Judging Bill O'Reilly: Why His Comments About Lunch in Harlem Matter

The worst thing about trying to talk honestly and incisively about race in America is dealing with the demagogues.

And there are few folks in modern media -- besides, perhaps fellow red state pundit Rush Limbaugh -- who push buttons on race more effectively from the conservative side than Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.

I've written before about the ways in which O'Reilly couches racially insulting ideas -- treating gangsta rap culture like the primary voice of black America and then blaming a host of ills affecting black people on that cartoonish caricature.

Now, after an attempt at rapprochement with civil rights advocate Al Sharpton, O'Reilly has stepped in it again, this time by marveling at how he had dinner with Sharpton at a Harlem restaurant and people were civil to him; no cursing, crotch grabbing or ugly behavior in sight.

Here's the quote, fresh from the admittedly liberal media watch Web site, Media Matters: "(O'Reilly) reported that he "had a great time, and all the people up there are tremendously respectful," adding: "I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship." Later, during a discussion with National Public Radio senior correspondent and Fox News contributor Juan Williams about the effect of rap on culture, O'Reilly asserted: "There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea.' You know, I mean, everybody was -- it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn't any kind of craziness at all."

For background, here's my first column, written in 2002, about how O'Reilly uses racially charged language about gangsta rappers to scare his presumably white viewership and press his points. Here's my second column about O'Reilly's racist rhetorical tricks, employed this time to criticize those stuck in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Here's his response to the Katrina column -- a typically personal attack in which he cites his radio comments, not the TV appearance I criticized.

I think these comments are typical of O'Reilly's technique. Too smart to personally use an epithet in the way Don Imus finally did, he instead turns rap culture into a straw man used to represent all or most of black America. Then, he's free to tee off on the stereotypical excesses of THAT culture, rather than talk about real, live black people with all their contradictions intact.

In O'Reilly's world, black people were either vocal protesters like Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, or straight-up thugs like N.W.A. After his trip to Sylvia's, O'Reilly seems amazed to meet black folks who don't fit his disconnected stereotype of what we are.

The most disappointing turn for me in this media meltdown was watching a discussion on the issue this morning on The Today Show. Anchor Matt Lauer, clearly unsympathetic to critics, kept pressing the point that O'Reilly was trying to be complimentary, if by using "ham-fisted" language.

But when it comes to dialogues on race, I judge people's intent and meaning by their history. And O'Reilly has never been one to seek understanding with an open mind. To this black American, his words felt like the most backhanded compliment I'd heard from a celebrity in many years -- a congratulation to black people for having, finally, the ability to act like we have some sense.

News flash, Bill: black people have been conducting themselves this way for many, many years. I'm just sorry that it took a lunch with Al Sharpton for you to finally realize it.

Comments

[realistic2008]

What a complement to the Afro Americans," you do know how to behave after all" and of course coming from this illustrious bigot it makes it very credible to the rest of US and therefor we should be thankful for educating the American people and for making possible discrimination to be eliminated. A historic contribution to society indeed not to mention his generocity, paying Al Sharpon's lunch.
The resturant should have hanged a sign that reads "bigots are not served here"

[eaglecapri]

How about this - let's (Black America) give O'Reilly something NOT to talk about! Wake up Black America!!!!

And, let's face it. A majority of white americans think gangsta-rap and blacks are all one. This ideology is present overseas as well. I've traveled many times throughout Europe and South America...same, same, same. I am NOT the hoochie in the videos! And, it's the same when foreigners arrive here in the US. WTF?

[rhdsma]

O'Reilly lives in his special world, probably devoid of anyone who isn't an Irish millionaire. A total embarassment, and not a clue!
Bill, you gotta get out more often! Live!

[texasborn]

Your article concerning O'stupidly and all those others like him is a very accurate description of the attitudes of those in this country who think they are better than everyone else. But, their "look-down-their-nose" attitude doesn't just relate to black Americans (although the instances sited do), but rather to all who are different than their lily white b.s. privileged way of thinking. This same attitude exists whether it be about mexican Americans, chinese Americans, hicks, hillbillies, trailer trash or just plain poor, no matter what color. The wealthy, with this attitude, in this country do not live in the real world and never will. They just don't know what it's like to have to REALLY work for a living that really isn't a living. To think that blacks, or anyone else that's different, act normal just shows how pathetic the upper class of this country really is.

[dadw5boys]

This Bill Monster shows the DISCONNECT between the PRIVILEGED and the American People.
The Privileged SPEW their selfcentered heartless hate and are unaware that most Americans do not think as they do.
While their HATE is welcome by a few most have heard these lies for so long we no longer respond.
That is one of the problems with our country today we do not respond to lies and corruption because it is so rampant.

[realitytrumpsbull]

I think you've got lots of button-pushers, but
no one saying anything of any real value,
basically radio jocks/TV talking heads with
no real broadcast content, so they try to get
all Howard Stern and bomb miserably.

I wish Ken Hamblin was still on the air...

[nunzia]

Fire that ass.

