Caller Nita Hanson A.K.A. Jade Rejects Dr. Laura Apology
Unless you've been in the proverbial cave or just prefer to steer clear of this type of news, you have probably heard that instead of helping Nita Hanson a.k.a. Jade, Dr. Laura launched into a rant about how she doesn't know what the problem is with the use of the n-word when black comedians use it liberally without repercussion and as if to punctuate her point, Dr. Laura used the n-words 11 times during the course of the conversation.
Dr. Laura later apologized, sent a shout out to "Jade" that she would like to proffer a personal apology, and then later told Larry King she was wrapping up her radio talk show at the end of the year in an effort to reclaim her "First Amendment rights."
Nita Hanson spoke with T.J. Holmes about the incident on CNN's "American Morning," expressing her skepticism of Dr. Laura's apology. T.J. Holmes asked her why this incident upset her so much that she even had "crying sprees." She explained that the turn the conversation took was so unexpected that she actually thought she had done something wrong, especially since after she hung up, Dr. Laura seemed to be accusing her on the air of trying to set her up. T.J. Holmes pointed out that Dr. Laura was sorry and apologetic about the incident, but Mrs. Hanson said:
"It's more than just the n-word. I mean, that whole conversation, she said I shouldn't marry outside my race. Dr. Laura acted as if I tried to set her up. And that's not what happened. I called for advice. I didn't try to set this woman up. You know, at the end of the tape, she's like "nice try, Jade." Like, what is that supposed to mean? So I don't think she's sincere in her apology. She thinks it's OK to use the n-word and it's not sincere."
Well, you do get that impression from Dr. Laura, because of bringing up her First Amendment rights to say whatever she wants to say. But, Dr. Laura says on her blog that her apology is sincere in that she never intended to hurt anyone and later recognized that she had done that. Yet when you listen to the audio, you wonder if Dr. Laura still believes what she said about the whole thing being in the nature of a power play. Dr. Laura ended up her session after speaking with Nita Hanson as 'Jade,' by saying:
"We have to be able to discuss these things. ... Ah -- hypersensitivity, OK, which is being bred by black activists. I really thought that once we had a black president, the attempt to demonize whites hating blacks would stop, but it seems to have grown, and I don't get it. Yes, I do. It's all about power. I do get it. It's all about power and that's sad because what should be in power is not power or righteousness to do good -- that should be the greatest power."
How the conversation went from a simple call to help in a situation that is not that uncommon to the above ending was all Dr. Laura's doing, including her insulting remarks about hypersensitivity and marrying outside one's own race. From her apology, you don't get the sense that she no longer believes what she said. I don't know if I get the idea that she's sorry she got caught, as Mrs. Hanson says. I think that Dr. Laura definitely thought she could defend this diatribe and found out differently after the fact.
Dr. Laura says on her blog that she often gave out the advice when you have done something wrong to follow the 4 R's: Responsibility, Remorse, Repair, Repeat. (The last one means make a commitment to never repeat, not do it again. ) I think Dr. Laura missed the 'repair' part of her own advice. To make amends, it's not enough to just say 'I'm sorry I hurt you,' but to make an effort to understand why your own thinking was out of line and change that thinking.
Dr. Laura is right that there are some people who will never forgive her no matters what she says, but I would rather hear her saying that she understands that when a white person says the n-word, regardless of the point being illustrated, it still carries the connotation of racial inferiority than to be saying she wants to protect her First Amendment rights.
It's really not that hard to understand, Dr. Laura, and I have to agree with Mrs. Hanson, that you are old enough to know better than this.
Sources: embedded and
Lexis-Nexis Transcript of "American Morning" (8/19/2010)
Published by Valerie Ferrari - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment and Movies
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28 Comments
Post a CommentPublicity. Bad publicity is better than none for some people. Laura is slipping in the ratings, enter controversy. What in the world is she a doctor of, stupidity?
Personally, I never use the word, although I would use it if I were writing dialogue and it was necessary to the meaning. But I've heard the word used many times in a complimentary sense. I've heard women use the word to describe their intimate BFs. I've heard men young and old use the word to describe their closest, most intimate male friends. Of course, that was mostly in boxing gyms and, to this day, I'm not sure which world is the "real world"....:) . But I also remember the painful meaning in history and that's reason for me not to use it, especially now that I've returned to a more or less bourgie middle-class existence.
