Is Michael Richards racist?

Question

Or was he just unleashing anger towards people who were putting him down.

Is his career over, has your opinion of him changed?

Answer 1

he got mad at a few jerks, who happen to be black. If they were white he could have said anything, but since they are black you have to wear kid gloves. They can call each other the "n"word and call white folks anything they want. Everyone is fast to jump on the racist band wagon. The most racist people I have met lately have been black. get over it, would you be just as mad if they were "calorically challanged" and he called them fat pigs?

Answer 2

Who knows what's in this guy's head. We all get angry sometimes, but we don't all reach for racist slurs to express that anger. There are degrees of racism and I doubt he's a closet cross burner. But the first word that came to his mind when he got angry was the N word, which says a lot about what type of person he really is.

I think it's good that he apologized, but I certainly think less of him. I doubt that his career is over but it will suffer (not that he was exactly lighting the world on fire before this happened).

The truth is that celebrity is about being talked about and for a very brief moment, he's got the public eye for being bad. If he's smart (and I don't think he is) or he's got a savvy agent, he'll ride this wave of indignation, go on Oprah, Dr. Phil and some of the entertainment shows and do the mea culpa tour, maybe shed a few tears, talk about turning his life around, maybe even be born again, and use it to revive an otherwise flat career. It's true that most Americans hate bigots (at least the really obvious ones), but we love a good redemption.

Answer 3

I just finished watching the video of it, and I do not think it was apart of his act (some people are saying that) I think he was angry and when people get angry, the true side comes out. Before I heard the tape, I just assumed he used the "n" word like once, and sometimes people just say that to make someone mad. But he went too far, I think he is a racist, and his career is certainly over. He was out of control, no appology will make that situation better. He was out of line for sure!

Answer 4

I think he's like many people...subconsciously racist. When you shout racist expletives at someone just because they angered you, but say you're not a racist, it's a bit contradictory. Honestly, I was very surprised the way he went off. He used the N-word like it was nothing. He couldn't handle the heckling because he is not a stand-up comedian. And honestly, I thought his career was over when Seinfeld went off and now I think this proves it. His act was not very good and I think he knew it, which is why he lashed out the way he did. I am curious to see how he would have reacted if the hecklers were white.

Answer 5

That Sure Sounded Like A Racist Talking. / If It Was Just Anger

You Would Just Get Mad For Moment / But He Kept Useing The Word N. Over And Over That Was Hateful.

Answer 6

I believe his behavior was racist. As for his career... after Seinfeld, didn't they all bomb? Julia went on to have marginal success with the Adventures of Old Christine, Jason Alexander had two shows and a few bit parts, and Jerry went into minor seclusion. Richards had the least success of all witha failed tv show, years ago. Now he is just a a has been.

Answer 7

just because he says somethings that you consider racist does not mean he is a racist
the thing you have to remember is the mans age and the time he grew up he grew up when being a jew was not a nice thing and blacks were not blacks and italians were wops and
i think you get the idea those things do not die easy in the mind but have to be controlled
find out what it was like to grow up where he did and his past what if his parents were killed by someone that robbed them and the robber was black
learn the full circumstances before you label some one a racist
hmmmmmm what did you just make of yourselves by answering the way you did what does that make you

Answer 8

Michael Richards is definitely racist. His anger was justified, but not his "lynching" remarks nor the remark about interrupting a white man. He could have said a lot of things without race being a part of it. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (St. Matthew 12:34). If racist thoughts were not inside him, racist remarks could not have come out.

Answer 9

I truly beleive he is a racist because how he went about it, when people are angry they really do say what they mean and the way he stated the N word was straight derogatory. I look at the responses people make and they are missing the entire point, if he would've made a joke about them in regards to the n word that would've been a different story, but he went overboard especially with the lynching speech and for half of these assholes in this forum to compare that racist ******* with Chris Rock and others are plain stupid. Its obvious his career been over and he looking for someone to blame. Those hecklers weren't right either, but every comedian has to expect assholes at their show, I mean didn't someone prep him for that, and in repsonse to the c word they didn't say he was c until he called them the n word. I will never watch seinfield again, and i asked a question about him yesterday and was disgusted by the responses because it goes to show their are alot of in the closet racists in this forum. I don't like the way he approached those Hecklers and for that club to let him perform again goes to show that offending African Americans isn't a big deal, but if he would've said it to a jew, Lord forbid!!! They say this isn't his first run in with racist remarks--a black lady complained a long time ago that behind the scenes at Seinfield were full of racist derogatory things said about her, but we didn't hear about that... I don't care about the N word or white people using it, but its the way it is used and it is clear from the tape that he used it as a racist, and why other people can't see that is pathetic. He didn't attack them like a real comedian would have, he attacked him like the racist pig he is...

Answer 10

I think the only reason people are making a big deal about it is because he is white. I have this belief; if you dont like someone because of what they say then dont listen! I have noticed a trend with celebs putting their foot in their mouths, and i think it depends what race you are. If Dave chappell or chris rock said what he said, then its alright?? I watched an episode of Dave chappell and he was making fun of white people, and i was extremely offended, but i didnt call the news station about it?? i just dont watch his stuff anymore. I remember when he was in the news for calling the audience stupid crackers with no humor and he walked of the stage?? do you remember that? well it was in the news for about one day and he said he was sorry?? I say Fu*k that. I am surprised the NAACP hasnt got involved yet?? it is rediculous. When i hear a minority say racial things, i just let it roll ya know because i am too mature to let words hurt me. I would assume mature adults fee the same way no matter what race you are. I hear black people call each other the n-- word all the time and sometimes its said in anger, but nothing is said about this double standard, but god forbid a white person or hispanic says it in a comedy act:::::: OH lord! I say get over it, and press on, and if you didnt like what he said then dont support his work any longer, because without fan support, he will have nothing.

Answer 11

Both. I think in that moment he was racist, we can't say he is. He was my favourite "Seinfeld" character. Racism does not combine with Kramer. I know Michael Richards isn't Kramer, but I couldn´t believe a comedian guy acting like that. No fun at all.