Does Michael Richards have a problem with prejudice, anger, or both?

Question

Don't just skip right to "both." Really think about it. It is certainly possible to say racist things when under the influence of rage without actually believing what you said. It goes back to that old childhood phrase, "Sometimes adults say things they don't mean when they're angry." Is that the case with Mr. Richards? I'd like to know what you have to say.


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Answer 1

I think you can say things when you are mad that you wouldn't say otherwise, but I do not believe that you say things that you truly don't feel. He said these things without even having to take time to think. This leads me to believe that they were his true feelings that came out only because he was angry at the time.

Answer 2

IMO, Michael Richards *might* have an anger problem - but it's diffiuclt to tell what his motivation was. Was he simply angry and/or trying to embarrass the Black hecklers or was he just acting out a rant as part of his schtick on stage?

But regardless of motivation, he is definitely not prejudice against Blacks. I read an article in the celebrity section of the Electronic News Network that researched some tidbits about Michael Richards, and they're quite interesting...

i.e. although all the main cast on Seinfeld was white, 40% of the stars on Michael Richards' *own* TV show were Black. And I'm sure, coming directly off the success of Seinfeld, he would have had LOTS of input on who his supporting cast would be.

Plus they have a link to a photo shoot of celebrities arriving at a 'Def Poetry Jam' party in L.A. a few years ago, and Michael Richards is the *only* white person they have a picture of - all the rest are Black!

Plus a couple other bits of evidence in that ENN article...

So it's pretty clear he's no racist.

Answer 3

In a country that is based on free speech there is a tendancy for the media to dictate what is "free" to say, for what ever the sayer's reasons were. First of let ME say that it is never appropriate to make slurs to anyone but let's face it...everyone has some prejudice about someone or something. Back to the media and what is now considered "free" speech..Barbara Streisand pulled a "temper tamtrum" cursing out a professional heckler. She had no idea that the person was a professional but a ticket holder that happened to be pro Bush. Since SHE has been the media's darling, the story was all but buried. I am not taking sides on politics but we all have equal rights when it comes to free speech. People have died to protect that right. The catch is when and how to use that right properly and unfortunatly some people (and stars and starlettes notably as they can have a profound influence on the public) have not learned this art. A star should never loose it with there audience. That is who put them on that pedestal.

Answer 4

I think he has an anger problem because I know he didn't want to reveal that he is in fact a racist.

Answer 5

Can you tell me how hard he was pushed before responding so viciously?

That might determine what his anger issues might be. But who the hell ar we to judge? Remember the saying about glass houses?

Answer 6

i think his problem is, telling the truth and others not wanting to here it.....

Answer 7

enough already, how many weeks was this,