race: she said what?!
It’s only because of who it is, that I’m not foaming at the mouth, but I still couldn’t let this go by without comment. Socially conservative talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger done gone and put her foot in her mouth on the air… again.
The caller explained that she was beginning to grow “resentful” of her husband because he seemed comfortable with a neighbor continually making racist comments about her. When asked to give an example, the caller told Schlessinger that he had used the n-word, to which she replied that she didn’t see a problem with that. “Black guys,” she explained, “use it all the time. Turn on HBO, listen to a black comic, and all you hear is n*gger, n*gger, n*gger.” Then, of course, the conversation veered inevitably (and uncomfortably) towards Barack Obama, with Schlessinger continuing: “We have a black man as president and we have more complaining about racism than ever.”
—Dr. Laura’s Racist Tirade: 11 N-Words And Advice To Not ‘Marry Out Of Your Race’ [Mediaite]
The caller explained that she was beginning to grow “resentful” of her husband because he seemed comfortable with a neighbor continually making racist comments about her. When asked to give an example, the caller told Schlessinger that he had used the n-word, to which she replied that she didn’t see a problem with that. “Black guys,” she explained, “use it all the time. Turn on HBO, listen to a black comic, and all you hear is n*gger, n*gger, n*gger.” Then, of course, the conversation veered inevitably (and uncomfortably) towards Barack Obama, with Schlessinger continuing: “We have a black man as president and we have more complaining about racism than ever.”Her pièce de résistance, however? Closing with “if you’re that hypersensitive about color, and don’t have a sense of humor, don’t marry out of your race.” Because that’s obviously what you should think about when you start dating or fall in love with someone, “I wonder what kind of offensive jokes this person will feel it’s OK to tell once we’re together…?” Which would be a funny imaginary scenario if I hadn’t already experienced it once or twice myself and seen it in other couples plenty of times. Whether the mix is race, class, religion, nationality, everyone knows at least one couple that makes jokes about one or the other that would make your jaw drop if anyone else said it in or out of polite company, but they feel like they have a pass.
Now, she did “apologize” on her show and blog, initially claiming that she is aware she did the wrong thing but then turning it around on the public saying that she “was attempting to make a philosophical point” and “I ended up . . . with many of you losing the point I was trying to make”. So it’s not that she responded to a caller–who was actually seeking help–in one of the most offensive, unfeeling and uncaring ways possible, it’s that we didn’t get what she was trying to say! She then wants us to know that she was so upset she ended the show early. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the potential backlash of her statements with 20 minutes of airtime left to deal with it.
I don’t even know what to say about this, I find it difficult to believe that people get paid and sponsored to spout off like this–thankfully not exactly like this–on a regular basis and still have listeners. But it’s Friday, Friday the 13th at that, so let’s end this post on a positive note while staying in theme.
Mmm, Liev… *swoon*
TGIF y’all! 
It’s beyond my comprehension why anyone ever calls this woman. What are they thinking? “Gee, it’s been awhile since I’ve been subjected to any verbal abuse, maybe I’ll call ‘Dr.’ Laura!”
When you mention couples making inappropriate jokes I can’t help but think of one of our housemates. He’s a young white guy, twinkish, who ONLY will date black men. That’s an attraction I can understand but he’s always making jokes that play on the worst racial stereotypes of black people. I don’t know why anyone would think that’s OK. He wonders why he can’t find a boyfriend and I got to believe that attitude plays a part.
That’s very much the behavior I’m talking about. Of course a friend and I are known to make fun of white people a la Stuff White People Like, but that’s much more a joke about culture than race. In fact by their observations we’re two of the whitest people anyone might know.
But I feel that such “humor” is noticed after a while and it’s impossible for that not to come out as part of your personality. And sadly/unfortunately, I tend to notice that it’s almost always the caucasian member of a mixed-race couple that makes the jokes or lets others slide. Not too difficult to sort out why, but it still needs to stop.
Mmm, Liev. Maybe this will help chase the right-wing blues away.
Oooh, I so needed that. “Asteroid-sized” indeed. Love him.