big ups from Ms. Kyles when I say it though - haha. Salud!
As far as the crux of this post is concerned, we all deserve second and third chances, as long as we've made serious efforts to change our condition/feelings/behaviors. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about Mr. Richards' road to redemption to make a judgment about whether he has earned that second chance yet.
I hope that he has made efforts to change his heart, if so I want to congratulate him on confronting his demons. If not, well that is his cross to bear.
Kyra Kyles said:
Oh, puh-leaze. I think we have to look at the context of this discussion, as a matter of fact. I still don't agree with blacks using the n-word with each other ad nauseam, but clearly if comic Martin Lawrence or Chris Rock or hell, Sinbad, had been seen going off on black patrons this way, it wouldn't be a case of racism. (Maybe just ignorant-ism) But made-up words aside, I also believe that the pervasive use of this word in pop culture by blacks leads to the confused posters who even here commented that they don't see what the big deal is because blacks use the word on each other. Though I disagree and think it's quite obvious that the word has different meanings depending on circumstance, I do think that simply diversifying and/or finding other terms of endearment would go a great way toward ending pathetic defenses, such as have been offered on Richards' defense. But I digress: I don't want to go to war with klactose on the n-word today. (Waving white, tattered flag.)
Kyra Kyles said:
I'm sure we'd know about it, antuck if a black comic stopped his show and used racial epithets to scold a white patron. I know I'd certainly rip into that comic for being a bigot. It goes both ways and I don't support racism in any form and no matter who it is against.
I don't use the n-word, and don't condone its use by anyone. However, I think it's a bit odd to act as if a black man saying it to another black man is the same as a white man using it against a black man. It's all about context. If your brother calls you an idiot (and has since you were little, and in a joking way), I'm sure you would feel differently about his use than from a boss who called you an idiot...and by the way, screamed it in front of your colleagues. Some blacks have tried (I feel not successfully) to take the ugliness out of this word and use it in an affectionate manner, though it originates from racism. I'm sure you wouldn't argue that there was any affection behind the way Richards used that word on the stage. He was angry and even mentioned lynching. He's older, and clearly not hanging out with the so-called hippity hoppers who might have been using that word another way. I think to try and defend him in any way is a big stretch of the imagination. And like I said if they caught a black comic screaming at a person of another race and calling them a term comparable to the n-word, believe me, I wouldn't be defending that comic. He'd find his arse right here getting made fun of in the Kyles Files. Hope nobody tests the theory.
Josh said:
I think I most closely agree with Kidd Russell on this one. I don't know about "forgive & forget"...but maybe "live and let live". His tirade was absolutely unacceptable, and I'm pretty sure it revealed some racist leanings that he apparently had kept hidden until then. But does that mean he should never work again? That doesn't seem fair. And a guest arc isn't exactly a starring role (a la "Seinfeld"). I'll watch "Curb" and continue to watch "Seinfeld" as I always have. But I doubt I'd watch a new show if he was the star.
Kyra Kyles said:
Cool, thanks for weighing in Josh. I like your "live and let live" credo. We can't keep people down forever, but we can let them know when they've gone too far, so they don't do it again. I wouldn't watch a new show of his, anyway. That "Michael Richards Show," was awful! It almost made me scared to see "Old Christine," because that Seinfeld curse was strong back in the day. Glad Julia broke it.
GeekToMe said:
Isn't this the week for forgiving celebrities and celebrating comebacks anyway? Michael Vick gets a standing ovation in Philadelphia after committing some truly horrific crimes, and Michael Richards gets the cover of EW magazine after being recorded saying some utterly detestable things on a camera phone. Maybe they're apples and oranges, but it just goes to show what the power of celebrity holds. We so need celebrities that we'll give them almost every chance to 'redeem' themselves so that they can entertain us.
On the other hand, how many celebrities do we idolize and give our money too who never slip and show us their 'dark sides'? Are we saying that we don't care what kind of person they are, as long as they don't get caught on camera saying/doing something we wouldn't approve of?
