"I'm Not a Racist" -- Really?

1. I know exactly what your saying Richards....it happens to everybody with every race (even the ones that claim to be so righteous)!

Posted at 11:43AM on Nov 21st 2006 by 4real

2. you da man Kramer!

I agree, Kramer is not racist, it was just where the act was going. Most of you people who dont know what its like to do work in front of live audiences may not understand.

This is the best clip Ive seen yet on this issue. Kramer says this is where the bit was going, and there is a thick racial issue thats not talked about, and Kramer opened it up wide.

for this? Kramer is a hero, the result will be better race relations, so really you could say Kramer is a hero in the footsteps of the famous Dr Martin Luther King

Good for you Kramer! lots of us support you 100%, I mean those of us who say it was not racist because we are not racist either and can see what it was

Posted at 11:49AM on Nov 21st 2006 by Bradley26

3. I agree very much with 4real. Everyone makes mistakes, let it go.

Posted at 11:49AM on Nov 21st 2006 by Jessica

4. I feel for Richards after all every black comedian's show is always calling white people names why aren't they apoligizing. Black comedians as far back as Red Fox, Richard Pryor and Sinbad just to name a few. I believe Richards when he says he's not a racist i infact have called people that name just like millions of others its name that our forefathers have taught us and it's gonna die when Honky does and wetback and nip and jew so get a grip all you haters you've all done it . On the comedy relief program George Lopez put down the whites in whole Richardscalled a few ignorant audience members these names because he was angry. All you people that are mad, shift your anger to george bush afterall sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. george Bush is killing our young men for no reason get angry at that all you wining wendys.

Posted at 11:53AM on Nov 21st 2006 by Donna Sablan

5. That was a sad moment. Despite the racist things he said, he doesn't consider himself a racist. The definition of racism, according to Merriam Webster, is

"1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race."

In common usage, "racist" is now equal to "ignorant bigot" when clearly the definition of racism doesn't support that belief.

We are all racists in America; we've all subscribed to the belief that a certain race is "better" and others are not. The "hate" that many whites have described is simply the reaction of a human being put into an arbitrary category of "less than" despite being made in the image of the Divine. Every time a racial epithet is used, the false belief that one person is better than another based upon differences in looks is supported, and the truth, that we are really all one race, is obscured.

Maybe something good will come out of this entire unfortunate display. One can only hope.

Posted at 11:51AM on Nov 21st 2006 by Gen-X

6. He isn't a racist, he's an alcoholic. He could barely speak English without slurring his words.

He's as much a racist as Mel Gibson.

Posted at 11:54AM on Nov 21st 2006 by A Raymond

7. Don't worry kramer, next week britney will do something stupid with paris hilton, tmz will be back on there kevin federline kick, and tara reid will probably get denied to hyde along with greasy bear. The world will continue like it never happened, one thing i'll give him credit for is not hiding behind his spin doctors and just being upfront about it.. good on ya !

Posted at 11:57AM on Nov 21st 2006 by tysin

8. they started on him and he shot back at them as they deserved . if eddie murphy,chris rock, richard prior say nigger its no deal at all its just a word and everyone has freedom of speech dont they?? so i think people should just stop blowing this nothing story into a big thing because it is just 2 people arguing at each other and everyone wants to pulll the race card every time someone says anything. listen to louis farrakahn talk one time then tell me whos racist but noone makes a story about him??

Posted at 4:45PM on Nov 21st 2006 by ron

9. I am sickened to see that a strong percentage thinks that Michael Richards is not racist. I sickens me because it proves that many folks truly talk and think this way and don't consider themselves racist. They are sympathizing with Richards because they are embarrassed by their own racist thoughts. Listen, you don't need to belong to a white supremist group, the KKK, or beat up black folks to be a racist. You can be a functional racist with black friends. That is still NOT COOL. It's problematic and you need help. What other proof do people need than to actually view the person saying those terrible words. Oh, that's right...you say them too.

Posted at 11:57AM on Nov 21st 2006 by Meredith akins

10. #5 -- you're missing the point. Yes, black comedians make fun of whites all the time...just like they make fun of gays, jews, women, blacks, latinos, et al.

I remember one of the funniest remarks I'd ever heard from Chris Rock was when he made fun of black women and how they're afraid to use credit cards.

These comedians make fun of EVERYONE -- and that often do so to poke fun at stereotypes. Next time you use "black comics make fun of whites" argument -- rest assured, those same comics make fun of people of color as well.

Furthermore, making fun of people as part of a comedy act is just that -- a comedy act. Everyone in the audience knows it's all in good fun.

But MR wasn't making fun of blacks. He was anrgy. Using the N word and making sick references to lynching.

What he did was a far cry from poking fun at someone in jest.

Posted at 11:59AM on Nov 21st 2006 by Chad

11. Here is my take. Actors and comedians, when performing, go into a charactor. Depending on the situation, the charactor can be a good charactor or a bad charactor, but a charactor none the less. When they go into charactor, it sometimes takes a while for them to go out of charactor. It is both a blessing and a curse to be able to do that. The better actors can go into a charactor where you "believe" that charactor to the point where you lose sight on the actual person doing it. Out of charactor, Michael Richards seems to me, based on observing him with other interviews, that he is a nice man, with a gift of comedy that very few possess. it is a shame that he was heckled to the point where he went into a charactor like the one he did. He did seem VERY genuine and I hope he does get some help in him so it doesn't happen again, and hopefully, he won''t get heckled. Comedians get heckled all of the time, I've seen a variety of comedians get heckled and sometimes they go into a rant that can actually be scary. Personall, i think it is rude for people to heckle a standup comedian, whether you like their act or not. At least Michael had the decency to apologize to those in the crowd as best he could after he calmed down and I feel if those that were offended had the decency of allowing him to apologize would be nice too. The one that was heckling should also apologize for heckling and his racist comments as well. Racism, whether it is words spoken in the heat of the moment or illegal acitivities is not how we all should be living. Words are one thing, but actions are another. Racist actions are far worse and those are what we should be concerned with as well.

Posted at 1:33AM on Jan 1st 2007 by DB

12. "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

Posted at 3:47PM on Nov 21st 2006 by Dan

13. Seriously TMZ don't you people have any other stories? 3 stories in a row about Kramer on Letterman...c'mon. Y'all should go back to letting people who live in caves write stories about video games

Posted at 12:08PM on Nov 21st 2006 by The only one who matters

14. You don't even think the "N" word unless you are in fact a racist!

Posted at 12:06PM on Nov 21st 2006 by just saying

15. Of course he is a racist. Those words don't just tumble out of someone's mouth. If the audience was rude, why jump to race-disparagement and hate based on skin-color instead of addressing the actual offending conduct? Someone should stick a fork in him because he is "DONE".

Posted at 12:06PM on Nov 21st 2006 by Words have meaning