Bill O'Reilly's Black Comments Put "In Context"

Gawker:

Fox News motormouth Bill O'Reilly is upset--he says that his recent remarks about those oh-so-well-behaved black people in Harlem were totally taken out of context! So we wondered: Well, what context were they in? Searching through the Fox transcripts, using the terms "Black, "African" and "African-American," and discarding comments about Africa (such as about Darfur or the IMF), Intern Mary itemizes the way in which Bill O'Reilly has talked about black people.

Read the whole story: Gawker

Comments

[realitytrumpsbull]

Black this, black that, black something else,
here's a list of 15 famous 'black' people off
the top of my head:
Clarence Thomas
Cassius Clay(Muhammad Ali)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Aretha Franklin
Jessie Owens
Harriet Tubman
Joycelen Elders
Michael Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Michael Dorn
Nichelle Nichols
Grace Jones
Morgan Freeman
Chuck Berry

Now, give me 15 famous white, latino, or asian
people that you consider to be of equal or greater talent. Imagine how well we'd all speak
and behave if we had Sam Jackson as an english
teacher growing up...prejudice is a bad thing,
and if you let it influence you, then you miss
out on some of the more prominent people in the
arts and sciences. Just because someone is from
a certain neighborhood, or city, or is of a
given skin color, is no reason to make assumptions or hold prejudice. Mr. O'Reilly, truth be known, doesn't even hold a candle to Ken Hamblin, who's unfortunately not on the air these days. God forbid a radio or TV host actually challenged people to think, let alone
think for themselves...

[ljc]

These people aren't gonna get away with this. I'm gonna go right where they live. Every corrupt media person in this country is on notice right now. I'm coming after you. I'm gonna hunt you down. And I mean it. Smear stops here. You're all on notice out there. I'm comin' for ya."
--Bill O'Reilly, The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly

Is this a treat? Sounds like it to me.

[Purple Girl]

This is a RED HERRING !!!
Bill plays for the other team- it's called a sacrific for the Team effort.
This is an attempt to "legimately" bring more control over Free Speech and Freedom of the Press.
WE already know they (Bill, Rush..) are idiots- Let the free market reign- turn them off , laugh at their stupidity- but do not demand their silence, for others will fall conveniently too (MoveOn). Rovian Double Speak is still going on as we discuss their previous misdeeds. As the Pres of Iran so poignantly showed, when given a chance a dumbass will expose themselves without anyone elses assistance. The audiences laughter allow spoke volumes about the sentiments of the group- Bollinger didn't need to say a thing to make an ass out of what's his name.Just turn away and they are a falling tree in the woods no one is in to hear.

[raker]

Al Franken used to handle these "taken out of context" gripes very well by pointing out that the only context that would justify O'Reilly's complaint would be if he'd said "I'd have to be an idiot to say..." then fill in the O'Reillyism. Or Rushism, or any statement from these cowardly right-wing bomb-throwers rightfully ashamed of their own words.

[TexasDem0]

Bill O'Reilly reminds me of a baby trying to blame someone else for the load in his diaper.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

That stinky B.O. guy doesn't know he IS a 'smear', ...a shi+-stain on the underwear of OUR country,

...as are ALL that think they can hum and haw their way around openly RACIST comments, whether as inflammatory rhetoric for shock-jock ratings or to prove one's self a loyal republicant.

The shi+ has got to stop.

[eaglecapri]

O'Reilly is not totally wrong. And, he makes valid points. There is an epidemic in the black community that we black folks need to address. O'Reilly pointed out a few things where I am in agreement:

1. Low Test Scores - True
2. Influenced by Hip-Hop - True
3. High Out-of-Wedlock Birthrate - True
4. Decline of moral standards - True

He's right folks! I'll get to the wrongs in a second.

There is a low priority of academic excellence in the black community. Kids can sing 50-cent songs before they can read. I volunteered once in the projects of Chicago and there was a 4 year-old boy who didn't know the difference between red and yellow! When the role models for black youth are replaced by the likes of 50 cent and Jay-Z - former drug dealers - instead of responsible fathers then yes, we have a problem. We cannot overlook or deny a lot of children growing up in father-less households. Nor can we ignore drug addiction. Addiction is prevalent everywhere - EVERYWHERE - but I'm only focusing on black folks! When women became addicted, the family structure really broke down. And since when is having children out-of-wedlock seen as no big thing! It's a very big thing. Statistics prove how devasting it is on the black family, any family. We need to wake up and take charge. And those who have 'made it' need to start helping those see the light by getting more involved in the black community. We have to step in and serve as role models when there are none.

