Nuance: N-bomb dropped by … editor of Village Voice Media
posted at 2:00 pm on April 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
A fitting way to mark Randi Rhodes’s departure from Air America. So much nuance to unpack here: Was his N-bomb deployed with the taboo -er ending or the more palatable ironic -a? Does it matter that he’s referring to a white guy? Why does Senator Kleagle get a pass for his own variation on this term while this tool gets hung out to dry? Most importantly, doesn’t being executive editor of the nation’s largest group of alternative newspapers give him enough liberal authenticity to get away with this? Why, he’s on the team.
If you think Rhodes was surprised to find out she didn’t have enough Absolute Moral Authority to call Hillary a whore, imagine the shock of the guy who co-owns the Village Voice’s parent company discovering he’s not entitled to use the occasional racial slur if he likes. When did those rules change, I bet he’s wondering. Click the image to watch.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Al Sharpton is powering up his megaphone even as we speak.
pilamaye on April 10, 2008 at 2:06 PM
That’s gonna leave a mark.
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 10, 2008 at 2:08 PM
How has he not gotten away with it?
corona on April 10, 2008 at 2:08 PM
He meant it in a good, liberal way.
Akzed on April 10, 2008 at 2:09 PM
When did the rules change, AP?
When he was born white.
Badger in KC on April 10, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Not since the French Revolution has the guillotine filled so many a basket with welcome Liberalism heads.
This ‘08 election year is a big flush of the ‘Les Scum’.
Hening on April 10, 2008 at 2:11 PM
He needs to call out the Justice Brothers, double quick!
hburns on April 10, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Yawn.
Hot much of a lather you think you’ll work up over this tripe?
Watchman on April 10, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Dog Chapman, part deux.
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Ah the perils of trying to be “hip”.
Anyone thing “He was my Man Friday” might have worked a little better?
Kowboy on April 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Not sure I follow you. The point isn’t that what he said is so egregiously offensive, it’s that there’s a double standard at play which evidently even he perceived or else he wouldn’t have dared say this. No lather that I can see.
Allahpundit on April 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Interesting from Wikipedia:
In October of 2007, Michael Lacey, the executive editor, and Jim Larkin, chief executive, of Village Voice Media, were arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, on charges that a Village Voice Media pulbication, the Phoenix New Times, had published secret grand jury information. A state special prosecutor is investigating the newspaper’s long-running feud with Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio, including the publishing of Arpaio’s home address, a crime under Arizona law.
RushBaby on April 10, 2008 at 2:14 PM
I hope this gets some traction and rolls. I am sick and tired of these idiots on the left thinking they can get away with this because they’re the self proclaimed saviors of the black man. Unfortunately, the guy will probably be defended in all leftist arenas, as is most anyone on the far left that makes these asinine foot-in-mouth comments. Remember Joe Biden’s 7-11 moment? No repercussions at all. Only conservatives can be racist. Hence the Mecaca moment. So dang frustrating!
BackseatDriver on April 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM
That was obviously a term of endearment, you racist honkeys!
Kinda reminds me of this.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM
List of assets owned by Village Voice Media
* backpage.com (an online classified advertising site)
* New Times Broward-Palm Beach
* City Pages (Minneapolis, MN)
* Cleveland Scene
* Dallas Observer
* Houston Press
* L.A. Weekly
* Miami New Times
* Nashville Scene
* OC Weekly (Orange County, CA)
* Phoenix New Times
* The Pitch (Kansas City, MO)
* River Front Times (St Louis, MO)
* Seattle Weekly
* SF Weekly
* The Village Voice (New York, NY)
* Westword (Denver, CO)
RushBaby on April 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Didn’t Hollywood give Denzel Washington an Oscar for his performance in Training Day, in where he called a white, rookie cop (his new partner), “my ni**a”? Wasn’t that the cue that it was allowed, albeit only in ‘a good way’? I think I’ll way a bit before I try it.
Over30 on April 10, 2008 at 2:17 PM
I’m wondering just how professional this “journalist” is when he can’t even express himself like an adult.
highhopes on April 10, 2008 at 2:17 PM
heh.
