"Even though it’s run by blacks...it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb..."
September 25, 2007 6:20 PM Subscribe
"And I couldn’t get over the fact that there was no difference between [Harlem's famous] Sylvia’s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by blacks, primarily black patronship....It was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun...And there wasn’t any kind of craziness at all." 1968? Nope. Bill O'Reilly in 2007.
On his syndicated radio show, O'Reilly talks about his dinner in Harlem, New York City with the Rev. Al Sharpton. In addition "[h]e also note[s] that he went to an Anita Baker concert recently where the audience was evenly mixed between blacks and whites. 'The band was excellent, but they were dressed in tuxedoes, and this is what white America doesn’t know, particularly people who don’t have a lot of interaction with black Americans...'"*
Many are taken aback by his remarks. CNN wonders if this was his "Imus Moment." Others comment and report on the affair. Fox News and O'Reilly lash out at media criticism of his racially charged comments. Sylvia's patrons have their say about O'Reilly's comments.
On his syndicated radio show, O'Reilly talks about his dinner in Harlem, New York City with the Rev. Al Sharpton. In addition "[h]e also note[s] that he went to an Anita Baker concert recently where the audience was evenly mixed between blacks and whites. 'The band was excellent, but they were dressed in tuxedoes, and this is what white America doesn’t know, particularly people who don’t have a lot of interaction with black Americans...'"*
Many are taken aback by his remarks. CNN wonders if this was his "Imus Moment." Others comment and report on the affair. Fox News and O'Reilly lash out at media criticism of his racially charged comments. Sylvia's patrons have their say about O'Reilly's comments.
It's time the O'Reilly haters (myself included) gave up hope on a scandal bringing him down. I mean, at this point, this guy could pretty much fantasize on tape about his sexual desire to rub falaffel on the naked body of a much younger employee of his show & nothing would come of it.
Wait... he did what now? Seriously?
posted by jonson at 6:23 PM on September 25, 2007 [5 favorites]
Wait... he did what now? Seriously?
posted by jonson at 6:23 PM on September 25, 2007 [5 favorites]
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE O'REILLY
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:27 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:27 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
See. He told you he wasn't racist.
There he is right there telling you how those black people were acting just like regular white people and everything. Not like the frenzied Jig-a-boos you expected.
posted by tkchrist at 6:29 PM on September 25, 2007 [23 favorites]
There he is right there telling you how those black people were acting just like regular white people and everything. Not like the frenzied Jig-a-boos you expected.
posted by tkchrist at 6:29 PM on September 25, 2007 [23 favorites]
He'll get away with it, just because he wasn't exhibiting an "angry" sort of racism, just a "mindfuckingly ignorant" sort of racism. And mindfucking ignorance... well, that's his job description.
posted by fungible at 6:29 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by fungible at 6:29 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
LO'LREILLY
posted by DU at 6:31 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by DU at 6:31 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I love that Fox is saying leftwing outlets are stirring up bullshit so quickly after rightwing outlets stirred up so much bullshit about the MoveOn/Petraeus ad. What a hoot.
Anyway, what O'Reilly said was horribly hilariously stupidly thoughtlessly racist, and he should apologize. But I'm really tired of the notion that letting loose with a casually stupid racist remark should end a career, whoever is involved. Imus was different; he traded in the shit. This is just O'Reilly being a rich white guy with little experience of black folks. He acted like a racist moron and should be laughed at, sneered at and made to apologize. But taking this incident further than that is ridiculous.
posted by mediareport at 6:34 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Anyway, what O'Reilly said was horribly hilariously stupidly thoughtlessly racist, and he should apologize. But I'm really tired of the notion that letting loose with a casually stupid racist remark should end a career, whoever is involved. Imus was different; he traded in the shit. This is just O'Reilly being a rich white guy with little experience of black folks. He acted like a racist moron and should be laughed at, sneered at and made to apologize. But taking this incident further than that is ridiculous.
posted by mediareport at 6:34 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I was just watching an episode of "The Cosby Show" and I was taken aback by how much Cliff Huxtable dresses like my white doctor.
posted by Poolio at 6:34 PM on September 25, 2007 [9 favorites]
posted by Poolio at 6:34 PM on September 25, 2007 [9 favorites]
Is he saying that an Italian restaurant in a not-all-white (are Italians non-white?) suburb would exhibit craziness? Like what, Mafia shootings?
posted by DU at 6:34 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by DU at 6:34 PM on September 25, 2007
Poolio, that perpetuates the stereotype that all doctors wear hideous sweaters.
