Hooray beer!!!!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
So, how's your LibraryThing
A friend put me onto LibraryThing. It's a site that allows you to input and tag books you own. It's very cool. It has clean interface and you can even tie in with certain local booksellers (as well as the bigger online ones). I haven't tried this yet because none of my local booksellers are one of the supported ones.
Here is my bookshelf. It would be bigger if I hadn't lost some books while moving.
Here is my bookshelf. It would be bigger if I hadn't lost some books while moving.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Cavs...Cavs...Cavs...
After losing two heartbreakers on the road (a hell of a lot better than the Bulls slaughters in Games 1 and 2 in their series), the Cavaliers get to come home to the friendly confines of The Coliseum the Quicken Loans Arena for two at home. People have been dissing the Cavs, saying they don't belong but they gave the number one seed in the Eastern Conference all they could handle, holding them to 79 points (twice) and losing by a total of 6 points.
Now it's time to come home and even the score. Should the Cavs hold home court, it's a 3-game series. No need to think about the closeness of Games 1 and 2.
I still think that LeBron did the right thing in Game 1 because he trusts his
teammates. I always thought of him being more of a Magic Johnson than
a Michael Jordan. Magic came in the league thinking team ball. He was
fortunate enough to have two clutch guys in James Worthy and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar and contributors like Byron Scott and AC Green to dish to.
I think that Michael Jordan poisoned team basketball because his
success led owners to think that the could pay one superstar and a
bunch of role players. It's better to pay a few really, really good
players and have them build some chemistry. This is why the Cavs let
Carlos Boozer go...and this is why Jim Paxson is no longer the GM.
Drew Gooden is solid but imagine a Carlos Boozer given a looser rein to
score as he has shown he is capable of in Utah? He could have been the
"Big Game James" to LeBron's "Magic" . Larry Hughes was supposed to be
that....Hughes isn't bad, just inconsistent.
The Cavs aren't pretty. LeBron isn't even pretty as much as the media would like. He likes team ball. He likes getting others involved. He cares about substance more than style. He and Mike Brown might have disagreements about that but they agree that winning ugly is more preferable than losing. Period.
Should the Cavs mount 8 more wins...nothing else will matter. The Larry O'Brien trophy will be here. No one can argue with that. I think they have a chance. Should the Cavs face San Antonio, we will see the Eastern Conference win the title for the third time in four years. Mike Brown knows Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and those guys (he used to work under Popovich). What Popovich doesn't know is LeBron and the hodge-podge that is the Cavaliers. Cavs in 5 in the Finals. You saw it here first...
...that is if we can make it through the D.
Now it's time to come home and even the score. Should the Cavs hold home court, it's a 3-game series. No need to think about the closeness of Games 1 and 2.
I still think that LeBron did the right thing in Game 1 because he trusts his
teammates. I always thought of him being more of a Magic Johnson than
a Michael Jordan. Magic came in the league thinking team ball. He was
fortunate enough to have two clutch guys in James Worthy and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar and contributors like Byron Scott and AC Green to dish to.
I think that Michael Jordan poisoned team basketball because his
success led owners to think that the could pay one superstar and a
bunch of role players. It's better to pay a few really, really good
players and have them build some chemistry. This is why the Cavs let
Carlos Boozer go...and this is why Jim Paxson is no longer the GM.
Drew Gooden is solid but imagine a Carlos Boozer given a looser rein to
score as he has shown he is capable of in Utah? He could have been the
"Big Game James" to LeBron's "Magic" . Larry Hughes was supposed to be
that....Hughes isn't bad, just inconsistent.
The Cavs aren't pretty. LeBron isn't even pretty as much as the media would like. He likes team ball. He likes getting others involved. He cares about substance more than style. He and Mike Brown might have disagreements about that but they agree that winning ugly is more preferable than losing. Period.
Should the Cavs mount 8 more wins...nothing else will matter. The Larry O'Brien trophy will be here. No one can argue with that. I think they have a chance. Should the Cavs face San Antonio, we will see the Eastern Conference win the title for the third time in four years. Mike Brown knows Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and those guys (he used to work under Popovich). What Popovich doesn't know is LeBron and the hodge-podge that is the Cavaliers. Cavs in 5 in the Finals. You saw it here first...
...that is if we can make it through the D.
