Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Radio host calls Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Seattle Post Intelligencer ^ | 11/18/04 | JAMES A. CARLSON, AP
MILWAUKEE -- A radio talk show host drew criticism Thursday after calling Condoleezza Rice an "Aunt Jemima" and saying she isn't competent to be secretary of state. John Sylvester, the program director and morning personality on WTDY-AM in Madison, said in a phone interview Thursday that he used the term on Wednesday's show to describe Rice and other blacks as having only a subservient role in the Bush administration.
Rice has served as President Bush's national security adviser and was named this week to replace the departing Colin Powell as secretary of state.
Sylvester, who is white, also referred to Powell as an "Uncle Tom" - a contemptuous term for a black whose behavior toward whites is regarded as fawning or servile.
He said Thursday night that he was referring to remarks by singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte that the price of admittance for blacks to the Bush White House was subservience.
As for Rice, "they're using her for an illusion of inclusion," he said, adding that he feels her history as national security adviser showed a lack of competence.
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz called the remarks "racially insensitive," while Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., said in a statement he joined "all Wisconsinites in rejecting" the statements.
Linda Hoskins of the NAACP's Madison branch said she could not comment on Sylvester's remarks until she had heard them in their entirety.
The station's corporate office received about 100 calls about his comments, Sylvester said.
He added that he has a long history of commitment to civil rights and has supported Madison's black community.
He said he was planning a giveaway on Friday's show of Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup. "I will apologize to Aunt Jemima," he said.
The incident came after a radio host in Milwaukee had his talk show taken off the air all of last week after he used word "wetback" to refer to undocumented Mexican immigrants, sparking protests from Hispanics.
---
Associated Press writer JR Ross in Madison contributed to this story.
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Wow..I didn't realize just how racist the Left truly is in this country..I believe that Dr. Rice and Colin Powell,are both great Americans of outstanding character and I'm very proud of both of them..why would anyone not be ?
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Come on Torog. I would not call the Left rascist because of a single persons comments. I have had more experience with racism coming from right-wing conservatives.
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Quote:
Originally Posted by sawleaf
Come on Torog. I would not call the Left rascist because of a single persons comments. I have had more experience with racism coming from right-wing conservatives.
Howdy sawleaf,
That may be..at least the conservatives are more honest about it..instead of claiming to be something they ain't.
Have a good one...Torog
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torog
Howdy sawleaf,
That may be..at least the conservatives are more honest about it..instead of claiming to be something they ain't.
Have a good one...Torog
Both the left and the right are evil to me. I look at both sides and choose my opinion. :D
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Quote:
Originally Posted by sawleaf
Both the left and the right are evil to me. I look at both sides and choose my opinion. :D
Howdy sawleaf,
You've certainly earned your right to your opinion :D
Have a good one...Torog
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
You too Torog! I'm having a good day today. My best friend is back from Iraq. Gonna grab a few pints with him tonight. Haven't see the bastard in 2 years! :)
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Quote:
Originally Posted by sawleaf
You too Torog! I'm having a good day today. My best friend is back from Iraq. Gonna grab a few pints with him tonight. Haven't see the bastard in 2 years! :)
Howdy sawleaf,
That's good news ! Praise the Lord ! I hope that y'all have a good one ! :D
Torog
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torog
Wow..I didn't realize just how racist the Left truly is in this country..I believe that Dr. Rice and Colin Powell,are both great Americans of outstanding character and I'm very proud of both of them..why would anyone not be ?
That is wrong on so many levels I don't know where to begin... I will say this though: In the US, the problem of racism is not a Left or Right thing, to me, an outside observer, it seems to be pervasive throughout the political spectrum.
Race and ethnicity is so important to you, and really there isn't any reason for it to be. In my mind, for people to be truly not racist, it would simply have to be eliminated as a subject of conversation. It's funny to see how some people claim they're not racist, and yet all they do is talk about another person's racial background. If you're not racist, you wouldn't talk about race, good or bad.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but I'll stop here :D
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Quote:
Originally Posted by F L E S H
That is wrong on so many levels I don't know where to begin... I will say this though: In the US, the problem of racism is not a Left or Right thing, to me, an outside observer, it seems to be pervasive throughout the political spectrum.
Race and ethnicity is so important to you, and really there isn't any reason for it to be. In my mind, for people to be truly not racist, it would simply have to be eliminated as a subject of conversation. It's funny to see how some people claim they're not racist, and yet all they do is talk about another person's racial background. If you're not racist, you wouldn't talk about race, good or bad.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but I'll stop here :D
Howdy FLESH,
The reason I pointed out my shock and outrage in regards to this issue,is because the Democrat party here in the US,claims to be a 'champion' of the rights of minorities and folks of color,if that's true-then why are they being so racist and hateful towards Dr. Rice and Colin Powell ? I see Dr. Rice and Colin Powell,as Americans serving their country..that they are black,shows just how far we've come as a society,in terms of racial equality.
Therefore,it is vitally important-to talk about race in terms of equality and achievement..and when race has become an issue of hate. We should celebrate and condemn,not talking about either-is wrong.
Have a good one...Torog
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
My point is that you shouldn't have to celebrate or condemn. It shouldn't be an issue at all. I know int he states that the Democrats portray themsleves as being minority friendly, but in my opinion neither party really helps minorities. It's not a question of policy, it's a question of the mindset of many Americans, both Republican and Democrat.
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Quote:
Originally Posted by F L E S H
My point is that you shouldn't have to celebrate or condemn. It shouldn't be an issue at all. I know int he states that the Democrats portray themsleves as being minority friendly, but in my opinion neither party really helps minorities. It's not a question of policy, it's a question of the mindset of many Americans, both Republican and Democrat.
Howdy FLESH,
I understand your point,you're saying that we,as a society,should be both color blind and race blind..that would be nice.
Here's the kooky part-unless you believe in aliens,like I do..and like Ronald Reagan once said before the UN..if the world faces an external threat from aliens..or even a benign contact..alot of the things that divide us..will not matter...
Have a good one...Torog
Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'
Yeah, I know that what I said can only exist in an ideal world, and doesn't really exist anywhere on this planet. But we can try :D
