Tracy Morgan Should Be Fired

What would have happend to Michael Richards if he had let loose his racist tirade while Seinfeld was still an NBC hit? What about Mel Gibson's famous anti-Semitic invective if Braveheart was about to be released? What did happen to Dr. Laura when she let it all hang out about her feelings about African-Americans? She quit (got fired).

So what should happen to Tracy Morgan?

While Richards, Gibson, and Dr. Laura revealed reprehensible prejudice, none of them actually sanctioned violence against the groups they denigrated. By contrast, Tracy Morgan joked about deadly violence against LGBT youth.

He should be fired.

For those of you who missed it, according to Kevin Rogers who attended Morgan's show in Nashville: Morgan:

said if his son that was gay he better come home and talk to him like a man and not [he mimicked a gay, high pitched voice] or he would pull out a knife and stab that little N (one word I refuse to use) to death.

In a year when we have experienced horrible suicides of LGBT youth which sparked a national movement called "It Get's Better" to not fire Tracy Morgan sends exactly the wrong message at the wrong time. To advocate violence against anyone is disgusting, but against our most vulnerable youth -- it crosses the line.

After attending seminary I worked for a year with LGBT Youth in Seattle, Washington. Most of the young people I worked with were homeless because of the psychological or physical abuse they had recieved at the hands of their own family and at their schools. They lived on the streets, crashed on sofas and sometimes even turned to prostitution or other crime because of the 'funny' reality that they could not be gay and welcomed within their own family, schools and community. It is these exact kids, who experienced such trauma at their rejection by those who were meant to love them, that Tracy Morgan is suggesting should be stabbed with a knife within their own home.

Tracy Morgan's violent tirade unfortunately raises wider questions about the whole Lorne Michaels production machine. Why there has never been an 'out' SNL actor? Is there is some kind of odd sanction of gay bashing within the ranks of that outfit? I just read Tina Fey's hysterical memoir "Bossypants" which shares her important relationships with gay people throughout her life. Clearly Fey must be appalled as are probably most of the other members of the cast. But ultimately, if Morgan stays, it is a signal by the entire 30Rock show that joking about gay bashing, and even killing, doesn't really cross the line.

What is even more galling to me as a minister is that Morgan said within his routine that "God don't make no mistakes." Yes, that is true. And God made all of us and we are all beautiful and are meant to have lives full of love, security and beauty - including every single gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered child.

There could be redemption here. If Morgan is really sorry as he says he is. Then let's see him spend some serious volunteer time with LGBT youth in New York and Los Angeles. Words are not enough -- this 'joker' needs to be schooled. So, Tracy -- the ball is in your court, show us how you really feel. Volunteer with gay kids -- 200 hours should do it.

If he doesn't, then I'm sorry to say it, but 30 Rock will be permanently poisoned unless he goes.

Follow Paul Brandeis Raushenbush on Twitter, @raushenbush.

 

 

 

Follow Paul Brandeis Raushenbush on Twitter: www.twitter.com/raushenbush

Comments

[thromulese]

02:35 PM on 06/16/2011

This is one of those terrible things that cannot be forgiven just because he says he’s sorry. That just doesn’t work, not after saying he’d kill his own son for being gay.

I am so disgusted with this homophobe I really don’t think I could stand watching 30 Rock ever again.

Fire him or not, I’ll never watch any show he’s on.

[Marksjr]

02:31 PM on 06/19/2011

I agree with ya... ~ was pretty hard core statement...

[Giovanni Vitacolonna]

10:04 AM on 06/16/2011

Great article~but I need to disagree somewhat on SNL. Terry Sweeney was/is pretty much out when he was on SNL. SNL, especially in the last couple of years, is rather gay friendly. 30 Rock does have Cheyenne Jackson in a recurring role. Someone suggested that TM's 30 Rock character is a caricature of himself. Perhaps the writing team could write a gay story line for him~with a lot of kissing.

[TheOuroborus]

09:48 PM on 06/15/2011

Agreed, next question.

