Richards Reaches Out To Civil Rights Leaders

46. I personally find it saddening how closed minded, hatefull, judgemental, and unforgiving our society remains to be. I struggle to find justification in the actions of either parties. The gentlman in the audience voiced his opinion on what he thought was a lack luster performance, which was disruptive and percieved as a personal threat to richards whom uttered his opinions in retaliation. Both were uncalled for, but both are fogiveable mistakes

Posted at 6:10PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Joseoh

47. He even said during his apology that maybe this wasn't the right venue for it, but he was asked. And he was more apologizing to people like those writing above who are upset by it. He said he would like to apologize to those who were there, but he wasn't yet able to get ahold of them. (Sounds like some of you haven't seen it) Anyway, I just believe in forgiveness. Everyone makes mistakes - especially out of anger. Haven't you said something awful to even those you love out of anger? I know some will never be able to forgive, however, they should expect the same reaction towards themselves with their next big mistake, no more no less. And whether it was authenitic enough is between him and God.

Posted at 9:10AM on Nov 27th 2006 by Houstonian

48. She wolf, P.S.: For future reference, you may avoid these confirmations by using your e-mail and password:

Posted at 4:26PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Bill Steele

49.

Look it's not JUST about him using the N-word over and over. He started out the tirade by saying if this were 50 years ago they would be lynched! That ugly comment to me a black person hurts even more than the N-word. The intention of both was not to make people laugh, or push the envolope as some people here have suggested. It was intended to offend, intended to hurt, not intended to be some joke or punchline.

Posted at 12:55AM on Nov 23rd 2006 by Tc

50. Its Leesa typical "white attitude" that is the problem with this country in general. With her "white" get over it mentality. Its so easy to make that ridiculous statement when your white and all of the benefits of this country are naturally afforded to u. Its so easy, when u reflect back on your history and u don't see your own grandmothers and grandfathers being beaten with billy clubs & attacked by police and their vicious K-9 dogs. Its so easy when crosses aren't being burned in front of your house and your being lynched for no other reason than birth. Its so easy when u see the government advocating kill the ni**ers when as a black person, u know in your heart the only thing that prevented u from suffering the same fate is time of birth. Its so much easier to say get over it when you've dealt with racism at a comedy club, but not in a job interview, supermarket, bank, televison or everyday life period. Hell, its even easier when u literally don't have to live your life in fear of the law, because the law will be just to u first and just two blacks at their convenience. It always puzzles my mind that 400 to 500 years of consistent racial abuse has now turned into the race card or now get over it card. Yet everytime we as people try to do that their's another Kramer (who just happened to get caught on tape) reminding us of who we are, who they are and where we belong. I'd luv to see Ms. Leesa walk into a womens rape victim trauma center and yell outloud that they need to get over it. All Kramer/Michael or whatever the racist calls himself is speak aloud what many white people keep to themselves or speak of in their all white circles. I personally thank Leesa for continuing to provide us insight into the white mind and white mentality cause at minimum all she did was further prove to us, how much farther we have to go and how insensitive whites continue and in most cases will always be to the issue of racial classification they themselves invented.

Posted at 7:04PM on Nov 23rd 2006 by YoungBlackMind

51. I have been around blacks most of my adult lfe working and living and I have never heard blacks call each other N WORD! I've heard Brother,Bro' , Man, Hip, Skin, Black, Nigga, Grey, Punk, Boy, Slick,Yellow, Bitch, Splib etc.etc. I have been called Bro and Nigga many times, but I have never heard Hey, N Word or Yo,N Word! Am I not hip anymore? Someone please help.

Posted at 4:45PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Bill Steele

52. People,people,people! White is white and black is black. They are different and it's okay! Personally I am proud to be white and not black. Racial slurs are not necessary either way. If a black man insulted me though, I would be more offended than if a white man did it. Does that make me racist? No, it just shows that I am confortable with who I am and with my heritage. Nothing is wrong with anyone taking a stance for their heritage. Racial integration should have never occurred, it will never work! Get over it

Posted at 5:56PM on Nov 27th 2006 by Randy Thompson

53. Talk to Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson about what ?!!!!!!! Your true colors come out and now you want to go to the Black leaders to help you get out of this MESS that you created. Michael Richards have you ever heard of the old saying "OPEN MOUTH...INSERT FOOT". That's just what you did you put your racist foot in your mouth and now you find out that "racist toe jam" leaves a bad taste in your mouth and prehaps even less money in your pocket. You were caught on tape and now the whole world Blacks, Whites, Hispanic, Jews, Indians, Asians anyother ethnic group of people can really see who you are.

