Is Randi's claim of being black disrespectful?

[Must_B_Free]

Why does she think its OK to claim blackness when she hasn't walked in the shoes?

I don't care if she was made an honorary member of the black caucus, I personally find it disrespecful of a persecuted minority.

If I went around making a joke about being a Holocaust survivor, would that not also be disrespectful?

[sangh0]

1. Randi is very offensive

to repukes.

[republicansarewhores]

50. Is she STILL milking that bit?

It wore thin the day she started saying it, and I honestly haven't listened to her since then.

LAME.

RAW

[comradebillyboy]

2. i have never seen her

what color is she?

[Must_B_Free]

11. actually it's more of a cultural issue

but here is her picture

[jdj]

45. such a hottie. mmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmm good.

[jpgray]

3. It's dumb (nt)

[DrWeird]

4. What was it she said?

Can't tell without some context.

[noiretextatique]

5. just after the coup

the "i'm black" thing was a bit of a fad...to show solidarity with the folks disenfranshised in florida (and elsewhere) and to honor the the CBC. i understand the context, so it's not offensive to me.

[BlueEyedSon]

6. I think she overdoes it

on edit: did not know the info in post #5

[tridim]

7. Were you also offended by Clinton as the "first black President"?

I wasn't. Quite the contrary. Randi is showing respect for blacks with her little shtick. It's 100% respectful and a celebration of their courage and ethnicity.

[BlueEyedSon]

8. HE (Clinton) wasn't the one (repeatedly) claiming it.....

[Must_B_Free]

17. Was that something Clinton claimed?

I don't recall Clinton claiming "I'm black"

[Skidmore]

9. I don't think she is

making fun of anyone. This started by her noting the consistent bravery of the black caucus in confronting assaults to civil liberties and the nation as a whole. I think she rightly considers it an honor and uses this shame more people into standing up and speaking out. I'm very proud of the members of the black caucus. We need more citizens like them.

[shoopnyc123]

10. I don't mind it...

...but it almost always depends on the person. I wish I could say I could accept from anybody but I can't. Randi is cool though. I'd have a problem with, say, Justin Timberlake...by the way I'm black.

[Swamp Rat]

12. Why don't you call her and ask her yourself?

[Cronus Protagonist]

13. I'm quite sure she's walked in black shoes at some time in her life

Not that it qualifies her for claiming to be Black with a capital B.



You might be a Republican if...
http://cronus.com/quiz

Commentary by a Republican...
http://cronus.com/republican

The REAL Republican Platform...
http://cronus.com/platform

Bush's Illustrated Resume
http://cronus.com/bushresume

Isn't That Strange?
http://cronus.com/oil

[movonne]

14. God please...do you want to eat your own. We finally got left wing radio

and complain, complain, complain. Whats up, is there not enough Right-wingers for you to complain about????

[Must_B_Free]

20. Truth is a winning strategy in and of itself.

I'm not one to look the other way just because it benefitted me personally.

[jdj]

46. the m in democrat

stands for masochist.

[slor]

15. I'm black...

and it does not bother me.

[wryter2000]

16. Her African American callers

Her African American callers seem to love her "I'm a black woman journalist" shtick. If it's okay with them, it's okay with me.

[Misunderestimator]

18. That's just silly. She's not gay either, but it wouldn't bother me if she

said she was, if it was in the spirit of supporting gay rights or admiring gay people. :shrug:

[Puglover]

19. Oh for Christs sake

LIGHTEN UP! I'm gay and if that's not a persecuted minority I don't know what is and if she suddenly said she was a gay women/man in honor of the way we act I'd be flattered.....jesus.:eyes:

[noiretextatique]

21. "THE DIVA" FORMALLY SWITCHES RACE

randi isn't the only one...

http://www.coup2k.com/blacklikeme.html

REPORTS FROM THE FRONT
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2001

LONG BEACH (gorewon2000.net) -- WebMistress of The BUSH BROTHERS BANANA REPUBLIC formally switches race, based on new information.

"The Diva," WebMistress of The BBBR (gorewon2000.net), after careful consideration and review of new information, has decided today to renounce her whiteness, and join the black race.

"Well, I always just assumed I was white. I never really looked into it carefully, though," she remarked today. "I guess, since I have red hair, green eyes, freckles, and the complexion of Elvira, I took it for granted that I was white." She went on to say, "However, since I have investigated the matter more fully, I realize now I cannot possibly be."

After a thorough review of media reports, The Diva came to the obvious conclusion that she must be black. "The media has been very clear that concern and outrage over Coup2K is a 'black thing,' so I now realize I must be black. I mean, I'm furious, right?" When asked to elaborate, Tammy explained, "Well, I look at it this way. The only people, according to the media, that feel the way I clearly do -- that are certain that criminal acts are on the verge of putting an illegitimate leader in the White House -- are black Americans. You don't find evidence much less ambiguous than that, do you?"

