Nov.20.2006 Kramer: What’s the deal with n*ggers?
There’s a controversy a-brewin’ because Michael Richards got tired of a heckler and started shouting the word n*gger repeatedly, saying “Fifty years ago we’d have you upside down with a fucking fork up your ass … You can talk, you can talk, you’re brave now motherfucker. Throw his ass out. He’s a n*gger! He’s a n*gger! He’s a n*gger! A n*gger, look, there’s a n*gger!”
Since we have the inherent advantage that seemingly no other blog has of having a Black man writing for the Blog of Hilarity (seriously the Black community has a long way to go in blogging…golf, football quarterbacking, the Black community is making strides. Blogging, not so much), we decided to have a point-counterpoint about the video! Here’s the transcription:
Chris: So the guy said “n*gger.” So what? It’s a comedy show. The job of comedy is to challenge people’s viewpoints and perceptions. Even though the media likes to give other forms of media, like the news or even drama, so much leeway with sensitive issues. Comedy’s never allowed to tough that in any way.
Edgar: It’s not like he was being Lenny Bruce. It was pure anger. It didn’t make anyone laugh. In fact, it ended the whole act. And, while your viewpoint is understandable if he was really trying to do something to challenge the normalcies of comedy, he was reacting purely out of anger…
Chris: Slow down Edgar. I’m not a fucking court reporter.
Edgar: The fact is that a person like Lenny Bruce would use n*gger to go against conventions. Michael Richards was just getting into an argument with a black man at a show. There wasn’t any forethought or genius to it.
Chris: But then how come just saying n*gger is just this big thing? The guy is allowed to get all uppity, like such people are wont to do, just ruining Michael Richards’ set, and when Michael Richards finally gets at him, he uses one “taboo” word and it all goes to shit and he ends up having to issue an apology on Letterman.
Edgar: Some people in society are going to find certain words offensive. Like if you’re a Latino and you find spic offensive. Or if you’re Jewish and…what’s a good word for Jews?
Chris: Heeb? Money grubber? Cockroach?
Edgar: Big nose?
Chris: Air thief?
Edgar: It just signals a greater problem when you use words like that. You’re not just directing your anger towards one person, you’re directing it to a group of people…
Chris: Why can’t that just be directed at this one guy? Why is it just that because you say the word n*gger, all of a sudden you’re bringing the entire race to a concentration camp but if I call you a douchebag, that doesn’t slander all the douchebags out there and have the National Assocation for the Advancement of Douchebag People writing letters to me?
Edgar: It’s connotations. It’s how you use the words. If you say, “He’s acting n*ggerish,” that’s one thing. Acting n*ggerish is one thing. Saying all you people are n*ggers is another. It’s taking it somewhere stupid and unhuman. It would have been funny if the guy said, “He’s acting n*ggerish.” Then he might have been the Lenny Bruce of our time.
—————————————————
I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree. I should note that I hate bleeping n*gger (and I’m aware of the hypocrisy of not also bleeping spic). I find it to be a cramp on my style and freedom. But I do it for you, dear reader. However now, rather than be branded a racist, I’ll be branded a n*gger lover. Or a l*beral.. Great.
The thing that annoys me the most about this Michael Richards thing is really that he should have come out with this fresh racial brand of comedy sooner. It could have really added another dimension to Seinfeld. Here’s how I’d have Kramer enter Jerry’s apartment every episode.
*Kramer busts in*
THE N*GGERS JERRY! THEY’VE GOT ME GOING…YAHHHHHH
Although, honestly Kramer was kind of n*ggerish. With his wacky schemes and not having a job. And his womanizing and absurd style. So see, maybe Kramer did have a right to use the epithet! He’s blacker than Redd Foxx!
I don’t think it’s the one use of the word n*gger that’s the problem. Something about a fork up an *ss? You’re brave now? that’s b*llsh*t. Saying n*gger repeatedly while interspersing other racial slurs just isn’t cool, and there’s no way he’s trying to make people think, or even making a small accident.