I'll keep it brief. Way to go Bernie. How did you think a ho joke was flying at a $2,300 political fundraiser for the black man who might just be the next president of the United States? What made you think that was the appropriate time or place. I only read the joke, but it didn't read funny either. I want to cuss because I sometimes cannot discern how it is that we, otherwise intelligent black people, can't manage to get out of our own way. A HO JOKE!. Lord save me.
July 13, 2008
Friendly Fire
I'll keep it brief. Way to go Bernie. How did you think a ho joke was flying at a $2,300 political fundraiser for the black man who might just be the next president of the United States? What made you think that was the appropriate time or place. I only read the joke, but it didn't read funny either. I want to cuss because I sometimes cannot discern how it is that we, otherwise intelligent black people, can't manage to get out of our own way. A HO JOKE!. Lord save me.
It seems to me that Bernie Mac simply wasn't prepared. He relied on old material from his stand-up act ... and he didn't take the time to consider his audience.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that folks criticized Obama for calling Bernie Mac to task...
peace, Villager
Yeah, I've seen some of that criticism and I don't get it. I fault Bernie. He's been in showbiz for a long time, he's a big success. He knows his business. He's a grown man making big bucks. He can't figure out context? Nope, not buyin. Like I said, I just don't understand how we manage not to get out of our own way so often.
ReplyDeleteBut here's the other thing, guys; all these issues, you know? I mean so, so many pressing issues that are begging to b addressed and that will seriously determine not only the quality of life in America but life and death. And what is everybody talking about (myself included)? A satirical magazine cover and a comedian's bad joke.
ReplyDeleteWith all these tall weeds growing up around us so fast, no wonder none of us can keep our eyes on the ball.
I agree the Bernie Mac thing is unimportant. The New Yorker cover, which has been amply covered by a lot of folk, so I have not blogged on it, is a friendly fire incident too. The New Yorker claims its being satirical in repeating this stuff in this fashion, but this is another case of liberals displaying their own paternal prejudice by taking liberties with black sensibilities in an abundance of arrogance over their supposedly superior progressive sensibilities.
ReplyDeleteA poster at Kos did the exact same thing earlier this year with a horribly tasteless and vile picture of Michelle Obama being lynched. So I actually think the New Yorker cover speaks to the deeper issue of race, which is being exposed and uncovered in a variety of ways by Obama's run.
It's worth talking about Bernie, because we are a society of consumers. We eat up tasteless comedic material - from our talented Black performers and others as well, and then we get surprised when it actually shows up at a bad time. I don't think the issue is unimportant or a distraction from the true issues that impact African-Americans. I think Bernie's gaff is really a reminder that we are accountable for how we condition the environment that we are in. I wouldn't want a Ho joke at a $100 event, or a $25 event, and we think that somehow those who attended a $2,300 event shouldn't have had to hear his lame routine - for whatever reason. Truth is...we should demand more in general and all of the time, and start living our private and public lives as one. It relates directly to the Jackson comments for me - what you do in the dark, comes out in the light. What's amazing, we haven't started demanding more from those who have built their fame and fortune on the community they disregard with their mouth over and over again. I get comedy, I think artistic leverage is real - Bernie just failed in his obligation. What's worse...is when we fail in ours.
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