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Friday, May 25, 2007
Chuck D comes to Akron
My friends Sean (far left), Lorans (far right) and I (second from right) got to meet a legend in Hip-Hop, Chuck D (second from left), frontman from the seminal hip-hop group, Public Enemy.
It was amazing. I had heard him speak as a senior in high school at Cleveland State back in 1994. As a man, I have a stronger appreciation for his art and his viewpoints. I bought a couple of his books: Fight the Power:Rap, Race and Reality and Chuck D: Lyrics of a Rap Revolutionary.
It was amazing. I had heard him speak as a senior in high school at Cleveland State back in 1994. As a man, I have a stronger appreciation for his art and his viewpoints. I bought a couple of his books: Fight the Power:Rap, Race and Reality and Chuck D: Lyrics of a Rap Revolutionary.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Grey's Anatomy and Women...
I haven't watched much of Grey's Anatomy (I might have to do so online on ABC) especially since I read this review from the New York Times about how much the show (and its' upcoming spinoff) denigrates women...in that Ally McBeal sort of way.
Any comments?
"People complain that hip-hop stars use obscene lyrics and lewd music videos to demean women. Sometimes, so do even the most bourgeois women’s television shows."
Any comments?
Monday, April 30, 2007
The Real Meaning of Mother's Day
As many of you know, retailers love to convert holidays from their true meanings to something that can make them money.
Mother's Day is no exception. My friend, J, from Long Island sent me this article about the origins of Mother's Day in America.
Peace for mothers by bringing their husbands, sons and daughters home from war...a novel concept.
Mother's Day is no exception. My friend, J, from Long Island sent me this article about the origins of Mother's Day in America.
Peace for mothers by bringing their husbands, sons and daughters home from war...a novel concept.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Bye-bye, Rosie...
As you all know (or may not know), Rosie O'Donnell is leaving the view. I never really thought that she was collegial enough to work with co-hosts. Her style is akin to a singer that rose to prominence as a solo act that joins a group later in their career.
It also didn't help that she probably knocked Elizabeth Hasselbeck on her ass more than the Steelers did her brother-in-law Matt Hasselbeck in Super Bowl XL. If nothing else, the participants on The View must learn to stand up for themselves and their opinions.
Now, to find a replacement for Star Jones's replacement. Hmmm, Soledad O'Brien is available. If I were Barbara Walters, I would call her not now but right now. Why? Soledad O'Brien is a great journalist (I still can't believe she's not working?!) Here are a few reasons that I think that she should be considered:
And, I didn't even mention that she's absolutely beautiful. I say she's beautiful not solely based on her looks because with no personality, looks don't matter. When she smiled during the news, I couldn't help but do the same.
It also didn't help that she probably knocked Elizabeth Hasselbeck on her ass more than the Steelers did her brother-in-law Matt Hasselbeck in Super Bowl XL. If nothing else, the participants on The View must learn to stand up for themselves and their opinions.
Now, to find a replacement for Star Jones's replacement. Hmmm, Soledad O'Brien is available. If I were Barbara Walters, I would call her not now but right now. Why? Soledad O'Brien is a great journalist (I still can't believe she's not working?!) Here are a few reasons that I think that she should be considered:
- She's relatively young.
- Ms. O'Brien is only 40. She has a hip, world-wise aunt appeal. She's old enough to have experienced life but young enough to effectively explain it to those that haven't.
- She's classy
- On Today, on CNN, I have never seen Ms. O'Brien be less than professional. Sure, sometimes she would be silly but that was appropriate for the light mood of the Today show. Rosie was a little too...ok, a lot too abrasive for The View. I could see Ms. O'Brien putting Elizabeth Hasselbeck in check but doing so in a Claire Huxtable "I am confident because I am using facts and not rhetoric to argue with you" sort of way. I used to love when Claire would dress down anyone that came at her in a way that didn't show her the proper respect. She didn't get loud, she was surgical with her dismantling of her foe. Now, that's class.
- She's a working mom (she has 4 children)
- The View is about women. Some work, some are moms. Ms. O'Brien is both. Four kids is no joke even if you are married (which Ms. O'Brien is). I bet this would earn her stripes with The View's core audience.