[Namebox Tooshort]

10:29 AM on 06/15/2011

Read TRACY MORGAN SORRY, DOES STRANGE THINGS
at http://37comments.com/Articles/Squirrels/
You will laugh.

[Brandino43]

06:14 PM on 06/14/2011

Let me be clear:I am not a Tracy Morgan fan, nor a fan of his type of profane humor [which is now prevalent in our culture]. I wonder if there would be this much outrage if Mr. Morgan were white? Or Asian? Or anything other than black? Have you ever seen the gay-bashing jokes on Tosh.0? Who's calling for Daniel Tosh's head? The black community as a whole has historically resisted the homosexual moevment. Is the gay community that thin-skinned they freak-out over a few offensive remarks or was this an opportunity to attack a black man to send a message to the black community?

[mutton]

08:59 PM on 06/17/2011

Has Tosh ever said that he would knife his gay son if he didn't "talk like a man"? I doubt it.

[Corliss Holly]

05:34 PM on 06/21/2011

Doesn't matter. There is always a double standard when it concerns blacks.

[Heather Meikle]

02:18 PM on 06/14/2011

The difference is, none of those people are stand-up comedians. This is one of those "it's funny until it's you" situations -- LGBT is a hot-topic right now, and Morgan's act is being used as a soapbox. Where were these protestors when Sarah Silverman made jokes about Paris Hilton licking her jail cell bars because they were shaped like penises? Or was that not offensive because Hilton deserved it? When Chris Rock launches into a rant onstage, it's considered comedy. A person's place on prime-time doesn't hold them to a higher standard outside of that facet of their career -- just ask Michael Vick.

[Kimberly Rolla]

11:15 AM on 06/14/2011

Dr. Laura never said anything negative about African-Americans. What she did was to say the word when a caller referred to the 'N word', on the basis that some African-Americans use the word themselves. (and she's not one to tiptoe around an issue) She was making a point to the caller.
In 15 + years of listening to her show, I've never heard even the slightest hint of prejudiced attitudes toward that or any other ethnic or minority group.
Also, to my understanding, she was not fired. She switched to satellite radio SiriusXM 107 and is still America's #1 female talk radio host.
So, those are the facts as I know them!

[AmericanMark]

12:29 AM on 06/16/2011

Hey, stop using facts. Don't you want to be a religion editor someday?

[Corliss Holly]

05:35 PM on 06/21/2011

She was asked to leave. But of course, Faux Snooz took her under their wings. Surprise!

[jackjon]

11:03 AM on 06/14/2011

The color of your skin or heritage is not the same as lifestyle behavior.
That doesn't mean that gay slurs are ok, just maybe not as offensive.

[TanzaniaTeacher]

12:16 PM on 06/14/2011

Being GLBT is NOT a lifestyle choice. It IS a matter of biology.

Therefore just as offensive.

I suggest you do the research before you post again.

[capercaper]

12:44 PM on 06/14/2011

FYI -- there is NO scientific proof that homosexuality is "biological." None. ZIPPO.

I suggest that you research the theories (which is what they are) "that SUGGEST there is a biological basis for homosexuality" further before correcting someone else.

[tomananda]

02:48 PM on 06/14/2011

There's no definitive proof of the cause of heterosexuality any more than there is proof of homosexuality. That said, none of the many gay or lesbian people I have known in my life decided one day to be attracted to people of their own gender. The "it's a lifestyle choice" argument is used by Christian fundamentalists to justify their exclusionary doctrines and anti-love attitudes. Jesus said we should love all people as ourselves. Because he never said anything about homosexual behavior, the fundamentalist preachers cherry pick quotes from the old testament to justify their exclusion of gays. People who don't know any better feel that gays are a threat and some act on that feeling by attacking and even killing gays. So instead of "love thy neighbor" and concern about the poor and less fortunate, fundamentalist preachers build their congregations (and their bank accounts) by stigmatizing gays. It's really very sad.

[PhredPhnerd]

11:01 AM on 06/14/2011

"And God made all of us and we are all beautiful and are meant to have lives full of love, security and beauty - including every single gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered child."

