Is Oprah a hypocrite, re: Rutgers and her "white man" comment on today's show?

Question

This morning Oprah had the Rutgers team on due to the recent scandal with Don Imus. Later in the show she had a hip-hop dance instructor come on to teach audience members some moves. At one point Oprah made a comment about being at a party and there "always being some white guy dancing funny..."

HELLO????? She JUST had the Rutgers team on and was obviously on their side due to the racial comment made by Imus. Was Oprah not racist herself in some way???

Personally I was not offended by her comment because most white people laugh when we're made fun of for our dancing "skills" and I think most white people would laugh. But why is it ALWAYS okay for black people to say whatever about whoever, and a white person must apologize ad nauseum, have interventions, meetings, or lose their job?

Even if her comment was made in fun, it still seemed tacky. If black leaders want equality, their message of "it's okay for us but not you" is really getting old.

Thoughts?

These are great responses...for those who thought I was comparing the two, I do believe Imus' statement falls under the "offensive" category more than Oprah's. But her timing was very off and I think if you're going to speak out against racism, you shouldn't make fun of the way a white person dances, even though it might be funny (and taken less seriously than a comment like Imus'). As far as black people "getting away" with stuff, re: Kanye West, but did white people boycott his record label or scream for his CD to be pulled from shelves? Why can Snoop Dogg sing about hos on his album and it's okay? These are things that I think most white people are confused by. I think racism is just something some people latch onto to have something to blame for their (or world) problems and/or something they seek out instances of to serve their "cause" (Jackson and Sharpton).

Answer 1

I'm glad I am not the only person who noticed when Oprah Winfry had the Rutger's basketball team on her show and ridiculed Imus for his comments, then in the same show she had the nerve to talk about how white people have no rhythm. Is that OK for her to be a hypocrite and go by a double standard? God forbid a white man talks about how black people have nappy hair, but black people can comment on whatever they choose and use words like honky, cracker or white bread and its OK. PLEASE..this is nuts. I am not agreeing with Imus' comments, but how is it fair that Imus is ridiculed for his "racisit" comments and Tom Joyner and his morning show are allowed to bash white people day in and day out??? He even has a "resident white man" and segment called "lets ask the white man" where black people call in and ask this guy why it is white people do various stupid stuff. Tell me that's not racist. And explain to me why Tom Joyner and his crew are still on the air? Has America become a society of cowards who bow down to this double standard?

Answer 2

Well, I agree with you, to an extent. No, Oprah should not have made that comment, it was in poor taste even if she meant it as a joke. However, that does not excuse Don Imus, even if he had not said the "nappy headed" part, he still degraded those women by calling them "ho's" wheather they are Black, White, Hispanic, Asian or whatever. I think most of America is missing the point, it is not okay for ANYONE to be disrespected. And Black people can't ALWAYS say whatever about whoever, I guess you don't remember the blacklash for the comment Kanye West said about the President not caring about Black people in the wake of Hurricane Katrina? The bottom line is this, EVERYONE should be mindful of what they say when race is concerned, because you never know who will be offended. It is not okay for ANYONE.

Answer 3

Sure, Imus screwed up. I am not protecting him nor defending his stupid comment, but it was just that, a stupid comment. I have never been an Imus fan but in this land of "free speech" if he makes a comment you don't agree with or condone, (which he's always been pretty good at anyway) just don't listen. He's not perpetuating any more negativity than any hip-hop fool that is using the same (and more often worse) comments about their own race. I think those guys do a great job of holding black women in high regard and show them great respect, don't you?
I want Sharpton to flip out and demand Oprah "the strong, black sista" to be taken off the air for her stupid mistake.
Oh, wait, she gives more to charity (in different countries) than Imus' cancer foundation does...let's all just let her slide this time. What a horrific example SHE is.

Answer 4

how come it is wrong for imus to say nappy headed hoes,he didnt say anything racist,white people have nappy hair too,but the problem is the fact that these hiphop artist can call women bitches and hoes and call us white -people white boy or white ***** or cracker,maybe they should do away with their recording contracts and ban them from performing at public events,or maybe even sue them,and why should we apologize because black people were slaves,we did not own slaves,that was way before our time and further more they were not slaves,i think that they want special rights,considering they basically have more rights than us anyway,for ex. if more than one of us hits one of them,it is branded a hate crime,but when they do that to one of us it is more or less going to amount to nothing,the same thing with racial remarks,and where i live in kentucky the police will watch a drug deal take place,but a white man is arrested for buying crack,and the black crack dealer is let go,i guess that what applies to us doesnt apply to them,and as far as oprah,remember when she lied about the texas cattle industry,they tried to sue her for lying to the public,but because she is rich and black they lost the suit against her. even when her remarks were on film,and i think that she is racist,amd i think that people like her al sharpton,and people like that are the ones that keep it all going,i know that some white people are racist but i thinkthat there are far more black people that are,they are the ones that are racist

Answer 5

I can see why you would think that. Maybe her timing or the necessity for the comment was not good, but honestly . . . how can you even compare the two comments. Imus used racially charged and derogatory language to describe the appearance of black women on a basketball team. Oprah's comment didn't include anything of the kind. You even said yourself that you weren't offended, so why are you making it an issue. Be honest, we have all seen that white guy who dances funny at parties, just as we have all seen that black guy who can really dance too.

To help . .. let's go back to the definition of racial prejudice -- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary: "to cause injury or damage resulting from judgment or action of another; an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or without sufficient knowledge."

With this information in mind, who is really injured?

Answer 6

Between the media and Jackson and Sharpton pushing, the whole world is just becoming one big double standard, if those two had it their way they would have burned Imus at the stake, and they are supposed to be so called reverends of faith, thats a load of crap, where is their love and compassion and parading for the Duke Lacrosse players?

Answer 7

That had nothing to do with Imus calling us as women nappy headed hoes. He was not just talking to black women, because there were white women on the team. So I am pissed and if you don't like Oprah, dont watch her

Answer 8

Come on lady, "White Boy Dancing Funny" and called "Nappy Headed Ho's." Hmmm you're not comparing apples to oranges, it's more like comparing apples to rocks.

Had Imus' only said "Wow, look at those ladies from Rutgers, I'm sure they know how to break dance," he would probably still be the shock jock of morning tv - radio. What do you think?????

Answer 9

She is an overpaid, over bearing fusspot! Put this clown in a locked room with that pig rosie o'donnell and whoever comes out we get to send naked to iraq! The sight of either will turn even the most ruthless 14 year old a-rab bomber Catholic!!!!

Answer 10

i just wish it would quit being this competition of who is the most "un racist" race, because it just makes everyone look worse. I wish people would quit being assholes, accept that were all human beings, and quit letting race be such a determining factor for what you think someone is or isnt. most regular people get along fine, i have friends from all different races and am in a biracial relationship, its these well known people who need to get off their high ******* horses and realize that they arent any better than anyone else, and quit trying to act unracist, and at the same time putting someone else down. and that goes for all races.