Where I diagree with O'Reilly:

1. Katrina not being racially motivated - Clueless!

2. High crime rate
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_43.html

3. Defy or disrespect authority - sounds like the master complaining about his slaves being insubordinate (which usually resulted in lynching)

[JerzGirl226]

Eaglecapri, I don't know where the hell you live at but low test scores are an epidemic throughout this country. It's not merely a problem in just the black community. The good teachers are leaving the more distressed areas.

What does Hip Hop have to do with anything? White kids are the main consumers of rap music. So I guess you had better include them as well. What people like you don't seem to get is that Jay-Z and 50 Cent are not the only ones who make Hip Hop music. What about Common, The Roots, Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, the list could go on. People like Jay-Z have turned their lives around and are longer doing those types of things. Give them some damn credit.

I'm not that concerned about out-of-wedlock births. Who says that you have to be married to have a child? Both parents could very well live in the household and be stable providers. Your parents being married doesn't always mean that you'll turn out so great. And don't nearly 50% of all marriages in this country end up in divorce? It all just depends.

The decline in moral standards is not exclusive to black people, ie. George Bush.

[eaglecapri]

Are you ready?

1. The article was regarding O'Reilly's comments and the black community;therefore, my comments reflected guess what? BLACK FOLKS

2. Yes, white kids are the main consumers of rap music. However, there isn't an epidemic of white kids growing up in single-parent households. You can give me all the other pro-black singers you want but you cannot dispute the bitches and hoes ideology, gyrating females, guns, drugs and all the other bullsh*t that litter the airwaves...from hip-hop. Unfortunately, you're unaware that most men in the ghetto think the only way they can succeed is through one profession - pharmacy, as in drugs!

3. You can have children out-of-wedlock all you want. However, don't deny the statistics of how growing up fatherless or fathers who don't accept responsibility affect children.

4. George Bush is to blame for black folks' moral standards? Get real.

You can live in denial all you want to. I refuse.

I'm not done with you yet. I have to run, but I'll be back with statistics and more food for your brain!

[eaglecapri]

Here's one...

http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/fatherless.html

More to come!

[steamboat]

A statistic: 50% drop-out rate (thats FIFTY PERCENT) from our high schools among the young that do NOT have two parents at home (and or a father figure) FIFTY PERCENT. That statistic doen't lie.

[nihilon x]

"We need to wake up and take charge. And those who have 'made it' need to start helping those see the light by getting more involved in the black community. We have to step in and serve as role models when there are none."

At least you got this much right.

But the way I see it, we need to step in and help ALL needy children, not just those in the black community.

If we focus on helping all children, rather than making this a "black" issue, we will avoid the problem of having white people others out there saying "its not MY problem -- its a "black" problem and only they can solve it."

If we're going to end racism, let's do it the right way...by focusing on more than just race when tackling our problems.

[eaglecapri]

You're free to help whomever you want.

I'm actually in the process of starting a foundation that helps those in need, no specific etnicity required. However, since I am a black female (Yes, I'm aware you are black as well), I currently volunteer in the black community. My choice.

[jdcccc]

There is no one more ready to exploit racism for media exposure then the Rev Al Sharpton.

He was right in the middle of this and is quiet.

He will stick is head in front of the camera even on the most suspect cases that later prove false.

His mojo is all about publically destroying the lives of white males, especially conservative ones.

Why is Rev Al silent on this one.

[nihilon x]

"His mojo is all about publically destroying the lives of white males, especially conservative ones.

Why is Rev Al silent on this one."

Because you are wrong, plain and simple.

[Purple Girl]

He is just the epitomy of the Neo Cons. How absolutely stupid and arrogant.
If you think prostitutes on the links is outrageous- consider Bill & Rush at a Republican fun raiser- they must get exhausted from all the tricks turn for the Boys.

[freeloader]

I'll bet they slam the shit out of you, hince your moniker.

