Radio Host calls Dr.Rice 'Aunt Jemima'

[Torog]

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.

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Associated Press writer JR Ross in Madison contributed to this story.

Torog Reviewed by Torog on 11-19-2004. 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 Rating: 5

[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 ?

[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.

[Torog]

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

[sawleaf]

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.

[Torog]

Both the left and the right are evil to me. I look at both sides and choose my opinion.

Howdy sawleaf,

You've certainly earned your right to your opinion

Have a good one...Torog

[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!

[Torog]

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 !

Torog

[F L E S H]

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

[Torog]

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

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