NOT DOCTORIST
posted by jonmc at 6:35 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
NOT DOCTORIST
posted by jonmc at 6:35 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
But I'm really tired of the notion that letting loose with a casually stupid racist remark should end a career...
Nobody is saying it should end a career. I think the idea is that Fox should be so embarrassed at having a moron on their network (stop the snickering and stay with me here) that it will just end a job. O'Reilly can continue his career at a network with lower standards, if he can find one.
posted by DU at 6:37 PM on September 25, 2007
Nobody is saying it should end a career. I think the idea is that Fox should be so embarrassed at having a moron on their network (stop the snickering and stay with me here) that it will just end a job. O'Reilly can continue his career at a network with lower standards, if he can find one.
posted by DU at 6:37 PM on September 25, 2007
I was just watching an episode of "The Cosby Show" and I was taken aback by how much Cliff Huxtable dresses like my white doctor.
White people love the Cosbys.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:38 PM on September 25, 2007
White people love the Cosbys.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:38 PM on September 25, 2007
But I'm really tired of the notion that letting loose with a casually stupid racist remark should end a career...
I'm pretty comfortable with the idea that being a serial, chronic racist piece of shit ought to, though.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:39 PM on September 25, 2007 [10 favorites]
I'm pretty comfortable with the idea that being a serial, chronic racist piece of shit ought to, though.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:39 PM on September 25, 2007 [10 favorites]
Sylvia's is not like every other restaurant in New York. Because it is super tasty.
posted by Bookhouse at 6:40 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Bookhouse at 6:40 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Clearly Sylivia's needs to put up a "NINA" sign. Have I mentioned the Micks look and act like monkeys?
posted by orthogonality at 6:40 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by orthogonality at 6:40 PM on September 25, 2007
Ok, maybe O'Reilly isn't the best example, but as someone who's done outreach work on g/l/b/t issues, I know how important it is to leave space for folks to make the stupidly revealing bigoted comments that that then can be used to educate them. Whenever I see kneejerking on episodes like this, I can't help but think of how the moment to reach someone is getting lost amid the screeching outrage.
But again, maybe O'Reilly isn't the best example.
posted by mediareport at 6:41 PM on September 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
But again, maybe O'Reilly isn't the best example.
posted by mediareport at 6:41 PM on September 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
Is he saying that an Italian restaurant in a not-all-white (are Italians non-white?) suburb would exhibit craziness? Like what, Mafia shootings?
Hey. I was in Little Italy last week at Angelo's (it was the San Gennaro Feast) and the dude put my Aragosta Fra Diavolo on the table and said "bada bing."
So I begged him to not shoot me.
posted by tkchrist at 6:42 PM on September 25, 2007
Hey. I was in Little Italy last week at Angelo's (it was the San Gennaro Feast) and the dude put my Aragosta Fra Diavolo on the table and said "bada bing."
So I begged him to not shoot me.
posted by tkchrist at 6:42 PM on September 25, 2007
@lazuruslong:
Holy crap, that WAS. SO. GOOD.
jsmooth has some incredible flow, especially with:
Plus I know you've seen colbert jackin my swagger
but now I'm back in the lab and the fact of the matter is
The O'Reilly Factor is fatter, the facts don't matter
If i lack raw data i just pack more chatter
And when you see me debating the screaming and hating
Is only succeeding in making all of my ratings get fatter.
I'd listen to a whole single based on this.
posted by ShawnStruck at 6:47 PM on September 25, 2007
Holy crap, that WAS. SO. GOOD.
jsmooth has some incredible flow, especially with:
Plus I know you've seen colbert jackin my swagger
but now I'm back in the lab and the fact of the matter is
The O'Reilly Factor is fatter, the facts don't matter
If i lack raw data i just pack more chatter
And when you see me debating the screaming and hating
Is only succeeding in making all of my ratings get fatter.
I'd listen to a whole single based on this.
posted by ShawnStruck at 6:47 PM on September 25, 2007
Seriously, shouldn't that fucker have been launched into the Sun by now?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:55 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:55 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
ShawnStruck: So glad someone watched it! That's my favorite offering from the always awesome ill-doctrine. That verse is especially awesome.
posted by lazaruslong at 6:56 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by lazaruslong at 6:56 PM on September 25, 2007
awesome awesome awesome
posted by lazaruslong at 6:57 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by lazaruslong at 6:57 PM on September 25, 2007
Seriously, mediareport made a levelheaded comment: although to us (more or less) antiracist MeFites Bill's comment is laughable ("Wow, I went to a black restaurarant and nobody was pulling out their guns!"), he may have educated his low-IQ audience about the reality of the fact that our differences are really not too major.
