Michael Richards "I Am Not Racist"

I cannot believe that Black leaders are actually taking audience with this man. What are they thinking - aside from another 15 minutes of fame. See I'm not sure who I'm more upset with - them or Michael Richards. I mean you would like to find an excuse, any excuse to forgive the guy - or at least I would - because as long as it's not in my face I can make it through oh say 1/2 of my day without being reminded that racism is alive and well in America. But when racism like his and Mel Gibson's is so blatant, you are painfully reminded of what people are probably thinking and not saying and now you are down to zero minutes in your day that racism isn't in your face.

I might have forgiven Michael (whose work on 'that show about nothing' was hilarious) if the very next day he had (as I wrongfully predicted he would) admitted to some type of drug or alcohol addiction. But he didn't, he got on TV with an apology that was no where near as heartfelt as his rant. What does he expect us to do? First, he didn't apologize directly to the young men or the audience, and second why should we forgive and forget? I get the Christian side of forgiveness and I'll give him that because I am a Christain first. but he doesn't get the forget part - the forget part is what has helped those who harbor these feelings go unchecked most of their lives. They say these things while in a circle of "safe" friends - who even if they know it's wrong won't really speak up. Then when they are somewhere in public where it's not ok, it comes out as soon as they get flustered, frustrated or angry. We are too forgiving and too willing to 'stay in our place', not 'step out of line'.

What audacity, to think for one nano-second that Black leaders "forgiving" you, Michael will translate to Black America's forgiveness - you are by your actions committing yet another racist act. Assuming that we all speak with one voice, that we all think exactly alike, that we are unintelligent and didn't understand the 'n' word or what you meant when you screamed it over and over. You imply that you think we appointed these leaders to think for us and to be our connection to the white community. Well let me tell you - some of these leaders are more connected to the white community than the Black community, and we know a skunk when we smell one. You owe the audience, the two young men and their friends more than an apology.

Yes I'll admit we have let these leaders appear to speak for us before, but you are taking the easy way out. I am insulted by your weak attempt at contrition, it's a good thing I'm not one of those black leaders, cause I'd tell you to go ___ yourself. I demand that you apologize to the men you directly insulted, then apologize to each and every member of the audience as well. You should at the very least write a big fat check to the comedy club and let them all come back for free - to see someone else of course - cause your career is over. And finally you should be made to work in a prison, or forced to teach at the poorest school in the poorest city in America for no less than two years. Maybe in those years you will unlearn your racist behavior, or end up opening your big mouth enough to have the word "cracker" branded on your hind end. By now you should be thinking 'admitting an addiction would have been easier'..., too late!