Minister, I believe what you say is true up to a point. I believe we all start out as your Utopia describes then hate enters the picture somewhere along the way, then prejudice and followed by intolerance.
"But ultimately, if Morgan stays, it is a signal by the entire 30Rock show that joking about gay bashing, and even killing, doesn't really cross the line."
Minister that's a surprising statement from a man of the cloth. It comes off Dictatorial and bullying and suggests you/your god is a vengeful Minister/god.

I'm good with the 200 hours though or a check.

[CherCher]

10:35 AM on 06/14/2011

So what about free speech? Here is a Community who has amassed power in all areas of the Country over the last 20 years; the media, hollywood; govenment, the fashion industry, the art world, etc. Yet they act like they are victims as soon as someone disagrees with them or say something negative about them. They are the first to appeal for tolerance and acceptance but give none to opponents of their lfestyle. They have attacked the Christian Church, demanded that the Church disobey their God and agree with them that the creation of man for woman is not good enough. They want to turn Society on its head by demanding that they get married because it is their "constitutional right". They have politicians cow towing to them especially this President, even though they represent only a small fraction of society. They are even demanding that foreign countries get in line and change their laws and make their citizens follow the gay trend. Yet, these are people who at every turn want to be identified by their sexuality, not race. These are the same people who want to ostracize Christians and just about anybody who rejects their lifestyle, and seek to punish them for it. They have attacked the Catholic and Morman Churches and even gone into them and defecated and smear feaces in those Churches. How ironic that the same people who ask for acceptance and tolerance will not give it when the shoe is on the other foot.

[The Hare]

02:55 PM on 06/14/2011

hear! hear!

[BroKhem Williford]

10:17 AM on 06/14/2011

I say invest in precious metals......

[Dem4Lyfe]

09:39 PM on 06/17/2011

Ha

[jam7301]

09:44 AM on 06/14/2011

he apologized, just like don imus. the context of the statements was a joke, just like don imus. he should be forgiven for his comments and not fired. just like don imus.

[PeaceG]

10:08 AM on 06/14/2011

Not good enough. Not acceptable to say what you really think and then pretend you don't think it by 'apologizing'. He has to go.

[messy]

10:27 AM on 06/14/2011

Tolerance≠Love

[The Hare]

02:55 PM on 06/14/2011

...and you know this because you have NEVER put YOUR foot in YOUR mouth, huh? He's a comedian. His JOB is crossing lines. He didn't say this in an interview, it was part of his act. Unlike "Kramer" who went off on some hecklers, It was meant to be an (pardon the term) off-color joke.

more importantly... who cares what Tracy Jordan says in a stand up routine?

[glowbug25]

10:38 AM on 06/14/2011

Don Imus wasn't fired, so why should Tracy Morgan be fired? His comments were offensive and absolutely wrong but its not right that he would be fired and not Don Imus.

[jam7301]

11:15 AM on 06/14/2011

don imus was fired

[jam7301]

11:15 AM on 06/14/2011

I was being sarcastic.

[Marisa Stein]

08:46 AM on 06/14/2011

He already said he was sorry, let it go and move on. what ever happened to forgiveness and compassion sounds like two traits you're missing

[ojm3rd]

09:45 AM on 06/14/2011

....You need to come into the light. You hover in your darkness while the world around you spins with chaos. Forgiving is one thing. But you cannot just sweep this bologna under the rug & pretend it does not cause damage... Wake up, Ms. Stein.

[Marisa Stein]

11:29 AM on 06/14/2011

Sweetie this isn't The Spanish Inquisition, they don't put people on the rack for making bad jokes and you can't have me dunked for being a witch either :)

let it go and move on

have a nice day

[that is funny]

11:54 AM on 06/16/2011

"You hover in your darkness while the world around you spins with chaos."

New favorite Huff comment trash talk. #lolz

[dbw53022]

08:42 AM on 06/14/2011

Remember when comedians used to be funny? Now it's all about grabbing attention - any way they can.

[dbw53022]

08:38 AM on 06/14/2011

The vitriole of the original remarks betrays the level of sincerity of the apology. I'd be in favor of him being dumped from the show.