[sonicx]

22. I'm black and i think randi calling herself black is harmless

it's kind of old now, but it's harmless. :)

btw, the Holocaust survivor comparison is apples and oranges. randi is calling herself black cuz she admires the the bravery of black congress members to challenge the 2000 election.

[sonicx]

23. btw, didn't kerry say he wanted to be the second black president? nt

[skooooo]

30. Don't some call Clinton the 1st black president?

[sonicx]

31. yup, that's why kerry made that comment. nt

[Uzybone]

24. Geez

How is it offensive? And how can you compare being black to being a holocaust victim? Its not like she is insulting blacks by claiming to be one of them.

(caveat: Ive never heard her show so I dont know the context)

[sonicx]

26. she's calling herself black because...

1. she's an honorary member of the congression black causus
2. black congress members tried to challenge the 2000 election results even tho NO senators would help.
3. one black congress member demanded for there to be international election watchers for 2004 becuase of the stolen one in 2000. When she said this, her words were purged from the congression record and she was removed from the debate hall.

randi is calling herself black because she greatly admires them, not to mock them.

[theboss]

25. Is she addressing callers as her "n---gas?"

Because that would be kind of funny actually.

[sonicx]

27. never but...

i believe she's made some jokes like about having ashy elbows. i'm black and find it harmless (i don't speak for everyone tho. some may find it offensive).

[Must_B_Free]

34. Thank you

that's exactly my point, some may find it offensive.

[sonicx]

36. i don't understand your reasons tho

you said she's disrespecting blacks. how? she's not mocking us or our stuggle. she's calling herself black in admiration of us and our will to fight for rights.

If a heterosexual called themselves gay in admiration of gays and their stuggle for equality, would you find that offensive?

[Must_B_Free]

48. Let me put it this way.

I am 1/16 native american. I used to live in New Mexico, and I asked my fully native friend "Pete - does this mean I'm native American"? "No" was the answer. We're talking about people who grew up in ghettos called reservations - a hard life. That's why I feel that appropriating some claim of identity is disrespectful to the plight of the people who really did suffer.

It may have been a cute joke in the right context, but she uses it out of context, that's the problem.

[sonicx]

54. ok

You didn't respond really to what i wrote but anyway...

<< I am 1/16 native american. I used to live in New Mexico, and I asked my fully native friend "Pete - does this mean I'm native American"? "No" was the answer. We're talking about people who grew up in ghettos called reservations - a hard life. That's why I feel that appropriating some claim of identity is disrespectful to the plight of the people who really did suffer. >>

Um, ok. This is totally different than Randi first because she's not racially black at all (as far as i know). and...

She's saying she's black solely for solidarity with us out of admiration. She's not saying that she has had to experience the discrimination or life hardships of black people or that she's suffered anywhere near what we have. Her identity is still white. She's not going up to people IRL and seriously saying that she's black person (that would be offensive).


<< It may have been a cute joke in the right context, but she uses it out of context, that's the problem. >>

Um, it needs no context while she's on radio. It's an inside reference (if she ever joked in real life to someone that didn't know the reference, it would need context). Anyone that's listens regularly knows what she's referring to when she calls herself 'a black woman and a black journalist.' New listeners may get confused, but she explains many times. it gets old at times, yes, but not offensive at all.

If you are offended, why do you listen to her?

[Puglover]

57. There are people on this board that will

take ANY opportunity to put Randi down...I just don't get it.

[onecitizen]

28. For crying out loud.........

SHE'S JOKING! It was a joke between her and Maxine Waters (I think it was Congresswoman Waters). RR has a prior relationship with some of the Legislatures which includes joking around with one another.

[skooooo]

29. showing solidarity is bad??

I don't think it's disrespectful.

[merh]

32. If you don't like Randi Rhodes then DON"T LISTEN TO HER

show! Why is that so hard for folks to fathom? Thank God we have Randi Rhodes and the rest of Air America reporting on things and trying to get the facts out in the open. Just ignore the programs you don't like.

[Swamp Rat]

33. I was listening for you to call her in person, but the show just ended.

I guess you'll have to call her tomorrow to ask her directly.

[Must_B_Free]

35. Better idea

why don't you call her and ask her yourself.

[Swamp Rat]

40. Ha! Nice try. I suggested it to you first... and I waited for you to call,

but you waited for her show to end before answering my challenge to you. No excuses. You are the one who started this thread with: "Why does she think its OK to claim blackness when she hasn't walked in the shoes?" - You presume a lot.

"I don't care if she was made an honorary member of the black caucus, I personally find it disrespecful of a persecuted minority." - So, if it bothers you why don't you go the source?

"If I went around making a joke about being a Holocaust survivor, would that not also be disrespectful?" - Straw man.

[progressivebydesign]

37. This is harmles.. as the worldwide headlines after 9/11 were:

WE ARE ALL AMERICANS TODAY. She meant it as a sign of solidarity...

