“Kramer” Actor Richard Apologizes On Letterman For Racist Tirade….
Actor Michael Richards, who played “Kramer” on hit show Seinfeld, appeared on David Letterman via satellite Monday night to apologize for a his racist rant during a comedy show Friday night.
Like most of us, I was sickened by Michael Richards’ something-far-beyond-racist meltdown at a comedy club in Los Angeles last Friday night. If you’re one of the three people in the U.S. who haven’t seen it (repeatedly), you can go here to edumicate yourself. Trust me; it’s not pretty, and to call it offensive would be a horrific understatement. “Kramer” frankly just lost his mind.
My concern at this point is less with Richards’ behavior than the reaction of the African-American community. I’ve seen interviews with the likes of Sinbad and other African-American celebrities, and the recurring theme seems to be that Richards’ apology on The Late Show With David Letterman was “insufficient”. I watched Richards’ via-satellite appearance on Letterman, and what I saw was a man who seemed truly remorseful for the words and the abject hatred he spewed on-stage. He seemed truly chastened and well-aware that he had crossed a line in a horrible and hateful way. Unless I missed something, Richards’ apology seem genuine and heartfelt. Richards was not brash or arrogant about what had happened; he seemed genuinely shaken by and very well aware of the gravity and impact of his words.
So…was Richards’ apology “sufficient”? And who gets to decide? African-Americans certainly have a choice as to whether or not they are willing to accept the apology, but do they have the right to determine whether or not it is sufficient, and, if not, to demand additional and specific penance? Do they have the right to place requirements and expectations upon Richards before they will accept his apology as “sufficient”?
I was thoroughly sickened and offended by Richards’ disgusting and hate-filled rant. There is no excusing or erasing it. What also offends me, though, is the self-serving reactions by African-American celebrities, who, while certainly within their rights to be offended, seem to be revelling in hanging Richards out to dry.
No reasonable person would defend Richards’ words and actions. By the same token, no reasonable person should take advantage of the situation to pursue their own agenda. Michael Richards has apologized and will likely continue to apologize. Whether or not African-Americans choose to accept his apology is their choice to make. NO ONE, however, has the right to require Richards to take specific actions or utter specific words before judging his apology as “sufficient” or not.
Whatever happened to forgiveness, to the recognition that we all are capable of thoroughly screwing the pooch, that “there but for the grace of God go I”? It seems from where I sit as if too many African-Americans are willing to use Richards’ words as an excuse to pursue whatever their particular agenda happens to be. And some of them actually seem to be revelling in Richards’ dilemma.
I don’t believe in my heart the Michael Richards is a racist. I may be wrong, but I believe that what happened was simply someone completely flipping out in a moment of anger and rage. For whatever reason, Richards simply and totally lost his composure. We’re all said or done things that in retrospect we wish we could take back. I suspect that this is part of what Richards’ apology on Letterman was trying to establish.
The career of Michael Richards will never be quite the same. It will always be colored by his on-stage meltdown. He will always be tinged with the stain of racism, but America is a country predicated on the premise that we all deserve another chance. As offensive and sickening as Richards’ words were, doesn’t he deserve the opportunity to demonstrate that this was an aberration, and that his remorse is genuine?
Shouldn’t forgiveness by part of the equation? If Richards truly demonstrates his remorse, and if his apology seems heartfelt, which in my mind it was, shouldn’t that be “sufficient” to begin travelling the path to forgiveness? Or do you really plan on milking your outrage for your own selfish ends?
Kramer might have been right they probably were fucking niggers andi agree about hanging them like they need to do more of these days and these fucking niggers will learn to open there fucking eyes and realize they are made out of cowshit and not gold.
I appreciate your honesty. But I must ask...do you feel Mel Gibson's apology was as sincere as Richards? I ask because I want to make sure this isn't a case of different treatment for different minorities. Mel seemed just as apologetic. They both are asses. Both lost their ability to speak coherently during the "apology"; are they different in tone to you?
I also respect your right to your opinion that Richards isn't a racist. What exactly is a racist then? I thought it was when people used ideologies and language to offend or oppress other people/minorities. Which is what Richards and Mel both did. In my opinion, if you use racial epithets when angry, YOU ARE A RACIST. But if you believe he's not a racist, what does that make him? A man with anger issues who uses racial epithets but doesn't mean them? Why use them then?
Just wondering...
Maybe it's because I wasn't a Seinfeld watcher, not a big Kramer fan (though he was funny on the few shows I watched) but I know that if I like a character/actor, I may be more prone to forgiveness. Is that the case for you?
Sorry, I had another question: I missed the Black celebrities like Sinbad etc. commenting on the situation. But didn't many Jewish celebrities did the same after Mel's meltdown? Yes, they did. Many said his apology was 'insufficient'. Many of Mel's denouncers stated he needed to do more, that the apology was not enough. Like I said, I missed the Black folks speaking, but did they really say Richards needed to also do X in addition to the apology? Why do you believe that these Black folks are using the situation to their advantage (and what might that be, exactly, their advantage?) rather than simply accepting his apology? And why wouldn't the race of people Richards directly insulted be the folks to decide whether the apology is enough? Um, I would think that's the first set of folks I'd ask. Why ask a Jewish person whether the apology for a "Nigger" rant was sufficient? The insult doesn't affect them as directly!
Now, please believe that I'm not trying to be contentious. I am really interested in your thoughts...This is my first visit to your blog and I REALLY like it! So I had to ask, to get a better idea of where you're coming from.
It's a difficult question, and I find myself comparing my reaction to Gibson & Richards, trying to determine if my differing reactions are built on reason or their "likeablity" as "characters".
I did think that Gibson's apology was significant, but for some reason I was still repulsed by it. Perhaps the involvement of liquor and religion colored my judgement of it.
I suppose the point I'm trying to make here is that consistency is a difficult thing to come by. I wish I was capable of it, but I'm just not certain that I am. Questions of race and racism are things I find difficult to examine rationally. For me, there is a strong element of emotion that comes into play...and that may well cloud my judgement.
Shawn, if you're looking for a sandbox to pee in, drag your knuckles somewhere else, willya?
You'll be welcomed with open arms at Little Green Footballs.
where the hell is little green footballs? What does that mean?
I heard a portion of Richard's apology and it seemed sincere enough. But apparently Rev.Al Sharpton wasn't satisfied, because it was given to a "white audience". Yes, we should all accept Al Sharpton's guidance on how to give an appropriate apology for being a racist. Oh that's right - Al hasn't given his yet.
It won't be over until Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney accepts Richards apology.
Little Green Footballs...as much as I detest the idea of linking them:
http://lgf.com/
I'm made out of what, Shaun? And please tell me, what are you made out of? And doing what you suggest - what was that - hanging someone and assaulting them will put you exactly where you would belong....in jail.
I'm made out of what, Shaun? And please tell me, what are you made out of? And doing what you suggest - what was that - hanging someone and assaulting them will put you exactly where you would belong....in jail.
I see criminal minds are posting here, huh, Shaun?