- She is American diversity at its' finest
- She's Afro-Cuban and Irish-Australian...which is how you get a name like Soledad O'Brien. Only in America. Is she Black, white or Latina? She is all of them and she embraces it. Anytime an intelligent woman represents well (especially my women of color), I want to see more.
- She could take over for Barbara Walters if she hung it up
- Barbara Walters has been in the media for a very, very long time. The day is coming where she hangs it up. Who better than a strong journalist like Ms. O'Brien to pass the baton to?
And, I didn't even mention that she's absolutely beautiful. I say she's beautiful not solely based on her looks because with no personality, looks don't matter. When she smiled during the news, I couldn't help but do the same.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Imus and "Gangsta Rap"
Like many people, I found Don Imus's comments to be abhorrent. One thing I did is to check myself because I am a man and, as men sometimes do, they gauge women's looks.
Though I don't try, sometimes men can be sexist (yes, male privilege is real). Why? Because, to me, it wasn't about the looks of the players (who cares about looks when it's time to play some ball? I know I don't.), it was about the game. The two best women's programs this year. Tennessee came out on top but both teams played their butts off and both Coach Summit and Coach Stringer are classy and great teachers/role models.
Since Imus's comments, both coaches have proven that they are the class acts they have been throughout their careers. The Rutgers women's squad has followed Coach Stringer in that path of class and they are to be totally commended. They have class, beauty (inner and outer)...and skills to kick me up and down the court.
But, what I am starting to grow tired of is people trying to tie rap music into what Don Imus said. Don Imus is no friend of hip-hop. It's insulting to be lumped in with him. The misogyny and violence that exists in some hip-hop is an effect of lots of issues, not a cause of misogyny or violence and certainly not the impetus behind Don Imus's comments. Some parties in America are good for regarding effects as causes of problems when they are attached to have-nots and marginalized groups.
But I didn't think that Cleveland would buy in. I read the CoolCleveland e-mail blast and above Mansfield Frazier's article (on a side note, I think it's funny that the column is called "Straight Outta Mansfield", a take on a seminal "gangsta rap" album, "Straight Outta Compton" by the group NWA - also, the late Eric "Eazy E" Wright, a leader within NWA took five guys from the Glenville area and put them on the hip-hop map. The name Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony should ring a bell), there was a quote from C. Delores Tucker that stated"
"It’s a crime that we are promoting these kinds of messages. The whole gangsta rap industry is drug driven, race-driven and greed-driven... it’s not healthy for our children."
Mr. Frazier stated :
"Didn’t we give anyone and everyone license to disrespect us by continuing to allow young, Black, empty-headed, no-talent performers posing as “artists” to continually disrespect Black womanhood? And I am as guilty as the next Black elder for not speaking out sooner. But enough is enough."
The answer to the question Mr. Frazier poses is absolutely not. It is not up to these "no-talent performers" to give license to anyone to disrespect women period. They are wrong for doing so but to insult a whole genre because some of its' practitioners lack of respect for various groups is ridiculous. Also, there have been many black entertainers that have degraded women either in practice or in lyrics before the creation of hip-hop (I suppose no one saw Ray or What's Love Got to Do With It?) so Mr. Frazier's argument suffers from a case of historical amnesia.
While I think that some of the more base and tawdry aspects of hip-hop are getting entirely too much light, attacking artists is like cutting off a leaf and expecting a tree to die. I believe that artists should write about what they know. Quentin Tarentino wouldn't remake Sarah, Plain and Tall. Violence and discrimination are, unfortunately, as American as apple pie. They must be fought but throwing rappers en masse under a steamroller (like Rev. Calvin Butts did with some of their CDs back in the 90's) and calling it the best solution is pointless.
Mr. Frazier is right about one thing: a problem is the major labels. As many of the independent music fans around here can attest, some really poor music is getting lots of press lately. It's no different in hip-hop. Groups that have a more positive and inclusive message get pushed by the wayside. Why? Because they don't sell. Why don't they sell? It's simple. If you have to market hip-hop that's not negative, that means that you have to say *gasp* that you can be true to what you believe and who you are without resorting to negativity. Placing black men in a positive light that aren't selling something is not a strong point for corporate America.
There is no singular black experience. I will say that again. There is no singular black experience.