Kyra Kyles said:
I am not on the Vick bandwagon either, believe me. In his case, all I can say is at least he had to go to jail and will now be on PETA's short leash for life. But it does seem to be a pattern of redemption rising. Chris Brown still has some little tween girls saying he didn't beat Rihanna, even though he pleaded guilty and apologized. Silliness! That's why these celebs should be appreciated for their talent, and nothing else. Some of them are very bad people and should be treated as such. If a dog-fighting fool, racist or wife-beater lived on your block, you'd shun them. But give them a talent and you're in love with them. Silly!
Guy Smiley said:
If your brother calls you an idiot (and has since you were little, and in a joking way), I'm sure you would feel differently about his use than from a boss who called you an idiot...
This is the point that I ALWAYS try to make regarding this "well, if they can say it, why can't I?" argument. YOU can call your brother an idiot and he gets it without getting too upset (most of the time). But if I come up to you and say "Man, your brother's an idiot"... well, I hope you see the difference. It takes on a whole new context and 9 times out of 10 you'd probably want to defend his honor if I did that. Same with the N-word. Two members of the same group have a rapport that an "outsider" would never probably have. I've heard one Italian guy refer to another as the D-word and a Polish guy refer to a co-worker, also Polish, as the P-word. Think I could get away with that without coming out looking like a racist? It's the way life is. Deal with it.
Sometimes I think the guys who complain the most about this "unfairness" are the ones who want to be able to use the N-word more than anyone else. Why would someone complain about not being able to call someone else "nigger"? Why is THAT important to you?
Kyra Kyles said:
Hey Guy! Thanks for weighing in. Great points on other ethnic groups using "insider" language. I guess with the n-word there is another layer of complexity b/c it is heard so much in mainstream rap, which is out there in the pop-o-sphere. Can't recall the last time I've heard anyone in another ethnic group refer to themselves with controversial terms on a track or in a video. Great points all around.
lbobren said:
What he said was obviously inexcusable. But i'm in complete agreement with Tony Brown. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to see anything Richards is starring in but I'm definitely watching "Curb". Larry David is a smart dude, and there is no way this won't get addressed on the show. I'm really intrigued to see how they're going to handle it. They're going to know how uneasy we, the viewers, are going to feel watching Richards on the show. I'm expecting some hilarious awkwardness.
Kyra Kyles said:
Hey lbobren: Thanks for coming on into the Kyles Files and commenting. I think we're on the same page with how to treat Michael Richards. And I'll be watching "Curb" too to see how they handle this. I did notice that last season, he did an episode in which the n-word figured prominently. Let's see what happens when he gets less subtle. And this show is all about awkwardness. I cannot wait to tune in. Thanks for the comment. I'm sure Tony Brown appreciates the support.
Dee950 said:
The fact that Richard elaborated about lynching (killing a person) is pretty deep. You can't see this dude as a good person. What he said was just full of a deep hatred that I'm sure it's still there. It was deep to the core when he was lashing out. How did he keep that evil hidden for so long. Anyway I never really think about him and I don't really watch Seinfeld anymore. Who thinks too much about such a person. However, there's a lot of people like him that have forgiven him so I'm sure this will be no big deal to them.
Kyra Kyles said:
Agreed Dee950...they were probably never mad at him to begin with...
bumstead57 said:
What scares me most about his rant was that it seemed to come from nowhere - the deepest reaches of his mind, which were accessible because he was bombing on stage and clearly feeling vulnerable and defensive. And then he lashed out in a hateful, spiteful way, which no doubt surprised himself. I always fear what lurks bubbling in the cauldron of the id that our superegos try to keep be the lid for.
I don't know what's in Michael Richards heart, or why he exploded like that. I just pray to god I never experience a similar moment of control completely taking leave of me. And for his career or appearance on TV, well, there is no way to see him and not think of that. It was too dark a moment, too savage a response to ever let him get back to being a bumbling food comedian. It's really very sad.
Kyra Kyles said:
Exactly, bumstead57! It was so random. If it had been a celeb that I thought could harbor those thoughts, it wouldn't have been as shocking. I think that is part of why I found it so difficult to get over. I had no clue he had that inside him. He went crazy! And you know that came from his soul...it was too detailed for it to be random. Glad to know it wasn't just me.