(OK, "low-IQ?" Yes, I am an elitist calling O'Reilly's fans Philistines. You ain't thinking likewise?)
posted by kozad at 6:58 PM on September 25, 2007
(OK, "low-IQ?" Yes, I am an elitist calling O'Reilly's fans Philistines. You ain't thinking likewise?)
posted by kozad at 6:58 PM on September 25, 2007
From 2003, after his previous "hope they're not in the parking lot stealing our hubcaps" comment: O'Reilly's Racist Slurs--in Context
posted by broodle at 7:02 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by broodle at 7:02 PM on September 25, 2007
This just in, O'Reilly discovers that black people are just like everyone else.
The only thing that could have made this better is if he went up to some of his fellow diners and complimented them for not "being like most black people".
Of course, this quote really tops it all:
“That’s right,” O’Reilly said. “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M.F.-er, I want more iced tea.”
posted by whoaali at 7:03 PM on September 25, 2007
The only thing that could have made this better is if he went up to some of his fellow diners and complimented them for not "being like most black people".
Of course, this quote really tops it all:
“That’s right,” O’Reilly said. “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M.F.-er, I want more iced tea.”
posted by whoaali at 7:03 PM on September 25, 2007
“That’s right,” O’Reilly said. “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M.F.-er, I want more iced tea.”
Maybe someone warned them that they were having visitors.
posted by jonmc at 7:05 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Maybe someone warned them that they were having visitors.
posted by jonmc at 7:05 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
But I'm really tired of the notion that letting loose with a casually stupid racist remark should end a career, whoever is involved.
No, but it could be the straw that broke the camel's back -- the pile of straws is by now mind-numbingly large.
And might I add, Christ, what an asshole.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:08 PM on September 25, 2007
No, but it could be the straw that broke the camel's back -- the pile of straws is by now mind-numbingly large.
And might I add, Christ, what an asshole.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:08 PM on September 25, 2007
O'Reilly is a fucking piece of shit. Pretty much the only reason I tolerate him is gratitude for teaching me PHP and Java Web Services. But it only goes so far.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:09 PM on September 25, 2007 [30 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:09 PM on September 25, 2007 [30 favorites]
The only difference was, Sylvia brought out her "other" breadbasket for special guests.
posted by rob511 at 7:09 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by rob511 at 7:09 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
C'mon, this is Fox News we're talking about. If anything, these remarks will get O'Reilly a raise.
posted by jefbla at 7:20 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by jefbla at 7:20 PM on September 25, 2007
What he doesn't realize is that he scarfed down a plate of yams that were thoroughly coated in stinky pinky rubbins, ball sweat, loogies and boogers by the time it got to his table.
posted by The Straightener at 7:22 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by The Straightener at 7:22 PM on September 25, 2007
Wait, wait. Bill O'Reilly said something ignorant and offensive?
posted by honeydew at 7:25 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by honeydew at 7:25 PM on September 25, 2007
that was just a long way of saying: "Hey, I'm not racist, I just think there's 'n****s' and then there are 'black people'."
posted by empath at 7:27 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by empath at 7:27 PM on September 25, 2007
Naggers.
posted by Mach3avelli at 7:34 PM on September 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by Mach3avelli at 7:34 PM on September 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
I guess I'm just glad that maybe Bill learned something new-to-him.
posted by wobh at 7:42 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by wobh at 7:42 PM on September 25, 2007
Seriously though, I would like some more iced tea motherfucker.
posted by ND¢ at 7:47 PM on September 25, 2007 [8 favorites]
posted by ND¢ at 7:47 PM on September 25, 2007 [8 favorites]
I would like some more iced tea motherfucker.
OK, motherfucker.
posted by jonmc at 7:50 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
OK, motherfucker.
posted by jonmc at 7:50 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
Bill O'Reilly? No...!
...he speaks so well...
He's so... articulate!
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:53 PM on September 25, 2007
...he speaks so well...
He's so... articulate!
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:53 PM on September 25, 2007
Anyone who can make Geraldo Rivera seem perfectly rational by comparison is automatically crowned King of the Nutbars.