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

38. I know there's a strong pro-Randi crowd here, and I respect that, but...

...for my own personal tastes, I consider her to be an abrasive asshole.

Just my own personal opinion.

[Misunderestimator]

39. She's a liberal who is fighting the same fight as we... good enough for me

[Ladyhawk]

41. No, but it's annoying.

It was supposed to be a joke. It came out of Al Sharpton's speech at the convention and Randi, honey, it just isn't funny anymore.

I like and agree with much of what she says, but the way she treats callers who aren't Bill Clinton--barfo. She even cuts off and demeans fellow libs. I've stopped listening to her. She needs to get a grip on the telephone thing. She's disrespectful and rude to her callers.

Yes, I know where the off switch is. I've found it and have used it often with Randi. She used to be my AAR fave, too.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

42. Now I see a trend

you hate Randi. Please shut off the radio.

[Pallas180]

47. NOT a matter of hate. I agree she's become obnoxious -Howard Stern doesnt

appeal to me either. But she was becoming obnxoious and nasty to callers before she left Florida.

She can be informative without being rude to the very people who put
her where she is..liberals..

Because I read DU people are always asking me if I listen to Randi - I haven't in a couple of years.

They should be asking Randi if she's so well informed from reading DU

The shame of it is Lib Radio is a wonderful opportunity not just for
her but for liberal democrats to get the message out.

It's everyhting she wanted - so it's hard to understand why she's blowing it - or sniffing it maybe.

I hear she's made enemies at AAR...not too swift.

[NuttyFluffers]

43. if i remeber correctly she comes from a mixed marriage.

often hear how the rest of her family is very "mocha" and she came out as pale as can be.

and yes, now she's an honorary member of the black caucus.

being a mixed child myself and looking as pale as can be i empathize with her. i know perfectly well my american experience is different from the minority group that partly makes up me because i'm pale, but that doesn't change what went in into making me.

if she wants to make a playful statement adhering closer to her black roots (if i remember correctly her dad was black, her ex husband is also black) then go right ahead. i can dig it. and several other black caucus members, black callers and fans get it. they haven't a problem with it. and yet there's all these people who have their panties in a bunch.

if you don't get it fine. whatever. your prerogative. but she's received a lot of support for this and few detractors. i applaud her courage to be playful, acknowledge her mixed ancestry, and thumb her nose at self-righteous prudes. can't deal with it? cool, go cry in a corner. i'm gonna enjoy listening to her more.

[mfritz]

44. You might be right

I remember her telling the story of living in the south and being literally run out of town by the Klan.

It's not a good idea to assume someone's racial background based solely on a picture.

On TV I once saw a story where a man was speaking to a large crowd and spouting all kinds of prejudiced comments about blacks. At the end he revealed that HE was black, although he didn't look it at all. Which, of course, was his point.

[Must_B_Free]

49. I got a different impression

I know she has a deceased sister. I though she adopted her sister's daughter who is half black.

I enjoy the show, I just find a few abraisive kernals of corn in that daily log.

I noticed the guest today shot down her conspiracy theory about having Saddam on ice. I do find her overconfidence and over-ego to be somewhat frightening.

[sonicx]

55. October Surprise

<< I noticed the guest today shot down her conspiracy theory about having Saddam on ice. >>

you mean Osama. And I know you hate Randi, but she is hardly the only person who believes in October Surprise. Yes, it's a conspiracy theory, but I, many (most?) DUers, and many libs/dems believe in it. Doesn't necessarily mean that they have him and are holding him. It could mean that they are holding back til the last minute to really go after him. Bush is shady enough to do it. anyway...

The general who was speaking to her gave very appropriate answers to her questions. He's a general helping Kerry's campaign and should never publicly endorse October Surprise (Bush and the right-wing media would slaughter him and Kerry).

Randi, DUers, and everyone outside the campaign, on the other hand, can have at it all we want.

[Khephra]

51. When I read threads like this one, I'm struck by how many

DUers attack posters who are critical of anyone in the Left, as if being on the Left automatically makes you above criticism. Being on the Left does not make you above reproach. Unless I missed a memo, we're all humans on this planet and I've yet to meet a perfect human being.

We make fun of Freepers for marching in lockstep. Until Randi (and other Left figures) run for President, then they're open for critical comment here on DU, unless there's been a rule change that I'm not aware of. Free speech means hearing things that you don't want to hear sometimes, remember?

[Must_B_Free]

52. hexola calls that "groupthink"

is that from a book or something? 1984? I doubt he coined that term.

Well, we all saw the freepification of DU seep in as it became more popular. I have been saying it for some time now. Even Pitt was saying yesterday, "Wait a minute, aren't we becoming like the freepers?"

[drdtroit]

53. Does not bother me. n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

56. This is not an issue

We have a born again idiot residing at 1600 Pennysylvania Avenue NW, Wash, DC, who has to be relocated to Crawford Texas. I daresay, as so many people, I don't care what color Randi Rhodes claims to be, we need to vote Bush out!