The Observer, December 1, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 12
Racism with double standard
Sports analyst Michael Irvin and comedian Michael Richards, known to many as Kramer from the 1990's sitcom Seinfeld, have made recent racist statements. The racist comments made by these two men bring up many discussions. One of these discussions that I would like to present is the tolerance of the common man's racist words and actions, and the uproar that will arise from racist statements made by people in the public light.
About a week ago, Irvin, an ESPN football analyst, apologized for his comments on the Dan Patrick Radio Show. On the radio show, Irvin stated that the Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's athletic ability must be due to his African-American heritage. And so it began…protest against a simple joke that many of us have said before. I cannot count the amount of times I have heard a similar joke. Why is it not acceptable for celebrities to make these types of comments?
Whether we admit it or not, we are all racist in some way. We all have racist thoughts; while they seem miniscule because we usually associate them with jokes, they still stand as racist thoughts. We even make racist jokes with our friends because we feel safe with our speech around these people. But let's say someone outside your group of friends heard the joke and asked if you were a racist. You would immediately deny this.
Racism is a dangerous word, and even worse to be labeled with. More importantly, the word can be seen as the enemy of racism and here is where Irvin gets in trouble. It is not the fact that he made racist statements like some do, it is the response we the public feel should be displayed so that we are known as adversaries of racism.
During a stand-up comedy routine on Nov. 17 at The Laugh Factory in West Hollywood, Calif., Richards followed his earlier hate statements against Jews by making racist comments to a black heckler. Richards responded to a black heckler with racially charged comments, yelling, "Fifty years ago we'd have you upside-down with a f------ fork up your ass," and repeatedly shouting "He's a n-----!" The heckler responded with his own racially charged comments by repeatedly saying "That was uncalled for!" before calling Richards a "f------ cracker-ass motherf-----" and "f------ white boy."
After the incident, Richard's racist statements were all over the news and became a popular topic in the African-American community. While the focus was on Richard's comments, why weren't the heckler's comments criticized?
There is a double standard that exists in today's society. While it may not be acceptable for African-Americans to make racist comments, it is more tolerable for racist comments to be spoken by African-Americans than those of Caucasian descent. When a Caucasian person makes any racist joke or comment, their words are scrutinized and they are called a racist.
In contrast, when an African-American makes a racist comment, their words are not questioned as severely. This unfair double standard hinders the development of American society. When American society is able to judge all races justly, then we will be able to rise to a new level.