To top it all off, the annual banquet coincided with the 40th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., PLUS, Lacey was also honored last month by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Arizona with its highest award - the Civil Libertarian of the Year Award.
But hey, it’s okay now and this will quickly fade away into the sunset. He apologized. Although, he did slip in one self-righteous indignant jab within his apology when he said in his apology, “All present have my sincere apology. It is regrettable that any phrase of mine offended those attending a First Amendment awards banquet.”
oh the irony!
SilverStar830 on April 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM
What? He couldn’t think of the word “homey” instead?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 10, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Decent newspaper if you’re looking for a show to see or happy hour drink specials but horribly liberal in its articles.
I can see how he thought he might be allowed to say it, but really, coming from a white man with bright white hair, the comment just falls flat. I don’t see how people were offended by it, because it seems like he intended to use it in a positive way. But from his lips it sounds as stupid as if he’d said “fo’ shizzle.”
Esthier on April 10, 2008 at 2:20 PM
He’s a liberal, therefore he’s allowed (even expected) to make racial slurs.
Vic on April 10, 2008 at 2:21 PM
I always felt that a man should be able to say what he thinks.
And, he did.
Leftists hold blacks in contempt. Theirs is to lord over them. Sometimes, however, they just slip up and say what they think.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 10, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Case in point…..Michelle Obama.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 10, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Ah, yes; the Houston Press - a paper whose sole purpose is to whine about how the Houston
PravdaChronicle is not liberal enough for their tastes.Vic on April 10, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Maybe Kramer can recommend a therapist.
JiangxiDad on April 10, 2008 at 2:26 PM
I wonder if the station would have gone to the County Attorney’s [ ! ] office for reaction if it had been a Reverend Wright moment instead.
eeyore on April 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM
He prefaces the comment with the words “…if you don’t mind the expression…”
Why would he think that no one would mind the expression. he publishes newspapers…doesn’t he read them?
It’s a free country and he can say what he wants…this is an example of the sanction ought to be community sourced. It sounds as though that is what is happening with emails, commentaries and blogs such as this one.
That said, what an arrogant guy.
Blaise on April 10, 2008 at 2:28 PM
I have a feeling we will be hearing the cacophony of silence. God forbid a lib gets smacked-down for a racist remark.
HawaiiLwyr on April 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM
The Obama vs. Hillary battle has broken the heretofore unwritten rule between African-Americans and white liberals that any faux pas by the latter will not be met with protests by the former, which would force the media to take notice of the transgressions.
Doesn’t matter if the white liberal (or simply a non-African American, like poor Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski) is a supporter of Obama. This is a battle over controlling the tone of the primary and eventually setting the tone of the general election, and with a battle going on within the Democratic Party, the old agreement doesn’t stand anymore. If you make a mistake, you’re just the next casualty of the PC police, because by demonizing any type of gaffe now, the Obama backers hope to be able to do the same both during the general election, and (in their minds) on into 2009, if anyone criticizes Obama without being ultra-careful about their phraseology.
jon1979 on April 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Did I hear him say, “he brung me”?
surrounded on April 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Another marxist racist! These rats are everywhere.
People do not have to stoop to grotesque language of any kind, particularly owners of publishing companies. Just because some people use racial slurs as part of their vocabulary, this does not mean that I must use these terms to “explain” anything.
saved on April 10, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Don’t sweat the small stuff. The comment was made by a senior citizen who runs ads for prostitutes in every one of his publications. He’s a hardcore leftist and rabble rouser. He’s dying trying to remain hip.
The real question is Will Obama have the balls to denounce and reject him, since so many of his publications give Obama favorable press?
***
Aside from song lyrics, I have heard “nigga” uttered more by non-blacks than by blacks in the past 2-3 years.
The Race Card on April 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Oh geez. Why not say he’s my “Under Color Brother”? At least ‘Jesse Jackson’ up your colloquialisms.
gabriel sutherland on April 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
I fail to see why the word nigger is still such a football for some people. [yawn]
“My Nigger” is a phrase used by black people in real life and in the media all the time.
