Rosie O' Donnell... Not a Racist

We couldn't hear enough about Mel Gibson's drunk Jew bashing rant. Then there was Michael Richard's ridiculous scene that the media could not stop playing on a loop. Kanye West? He's said his share of ridiculous anti-white comments. And now Rosie O' Donnell has jumped on the bandwagon.

It's a joke. It's funny. It's how "their" language sounds to me. 

And so we endure yet another idiotic half-assed apology that includes the phrase "I'm not a racist" -- ironically from folks that you would never think (read: minorities -- women included here people) would say such things. But racism and all its many facets is all around us. We are not immune to it - regardless of our skin color and cultural identifications. In fact, for the most part, we've probably all had our moments -- perhaps they don't manifest as actual words, but we see a situation, hear a comment, and our experiences guide how we react.

And sometimes, it's not pretty. In fact, those comments could be considered down right racist.

God, he's such a retard. Dude, that's pretty gay. Why do black people insist on wearing fake hair? I don't mind black people, just ghetto folk. It's a mentality. Women are such shitty drivers.

But why are we so surprised that there are so many "racists" lurking among us? Are we pissed because "they" should know better, you know, being celebrities and all (some even minorities themselves), or is it because we realize that perhaps they're not the only ones who have said stupid shit that could be interpreted as racist?

If you don't try to expose your child to other children of different races, are you a racist? If you use a fork at a Chinese restaurant, are you being racist? When you ask a person "What are you?," is that racist?

When you make a stupid comment on national television, are you really being a racist?

Or is there more to being a racist -- perhaps when you continually and repeatedly perpetuate negative stereotypes that have infiltrated our brains for years and years? Doesn't it take more than one stupid comment? Or are we likening Rosie to a KKK member?

I don't deny that the comments made by the above-mentioned celebrities are racist in nature, with some being worse than others. and let's face it. Surely a comment made about a big butch lesbian would have set Rosie off - I mean, Kelly Ripa's comment about Clay Aiken was apparently homophobic. But I wonder if it takes just a little bit more than a stupid (and reprimandable by all accounts) comment about the Chinese language to make someone "A RACIST."

Because if takes one stupid comment, I imagine there are way more racists around us than we'd like to think. And we've got a way bigger problem on our hands.

If you're interested in more great discussions, news articles, and a fabulous podcast on race, make sure to visit Addicted to Race (and the Anti-Racist Parent). I'm co-hosting their podcast today (which will be up tomorrow) with Carmen Van Kerckhove. You can catch it here!

Comments

[Robina]

I'm afraid to say anything. I'm not asian, but all four of my children are HALF asian, and I think I would have laughed, and taken this as the absurdity it was meant to be taken as. Danny Devito news in China for drinking? Heck, I don't care if he was drinking! But I do agree with Kelly. She could have simply stated she didn't realize how it would sound, apologize for offending anyone, and end it. That's what Kelly Rippa did. She has the class!

[Carmen Van Kerckhove]

Great post, Kristen. And thank you so much for linking to Addicted to Race and Anti-Racist Parent! It was a pleasure having you on the podcast, and I hope we can do it again soon. :)

[Kelly]

She is a high-profile target, but her apology was crap. She should have just said, "Ya know, it came out of my mouth. I didn't intend to make anyone feel uncomfortable or hurt or angry. I know what it's like to be at the receiving end of unkind words, and so I'm truly sorry for my insensivity." End of story.

[Christina]

Have you ever heard the musical Avenue Q? (It's the one with puppets - an adult version of Sesame Street, really.)

They have a song called "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" and I think it applies to this. (search online and you can find the lyrics - they're hilarious) Very few people can admit that they were raised without any stereotypes. While we try not to think of them, those stereotypes are in the back of our heads.

There's a big difference between one remark that has a stereotype in it, versus committing hate crimes.

[cagey]

Excellent points and kudos to you for having the courage to post this. I agree with Mom 101 - I think making a statement without intent is not necessarily racist. Folks, all ignorance does not equal hate. Sometimes, people really DON'T KNOW. For example, until about a month ago, I had NO idea that the term "china doll" was considered offensive to Chinese people. Interestingly, my son (half-Indian, half-American) has often been referred to as a "china doll". I don't take offense at it because literally, people mean he looks like a sweet little doll.

I am married to an Indian and encounter silly, ignorant statements all the time. ALL THE TIME. However, for the most part, it is easy to see that sometimes, people simply do not know what they are talking about.

[TB]

The problem with Rosie O'Donnell is not so much that she's a narrow minded racist trying to masquerade as an open minded gay rights activist, to me the problem is more that she runs her mouth just to hear herself talk and she gets involved in things she has no business in because she thinks so much of herself.

[karianne]

This has nothing to do with this post, but have I got an inlaw story for you. I just wrote about it tonight on my blog and hope that you like seeing that you aren't alone. Actually, you are a saint as I can't even really be in the same room as my MIL.

[mothergoosemouse]

First, that picture is hilarious!

Many shades of gray out there. I think you have to make a distinction between malice and ignorance.

But I think Liz makes an excellent point. There are some terribly hateful people out there - making assumptions and drawing conclusions. And who takes celebrities seriously anyway? ;-)

[Rachel]

Actually, I think Rosie is a racist. But I think most of us are racist to some degree, whether we admit it or not. I think what we need to do is acknowledge the racism in our hearts, then work really hard to change.

It's kind of like being an alcoholic; the first step is admitting you have a problem.

There was a great discussion of this on Rachel's Tavern recently.

http://www.rachelstavern.com/?p=280

[Wendy]

I think we should be more concerned about the people that are violent and have aggressive speak than the public person that makes one isolate comment.

I have often wondered how people feel about Carlos Mencia. His whole career is based on stereotypes for all races. Does that make him a racist? Does it make it better that he makes fun of all races?

[Suebob]

Am I prejudiced? Absolutely. How do I know? Because when I don't know someone, I often think of them as their most convenient label - "Bob, the ________ guy," instead of "Bob, the human being." When I can get to the point in my life where I don't automatically label people, I think I will be doing better.

[Mom101]

I think your final point is excellent. Making a statement that was (inadvertently I'm sure) racist (or racist sounding) does not make one a racist. The more we fling around that term at people who don't actually deserve it, the more we lessen the impact of those who actually are.

When it comes down to it, the raging, outspoken liberal Rosie O'Donnell is probably the least of any oppressed minority's worries. Maybe people should channel their range at actual oppressive types instead. She's just a conveniently high-profile target.