Michael Richards?

Question

I haven't seen the video, but did read a short AP story about it. Anyone else think that he may have been getting at something that, while it may have been partially based in bigotry (or what he might have thought to be shock value), is true about how blacks have regressed as a society?

Quotes from the AP Article:

Richards retorted: "Shut up! Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f------ fork up your a--."

He then paced across the stage taunting the men for interrupting his show, peppering his speech with racial slurs and profanities.

"You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now mother------. Throw his a-- out. He's a n-----!" Richards shouts before repeating the racial epithet over and over again.

Moderating his tone at one point, Richards tells the audience: "It shocks you. It shocks you" and refers to "what lays buried."

Answer 1

They just showed the whole thing on the news.....

the hecklers started it by throwing racial slurs at him
and calling him a 'cracker a s s'. Unfortunately, he lowered
himself to their level.

What would you have done?

Answer 2

I think "The Doctor" is giving too much credit to Richards by taking his tirade as an attempt at shock comedy or social commentary a la Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor or Bill Hicks.

The difference here is that Michael Richards is not a standup comic at the same level of caliber as those shown above. He's best known as a comedic actor and isn't notorious for shock comedy or outspoken humor. His reaction onstage clearly shows that he's a low-level amateur comic who never learned the art of dealing with hecklers while maintaining his own dignity and respect.

His actions were not intended to trigger the same response that Pryor got from using racial slurs or excessive profanity. Some can make poetry out of it, while others can be reckless. Richards was just showing pure hatred toward those ruining his night. The video made it clear that he was irrationally reacting to hecklers and not engaging in some "act" or schtick. If you're funny and can make people laugh, there's no need to defend yourself against hecklers because people will be too busy laughing to say anything back.

It has nothing to do with society becoming more politically correct or how use of the N-word negatively impacts free speech. Richards simply bombed onstage and chose the wrong way to deal with it. That should not be considered acceptable, because in a just society, "hate speech" shouldn't have the same protection as artistic expression.

Answer 3

I think this is shock value really. I think that he may have been getting at something though. I want to know why so many people act like a stereotype. I know what people say about my race and I try not to assimilate those stereotypes. That doesn't mean that I am not genuine, it just means that I don't do things that will make people point at me and say "isn't that just like a _____" maybe this is where he was going with his little rant. EIther way he will end up saying he's sorry just like Mel Gibson, before the week is out.

Answer 4

Here's the video: http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp?mode=1&pmmsid=1772645
I suggest you see it. I'm not usualy shocked at things and think that people are usualy over-sensitive about political coreectness, but this is really outragious. I thought the media went all crazy for no reason, but after seeing the video, I completly understand.

It doesn't matter what they said to him. Every standup comedian has hecklers, it comes with the job. They can't handle them with racial slurs, that's just wrong.

Answer 5

For a number of years comedians have been using race as a joke point, and have also been using racial slurs and derogatory comments for shock value in their shows. I think the fact that society has gotten to apoint where such social commentary as can be hidden in comedy has been pronounced offensive to anyone, to the point where a c level star makes news for it, is idiotic. I am not a supported of racism in any way, however I do feel that the need to shock, or to say some of these things is sometimes needed to show societal norms how far the world has come in its constant desire to be unoffensive to everyone, while still angering those same people in the attempts to be such.

Answer 6

I doubt the remarks made by Michael Richards reflect accurately in any way contemporary black society. Michael Richards may have misguided his comments given the response he later received in the media. Yet how can we look to Cosmo Kramer to shed light on the plight of the modern black man?

Answer 7

I haven't seen it either, but I do know the context of Michael Richards. I think it was more a commentary on white society and a condemnation thereof, more than anything.....I will have to check it out though, thanx for the heads up.

Answer 8

I agree with misskate. I read about it first and thought that media had made a huge deal out of nothing (it WAS at a comedy place). But after actually SEEING it, my jaw was on the floor. I was actually offended, which can be fairly difficult to do.

Answer 9

This is really out of character for Kramer. Something must have really set him off, besides teh heckler

Answer 10

Being hi only shows what in your soul. I'll never ever what the show again. Or buy any thing from those that advertise with it.