Joey Morelli said:
Seinfeld did not even bother with an occashional colorful face on his show. But since i am a hawky that never lived as a black man in a white world I'm gonna shut my piehole.
Kyra Kyles said:
Yes, people have laughed at the way the show ethnically cleansed New York, as did "Friends." But you do not need to couch your comments. Everyone is free to comment on the topic. It's great to get different perspectives. Thanks for weighing in, Joey!
TTH said:
Americans are a forgiving sort. We believe in 2nd chances.
Hell, an athelete who said such ridiculous, hateful things as "The white blood harms us, it hurts us. When we was darker, we was stronger. We was purer" and "the white man is the devil" is now looked at as some sort of hero. So, it's probably only fair to give a comedian a second chance for his ridiculous 1 or 2 minute rant toward a couple of hecklers, as well.
Kyra Kyles said:
Thanks for the comment. Yes, I totally agree with second chances, but particularly if the person seems sorry for what they did. Never got that notion from Richards. He couldn't even admit what he did, and blamed it on anger. (Make that anger coupled with deep-seated racist thoughts.) Not familiar with the quote that you referenced, as I am far from a sports buff, but would appreciate further insight into who said that. I guess my goal isn't to take a look at who has been forgiven, but to see who has sought forgiveness and why. Was it because of sincere remorse, or because their publicist told them to? I'd take the conversation beyond race and look at the acts of Chris Brown against Rihanna. Can't be forgiven if you aren't really sorry... But I digress: As I said in the column, won't let Michael Richards ruin two great shows for me. I doubt I'll enjoy looking at his face, but I won't change the channel either.
So which pop culture pundit best reflected your opinion, TTH?
Scott Kleinberg said:
I think Michael Richards was wrong - very wrong. I mean, ugh ... the whole incident was just ugly. It was hard to look at Kramer and not feel awkward.
That said, you know, it's over. There was an apology. I think life is too short to hate and not forgive. There's no way in the world Larry David won't write it into Curb somehow ... and that might be awkward all over again, but it's time we as a society got past this.
Maybe I'm just a naturally forgiving person. This from the same person who just went on a rant about the possibility of Pete Rose being reinstated into baseball after 20 years after his "lifetime ban."
Kyra Kyles said:
I'm forgiving too, but typically only to those who seem sorry for their actions. I never sensed that in Richards' comments after the incident. He seemed insincere and full of excuses. He could have admitted he had racist sentiments, went and gotten some help and made amends through charity work or something. Instead, he went and hid...Now he re-emerges. Yippy. Guess I'm not filled with hate (like he may be), but as some other posters have said, it is hard to see him as a goofy, friendly character when the last image of him was that crazy racist tirade. He was such an endearing character, and that is completely shattered. Oh well. Like I said, interested in seeing how the show works with the topic on "Curb." Maybe he'll go off on the Soup Nazi.
fw henson said:
Oddly enough, I just left a comment denouncing "free speech rights" claims for a homo-hating reggae group, yet here I am defending Mr. Richards. The difference is that Mr.Richards was being harassed by black men when he was trying to do his set,and,as many of us do under pressure, lost it momentarily.End of story. The black reggae group methodically and systematically try to incite hatred and violence against gays.Please put your condemnation on those that really deserve it, and leave this nervous, emotionally overwrought comedian to move on with his life!
Kyra Kyles said:
I definitely agree on the "oddly enough" part. Who cares if Mr. Richards was being harassed by black men? Why not call them idiots, morons, hobos, bums...anything but racist terms? How would you feel if Buju Banton (who is one person, and not a group, actually) justified his actions by saying he was unleashing homophobic slurs on gay men who interrupted his set? Sounds ridiculous, huh? Hopefully, you understand that the punishment for heckling is not a barrage of racism, gay slurs, or any other extremely ugly reactions. There are far too many insult options before we get to skin color and start referencing lynchings. If a comedian has the nerve to get up on a stage, he should realize that some people might boo. If he had enough talent, he would have been able to silence them with his wit, not his deep-seated racist rage. He can certainly move on with his life, but I too have the right to choose which celebrities and performers I want to support. He is not among them, but I respect your choice if that is who you support. Thanks for the comment, fw henson.
fw henson said:
Thank you for responding.Please allow me to reply.I do see the point you are trying to make.I think the reason we disagree on this matter, is that you expect people to be aware of their words and behavior every moment,conscious of others decided feelings without exception to time,place or content.Better safe than sorry in any words that come from our mouths.I simply do not wish,nor wish for others, to live in a constant state of terror about which words to use in their contact with me, or other gay people,for that matter.
