What Richards said wasn’t a joke - it wasn’t a character - it was Michael Richards speaking and if you don’t get that, then you simply choose not to get it.

1. Comparing what Michaels Richards yelled on stage to a Dave Chappelle joke about white guys is not comparing apples to apples. It is very obvious from the footage that Michael Richards had departed from his comedy routine and was angrily addressing a person in the audience as a civilian. He wasn’t joking. I’ve yet to see on tape a black or hispanic comedian turn to a white audience member and start yelling in a crazed angry manner and it be considered a “joke” and part of his routine that we all laugh at. To summarize: Michael Richards: calling a black man a nigger–being himself; minority comedians making fun of how white guys dance–a joke.

2. I’m going to speak slowly for you… Kramer is a fictional character. No matter how many times you’ve watched Seinfeld reruns and thought to yourself, “That Kramer! He’s the best! I’d love to have him as my neighbor!” it does NOT make him a real person. Mchael Richards is an actor with a complete, full life apart from Kramer the character. In fact, Kramer is only one character ever played by the actor Michael Richards. If he had instead played Ted Bundy in Ted Bundy’s life story, I wonder if now, “thechickenroaster,” you would be saying, “That Ted Bundy was a bad, bad man. I’m glad he’s now suffering publicly.” To summarize: Michael Richards is a man that yelled racist remarks in a room full of people, while Kramer… is PRETEND.

And anyway, Chickenroaster, we all know you’re actually Kenny Rogers. No use hiding anymore. Just because your restaurant got a plug on one episode of Seinfeld does not mean you’re forever indebted to its actors. Let go.

Secondly - there’s a difference between a white man doing what Richards did and a black person making a racist joke. If you listen to what Richards said - it was an attempt to remind this man that he has a place in society and that place is at the discretion of men like him “50 years ago we would have strung you up” “get him out of here”. No matter how hard a black person tries, there are no words to say to a white person that have that same belittling effect.

Having said all that, now is a time for reflection. We need to look at the double standard this is creating. I have heard plenty of black Americans, Latin Americans, and others besides whites spout some of the most racist, disgusting unclean humor and no one gives a rip. If a black man makes a racist joke about a white guy, it is all in good fun and no one says anything. it is time to embrace what we laugh at. It is time to look at Mr. Richard’s actions and say “That is wrong.” It is time to look at any other race’s acts that are racially motivated in a stereotypical and hateful way and stop passing it off and say “That is wrong” Just because there has been a time in this country that has persecuted African Americans, does not mean we should embrace racism from that sides to “even things out” It only causes more racism and hate and anger to arise.

OK, just kidding.

but wow, yeah. I agree with you, Spencer, on both counts, both that the apology was more sincere than many, but that nothing could undo his inner thinking that was revealed. As unnerving as the apology was, geez it was WAY unnerving to watch the video. I recall seeing his interviews (on the Seinfeld DVD’s and whatnot) and thinking he must be a good actor, since I find his Kramer character strangely endearing but don’t find him that likable in real life. But I sure didn’t expect to dislike anything quite THIS much!

No great loss as his comedic career wasn’t much of anywhere, but in a totally selfish way I’m kind of bummed as this will at least somewhat creep me out now every time I watch any old Seinfeld DVD’s!

But his career is over.

So strange.

And watching Seinfeld say, “He’s my friend, I love him, but there’s no justifying what he said…” while Richards listened in California… that was all very rough.