Limbaugh's Racist Rhetoric Coming Home to Roost

With Rush Limbaugh trying to become co-owner of the St. Louis Rams, his racially divisive commentary over the last 20 years -- some as fresh as last month -- is surfacing. When I studied Limbaugh while heading the media watch group FAIR, colleague Steve Rendall and I assembled some of Limbaugh's racist remarks in an LA Times column .

I've long felt that his dismissive attitude toward African-Americans was best captured by a 1994 comment he made on his national radio show about -- of all places -- the St. Louis area. The dialogue begins after a caller described St. Louis' new light rail system:

LIMBAUGH: I know St. Louis. Where does the light rail system go?

CALLER: It's running from downtown at Union Station out to the airport, and then there is one branch that runs to East St. Louis.

LIMBAUGH: (Laughing) East St. Louis? They got no light rail system to West County? They got a light rail system to East St. Louis where nobody goes . . .?!

At the time, East St. Louis was home to 41,000 people, 98 percent of them black.

A relevant statistic today: roughly 70 percent of NFL players are African-Americans.

 

 

Comments

[bandit09]

Rush's racist rhetoric is bad enough. However I think the real reason he has been dropped from the group is because of his hateful spew he delivers every day. You know it, I know it, and everybody in the stadium knows it, the man is an a$$*ole and his act is wearing thin.

[Lonestarlet]

There is a difference in comments that are racist and those that are merely divisive. Much of this issue is simply a case of some people being too immature to to refuse to be "offended".

If Limbaugh's comments (both true and fabricated by others) make him unfit to be a part-owner of a football team, do you think Joe Biden should resign as Vice President for his blatantly racial quote: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy, I mean, that’s a storybook, man."??? Fact check it if you want. That's for real, as it fell from Biden's lips to the New York Observer. Apparently President Obama was mature enough to rise about the insult of that comment to bring him on board the ticket.

[yogandclimber]

If you're trying to say Biden's comment makes him like Limbaugh then you're wrong. Biden say's that one thing that is misinterpreted does not give Limbaugh a pass to say anything and say it's the same thing. The difference is in intent and Limbaugh's followers and history is of racist.

[JohnBryansFontaine]

Limbaugh's quotes, from Media Matters:

Limbaugh on Obama: "We are being told that we have to hope he succeeds, that we have to bend over, grab the ankles ... because his father was black"
January 22, 2009 9:04 am ET


Limbaugh: "I do believe" Obama is an "angry black guy"
July 27, 2009 1:50 pm ET

Limbaugh: "[I]n Obama's America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering"
September 15, 2009 2:13 pm ET

Limbaugh: Obama is "more African in his roots than he is American" and is "behaving like an African colonial despot"
June 26, 2009 2:15 pm ET


Limbaugh on Obama: "Halfrican American"
January 24, 2007 6:50 pm ET


Limbaugh: Obama "wants us to have the same health care and plan that he had in Kenya" and "wants to be the black FDR"
August 24, 2009 3:22 pm ET

Limbaugh: "[W]e saw white firefighters under assault by agents of Barack Obama"; "Now white policemen are under assault"
July 23, 2009 1:34 pm ET


Limbaugh suggests Obama would not have acted if he'd known that the Somali pirates were "actually young, black Muslim teenagers"
April 14, 2009 4:13 pm ET

Discussing Obama, Limbaugh suggests Dems, media believe "you can't criticize the little black man-child"
August 20, 2008 8:03 pm ET


Limbaugh: Obama's nomination "goes back to the fact that nobody had the guts to stand up and say no to a black guy"
August 20, 2008 11:46 am ET

[Silas Barnaby]

The guys talks for a living. If that's all the dirt you guys can come up with then Limbaugh being blacklisted is even worse than I thought. I don't listen to Rush so I really didn't know how "racist" his comments were.

[gipper1]

Karma!

[KOSMOCITIZEN]

BIG TIME

[jimbobre]

The most offensive comment Rush ever made on race was his commentary on Bill Clinton's 2005 trip to Selma Alabama to join the 40th anniversary commemoration of the Selma campaign. At least twice during his comment, Rush referred to the 1965 events as the "Selma riots." I turn him on once-in-a-while and heard that phrase myself. The first march is referred to as "Bloody Sunday" for the vicious beating John Lewis and 600 other demonstrators took from the police. Rev. James Reeb, a white Unitarian minister from Boston, was beaten to death after the second march. Viola Liuzzo, a white woman, mother of 5, from Detroit, was shotgunned and killed in her car as she ferried marchers back to Selma from Montomery after the 3rd march ended.

