Michael Richards blows up

What exactly makes a racist? That's one of the questions to be dealt with in the aftermath of a former Seinfeld star's crazy outburst.

Michael Richards said Monday he spewed racial epithets during a stand-up comedy routine because he lost his cool while being heckled and not because he's a bigot.

Richards now joins Mel Gibson in the celebrity class of those whose bigoted statements don't really count because they were said while the performer was angry and/or drunk and not in a frame of mind in which they could reasonably be counted on to avoid saying very stupid things.

Except alcohol and anger don't create these sentiments. They just hinder one's ability to self-censor the embarrassing, mean, and downright moronic things people may be thinking. The only thing that can be attributed to Michael's anger at being heckled and Mel's love of the drink is the gap between a quiet bigot and a loud one.

`I'm not a racist,' says Richards after rant [chicagotribune.com]

Recent Entries:
· Lake Shore Cast Revealed
· Mad Men Season 4 Premiere Tonight
· Mel Gibson's alleged racist rant may be last career straw

[ READER COMMENTS ]

1. 1

   mike mcfarland said:

   I don't care how many Black shows/interviews Richards does, his remarks are still racist to me. How could that type of harmful/hurtful language come from someone who proclaims NOT to be a racist?

   Posted at 09:26 PM, on November 26 2006

1. 2

   J. Page said:

   Have you ever said something you regreted saying? there is no excuse for what Richards said but should'nt the gentelmen in question have shown the performer some respect while he was on stage? If you want to be funny get your own show. Cut the guy a break and get after racism wher it can be eliminated... in our children. thank you

   Posted at 01:03 AM, on December 4 2006

1. 3

   said:

   I believe Michael Richard's comments are racist, but when I listen to a songs by deceased rapper Biggie Small and the rappers from the Big Timers and Lil Wayne, I believe I hear the word that Michael Richards called these two men. I don't care how the word is spelled or used it should be considered a racial slur no matter what. I think some people should think before they accuse others of racism, evil or some sort of atrocity. They could be committing the same themselves. I think the rappers should omit the word from their songs just for the fact that they are being hypocritical if they are accusing others of the same remarks.

   Thank you!!!!

   Posted at 07:41 AM, on January 5 2007

The commentary for this entry is closed.