Earlier, I said that "gangster rap" was an effect and not a cause of some of problems that plague America in general and disproportionately affect the black community. Crime and violence come from lack of educational opportunities. An educated kid has more options for expression and expansion of thought than kids without education. These kids without education aren't stupid (meaning, they have the capability to learn) but they aren't appointed with the proper venue. Once they become adults, they are left to their own devices and too many choose the lowest rung (the illegal life). Before the massive flight (not just white flight, black folks left in droves as well), higher-income black people and lower-income black people lived in the same neighborhoods. A storekeeper would live next to a mailman who would live next to a doctor who would live next to an attorney. You would have a very economically diverse neighborhood which allowed for strong connections. Then, many who saw moving out as moving up, left these community-rich neighborhoods for the 'burbs instead of using their new found, post civil-rights influence to improve their current neighborhood. This is why many predominately black areas of Cleveland are economically depressed.
Music in particular and America in general needs to be more respectful of marginalized groups. Calling one particular genre out and blaming it for problems in society that are caused by people IN NO WAY RELATED to the genre (Imus) is insulting.
Specifically, I am tired of the rap bashing. Hip-hop had been blamed for everything short of global warming (and I think Bush is working on that one). These artists are grown men and women. We should take each individual to task for what they say and see what they have to say...then, we should talk to their bosses. It's more about green than you think...
Though I don't try, sometimes men can be sexist (yes, male privilege is real). Why? Because, to me, it wasn't about the looks of the players (who cares about looks when it's time to play some ball? I know I don't.), it was about the game. The two best women's programs this year. Tennessee came out on top but both teams played their butts off and both Coach Summit and Coach Stringer are classy and great teachers/role models.
Since Imus's comments, both coaches have proven that they are the class acts they have been throughout their careers. The Rutgers women's squad has followed Coach Stringer in that path of class and they are to be totally commended. They have class, beauty (inner and outer)...and skills to kick me up and down the court.
But, what I am starting to grow tired of is people trying to tie rap music into what Don Imus said. Don Imus is no friend of hip-hop. It's insulting to be lumped in with him. The misogyny and violence that exists in some hip-hop is an effect of lots of issues, not a cause of misogyny or violence and certainly not the impetus behind Don Imus's comments. Some parties in America are good for regarding effects as causes of problems when they are attached to have-nots and marginalized groups.
But I didn't think that Cleveland would buy in. I read the CoolCleveland e-mail blast and above Mansfield Frazier's article (on a side note, I think it's funny that the column is called "Straight Outta Mansfield", a take on a seminal "gangsta rap" album, "Straight Outta Compton" by the group NWA - also, the late Eric "Eazy E" Wright, a leader within NWA took five guys from the Glenville area and put them on the hip-hop map. The name Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony should ring a bell), there was a quote from C. Delores Tucker that stated"
"It’s a crime that we are promoting these kinds of messages. The whole gangsta rap industry is drug driven, race-driven and greed-driven... it’s not healthy for our children."
Mr. Frazier stated :
"Didn’t we give anyone and everyone license to disrespect us by continuing to allow young, Black, empty-headed, no-talent performers posing as “artists” to continually disrespect Black womanhood? And I am as guilty as the next Black elder for not speaking out sooner. But enough is enough."
The answer to the question Mr. Frazier poses is absolutely not. It is not up to these "no-talent performers" to give license to anyone to disrespect women period. They are wrong for doing so but to insult a whole genre because some of its' practitioners lack of respect for various groups is ridiculous. Also, there have been many black entertainers that have degraded women either in practice or in lyrics before the creation of hip-hop (I suppose no one saw Ray or What's Love Got to Do With It?) so Mr. Frazier's argument suffers from a case of historical amnesia.
While I think that some of the more base and tawdry aspects of hip-hop are getting entirely too much light, attacking artists is like cutting off a leaf and expecting a tree to die. I believe that artists should write about what they know. Quentin Tarentino wouldn't remake Sarah, Plain and Tall. Violence and discrimination are, unfortunately, as American as apple pie. They must be fought but throwing rappers en masse under a steamroller (like Rev. Calvin Butts did with some of their CDs back in the 90's) and calling it the best solution is pointless.