A whole lot of violence occurred during the Selma campaign, but calling it a riot is like calling Tiananmen Square or the Iranian election protests riots.

[CroatianCritter]

Being a 30 year Ram fan, I found this information about Rush possibly buying my team extremely disturbing. I am glad that the NFL Players' Union and other owners have spoken up about this issue. My biggest concern is that he will be made a martyr by the conservative movement for all the "heat" this issue has generated. But, Rush has no one to blame but himself. If he was alive in the 19th century, he would have had a white cloak over his body while burning a cross in an African American family's front yard.

[Heisenberg]

As a Ram fan, maybe you should be asking "What the hell happened to my team in the last ten years" instead of "what the hell is limbaugh doing buying a piece of my team". The Rams organization went from Superbowl success in the early part of the decade to a laughably pathetic joke of a franchise. If I were you, I'd lay off the racial rhetoric (white sheet comment) and focus on the aforementioned point. The prejudiced comment you ended your comment with shows who the person with racial issues is. Quite hypocritical to not hold yourself up to the same standards you hold Limbaugh.

[mfelder]

I am happy that we are at least having a dialogue about Race. If you are not from a group who have been discriminated against in the past, then the things that Rush says may not bother you. There are sensitivity buttons in all races, and if you push that button people become angry. If we took the time to get to know people, we might have a different view of those who are different than us. We can all use some diversity training.

[OldHenry]

I don't see the dismissive racism you see.

East St. Louis is a cesspool. Here in St. Louis, we don't even drive through that city.

Rush is correct, nobody goes there, so why build a light rail there.

Is your standard that nothing bad can be said about East St. Louis because it is mostly black?

If so, that is absurd.

[Cinnamonape]

Why would the people of East St. Louis have any interest in supporting a "Rush Limbaugh owned Rams" after a comment like that?

Here's a major area of the city, with citizens who work, purchase goods, and need to travel elsewhere in the city...and Limbaugh is saying the equivalent of "wall them off"? These people pay municipal taxes, too.

[Steven Barnes]

Excuse me. "Nobody" goes there? Except the 41,000 inhabitants. When you say "we" don't go there, I wonder if I could make a wild guess about your ethnicity. Hmmmm...

[Ken Freedom]

Because black people aren't real people. That's what you meant to say, right? Because that's what I read.

I wouldn't be surprised that East St. Louis is a cesspool. Many predominately black areas have bad infrastructure, poor economies, and underfunded services, all of which contribute greatly to neighborhood decay. Some people (racists) blame this on black people. The rest of us know it's because the decisions about which neighborhoods get the support of the local government is generally been determined by people like you (white people), people who look at a neighborhood with forty thousand black people and see "nobody."

You know why you see "nobody" in East St. Louis? Because you're a racist, and you don't think of black people as real people. You may not even be conscious of it, but it's obvious to anyone who knows anything about racism. That's why you can't see a single person worthy of having a train. Or a school. Or a hospital. And so on. Welcome to white supremacy baby, you're part of it.

[OldHenry]

If I had meant to say that "blacks aren't real people," I would have said it.

[swimbiker]

How about the light rail going there so that people can get to jobs in the western section? Or, do you think that East St. Louis has nothing and nobody worthwhile? They are taxpayers, too.

[pammiethekid]

You don't even listen to yourself. You don't believe it is dismissive racism, and then you dismiss the entire population of East St. Louis by saying that no one goes there. This is why you neo-cons get no respect. You are such intellectual lightweights that talking to you is like trying to reason, as Barney Frank would put it, with a piece of furniture.

[4real]

What if Farrakhan wanted to buy the NE patriots?

[mancoff]

He doesn't want to, Limbaugh does want to.....deal with the facts. Seems that's the politics of the right lately, has no answers, can't deal with reality so change the subject and do a lot of "what if's" and suppositions.

[4real]

I am not from the right. My point was that people wouldn't even take him serious and he would be immedately dismissed.

[Ken Freedom]

Rush would rant about it for months, and when Farrakhan was rejected out of hand for being crazy controversial, Rush would take single-handed credit for it, claiming he had crazy mojo over the NFL.