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:56 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:56 PM on September 25, 2007
I CAN HAS NUTBARS WITH MEI ICETEE MUTHARFUCKAR?
posted by vrakatar at 8:01 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by vrakatar at 8:01 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Hey, and Phil Donahue got in on the action too. I'm beginning to think Bill O'Reilly might've been on their shows back in the day.
posted by Reggie Digest at 8:03 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by Reggie Digest at 8:03 PM on September 25, 2007
The level of profound ignorance and emotional blindness it takes to be "surprised" that members of other races and cultures are "normal" is mind-boggling. That being said, I once asked a black man for directions when I got lost in the middle of downtown Kansas City, and he actually gave me directions! He didn't kill me or anything!
posted by amyms at 8:16 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by amyms at 8:16 PM on September 25, 2007
Blocked Fox several years ago, Bill who?
posted by Rancid Badger at 8:18 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by Rancid Badger at 8:18 PM on September 25, 2007
Metafilter: Not like the frenzied Jig-a-boos you expected.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:37 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:37 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
'That's right,' O'Reilly said. 'There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, `M.F.-er, I want more iced tea.'
I am going to make reservations at Sylvia's this week.
I want be that one guy.
posted by jason's_planet at 8:37 PM on September 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
I am going to make reservations at Sylvia's this week.
I want be that one guy.
posted by jason's_planet at 8:37 PM on September 25, 2007 [2 favorites]
Who does he think he is talking to? Who does he think is his audience? He apparently believes that he is "educating" them (and probably is).
posted by jaronson at 8:45 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by jaronson at 8:45 PM on September 25, 2007
one almost expects him to be surprised the food was cooked and served with plates and forks and such
posted by pyramid termite at 8:46 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by pyramid termite at 8:46 PM on September 25, 2007
"O RLY?"
"WRD"
This also makes me think of the newsletter I saw at work today: "Homes & Money". I was like, "Hey, I know those dudes." But really it was about mortgages and not about two brothers named Homes and Money. It's too bad, too, because they're pretty funny. They should have their own talk show, called "What's up, Homes & Money?"
posted by Eideteker at 8:47 PM on September 25, 2007 [6 favorites]
"WRD"
This also makes me think of the newsletter I saw at work today: "Homes & Money". I was like, "Hey, I know those dudes." But really it was about mortgages and not about two brothers named Homes and Money. It's too bad, too, because they're pretty funny. They should have their own talk show, called "What's up, Homes & Money?"
posted by Eideteker at 8:47 PM on September 25, 2007 [6 favorites]
Man, this is one of those moments I really wish Richard Pryor was still around...
posted by Skygazer at 9:15 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by Skygazer at 9:15 PM on September 25, 2007
When I was a young punk in NYC in the mid-80s, I reveled in the night life, the variety, the whole urban scene that made my little Southern mohawked head spin. But I missed real food. Then I heard about Sylvia's.
And whenever I got homesick, whenever I needed a proper meal to fight a nagging hangover or an incipient plunge into post-adolescent angsty depression, that's where I went.
The first time I went there, I asked for honey with my fried chicken. The waitress squinted at me and asked, "Where you from?"
"Alabama, ma'am," I replied.
"I figured so," she said and turned to the kitchen and yelled, "Get this white boy some more collard greens!"
Collards, fried okra, fried chicken, green lima beans cooked with fatback and black pepper, pot roast you could cut with a spoon, green beans cooked into limp submission and then cooked some more....to me, Sylvia's was as close to home as I could get while living two thousand miles away.
Bill O'Reilly doesn't merit eating out of Sylvia's dumpster.
I urge anyone who makes fried chicken to buy some of her secret seasoning and liberally season your batter with it. You can thank me later.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:20 PM on September 25, 2007 [33 favorites]
And whenever I got homesick, whenever I needed a proper meal to fight a nagging hangover or an incipient plunge into post-adolescent angsty depression, that's where I went.
The first time I went there, I asked for honey with my fried chicken. The waitress squinted at me and asked, "Where you from?"
"Alabama, ma'am," I replied.
"I figured so," she said and turned to the kitchen and yelled, "Get this white boy some more collard greens!"
Collards, fried okra, fried chicken, green lima beans cooked with fatback and black pepper, pot roast you could cut with a spoon, green beans cooked into limp submission and then cooked some more....to me, Sylvia's was as close to home as I could get while living two thousand miles away.
Bill O'Reilly doesn't merit eating out of Sylvia's dumpster.
I urge anyone who makes fried chicken to buy some of her secret seasoning and liberally season your batter with it. You can thank me later.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:20 PM on September 25, 2007 [33 favorites]
I once asked a black man for directions when I got lost in the middle of downtown Kansas City, and he actually gave me directions! He didn't kill me or anything!
