Are All Racial Slurs Created Equal?

16. Me as a African-American feel like they are making too much of a big deal over this, when you are angry you tend to say things that may not be politically correct or morally right for that reason, everyone has done or said something when their mad that they are not too proud of but there is no reason for all of this fuss. I'm sorry but African Americans say a lot of things about people of caucasian descent in their skits, on-stage, and at shows and I dont ever recall no one making a fuss about it. Yes, Kramer was wrong, but Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock, D.L Hughley, and Martin Lawrence do the same thing and no one ever says anything, so I feel they need to be equal as for as the N-word, honk, and cracker word is concerned

Posted at 1:37PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Beyonce

17. Good Grief. Whatever happened to Freedom of Speech? Sounds like some communist country. Even if you don't like what a person says we have to be careful we don't start taking away this very precious right. The ball will start rolling and then who knows, we will not be allowed to speak out against the government, etc. etc. I, too, want to know WHY didn't you poll the word "Cracker" or "Honkey"? TMZ must think that is okay. There are TONS of names for every race that people use. Get over it.

Posted at 12:26PM on Dec 7th 2006 by carrie

18. Oh please with so many things going on in the world now we gotta worry about calling someone names!

Grow some backbone people and suck it up, I do agree that if one thing cant be said then neither could another, its only fair!

So the Laugh Factory has to ban every word that offends people and lets see what the comedy business turns out to be!!!

Posted at 12:40PM on Dec 7th 2006 by 4real

19. well what is the big! deal! so what if the word is used the blacks call eachother the name all the time! they just don't ike their outside race to be calling them that! get over! it! I am so sick & tired of them being the victims! I am Latina I don't get all crazy and wanna sue anyone if they call me a name! please get over this crap! it's over it ain't the first time they hear the word it ain't the last! ask ther'e momma who they callin negro when they're pist!

Posted at 12:36PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Jackie's a ho!

20. coming from a black chick...racism is so 90's. are you serious?? any person who uses racism to put other people down is simply an idiot. an unimaginitive old tymer boob. come up with some new insults already! be creative! talk about his mama or something. this story line is so boring.

Posted at 1:06PM on Dec 7th 2006 by shoegal16

21. Those people who are easily offended should'nt go to the acts. Comedians use all types of stereotypical/racial words for every race, religion, and sexual orientation. --------- Just as long as it's part of his/her act.

Now they shouldn't direct the words to individuals in the audiance. (unless, of course it's part of the act)

Posted at 1:41PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Randy

22. What about the term 'CRACKER'???? That is very offensive.

Posted at 3:15PM on Dec 7th 2006 by barnett2121

23. Jackie, I don't think you'd like it if someone called you a wet-back or a spic or whatever horribley insulting name that racist use when they are being bigoted towards hispanic/latin people. I don't try and sue someone if I'm called a name but at least I'll be honest enough to say that I don't like it and I feel hurt and angry. For you to say that negative sh*t about asking a black person's mama about calling them a negro... WTF are you racist? Secondly when the chips are down they consider blacks and hispanics about the same... Who do you think would be on your side if some racist person was calling you out of your name, if not the first person (it be someone from your race) the second would be a BLACK person, because they can understand where you are coming from, they'd have your back...

I'm disappointed in you ... 1/2 black 1/2 latina...

Posted at 12:46PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Me

24. I agree with a previous comment...this is about the way MR said the N-word..not the word itself. Chris Rock says many racially charged words in his routine which are all said in a funny manner; however, I do not believe he has ever pointed to a white person and screamed "you are a f#%king cracker". Michael Richards should have excused himself briefly and asked security to keep the hecklers quiet or ask them to leave. I do not believe they should ban any words at all. There are many comedians who would never be allowed back in that place!!!

Posted at 12:54PM on Dec 11th 2006 by Nikki

25. I have to agree: what about cracker and honkey?

Why does every other race get spared the ridicule of a racial slur but the caucasians? The tenet this post follows that only the minority should be shielded from offenses is flawed.

There was a good reason no one infringed on the freedom of speech. So long as you stand free of slander, who the hell cares what someone is called so long as it's a joke.

I am totally for equal treatment of people - but it better be widespread and all encompassing. If you're going to protect something, you better make sure you cover it all.

Posted at 12:56PM on Dec 7th 2006 by reavolution

26. zzzzzz Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn I'm bored. Someone tell me a joke or sumpin

Posted at 1:46PM on Dec 7th 2006 by cupocoffee

27. N*GGER N*GGER N*GGER-SP*C SP*C SP*C- ahh... I feel much better!!!!

Posted at 1:34PM on Dec 7th 2006 by amy

28. Patsy, shut up!

I do not believe the word should be banned. I will agree on that one. If someone called you a slut, bitch, hood-rat, ugly, trailer trash, n*gga, or any other demeaning word? As far as saying you wouldn't sue anyone for calling you something of the sort, you are a freaking liar... It would depend on who said it...

If the President of the United States said some foul sh*t to you in a room full of congressmen / women you best believe your ass would be going on all the talk show, people magazine etc, and would sell your story to the highest bidder. WHY, might you ask, because a person in his position who represents a particular position that the country is to follow has humiliated you in a public forum. He should be responsible for such an outburst.

That being said, I do not agree with the men who are trying to sue Michael Richards, they are taking this incident to the extreme, though I do agree that Richards was wrong. He didn't use the word in a comedic routine he used it to insult a paying customer at the venue where he was performing.

Last but not least, for everyone who says to get over it and that certain things don't bother THEM so why does it bother SOMEONE ELSE... That's the way life is, there are some things that wouldn't bother me in the slightest way, but may infuriate YOU. That doesn't mean that either person is wrong in the way the feel...

Posted at 12:57PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Me

29. What is good for one is good for all. If white people can't have freedom of speech not one else should either. If it is inappropriate to use the n-word, than it is inappropriate to use cracker, honkey, spic and kike.

Posted at 12:59PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Ronnie

30. black people are soooo sensitive. I'm sick of hearing how they are not treated equally. If white people had White entertainment tv, or caucasian college funds we would be considered awful.

Posted at 1:34PM on Dec 7th 2006 by me and you