It is either acceptable or it is not. The notion that it is ok if Chris Rock says it, and he says the word nigger every 3 seconds (in front of mostly white audiences who laugh right along) and not acceptable when some old white guy smacks of privilege.
And we all know the latin derivation of that word do we not? Prive meaning private and lege meaning law.
Ares on April 10, 2008 at 3:08 PM
This was taken completely out of context. He was actually talking about the new Nas CD.
Jim Treacher on April 10, 2008 at 3:16 PM
What an idiot. I can’t believe he said that right there at an awards ceremony.
I can picture him in the hood asking for directions, “Um, excuse me, homey, yes, ahh, I was wondering if you knew where the honkey elks club is located? I would really, really appreciate any help you could give me, cuz. You know what I am saying? Yes, dog, you are, I mean, you be my negro for sure. Thanks homey’s. Did I say that correctly?”
What a dick.
Geronimo on April 10, 2008 at 3:28 PM
ROTFLMAO…”now that’s funny right there, I don’t care who you are” - Larry
PatriotPete on April 10, 2008 at 3:30 PM
I want Robert Christgau arraigned for the murder of rock and roll. You too, Lou Reed. Hey Patti Smith, where do you think you’re going?
mymanpotsandpans on April 10, 2008 at 3:34 PM
The Village Idiot.
EJDolbow on April 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Had to have been taken out of context.
oakpack on April 10, 2008 at 3:56 PM
It just kills me that the inward is such a powerful thing. It’s an automatic career-ender and credibility-destroyer (with the exception, it seems, of former Klansmen). Like no other word.
Here’s a dirty little secret: black people call each other the inward ALL THE TIME. THEY SING IT, THEY TITLE THEIR SONGS WITH IT. And nobody seems to care. Hell, they used to use it as a badge of honor.
Is it racism? Black people call each other the inward, but that’s ok, because they aren’t as smart and sensitive as we are?
Someone. Help me understand.
And you know what else is funny? I’ve been accused of being an intolerant hater because I call gay people the h-word (yes, homosexual). Remember when gay meant “happy”?
Why do we accept speech codes? A pile of dog crap by any other name would smell as sweet.
misterpeasea on April 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Who censored the word? It’s astonishing to me how precious everyone in this country is about this single word. If he had said “Mother F**ker” or “C*nt”, we would have been hearing it firsthand right her at HotAir.
Or do I have that wrong?
Jaibones on April 10, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Pretty stupid…..these journalists live in their own world, above the rest of the population.
saiga on April 10, 2008 at 4:17 PM
I love how they get the whitest guy they could find to criticize the man.
Nonfactor on April 10, 2008 at 4:49 PM
What about Quentin Tarantino’s (very white) character using the word with impunity on camera in 1994’s Pulp Fiction?
Ed Driscoll on April 10, 2008 at 5:02 PM
entirely partisan and actually have some credibility as media watchdogs. The fact that this guy isn’t exactly a super-prominent leftist (a la Al Gore) probably makes it even easier for them to offer him up to the Altar of Righteous Indignation.
And on another note: What we he thinking?? It was obviously at least somewhat premeditated… Did he think that the heat that would inevitably come from this was worth it for a stupid joke and an audience’s uncomfortable laughter?
Yoosaion on April 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Brilliantly articulated questions, Allahpundit.
blink on April 10, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Of course being liberal always means “do what I say not what I do”. Can we get this story next to the one about the Obama delegate who called her neighbors kids ‘monkeys’ for climbing in the trees? Hell, SHE got crusified.
SilntThnkr on April 10, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Lacey’s a fu**ing idiot.
Hopefully this WILL be his Imus Moment©®™
Dave Rywall on April 10, 2008 at 9:41 PM
The Race Card on April 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Where do you live?
Johan Klaus on April 11, 2008 at 1:54 AM
The Houston Press is a uber-liberal/commie rag that is mainly a dating want-ads for trans gender and man on man hook ups.
TheSitRep on April 11, 2008 at 9:10 AM