[SouljahBoy]

Limbaugh has every right to make racist comments on his show. We as black or just plain people of color have the right not listen. As far the NFL goes, if the owners and commissioner decide to let him into their private all-white club I suggest the following options s/b considered.

1. Blacks and Hispanics combined buy a little over 40% of NFL gear and apparel. That number should
fall to 0.00 % post haste.

2. Blacks & Hispanics nationwide should be encouraged not to do business with "Edward Jones"
which owns the stadiums naming rights. Stock accounts, 401k's, and other products sold by this
company s/b moved to Schwab, E-Trade or others financial services companies. ASAP

3.Whatever radio station that is the flagship for the teams local broadcast network s/b put on notice
that the station and its game sponsors will be the target of a nationwide Internet campaign to drive
down their revenues.

4. Black free agents s/b discourage from signing with the team when at all possible.

5. No person of color should ever buy a ticket anything held at the stadium.

After 2 or 3 years of an effective campaign The point will be made.

[ProudMilVet]

I do so hope that Rush succeeds in buying the Rams. Then i hope all of the NFL players, both Black & White go out on strike in protest, ruining the rest of the season . This should endear him to NFL fans all across the country . I would also hope that all of the College players would also walk as a sign of solidarity . This would really make Rush into a household name !

[OldHenry]

You wish so much misery on so many because of your hate for one man?

[socialtalker]

i presume you said the same thing to rush when he said he wanted obama to fail?

[swimbiker]

Limbaugh is learning that words have consequences. That's called "personal responsibility" but I guess it's not something valued by him.

[Patriot86]

Goodness don't wish hate on the country because of one man...only the Gop can do that because they hate Pres.Obama.

[Deli]

Bad idea. The Steelers are going to win a 7th ring this year. Three for the thumb 2009!

[publanski]

Have you been watching the NFL this year? Nothing against the Steelers, but it doesn't seem likely.

[louddogood]

I am a family member of who works for Rush. I'm from midwest (flyover state) and she gets his leftover car (a $400K Maybach!) each year. Gee, i wish i had that perk while watching the jets fly over me from Miami to California. But yet, as I sit here at Floyd's watching the tube in the corner, I laugh at my mates, er, dittoheads, parrot his talk and try to explain why they don't want government involvement. But they came around, they came around, to realizing that they were pawns in the great game of $$$ for riling up their cob-webbed genetic memories. They see the trick, Rush is not racist, he's just pumping up the "mid-american anglos" to revive their ancestors' perceptions. You know what? It is not going to work, there is a movement beginning that will fight againt this effort of the "elites" who make millions off those whom they perceive as sheep followers of their rantings. Judgement Day is coming.

[jcole]

WHEN THE NFL TURN RUSH DOWN HE IS GOING TO SAY THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAD A HAND IN THE NFL REFUSING HIM, HE IS GOING TO BACK BECK UP AND CALL THE PRESIDENT A RACIST LIKE HE DID BEFORE, HE HAVE ALL READY SET THE STAGE FOR THAT, THIS MAN SAID HE IS COLOR BLIND AND HE MAYBE, BUT HATE SELLS, AND HE IS THE BIGGEST HATE MONGER ON RADIO ALONE WITH HIS OFF SPRING BECK, IF BECK HAVE LOST OVER 62 SPONSORS HOW CAN HE STILL BE ON THE AIR, ARE FOX CALLING HIS SHOW A PUBLIC SERVICE, IT MAYBE TIME TO GO AFTER FOX REPUBLICAN NEWS STATION.

[socialtalker]

who care, the same people blame obama for everything anyway. i wouldnt worry about it.

[ProudMilVet]

While i certainly do not wish Rush Limbaugh any physical harm, i am not that kind of person . I do hope that something happens in his life to wake him up & make him see how hateful he has become ! Almost like Ebeneezer Scrooge in " A Christmas Carol. "

[Badger84]

I'm not holding my breath for any epiphany.

[LeftLeanWing]

He would be visited by all of the women who said:

"Ewwww, Noooooooo ...Naw!.... I don't care how much money you got ! .... O H3ll No !"

[Deli]

I don't know. Physical harm sounds pretty good to me.