[repugssuck]

It's too bad Bill doesn't promote Condi to run for office, could you imagine the dog and pony show every night on his show. The boys from the south, with their IQ's of 14, snuff in their back pockets,and the number 8 in the truck windows wouldn't know whether to S#@t or go blind if a black women was the neo-con candidate, what a beautiful situation it would be!!!!!!!!!!

[freeloader]

No, let the left promote a candidate that lives beside you in the streets of San Fran.
Get up off the sidewalk and make yourself presentable for the public you bum. You are sleeping beside your next president. Dust yourself off and remove the needle from that pencil arm. Your president is awakening.

[steamboat]

"The boys from the south, with their IQ's of 14"

There you go stereotyping again. You don't know what your talking about. You need to get rid of your own prejudices. Besides, if there over 21, there men, not boys.

Tell you what, sit down with some of those southern white males you detest. Lets see, maybe southern white guy, Bill Clinton, is available. Or southern white guy, Al Gore. Or southern white guy, General Wesley Clark. How about southern white guy, Dr. Bill Frist? Maybe you'll settle for southern white guy, John Edwards. Or Gov. Mike Huckebee. And if there not available, you can always look up Jimmy Carter.

[repugssuck]

It couldn't happen to a nicier ass-hole, the only thing bigger than this guys mouth is his ego, we know for sure it isn't his man-hood, any phone sex lately BILLOOOOOOOOO!

[Tator]

The African American situation as bad as it is, is the result of Liberalism. Conservative/Republicans have zero, zip , nada influence in the AA community/culture. AA have been under complete and total control of Liberal Democrats for 40 years. I feel sorry for them. They are stuck on the Democratic/ Liberal plantation and pimped for votes. The Democratic Party and Liberals have done what the KKK only dreamed they could do. Keep them uneducated, poor, no family structure, and segregated.

[SandiH]

You gotta be kidding me, right? No one could believe what you wrote. Unless they were under the influence of some Bush/Cheney Bulls*t cloud.

[freeloader]

Tator nailed it. It's all in the statistics.

[nihilon x]

"The African American situation as bad as it is, is the result of Liberalism."

Wake up and stop being ignorant -- nothing is "bad" in my situation as an African American with a college degree and a good job.

Stop STEREOTYPING black people.

--

Education

80%
Among blacks age 25 and older, the proportion that had at least a high school diploma in 2005. In states such as Colorado, the proportion was even higher—90%.

17%
Percentage of blacks age 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or more in 2005. In many states, the rate was higher. Twenty-six percent of blacks this age in Colorado, for instance, had this level of education.

1.1 million
Among blacks age 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2005 (e.g., master’s, Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.). Ten years earlier—in 1995—only 677,000 blacks had this level of education.

2.3 million
Number of black college students in fall 2004. This was an increase of roughly 1 million from 15 years earlier.
Businesses

$88.6 billion
Revenues for black-owned businesses in 2002, up 24%from 1997. The number of black-owned businesses totaled 1.2 million in 2002, up by 45% since 1997. Black-owned firms accounted for 5% of all nonfarm businesses in the United States.

10,716
The number of black-owned firms operating in 2002 with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for 1% of the total number of black-owned firms in 2002 and 55% of their total receipts, or $49 billion.

969
The number of black-owned firms with 100 or more employees in 2002. Firms of this size accounted for 24% of the total revenue for black-owned employer firms in 2002, or $16 billion.

$30,858
The annual median income of black households in 2005. In constant dollars, this is up from $25,642 in 1985.

24.9%
Poverty rate in 2005 for those reporting black as their only race. This rate was down from 31.3% in 1985.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmcensus1.html

[steamboat]

If poverty is down 7% in '05, then whats your problem with Bush?

[steamboat]

Especially in lowering the educational standards, dummying up the tests, etc. Because the liberals feel (they feel, not me) that blacks aren't capable of a more rigid curriculum.

[frappe]

Bill O'Really, you've smeared yourself and you don't even know it.

[barrycourage]

If your career is about flinging shit all over expect to get hit with some yourself.

[watchingthings]

If you knew he would come when you invited him: Would you invite Bill O R'eilley to your 4th of July picnic? Would you invite him to your son's/ daughter's wedding? Would you invite him to anything? [him being available]