Mr. Frazier is right about one thing: a problem is the major labels. As many of the independent music fans around here can attest, some really poor music is getting lots of press lately. It's no different in hip-hop. Groups that have a more positive and inclusive message get pushed by the wayside. Why? Because they don't sell. Why don't they sell? It's simple. If you have to market hip-hop that's not negative, that means that you have to say *gasp* that you can be true to what you believe and who you are without resorting to negativity. Placing black men in a positive light that aren't selling something is not a strong point for corporate America.
There is no singular black experience. I will say that again. There is no singular black experience.
Earlier, I said that "gangster rap" was an effect and not a cause of some of problems that plague America in general and disproportionately affect the black community. Crime and violence come from lack of educational opportunities. An educated kid has more options for expression and expansion of thought than kids without education. These kids without education aren't stupid (meaning, they have the capability to learn) but they aren't appointed with the proper venue. Once they become adults, they are left to their own devices and too many choose the lowest rung (the illegal life). Before the massive flight (not just white flight, black folks left in droves as well), higher-income black people and lower-income black people lived in the same neighborhoods. A storekeeper would live next to a mailman who would live next to a doctor who would live next to an attorney. You would have a very economically diverse neighborhood which allowed for strong connections. Then, many who saw moving out as moving up, left these community-rich neighborhoods for the 'burbs instead of using their new found, post civil-rights influence to improve their current neighborhood. This is why many predominately black areas of Cleveland are economically depressed.
Music in particular and America in general needs to be more respectful of marginalized groups. Calling one particular genre out and blaming it for problems in society that are caused by people IN NO WAY RELATED to the genre (Imus) is insulting.
Specifically, I am tired of the rap bashing. Hip-hop had been blamed for everything short of global warming (and I think Bush is working on that one). These artists are grown men and women. We should take each individual to task for what they say and see what they have to say...then, we should talk to their bosses. It's more about green than you think...
Monday, April 02, 2007
Screwing the Cavs...
I watched the tail end of the Cavs game while I was watching Wrestlemania 23 (which was a vastly entertaining pay-per-view, one of the best in a while) and I saw the worst call ever. With less than 30 seconds left and the score tied, Delonte West of the Celtics drove to the hole, stepped on Anderson Varejao's foot and a foul was called. On Varejao! West makes the two foul shots and on the other end Damon Jones misses a game-winning 3 and the game is over.
Boston 98, Cleveland 96.
It was probably the most horseshit call I have ever seen. It seems like the officials have it out for the Cavaliers.
Delonte West said: "Well, I didn't fall on my own, It was just one of my veteran moves. I drew the contact. I drew the contact and fell to the floor. The refs did a good job making the right call."
What a crock. A couple of years ago, he couldn't hold Jameer Nelson's jock at St. Joseph's. I still think Nelson's the better player.
Well, tonight's the night. Ohio State can exorcise all of its' demons this year with a win tonight. If the men's b-ball team fails, they can only go to the football team for consolation. Monday night. National Championship. Florida. But, unlike the neutral to friendly confines of the University of Phoenix Stadium (Cardinals, son!), they are in the Georgia Dome. Georgia. The state next to Florida.
We shall see in about 12 hours...
Boston 98, Cleveland 96.
It was probably the most horseshit call I have ever seen. It seems like the officials have it out for the Cavaliers.
Delonte West said: "Well, I didn't fall on my own, It was just one of my veteran moves. I drew the contact. I drew the contact and fell to the floor. The refs did a good job making the right call."
What a crock. A couple of years ago, he couldn't hold Jameer Nelson's jock at St. Joseph's. I still think Nelson's the better player.
Well, tonight's the night. Ohio State can exorcise all of its' demons this year with a win tonight. If the men's b-ball team fails, they can only go to the football team for consolation. Monday night. National Championship. Florida. But, unlike the neutral to friendly confines of the University of Phoenix Stadium (Cardinals, son!), they are in the Georgia Dome. Georgia. The state next to Florida.
We shall see in about 12 hours...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Common....
"A conscious n***a with Mac like Steve Jobs" - Common f/ Kanye West, Southside
If it's going to be this kind of year...life's good. Common's still my favorite solo MC.
This is insanity...Common and Kanye kill it.
On a side note, I think Taye Diggs could have a future in sportscasting. He's very cool in his improptu interview with Reggie "I do care about Black people" Bush.
If it's going to be this kind of year...life's good. Common's still my favorite solo MC.
This is insanity...Common and Kanye kill it.