To start off, I agree with you blstring. And Ashley, who is anyone to just forget and forgive her "sincere" apology??? I am half black and this makes me so furious I can't even describe it in words. People need to speak up about this word, it should NOT be tolerated whatsoever! I mean, come on, we're in 2010 HERE PEOPLE!! Not 1950.
For the record, I think the N-word is vile, disgusting, and beneath any intelligent person.
Now, for the sake of discussion, for those who have stated "black people are okay when a black person says it but, are angry when a white person says it".
Think about the precedent you are setting. If you state due to the way two people address each other, in your presence, you should be able to address them the same way, let me ask you. If you have an affectionate expression for your spouse/significant other or you touch them in a 'familiar' manner in front of others, does that give 'those others' the 'okay' to address your spouse/significant other the same way?
Think about it. This is the way many rules of conduct have been set--by precedent.
Will this precedent apply to other matters as well? If you call your spouse a pet name and give certain affectionate gestures in the presence of others, does that give someone else the 'okay' to touch your spouse or address them with your expressio
Step 6 (con't): They will come to an agreement, make up on the air, hug, and two things happen as a result. A). Dr. Laura will be redeemed in front of her followers and her new 'venture will be a success. B). Nita will write a book or get a dream job.
Who wants to bet him (my husband)?
My husband is still laughing at all this. For the record, Dr. Laura's comments did not answer the main question of Ms. Hanson--a spouse being disrespected and their spouse does nothing about it. Dr. Laura has called the spouse of previous callers 'wusses' or 'weak'.
My husband is laughing at all this because he believes this is all a publicity stunt for Dr. Laura's new venture. Step 1: Nita calls Dr. Laura for help and is insulted in the worst way. Step 2: Media frenzy during which Dr. Laura 'announces' she's leaving radio. Step 3: The real identity of the caller is revealed! She doesn't accept Dr. Laura's apology (yeah, right). Step 4: Nita gets talk show spot and (WATCH THIS) is told Dr. Laura is interested in meeting with her to discuss the matter. Nita rejects. STEP 5 WILL BE: An announcement within the next week that there is a "world wide exclusive" program to air in which Dr. Laura and Nita will meet, on the air, and discuss this issue. Step 6: They will come to an agreement, m
If this is the worst thing that ever happens to "Jade," then she ought to consider herself lucky and not wallow in the "poor me syndrome"!
After reading all of these comments, I must say a few things. Whose is anyone to determine if Dr. Laura's apology is sincere? If you were raised correctly, with an education you would have been taught to except her apology and move forward. Today's society is very much divided just as it was, back in the day. There are a few differences though. Such as, white people are a minority and also it is now reverse racism. The days of African American people getting pretty much "the free ride," are fading out. How will you be able to use the racism card when you're the majority? I think that if African Americans use "nigga" and the traditional "n" word, so should everyone else. Remember what the word stands for? Then you must also remember that African Americans also owned African Americans, before you go getting your nose all bent out of shape with indignity! I think that there are alot of better things to do than to make a mountain out of a mole hill. If you can't get past it, you
I am a black male professional from Louisiana. I agree with Dr. Laura. Black people use the word "NIGGER" as if it is nothing. But if a non-black (ie Hispanic, Middle Eastern, White) says it, the very blacks that uses the word in any context gets angry. I don't get it. Why is it OK for blacks to say it and not OK for any other group?
when would a white person have a reason to use the n word to a black person? Why is it that some whites seem to believe that they set the rules for what is or is not a racist comment?What difference does it make that blacks use the word? Why is it that whites call each other trailer trash, redneck, and cracker but if an african american say's this to them they are being racist? Double Standard?????? If you know that the word you are using is considered to be racist to alot of people why do you insist on saying it? Seems to me the only reason is to get a reaction and that is exactly what the good old dr. got!!!! Just a lot more than she bargained for. I guess she now knows that she is not untouchable.