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.
Follow Eric Deggans on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Deggans
The resturant should have hanged a sign that reads "bigots are not served here"
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?
Bill, you gotta get out more often! Live!
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.
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...
Another reason Franken is a hero and this guy is well.... Bill O'Reilly.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
And even more honestly, did someone here just say that "saving the unborn equals hatred of women"? That's just stupid.