Jesse Jackson / 'kRAMMER"

Hi Salty,

That's Kramer, not Krammer (not a Seinfeld fan, I take it ). There wasn't any transcript of their conversations in the article you linked to so how do you know what all was discussed?

 

Anyone else see the humor here. It cracks me up.:laugh:

 

The problem I saw with Jesse's interview was that he would not answer the question, and would not state what I think is an obvious truth -- that racism lies just below the surface for many of us, and a little provocation will bring it bubbling out. Most of us know how to keep it under control in normal circumstances, but we let it all hang out when stressed or when we think we are in an environment that will be permissive to racism. Have you ever been in a group of all-whites and the subject of race comes up with derogatory or stereotypical remarks made, simply because there was no one there who was black or Asian or whatever? That's what I think Jesse should have spoken about, because that's what Michael Richards' ("Kramer") remarks were all about. He can say, "I am not a racist" all he wants, but I am afraid the remarks point to a human condition that puts to the lie his protestation. (Rather like Nixon's, "I am not a crook"!).

Jesse Jackson has become so involved in the political process that for him, it would seem, everything has to do with policy and not much, if any, has to do with the human heart.

By the way, I will be among the first to acknowledge that white folks are not the only racists around. But our problem is that historically we have used our unwarranted sense of superiority to lord it over others. The "others" have not had the opportunity to do that to us!

 

I don't go to a church like that. I'd probably be looked on with some concern if I acted like that among my friends.

 

I am glad your church is not like that. But let me point out that I did not say "in a church", but "in a group". I was referring to casual or business gatherings that are not church-identified.

 

Joseph, you made some very good points and I believe you hit the core of human nature directly in the eye. Have you heard some of the jokes Chris Rock or others will tell? Not far from what Kramer said except they are black.

 

I have only one question, what about Kramer's 1st Amendment rights?

Sorry, actually, I have two questions: What provoked the outburst? We haven't heard what was said or done previous to what was captured on video, so what transpired before the camera started rolling? Does anyone know?

 

What action, if any, did the government take to infringe on these rights?

 

The government hasn't done anything, but the people the rant was directed to have hired a high powered well known attorney for a law suit.

 

Aaah. Well surely a just court will throw a frivolous case like that out, for the first amendment guarantees Mr. Richards right to be an idiot.

 

I don't know but on the tape I saw someone kept calling him a cracker. Shouldn't he be asked to apologize also?

 

Michael Richards was on Rev. Jackson's radio show this morning.

Say what you will, but with Rev. Jackson I have heard this morning a better example of forgiveness, concern and reconciliation than I've seen in most churches, and certainly far better than any of us on this board have ever practived.

 

Kramer seems to have progressed from the justifiable act of apology to one of groveling.

I'm embarrassed for him. Enough is enough.

 

I'm all about forgiving people who ask for forgiveness but Mr. Richards apology seems disingenuous. The things that came out of his mouth are things that ought not to be in the heart of a man and doesn't really seem like an oops I slipped and said the wrong thing moment.

"Shut up! 50 years ago we'd have you hanging upside down with a ******* fork up your ***! You can talk, you can talk, you can talk. You're brave now ************. Throw his *** out. He's a ******, he's a ******, he's a ******. Look there's a ******! - Michael Richards​

"I’m not a racist. That’s what’s so insane about this," - Michael Richards​

 

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Looking at myself

After taking a long honest look at myself(at about the age of 50) 19 years ago I came face to face with the fact that I am prejudiced. I truly did not believe I was prejudiced before the Lord showed me that I was. And when that happened I was devastated and I am to this day deeply affected by it.

 

We have troops in harms way. Veterans sleep on park benches. 40 million plus have no health insurance. Dozens and dozens of babies will be aborted today. An estimated 30,000 kids will starve to death in this world today. Human rights are being taken from people all over the world. Real, honest to goodness racial problems exist in this country. But we're talking about an actor's idiotic ranting in response to an idiotic rant from a fan in a comedy club?

God help us. :tear:

 

An actor's idiotic ranting in respons to an idiotic rant from a fan in a comedy club are significantly contributing to honest to goodness racial problems that exist in this country. Thus, it becomes "News / Current Events".

 

Reconciliation with what ?