I have no idea what the Revs Sharpton or Jackson can do for you, except to pray for you hate filled heart.

Posted at 4:55PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Edith

54. I was driving from work in L.A. and I got into a confrontation with another driver, who happened to be a white male (I'm a black female). I drive a sports car and so did the other driver, to his dismay his car couldn't drive faster than mine, so as we came to a traffic light (once he caught up to me after racing me down the street) called me a N*GGER... Instead of it being a fun race between sports cars it became a demeaning experience... I of cours ebecame incensed and enraged, he also had a girl in the car... I was alone... I was like "What did YOU call me"... The weasel got scared and try to take off, I chased him down and almost crashed because I wanted him to get out of his car and say it to my face... The traffic became heavy and I let his scarey behind go.. A guy (hispanic) in an SUV in front of me asked me what happened, I told him the car in the mustang called me a N*gger, he was appalled and tried to continue the chase... The chicken kept oing as fast as he could... It seems that bigoted people need to feel in control if not they become insecure and then lash out at those who are different than they are... I learned a lot that day... I didn't know race was and is as prevalent as it actually is in this day and age... I have never been called one before then nor after that. I can't imagine being born during slavery and having to take whatever BS the slavemaster gave out....

Michael Richards is a racist, he not only hates black people he hates Jewish people, and only God knows who else... His sh*t needs to be addressed in a public forum with some various ethnic groups and we need to find out how to approach these issues and to deal with them positively.. I didn't when I wanted to run over the guy who called me a N*GGER I was enraged to say the least...

Posted at 5:30PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by BLACK

55. To BLACK: it is sad that there will always be people like that and your right what should have been a fun race between sport cars turned ugly BECAUSE you beat his ass and he had no intelligent way to express himself!!! Way to go Girl!!!!!

Posted at 5:37PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Cindy

56. I think it is terrible that he had to generalize about there ethnicity and bring race into it at all. The hecklers deserved his rage, but it's too bad the audience and the rest of the world had to hear his hatred. It's good that he apologized, it was the LEAST he could have done, but it's not going to make the event go away. . No one will forget his UGLY outbreak, and his career is probably shot (not that it was booming before). Just reading some of the comments already submitted though, it is sad that there is so much racism out there. We are all different, even within our own races. CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

Posted at 10:43AM on Nov 27th 2006 by Christine

57. Please you simple minded idiots stop saying get over it, if you look over things you soon forget the action and you accept it believing it is okay to make racial slurs out of anger or stupidity. NO EXCUSES...Everyone should answer for their antics no matter what. I always think it's funny when people brush things off because it is easy to do when your not the one being attack. If you think that this is okay it is because you don't have a history of being labeled inferior just because of your race when you experience that...write another comment.

Posted at 5:49PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Alan

58. #49- Look at how the Irish were treated in this country when they arrived. Most were treated than the blacks at the time. Nobody would hire and they were thought to be subhuman. So blacks do not have the corner on mistreament. As for groveling to sharpton and jackson who are racist themselves is laughable. I guess these two guys don't listen to rap music for the word nigger is thrown around every other sentence. If a communty approves of the use of the word they should be upset when others that arn't black start using it.
The mistreatment of anyone because of their skin color is wrong.

Posted at 6:09PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by ousslander

59. He said some awful things he shouldn't have said. He apologized. That would normally take care of it. Why in the heck should he take some culteral awareness classes, or meet with leaders of the African American community? Why not just bend him over and do him that way too.

Comedians like Andrew Dice Clay, Eddie Murphy, Don Rickles, and Richard Pryor weren't innocent with verbiage when it came to most people, and I don't recall anyone demanding that they take classes on how to treat people with respect.

He apologized already. GET OVER IT ! ! ! !

Oh by the way, I'm a black woman. Not everyone of my color thinks Michael Richards needs to draw blood to be forgiven.

Posted at 6:06PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Susan

60. The fact that the hecklers are trying to now cash in and sue Richards for "pain and distress" are making themselves look like complete idiots...It shows that what Ricahrds called them didn't really bother them at all...
If it really bothered them, they would appreciate the STUPID ridiculous frenzy it has caused and also accept an apology, But now they want money??? Only discredits them more...actually it discredits all blacks everywhere..(Pay us and we'll shut up about it..)
I don't blame Richards now...especially since the blacks used racial slurs towards him as well...How about Richards countersues????

Posted at 6:30PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Jinxy Cat