Alex Trebek gets racist on jeopardy!

[Loaded Liberal Dem]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024491103

A hearty thanks to CatWoman for providing me with this link! And fie (FIE, I say!) to those who questioned my analysis of Trebek's behavior. HA! And, if I might reiterate, HA!

[Deep13]

1. "You better get it?"

Is it racist or just recognizing race exists?

[yeoman6987]

3. I don't know

He says that a lot to many people. Normally if a lawyer is on and it is a law question, he will say that "you better get this". Same with doctor. I don't think he meant anything from it and the fact that it is not over the media it probably was not racist but just a quip which the young lady played along.

[MADem]

16. The student was attending a HBC.

I don't think he was suggesting that she was on a scholarship, just that the UNCF was created to support HBCs. The student would KNOW that, going to Oakwood.

Read this, it makes more sense in context: http://www.uncf.org/sections/MemberColleges/SS_AboutHBCUs/about.hbcu.asp

He always comes off sounding like a pompous jerk. In this instance I don't think he was being racist (he was demonstrating a surprising knowledge of the HBCU system and its affiliation with UNCF, though-- something most people who haven't had any connections with HBCUs don't quite get).

His comment was no different from saying that someone from New Jersey ought to get a New Jersey-based question.

I have a pretty good ear, and I didn't hear what some hear in his remark. He may be a blowhard for other reasons, but that wasn't racist.

[Scuba]

2. I suspect the "You'd better get it" was not because Kenesha is black, but because ...

... Oakwood U. is a traditionally black college.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakwood_University

Oakwood University has been a member institution of the United Negro College Fund since 1964.

[yeoman6987]

4. You could be right

The college was traditionally black college so that is perhaps why.

[CTyankee]

8. Of course! That's exactly what I thought...she was so proudly representing

her school on the show! She's lovely, too...

[JNelson6563]

5. Is she by chance a scholarship recipient?

[Gman]

6. Not racist in any way.

To say it is, is to deny Kenesha is Black.

[heaven05]

7. I didn't see/hear/feel any

racism.

[chrisa]

9. Alex Trebek seems to have no social skills. I doubt this is intentional.

I think it was more of a blunt observation. I saw this live and laughed a little. He says other things that are hilariously insulting or socially wrong too. I doubt he intended it to be insulting.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

10. She was killing it in the first round.

Was sad to see her fall off.

[erpowers]

11. Not Racist She Attends an HBCU

Alex Trebeck was not being racist. Maybe part of the reason he said you better get it right was partly because she was black; however, it was more likely due to the fact that she attends a Historically Black College & University. It is very likely race played no part in Trebeck's comment. What Trebeck did is more like the answer "It is America's oldest college" comeing up, the student from Harvard ringing in and answering "Harvard", and Trebeck responding with you had better get that one right.

Something similar happened on Hollywood Game Night. The celebrities were playing a game were they had to guess what thing was really a part of a category. At one point the subject of science came up and Makim Bialick got the answer wrong. The host, Jane Lynch, was stunned. She almost immediately pointed out that Bialick had a PhD in Nerobiology. People expect certain individuals, for reasons other than race, to certain things.

[Isoldeblue]

12. I loved Jeopardy for many years,

but I loathe Trebek. I stopped watching a couple years ago, because after so many asinine remarks from him, it just spoiled it too much for me. The older I get the less tolerance I have for stupidity. This one isn't too bad, compared to what he usually says with foot in mouth.

Hey, you kids! Get off my lawn!

[A Simple Game]

13. You may like the YouTube videos of Saturday Night Live's skits on Jeopardy.

Especially the ones with Sean Connery.

[Isoldeblue]

14. Oh, I've seen them and they are

ROTFLMBBO funny! I agree about the SC ones being just hysterical. I wish they'd do one w/Alex making dumb remarks. It wouldn't be that much of a stretch!

[passiveporcupine]

15. Did not see anything "racist" in the clip n/t