I once asked a black man for directions in Birmingham, Alabama, and I couldn't understand a single word he said. I've never felt whiter or stupider (in other words, more Bill O'Reilly-esque) in my life. I cringe to type it.
posted by Bookhouse at 9:22 PM on September 25, 2007
I once asked a black man for directions in Birmingham, Alabama, and I couldn't understand a single word he said. I've never felt whiter or stupider (in other words, more Bill O'Reilly-esque) in my life. I cringe to type it.
posted by Bookhouse at 9:22 PM on September 25, 2007
I once asked a black man for directions and this happened.
posted by ColdChef at 9:35 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by ColdChef at 9:35 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I am so ashamed to be a white American right now. What gives this man the right to profile and judge? What is FOX doing about it? I recently had the privelege of eating at Sylvias and even met Sylvia herself. What a delight. The O'Reilly comment is so idiotic, old school and does nothing to help the serious problem of racism in our country. I hope he or FOX does something about what he said.
posted by RoadTripPlanner at 9:38 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by RoadTripPlanner at 9:38 PM on September 25, 2007
I could go either way on this. Obviously it looks really bad, no doubt about it. But then again I can remember the first time I went to a movie in a predominantly black neighborhood, and what a different experience it was compared to going to my usual predominantly white theaters.
I mean I'd heard terrible stand up comedians prattle on about 'white people are like this, black people are like that' in regards to the movies but I had just assumed it was one of those bullshit stereotypes. So I was more then a little shocked to see just how different it was. I also remember an old dorm mate (who was black) talk about the time he went to a 'white' barbershop (because it was the one closest to campus and he didn't have a car or bus pass yet). According to him, the experience was totally unlike his experiences in a 'black' barbershop, largley in because of the difference in ambiance and how people socialize.
So I believe to some extent basic things like going to the movies, or getting your haircut can be significantly different in predominantly black and white areas, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if it turned out other mundane activities like going out to dinner would also turn out to be different because, shockingly enough, we have in many ways different cultures.
The messages I get regarding these differences always come from the perspective that this is a good thing, and reason to celebrate what make us unique. So when the messages we get are about how unique and special each of our cultures and perspectives are, so much so that it influences pretty much every aspect of our lives (and in many ways we take for granted) then I don't find it terribly poisonous when someone seems surprised that our differences are really quite slight most of the time.
That goes for even when the surprised person is a piece of diseased shit like Bill O'Reilly.
posted by Jezztek at 9:43 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
I mean I'd heard terrible stand up comedians prattle on about 'white people are like this, black people are like that' in regards to the movies but I had just assumed it was one of those bullshit stereotypes. So I was more then a little shocked to see just how different it was. I also remember an old dorm mate (who was black) talk about the time he went to a 'white' barbershop (because it was the one closest to campus and he didn't have a car or bus pass yet). According to him, the experience was totally unlike his experiences in a 'black' barbershop, largley in because of the difference in ambiance and how people socialize.
So I believe to some extent basic things like going to the movies, or getting your haircut can be significantly different in predominantly black and white areas, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if it turned out other mundane activities like going out to dinner would also turn out to be different because, shockingly enough, we have in many ways different cultures.
The messages I get regarding these differences always come from the perspective that this is a good thing, and reason to celebrate what make us unique. So when the messages we get are about how unique and special each of our cultures and perspectives are, so much so that it influences pretty much every aspect of our lives (and in many ways we take for granted) then I don't find it terribly poisonous when someone seems surprised that our differences are really quite slight most of the time.
That goes for even when the surprised person is a piece of diseased shit like Bill O'Reilly.
posted by Jezztek at 9:43 PM on September 25, 2007 [3 favorites]
Who does he think is his audience?
His audience is 70 year old 'get-off-my-lawn' types. I'm sure that passes as being progressive for them.
posted by empath at 10:09 PM on September 25, 2007
His audience is 70 year old 'get-off-my-lawn' types. I'm sure that passes as being progressive for them.
posted by empath at 10:09 PM on September 25, 2007
Jezztek: I think you're giving Bill a bit too much credit. His comment didn't strike me as, "Wow, blacks and whites aren't so different after all!" but more as, "Hey, these blacks aren't acting like dirty apes (which is what negros normally do) but are acting like real white people! Good for them!"
posted by papakwanz at 10:48 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by papakwanz at 10:48 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
O'Reilly is sooooooooooo right. America is being overrun with stocky, young black enemies. Its good to know that some of their folk are acting like normal human beings.
posted by Avenger at 11:32 PM on September 25, 2007
posted by Avenger at 11:32 PM on September 25, 2007
His audience is 70 year old 'get-off-my-lawn' types. I'm sure that passes as being progressive for them.