[glesslib]

Not to bring up a realllllly old story, but I just checked his bio and he grew up in a fairly upper middle class neighborhood with matching lifestyle on Long Island. However, his first attempt at bio was to make it sound as if he were some poor Brooklyn lad who worked his way up from nothing. One of the reasons he hates Al Franken so badly is because he called him on his misstatements.

Another reason Franken is a hero and this guy is well.... Bill O'Reilly.

[mcdeeva1]

Consider this: Bill O'Reilly could go through his entire life without ever having to have any type of contact with a Black person. Ever! Can we, as Black people, say the same? No. For Bill O'Reilly to get to this stage in his life (I don't know his age) and have some sort of "epiphany" concerning Black folks, proves the point. I don't even think he considered what he said to have any racial bias. That's the sad part.

[steamboat]

Do yourself a favor? Go to OReilly's website and listen to the UNEDITED comments OReilly made, then see how MediaMatters and CNN lied, spiced different parts out of context and the sentence order together, etc. and then decide for yourself. Fair enough. Hint: They fabricated the story.

[coolmaiden]

If it is made up, it couldn't have happened to a better person. Bill O'Reilly has NEVER made up anything before, right?

[mcdeeva1]

I always find it funny to hear the things that can actually come out of some white people's mouths when they think that they're paying you a compliment! They seem so surprised at how articulate and well mannered we can be or how well dressed and clean we are. (That one always kills me! -like we don't own a bar of soap!) There are times when it comes out mangled and backhanded...just like this one. I'm not defending him but I understand it. He can't help it. He has no personal first hand knowledge of black people. He's probably never had lunch with a black person before, in a black owned restaurant and surrounded by black people. The last time he probably saw this many black people in one place was on tv...most likely where he also got all of his preconceived, sterotypical notions as to how we all behave.
Get to know some black folks, Bill...and not just some interview via sattelite or by flipping channels. Get out more. Mix. Mingle. Blacks and whites are more alike than you may think. You just happened to get a taste of it at Sylvia's with Al Sharpton and that's why you were so surprised when you saw it. It does give us a taste of how you really think about black people and I'm not being overly sensitive when I say that. At this point in my life I just laugh at the ignorance and keep it moving. At this point in your life I would think you were past this type of thinking.

[Trittydi]

I personally don't credit O'Lielly with anything more than a sly attempt to ingratiate himself with Black Americans. And ham-handed doesn't even begin to cover how pathetic his comments were - this is a man who will never have a clue about race and/or Black America.

I believe we will see the dialogue on his show start to "include" Black Americans with specific commentary, references, etc. - but I believe it will all be aimed at the black vote.

I think he will immediately and cynically begin to tell Black America - which can now "think for itself" - how they should not only be THINKING - but also VOTING. The timing is too perfect.
*

[GenericBlogger]

Eric Deggans wrote "In O'Reilly's world, black people were either vocal protesters like Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, or straight-up thugs like N.W.A. After his trip to Sylvia's, O'Reilly seems amazed to meet black folks who don't fit his disconnected stereotype of what we are."

I disagree with Eric without defending O'Reilly.

Bill O'Reilly is a narcissistic demagogue intoxicated by his own success and bigoted rhetoric.

IMO, BOR suffers from delusions of grandeur and considers himself untouchable. Throughout his life he set himself on podiums or soap boxes then expounded his thoughts and bigotry too often tempered by his charm. While he allows interaction from others, he remains in control of who speaks and when the opposition is too much for him, he cuts them off.

Lately he has been more careless, upstaged by a teen a few months ago who threw one of O'Reilly's book quotes right back at him. His latest depiction of a dinner with Al Sharpton is so moronic not even Howard Stern or Elizabeth Hasselbeck could have thought of it.

He is an embarrassment to every race.

[jbone]

I don't read this as a slam of black folks. O'Reily was trying to give a complement and you knuckleheads try to find a way to twist it into an insult. None of you have any credibility - you're finished - no one listens to you because you have abandoned rationality and reason.

[GenericBlogger]

Do you think your use of the phrase "you knuckleheads" elevates your stature and credibility?

[mcdeeva1]

The fact that you believe it to be a compliment speaks volumes.

[rte148]

Thus the village idiot spake: "M-fer this, ice tea that".

He should be a staff writer for "The Onion", but then Keith Olbermann would have to pare down the Worst Person in the World to only 2 spots per show.

As previous posts pointed out, his comments provide a good insight to his pathology. I expect he thought by his going to Sylvias was the equivilant of an in-depth anthropology field expedition, and that he should be awarded some sort of humanitarian of the year award.

I think he was surprised that there are businesses owned by blacks, and that black people actually go out to eat at restaurants other than KFC or Burger King. Imagine his shock that the patrons used utensils, ate off of plates, and didn't pay their bills with crack.

So bless ya Billo, for showing the country that DMX or Snoop or Twista(?) are not the Emily Post of the blacks and how remarkable it is that not only white folks know how to eat in public.

[jrw960]

I think he knew very well what he was saying.

[jimpryor99]

The point is: He did realize it. And honestly, you're taking the whole conversation and breaking it down to just one sentence.

And even more honestly, did someone here just say that "saving the unborn equals hatred of women"? That's just stupid.

[LightningJoe]

Far as I can see, you're the only one who said that, unless you're confusing your forums.