Was Halle Barre's statement anti Semitic or was it just free speech?

Question

I think Halle Barre's statement was free speech because she wasn't saying anything directly to anyone. She has a freedom to state her opinion if she wants. When Mark Fuhrman in the O.J. Simpson trial used the "N" word, nobody sued him, because they can't. But he did lose his reputation in the African American community. I think Halle Berre is going to have a hard time finding a job since majority of Hollywood producers are Jewish. Once someone makes a comment about them, they will be hit by all angles and they will make sure their reputation is ruined. Just look at Mel Gibson, one word about Jews and he's going to be ruined for life. Even though they didn't prove that Mel Gibson said anything offensive. So I just think cause he made the movie Passion of Christ, the Jews want to get revenge on him. Well the whole world seems to be anti semitic, so Halle Berre's statement is going to wash away fast since more anti semitic statements will be seen by a lot more people soon.

Answer 1

One of her Jewish assistants told Halle Berry that the picture "could be your jewish cousin." That was funny. It stuck in her head and unfortunately she relayed it on Jay Leno. Since she's not jewish, alot of people took offense. The thing is she did what alot of people do. Some tell jokes and are accused of being racist/anti-semitic/ageist/etc, when their whole point was to say something funny. Take down the barriers and learn how to laugh.

Answer 2

The beauty of your question is that it was both free speech and anti-semitic. If you're wondering why she is getting sued and not Fuhrman is that Ms. Berry is a rich woman where Furhman wasn't. You can't get blood from a turnip. I believe these races don't understand that when one is called an ethnic slur it doesn't mean that the speaker thinks that way about ALL people of that race. People, there are bad black people, bad Jewish people, bad Hispanics, and bad Caucasins. For this reason I don't blame someone like Michael Richards for yelling things at the two black guys who were interrupting his show. A show, btw, that many other people paid money to see. If you don't like a show then get up and leave and don't ruin it for everyone.else. BTW, Mel Gibson was drunk when he said what he said and we've all regretted things we've said or done under the influence so he should get some slack. Also, what happened to forgiving someone who apologizes in this country? If someone admits to something wrong they've said then they should be forgiven then and there.

Answer 3

Yes, we live in a sanitised, cotton-wool-wrapped world where no-one is allowed to be 'offended'. This comment was just a careless quip. Ill-advised, yes. A bit sill, certainly. But anti-Semitic? Give me a break! Lighten up, for pity's sake. Apparently the original joke was made by one of Berry's Jewish assistants backstage shortly before the show and so it was fresh in her mind. The poor woman is only human so forgive her a small slip.

But you know what? No-one ever died of being offended. And for everything that anyone says, someone, somewhere will be able to take offence. Some make it their hobby.

Answer 4

Halle Berry and Mel Gibson are two different stories completely! But,I think society has a "whole" are waaaay too sensitive @ take some things to heart,when they really shouldn't!
~People need to lighten up a bit!

Answer 5

The statement that she made was not anti Semitic, she simply said that a woman with a big nose looked Jewish. Funny! and come on lots of Jewish people have big noses. Also she stole the comment from one of her Jewish assistants. People need to get over themselves.

Answer 6

What statement did she make?

Okay, I just found the comment on google. It was a dumb joke about jewish noses, but very different than Mel Gibson's antisemitic rant.