No joke.
"How dare you twist his words around like that? He was paying them a compliment!"
posted by dreamsign at 11:51 PM on September 25, 2007
No joke.
"How dare you twist his words around like that? He was paying them a compliment!"
posted by dreamsign at 11:51 PM on September 25, 2007
Y'all are having fun on this O'Reilly character, and that's fine, but a little perspective might be added.
Sylvia's is in Harlem. In days gone by, this was not a place where white folks went. I mean, I lived at 110th, but over on Riverside Drive, yet people would still refuse to visit "up there" (this was in the 1970's). Plenty New Yorkers seemed unaware that the neighborhood of Columbia and the Episcopal cathedral.
When I first moved there, I was warned, in no uncertain terms, that I had to be sure to get off the express trains at 72nd Street (7th Ave IRT #2&3), or I'd end up in HARLEM! If that happened, I was to stay on the train until it came all the way back to 72nd Street. That was how white folks viewed Harlem, back when. Harlem was a place of violent nightmares.
So, filtered through that old mindset, this doesn't really sound all that outrageous, it's just someone just discovering that Harlem has something to offer besides poverty and crime. Of course, the way he expressed it is totally asinine, but that's because he is, after all, an ass.
posted by Goofyy at 11:59 PM on September 25, 2007
Sylvia's is in Harlem. In days gone by, this was not a place where white folks went. I mean, I lived at 110th, but over on Riverside Drive, yet people would still refuse to visit "up there" (this was in the 1970's). Plenty New Yorkers seemed unaware that the neighborhood of Columbia and the Episcopal cathedral.
When I first moved there, I was warned, in no uncertain terms, that I had to be sure to get off the express trains at 72nd Street (7th Ave IRT #2&3), or I'd end up in HARLEM! If that happened, I was to stay on the train until it came all the way back to 72nd Street. That was how white folks viewed Harlem, back when. Harlem was a place of violent nightmares.
So, filtered through that old mindset, this doesn't really sound all that outrageous, it's just someone just discovering that Harlem has something to offer besides poverty and crime. Of course, the way he expressed it is totally asinine, but that's because he is, after all, an ass.
posted by Goofyy at 11:59 PM on September 25, 2007
it's just someone just discovering that Harlem has something to offer besides poverty and crime
Embarrassing but understandable in a doddering old grampa. What's O'Reilly's excuse here, exactly?
posted by dreamsign at 12:06 AM on September 26, 2007
Embarrassing but understandable in a doddering old grampa. What's O'Reilly's excuse here, exactly?
posted by dreamsign at 12:06 AM on September 26, 2007
What I would not be sad to see ending O'Reilly's career is a laundry truck/crosstown bus/drunken bridge-and-tunnel SUV/ out of control taxi/selective meteorite/ take your pick.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:24 AM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by From Bklyn at 12:24 AM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Well, just as long as he stays away from those crazy Chinese restaurants. Everyone knows they serve you cat meat, then drug any women dining alone and sell them into white slavery.
(I knew someone whose mother in law SERIOUSLY believed this sort of thing to be true, back in the 70's. She was not entirely well).
posted by tomble at 12:28 AM on September 26, 2007
(I knew someone whose mother in law SERIOUSLY believed this sort of thing to be true, back in the 70's. She was not entirely well).
posted by tomble at 12:28 AM on September 26, 2007
(I knew someone whose mother in law SERIOUSLY believed this sort of thing to be true, back in the 70's. She was not entirely well).
My grandmother believed that Chinese restaurants often serve dog/cat meat well into the 2000's.
Still does, AFAIK.
Me? Well, if cat tastes this good, then I'll have another helping!
posted by Avenger at 12:35 AM on September 26, 2007
My grandmother believed that Chinese restaurants often serve dog/cat meat well into the 2000's.
Still does, AFAIK.
Me? Well, if cat tastes this good, then I'll have another helping!
posted by Avenger at 12:35 AM on September 26, 2007
My grandmother believed that Chinese restaurants often serve dog/cat meat well into the 2000's.
Those old people. They're so racist, they can't even tell the Chinese from the Koreans.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:44 AM on September 26, 2007
Those old people. They're so racist, they can't even tell the Chinese from the Koreans.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:44 AM on September 26, 2007
I love that Fox is saying leftwing outlets are stirring up bullshit so quickly after rightwing outlets stirred up so much bullshit about the MoveOn/Petraeus ad. What a hoot.
That has been the right wing's tactic forever, accuse your opponents of whatever you are in the middle of doing, never mind the facts or how insane it looks.