You could argue that these 2 black men knew, as well, the environment they were entering, and could have expected to be humiliated if they were going to engage in that behavior.Yes, Mr.Richards crossed the line, and has payed the price.Funny, how no one talks about the 2 black men who instigated the whole misunderstanding in the first place.Why is their behavior not dissected and discussed and condemned as well?Before we decide whose pure evil,and whose saintly,I'd like to get all the facts from BOTH sides.Call me crazy, I just don't see the world in black and white.....pun completely intended!(LOL)
BTW- Mr Banton's behavior(thanks for the correction), in my opinion, is not a resonable comparison to Mr.Richards,so I'm afraid I can't fairly and thoughtfully comment on you question.
Thanks for reading my response.
fw henson said:
By the way, I'm not black, but I am gay. If 2 obviously gay guys were harassing Mr. Richards, keeping him from doing his set,I would be surprised that he would use the word "faggot", but under the circumstances would understand, and feel the guys got what they deserved.I wish that ability for you,too,Ms Kyles.Sometimes it's just not about the word,but the underlying intent, that is important.
Kyra Kyles said:
Hi fw: Then I guess that is where we differ. I don't think that anger should take you to a place as ugly as homophobia or racism so quickly. I do think the guys were wrong, but I'm sure there were other things (aside from their race) to mention. I assume this was not Mr. Richards' first time on a stage and so I would think it would take a bit more than that to get him talking about lynchings, n-words and such. But we can agree to disagree on this point. We have likely all experienced irrational anger and I assure you there are some e-mailers who insult me to the point where I might fly off the handle, but perhaps because of my upbringing and experiences, racism is not even close to where I'd go to get back at such an attack. Thanks for the thoughtful responses.
Papa MaC said:
I'm "mixed-raced" with all sorts of things and don't consider myself racist in any sense of the word, but as an adult I've spent a significant amount of time around racist people of all shades, shapes and backgrounds. I don't hate people for hating, that's kind of redundant. Let's face it, the world has a majority population of racists to some degree, but as long as the line isn't crossed we get along pretty well. Once the line is crossed, it needs to be addressed in one way or another. You can't change how people think by getting angry at their opinion; it's like being overly strict on your child, you aren't teaching them wrong from right by blowing up every time they do something not to your liking, just how to hide it better. Words are just words unless there is an intent for physical action behind them. I've seen Steve Harvey publicly humiliate a stage-hand on camera for being light-skinned because he preferred there be people of darker complexion working his show. Steve may have done it with a smile, but there is a hate in him just as deep as that of Michael Richards.
Kyra Kyles said:
I don't hate Michael Richards, but I certainly don't support his career at this point as I did prior to his outburst. I think we have a lot of bigotry, and even read a sad article that it starts just after infancy and is almost natural. However, in terms of racism, I do not think you can be racist unless you have some kind of structural power. Blacks in America, including Steve Harvey, do not possess that. They of course have easy access to hate, bigotry, prejudice and the like. I would never say that minorities of any kind are wholly blameless in matters of racial strife. It can go both ways. As for the Harvey example, I think that's a clear indicator of ugliness, though I am a bit puzzled by that anecdote, as I would think that society would consider him to be of a light complexion. We all know about light vs dark skin prejudice among many minority communities (black, Indian, etc.) and I don't agree with that either.As for the words are words, I guess unless we go to sign language society, they are definitely important thought context also matters. Word choice is very telling, I believe, especially with so many at our disposal. I think that Richards context was quite clear. And grainy video or no, there was nothing like a smile on Richards' face. Thanks so much for the comment Papa MaC. Hope you'll stop by often. Great insights.
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