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.

Follow Eric Deggans on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Deggans

Comments

[Wilson33]

Ah, no actually black people have not been acting like this for years. Most used to act civilized, but the hip-hop, prison culture has taken over black youth and black adults since they do not filter what their children are listening to.

Look, I live in the ghetto of west Baltimore. If you have never been there, it is one of the worst places around, third world almost. You can blame politicians if you want, but I blame the black community or lack of community. I hear daily, the vulgar rap music being blasted from homes (that I pay for) and from cars, and ipods (since they sing along, I can hear the songs they are listening to). And, it is not only kids that listen to this crap, it is adults and everyone in between.

Just this week I watched and listened to a black male, with 6 children (girls and boys) surrounding him, ages 4-14, listening and singing along to a song that dropped the fbomb, the n-word and the b-word constantly. But that is not the worst part, the chorus was, "Let me hit you from the back. Let me hit you from the back."

What ever happened to Marvin Gaye and Motown type music? Sorry Mr. Deggan, but music reflects communites and the black community reflects vulgar hip hop music.

When is the black community going to start taking responsibility for what they produce?

[snaggster]

Apparently, you do not listen to that stuff. Are you the only one in W Baltimore? I hardly think so. BO paints with a broad brush and you've just done the same.

Marvin Gaye and Motown were once considered vulgar. Fuck is just another word. One that, at times, is almost meaningless.

[pangardenguru]

Yes,what ever happened to Marvin Gaye? When asked what my favorite music is, I always say it's anything that is sung by three black girls who are dressed alike. I miss the old music, the kinder, gentler times. Hip hop is disgusting, it appeals to the worst, the lowest, and the basest instincts and luckilly it does NOT represent all black people in the world. It's not a race thing. there are white rappers as well as black rappers and it is just as disgusting either way. When you think of Marvin Gaye, you will probably think of his most famous song....remember it, in your mind, remember the words.....war is not the answer...we've got to find a way, to get some loving here today... now that was music that was beautiful and sweet. These modern degenerates could learn a lot from the old music, black or white. I miss Marvin Gaye.

[doodlefarbe]

pangardenguru asks, "Yes,what ever happened to Marvin Gaye?"

Sadly, he was shot and killed by the Reverend Marvin Gaye, Sr., his father, on April Fool's Day, 1984.

[Aunt Shecky]

I respectfully disagree with you,Wilson33.
The young adults in the apartment complex where yours truly resides all blast this stuff out of their car radios, and they make a racket with their skateboards on the parking lot pavement.
But guess what -- these particular kids come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Part of our culture as a whole seems to be deteriorating, not just one particular segment.

[Wilson33]

Are they shooting and killing each other? Are they shooting and killing innocent kids that are simply playing in the street and get caught in the cross fire?

Again, I understand that is not limited to the black community, it is just fact the black community EMBRACES it the most. Calls in culture, their culture, that they are proud of.

[babylonandon]

Why do folks so often use the "third world" appellation?

I've spent quite a bit of time in the "third world" and even in some pretty poor areas the average person is a lot safer than they are in parts of our major cities.

Families are whole and close, they look after each other a lot, and they have close contact with their neighbors and generally treat visitors with respect and courtesy.

If you are going to liken some place that is bad here to another apart of the world, might it not be better to pick a particular place that is particularly bad? Say Darfur, or Beirut during the bad days or parts of Iraq now.

Example:

Man, there are parts of the Bronx and Newark, New Jersey that I visited in the past that remind me of photos of Beirut combat zones during the 1980's.

[mrcontinental]

Indeed. The media has convinced america that it's bad here but it's far worse in the "third world".

Truth is we grow this crap here and it's designed to feed the penal system.

[native1]

I think it is true that white America's expectations about balck people are formed by consuming a media glut that focuses on the negative behaviors of some black Americans.
As a white teacher and coach of students both black and white, I see similar levels of behavior, from good to bad, in both cultures. I also see a noble struggle in many black students and athletes to overcome obstacles that I don't see in many white students.

[Democrab]

I guess a Harvard education doesn't always include common sense.

O'Reilly's obviously been sheltered from everyday life on the ground in America, and has probably limited his "expeditions" to safer ground, in white social circles.

It's just the ideal environment for his white, republican audience, and his white political rhetoric. No shock here.

[NewsCorpse]

And just he fact that he decided to go to Sylvia's because he was taking Sharpton to lunch is troubling. Did he think the Reverend would be more comfortable in his "natural habitat" ?

O'Reilly spent half his show last night defending himself and attacking his critics. He's having Sharpton on tonight. If we're lucky, he'll keep this in the news cycle for another week.