It infuriates the left to the point silence, works every time.
posted by beno at 2:39 AM on September 26, 2007
That has been the right wing's tactic forever, accuse your opponents of whatever you are in the middle of doing, never mind the facts or how insane it looks.
It infuriates the left to the point silence, works every time.
posted by beno at 2:39 AM on September 26, 2007
...accuse your opponents of whatever you are in the middle of doing...
You're garnishing your cat with ketchup?
posted by From Bklyn at 2:46 AM on September 26, 2007
You're garnishing your cat with ketchup?
posted by From Bklyn at 2:46 AM on September 26, 2007
Seriously, shouldn't that fucker have been launched into the Sun by now?
You know, the first time I read this I thought you meant this Sun. He'd fit right in there.
I was trying to decide whether "Homes & Money" or "Seriously though, I would like some more iced tea motherfucker" was my favorite comment, but then BitterOldPunk blew the competition out of the water.
Great thread!
posted by languagehat at 6:05 AM on September 26, 2007
You know, the first time I read this I thought you meant this Sun. He'd fit right in there.
I was trying to decide whether "Homes & Money" or "Seriously though, I would like some more iced tea motherfucker" was my favorite comment, but then BitterOldPunk blew the competition out of the water.
Great thread!
posted by languagehat at 6:05 AM on September 26, 2007
Dear Michael Richards,
First of all, I want to say I loved your work on Seinfeld, and I also thought your role in "Airheads" was well played.
As a fan, I was indeed shocked by your unfortunate display at the Laugh Factory. I can tell that you are too, and believe that you truly want to make things right, to your fans, to your friends, to the Black community, and most importantly, to America.
We assume you are familiar with Bill O'Reilly and his program.
Enclosed is the address of a corner bodega in downtown. There you will find a black bag with a disassembled Bushmaster .223. There is a pay phone in the rear of the store. When you have accquired the bag, wait by the phone for further instructions.
Godspeed Mr. Richards
Sincerely,
Uther Bentrazor.
p.s. Trial And Error was awesome.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 6:23 AM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]
First of all, I want to say I loved your work on Seinfeld, and I also thought your role in "Airheads" was well played.
As a fan, I was indeed shocked by your unfortunate display at the Laugh Factory. I can tell that you are too, and believe that you truly want to make things right, to your fans, to your friends, to the Black community, and most importantly, to America.
We assume you are familiar with Bill O'Reilly and his program.
Enclosed is the address of a corner bodega in downtown. There you will find a black bag with a disassembled Bushmaster .223. There is a pay phone in the rear of the store. When you have accquired the bag, wait by the phone for further instructions.
Godspeed Mr. Richards
Sincerely,
Uther Bentrazor.
p.s. Trial And Error was awesome.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 6:23 AM on September 26, 2007 [2 favorites]
When my wife asks me why I give a quarter to the dope-addict who begs for change at a corner near my house, I tell her it is because he performs a public service. With his cadaverous body and running sores he will teach my son the dangers of taking drugs. O'Reilly is the same, albeit, fat version of this. He should be kept on the air to show the dangers of being a different type of dopehead.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:47 AM on September 26, 2007
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:47 AM on September 26, 2007
O'Reilly on the same radio broadcast: "I think black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves."
posted by ericb at 6:48 AM on September 26, 2007
posted by ericb at 6:48 AM on September 26, 2007
CBS News:
"O'Reilly made the comments as part of a discussion of a dinner he shared with the Rev. Al Sharpton.posted by ericb at 8:01 AM on September 26, 2007
Sharpton spokesperson, Rachel Noerdlinger, said in an e-mail that Sharpton 'was surprised that anyone would be surprised that blacks would act that way.' She said Sharpton planned to ask O'Reilly onto his radio show Wednesday to discuss the issue."
Thank you East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94. Made my day.
posted by pointilist at 8:55 AM on September 26, 2007
posted by pointilist at 8:55 AM on September 26, 2007
Oh Noes! I am black man and I think I'm supposed to be outside looting and rioting. *Door slams!*
posted by doctorschlock at 9:50 AM on September 26, 2007
posted by doctorschlock at 9:50 AM on September 26, 2007
Oh Noes! I'm a black man and I walk into Denny's:
"Where da white women at?"
Oh Bill O'Reilly...you got me started.
posted by doctorschlock at 9:52 AM on September 26, 2007
"Where da white women at?"
Oh Bill O'Reilly...you got me started.
posted by doctorschlock at 9:52 AM on September 26, 2007
Oh noes! I'm black and I get into a cab. I shoot the driver.