[JDeriter]

I have listened to Rush Limbaugh enough, I believe, to have a good sense of what he really thinks and feels about things-- including black people and other minorities. Of course, it could be argued that what he does is an act, and is therefore not an indication of his true feelings, but I think that would be hard to pull off for any performer who must fill nearly three hours a day with his own musings. His true self does emerge. And I must confess that I have come to agree with him when he says-- as he often does in one context or another -- that so-called progressives and liberals are more “racist"-- or at least more "racial" in their overall outlook than he is. He really doesn’t judge black people, collectively, on the basis of their skin color. I don’t know anyone worth a damn who does, for that matter, yet liberals seem constantly to make that accusation. And as Rush continually reminds us, liberals are the ones who insist that we see people as members of a particular group or race, rather than as one, inclusive class of "Americans", or "People", or "Human Beings on the Planet." Surely there is nothing so frustrating or hurtful than for a black man to be suspected or doubted or judged, simply because he is black. There is no comparable experience for a white man. But being called a racist, when you aren’t one, comes close.

[Rogan]

Your comment might mean something, if it contained an ounce of accuracy. But it doesn't. And we all know it: there's sort of no way to deny Rush's clear racism, in the face of a virtual torrent of clips and quotes, to prove it.

[Michael Moran]

I agree with you Rogan, but you are not going to convince those who are projecting the very things they accuse Rush of.

[honoursplendor]

A few of Rush's non-racist musings: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2549

[mrmikey]

This is your big proof? You have got to be friggin' kidding. Liberals are the guilt feeling racists, no question about it. If you can take ANYTHING someone says and turn it into a racist comment, YOU are the one with the problem.

[swimbiker]

Gosh, you have listened to him and never got the idea that blanket stereotypes are a bad thing? You haven't heard or read of his statements where he has contempt for his viewers/listeners and says he's just in it for the money?

You said, "and as Rush continually reminds us" and that says volumes. You have bought into his philosophy so far that you are not thinking for yourself any more.

[Patriot86]

"Rush stirs up hate for profit...he may or may not believe it...but he profits from it. I think his divisive words have hurt America and I listened to Rush for years. Can't anymore, he is not even funny bitter and angry mostly.

[TruthTellaStella]

Louis CK does a whole bit talking about how people in the city are always saying not to go to Harlem. So those of you who act like this is some racist comment and that manhattanites would never act like this are living in some fantasy land. He does the bit in NYC on Comedy Central and gets a big laugh.

[HoneyRyder]

@TruthTellaStella

I live in Manhattan and I have lived in both uptown and midtown areas..and I see a huge influx of whites moving uptown everyday to neighboorhoods that are considered black or hispanic. Many cannot afford lower manhattan and are happily living amongst blacks and latinos with no issues. So you clearly do not know what your speaking of.

Yes it was like that back in the day, and for good reason, because Harlem was not safe, back in the day, but ever since Bill Clinton moved into Harlem the neighbor has changed for the better and that was almost 10 years ago.

[spiritintosoul]

@truthtell­astella---­with all due respect, "ever since Bill Clinton moved to Harlem"? That was a typical Clinton publicity stunt. Harlem and Clinton have nothing to do with each other except Clinton trying to reinvent himself and his image.

Harlem and uptown are the only somewhat affordable places in Manhattan for most people, white, black, and otherwise and that has been the case for sometime (pre-Clinton)

[honoursplendor]

From FAIR http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2549

Once, in response to a caller arguing that black people need to be heard, Limbaugh responded: "They are 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?"

When Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL) was in the U.S. Senate, the first black woman ever elected to that body, Limbaugh would play the "Movin' On Up" theme song from TV's Jeffersons when he mentioned her.

Limbaugh sometimes still uses mock dialect -- substituting "ax" for "ask"-- when discussing black leaders.

[Ken Freedom]

That's completely irrelevant. Regardless of whether or not Manhattanites are racist, Limbaugh's comment remains a racist comment. Jokes made by Louis CK have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on whether or not Limbaugh's comment is racist.

Limbaugh's comment implies that roughly forty thousand black people are nobodies, that they are irrelevant and unworthy of basic city services like light rail. Thus it is a racist comment. End of story.

[grooveygrover]

just FYI, manhattanites are the LEAST racist, bigoted people in the USA. (I'm sure, after reading your previous posts you know this).
How can we be having this conversation in the 21st century? How can a man who is so hateful to EVERYONE who doesn't agree with him garner so much support? Aren't we, as human beings better than that? Limbaugh said hateful (HATEFUL) things, he says hateful things everyday, why does anyone give him any credence whatsoever?
I can't imagine what the blood pressure readings of his followers are.....