On a side note, I think Taye Diggs could have a future in sportscasting. He's very cool in his improptu interview with Reggie "I do care about Black people" Bush.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Large and in charge like Paul Sorvino
Why would you mess with Paul Sorvino?!
WHY?!
Here's a story about a guy who did just that...
Didn't he see Goodfellas?
WHY?!
Here's a story about a guy who did just that...
Didn't he see Goodfellas?
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
As the year closes...
After my first mini-vacation (I had Christmas and the day after off...I am off to work after this post.), I am thinking about Christmas and here's my thoughts:
-My son still loves Cars. We watched it on Christmas Day.
-James Brown has passed away. That's not a song title. He really is. Dilla and the Godfather of Soul in the same year...sad but, we still have this...
-Gerald Ford is dead too. I was born during his 2 year and 5 month term in the White House...he and I also share a birthday: July 14th.
-I saw pics of my dad and I saw one of him eating. It was fairly recent and it made me think of one of the last things he said to me..
"Don't be a knucklehead like your old man"
I didn't get it when he first said it but he meant "don't make the mistakes I made". To me, one of them is not eating right. I miss him.
-I have 3 work days left in this year.
-The Browns BETTER beat Houston.
-I hope the Cardinals don't fire Denny Green.
-What kind of complaints will the sports media come up with after Ohio State runs the table again?
-How will Ted Strickland do as governor of Ohio?
-My son still loves Cars. We watched it on Christmas Day.
-James Brown has passed away. That's not a song title. He really is. Dilla and the Godfather of Soul in the same year...sad but, we still have this...
-Gerald Ford is dead too. I was born during his 2 year and 5 month term in the White House...he and I also share a birthday: July 14th.
-I saw pics of my dad and I saw one of him eating. It was fairly recent and it made me think of one of the last things he said to me..
"Don't be a knucklehead like your old man"
I didn't get it when he first said it but he meant "don't make the mistakes I made". To me, one of them is not eating right. I miss him.
-I have 3 work days left in this year.
-The Browns BETTER beat Houston.
-I hope the Cardinals don't fire Denny Green.
-What kind of complaints will the sports media come up with after Ohio State runs the table again?
-How will Ted Strickland do as governor of Ohio?
Friday, December 15, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
There's another Derek in town...
Since this is subset of derek, after all...
How about Derek Anderson? Who? No, not Ken's (you know, Barbie's ex and K-Fed's inspiration) friend.
He's the Browns backup that helped the Browns Beat the Chiefs in OT, 31-28.
It's good to see Dereks doing good things :-).
How about Derek Anderson? Who? No, not Ken's (you know, Barbie's ex and K-Fed's inspiration) friend.
He's the Browns backup that helped the Browns Beat the Chiefs in OT, 31-28.
It's good to see Dereks doing good things :-).
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Black Athlete
Tavis Smiley interviews William C. Rhoden
I can't give this issue justice...I will try later though...
I can't give this issue justice...I will try later though...
Monday, November 27, 2006
When did peace become a five-letter word?
This article appalled me.
Standing up for peace these days is almost an act of treason. It's bullshit.
I wonder what Jesus would think about this...you know, Jesus, whose birthday is coming in less than four weeks? The whole basis of Christianity?
Standing up for peace these days is almost an act of treason. It's bullshit.
I wonder what Jesus would think about this...you know, Jesus, whose birthday is coming in less than four weeks? The whole basis of Christianity?
Monday, November 20, 2006
"Kramer" loses it...
I saw this on YouTube and one of the comment said...
this is nothing compared to richard pryor, eddie murphy, many many more attacks on white people which have been ok'd by most. oh well, shit happens.
Richard Pryor(RIP) took shots at white folks but who did he have his most cinematic success with? His buddy, Gene Wilder. Many black comedians used humor to make light of heavy situations (slavery, economic inequality, discrimination) as a form of therapy, like when female comedians bag on men.
Michael Richards lost all points in my book. He turned a less than optimal situation (a heckler, which is par for the course in stand-up) into an arena for hate or ignorance. There's a big difference between "white people walk and talk funny" comedy and "N***er" this and "n****r" that. He clearly wasn't joking...there's nothing funny about that. There are better ways to take down a heckler or a disrespectful audience member, whatever the object of his epithets was. His ass needs a drink from the firehose...
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