Bill, how'm I doing?
posted by doctorschlock at 9:54 AM on September 26, 2007
Bill, how'm I doing?
posted by doctorschlock at 9:54 AM on September 26, 2007
Oh no! I'm black and I see a white lady with a purse.
Should I grab it?
posted by doctorschlock at 9:55 AM on September 26, 2007
Should I grab it?
posted by doctorschlock at 9:55 AM on September 26, 2007
No! I'm a black guy and I see Bill O'Reilly.
Should I slap him 5?
posted by doctorschlock at 9:57 AM on September 26, 2007
Should I slap him 5?
posted by doctorschlock at 9:57 AM on September 26, 2007
NBC: Sylvia’s patrons -- O’Reilly’s comments were ‘inappropriate.’
posted by ericb at 10:00 AM on September 26, 2007
posted by ericb at 10:00 AM on September 26, 2007
Responding to Bill O’Reilly’s complaint that he’s been taken out of context, Media Matters’ Paul Waldman said, “[I]f Bill O’Reilly got caught robbing a bank he would say he was taken out of context.”*
posted by ericb at 10:01 AM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by ericb at 10:01 AM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Come on, lay off Bill, clearly everyone at Sylvia's was on their very best behavior for Whitey.
posted by Pollomacho at 10:02 AM on September 26, 2007
posted by Pollomacho at 10:02 AM on September 26, 2007
Come on, lay off Bill, clearly everyone at Sylvia's was on their very best behavior for Whitey.
Brings to mind Eddie Murphy's 'Undercover' [YouTube -- 05:24] skit on SNL.
posted by ericb at 10:05 AM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Brings to mind Eddie Murphy's 'Undercover' [YouTube -- 05:24] skit on SNL.
posted by ericb at 10:05 AM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Give the man some credit. At least the blacks didn't frighten him into asking for a blowjob.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:31 AM on September 26, 2007 [5 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:31 AM on September 26, 2007 [5 favorites]
My grandmother believed that Chinese restaurants often serve dog/cat meat well into the 2000's.
Well, it turns out she was right.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 10:44 AM on September 26, 2007
Well, it turns out she was right.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 10:44 AM on September 26, 2007
Give the man some credit. At least the blacks didn't frighten him into asking for a blowjob.
I wouldn't be too sure about that.
posted by Pollomacho at 11:05 AM on September 26, 2007
I wouldn't be too sure about that.
posted by Pollomacho at 11:05 AM on September 26, 2007
Watch: Whoopi And Sherri Respond on 'The View' to Bill O'Reilly's Comments about Black People.
posted by ericb at 12:44 PM on September 26, 2007
posted by ericb at 12:44 PM on September 26, 2007
Whoopi should really keep her mouth shut for a while.
She bends over backwards excusing Micheal Vick's deplorable barbaric dog fighting as merely a "Southern Culture Thing."
Well, Whoopi, the Klan was 'Southern Cultural Thing" too.
posted by tkchrist at 2:07 PM on September 26, 2007
She bends over backwards excusing Micheal Vick's deplorable barbaric dog fighting as merely a "Southern Culture Thing."
Well, Whoopi, the Klan was 'Southern Cultural Thing" too.
posted by tkchrist at 2:07 PM on September 26, 2007
Could we please never, ever have a video link to The View again? I see no need for us to pay them particular attention: the world is choc-a-bloc full of vapid, ignorant, poorly-spoken people.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:51 PM on September 26, 2007
posted by five fresh fish at 6:51 PM on September 26, 2007
"the world is choc-a-bloc full of vapid, ignorant, poorly-spoken people"
And Bill O'Reilly likes to call those people nigras.
posted by longbaugh at 1:24 PM on September 27, 2007
And Bill O'Reilly likes to call those people nigras.
posted by longbaugh at 1:24 PM on September 27, 2007
What Does Bill O'Reilly Really Say About Black People?
posted by ericb at 4:22 PM on September 27, 2007
Fox News motormouth Bill O'Reilly is upset—he says that his recent remarks about those oh-so-well-behaved black people in Harlem were totally taken out of context! So we wondered: Well, what context were they in? Searching through the Fox transcripts, using the terms "Black, "African" and "African-American," and discarding comments about Africa (such as about Darfur or the IMF), [Gawker] Intern Mary itemizes the way in which Bill O'Reilly has talked about black people.See graph here.
posted by ericb at 4:22 PM on September 27, 2007
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posted by mr_roboto at 6:22 PM on September 25, 2007 [1 favorite]