There He Goes Again?

Kyon Saucier
September 26 2007, 11:39AM

I think the issue people have with him, though about his comments is that he is such an ignorant racist that he was so astounded that Black People can conduct themselves with grace, sophistication, intelligence, and a sense of pride. That wide eyed sense of wonder is insulting for an adult male who is a prominent fixture of the American Media to have. Had the man gone to Cairo and said:"Oh wow these Arab people at this cafe never once threw stones at me, or threatened me with jihad, and no one attempted to blow me up or take me hostage, no one screamed ALLAH AKBAR!!" It would've been rightly percieved as racist.We can put any other racial group in place of our own it will sound fucked up. I'm sorry but Bill O'Reilly recognizing the humanity of people of African Descent is not complimentary it insulting. We were people before he recognized that fact and that should be enough! He's an ass.

MidwestGuy
September 26 2007, 11:42AM

Keith, I was wondering if you were going to spin this.

Well you didn't and I agree w/your take on it.

I doubt you find many blacks who will though.

Blue
September 26 2007, 12:14PM

Yeah I agree with this post ... I'm not a fan of his but I see where he was going.

LaRufus
September 26 2007, 12:15PM

While, I find him offensive on any level possible, and of course he was doing what he does best, race baiting to the dimwits who watch and/or listen to Faux News, he has a point, there are millions of white and other groups who think that all blacks are of the rap crowd, which of course is ludicrous. But, when they only thing they see is the negative images that the media displays, is it that hard to really figure out why? Every time you see anything about a young black man under 40, its criminal related, or some sports story, seldom if ever is it a good feel story.

But, I also got a laugh at the "Italian" restaurant in a "white" suburb as if there are that many of them left, I would of course fear a shoot out from the mob in such a place, since aren't they all in the mob , ;-).

And, it also proves a theory I've had for years, most major cities in this country are as segregated as they come, how can anyone live in NYC and not know any of the professional blacks that live and work there?

Reggie
September 26 2007, 12:16PM

The irony behind this is that O'Reilly, who has in the past used rap and black athletes to propogate the negative sterotype of blacks to his audience, is now realizing that this isn't true. Now on a broader spectrum, BET hasn't done it's best to squash that stereotype as well. BET's viewed around the world and in this country it's also viewed by a large number of non-blacks. Of course, this also applies to the mainstream media as well. BET's just a good example to use right now. For a lot of people, this is the only exposure to black culture they get. So of course, blacks are going to be judged by the standards of athletes and rappers.

Donnell Allen
September 26 2007, 12:34PM

To tell the truth Ireally don't care what Bill O'Reilly says about blacks or anyone else. He can really say some dumb and ignorant things. I do find a offensive that this supposedly educated man doesn't know more about the African Americans in NY. NY is a city that has a little bit over everything and everybody there, especially smart,educated,and professional African Americans. He claims to know the truth about everything and everybody. Why in the hell did he just realize that African-Americans were human and people that believe in having manners,being respectful and knowing how to act no matter where we go and that comes from our grandparents and our parents. Wake up and smell the coffee Bill you are a damn fool!!!

B.B
September 26 2007, 12:54PM

I think everyone is so ready to slice open a white mans neck for saying the wrong thing, that we don't realize when hes saying a good thing. I don't think he meant anything negativly towards the black community even if he is ignorant.

gs
September 26 2007, 1:18PM

Until I read your take, I was appalled at O'Reilly's comments. You've shed a bit more light onto it for me and I have to agree with your insight. But, I do think O'Reilly didn't show much tact in the way it was delivered. But, I now get the point in spite of how it was delivered.

LJ
September 26 2007, 1:25PM

Honestly, I think Bill feeds into the same sterotypes about black people that many, many white conservatives do. He was not only speaking for others but for himself as well when he made those comments. Don't believe me? Just watch the man's show. He's always talking about minorities like we're weird, strange creatures that can all be lumped together like dogs. Like he thinks we all share a kind of temprament like a certain breed.

But Bill is probably the most arrogant, overly opinionated bastard I've ever seen on TV in my life, so it's no surprise that he would say something like he did.

reality_check
September 26 2007, 1:25PM

THe fact of the matter is that the vast majority of people rely on stereotypes to draw conclusions. Its not right, but thats the way it is. I, for one, am not offended by O'Reily's comments. If anything we blacks should be offended by those idiot rappers and producers constantly displaying that false image of what it means to be black and male in America. That's where my offenses lie. How can you get mad at the greater population that bases thier expectations off the images portrayed in the media? I'm sick of this crap! Then I looked that the BS townhall meeting yesterday where all those idiot rappers sit up there perched on stage defending their filth! We perpetuate more stereotypes than the white man ever will.

Jerry
September 26 2007, 1:28PM

I, for one, am not buying it. Classless dumbassery is classless dumbassery. I suppose one could dismiss an isolated incident, but this isn't an isolated incident, it goes to a pattern of -- I'll say it again -- DUMBASSERY.

bubba
September 26 2007, 1:33PM

And what about his other smarmy comment about African-Americans finally thinking for themselves without prompting by Sharpton and Jesse Jackson? Obviously our support of people who advocate racial equity is a problem for him. There's no nuance in his assessment of Sylvia's restaurant either.

J
September 26 2007, 2:09PM

STOP PROMOTING HIM.

EVERY TIME WE REACT TO SOMETHING HE SAYS HE MAKES A MILLION DOLLARS. IT'S KRAMER REVISITED. DO ANY OF YOU THINK THAT DVD WOULD HAVE SOLD LIKE THAT WITHOUT THE UPROAR AND ALL OF THE RACISTS WHO WANTED TO SUPPORT HIM?

IT'S BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT BILL PERVERTED TROLL O'REILLY WILL SAY WHATEVER IT TAKES TO APPEAL TO A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT HAS MADE HIM AND OTHERS EXACTLY LIKE HIM RICH AND KNOWN. WHO KNOWS IF HE ACTUALLY BELIEVES WHAT HE SAYS? WHO CARES? JUST CUT HIS MIC OFF AND DON'T DEVOTE EVEN A HALF A SECOND TO THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING INVOLVING HIM.

IGNORE THE TROLL.

Jonez
September 26 2007, 2:19PM

You know what's really sad? Not only is it obvious that Bill and many other whites in America feed into stereotypes about blacks, but that we ourselves tend to feed into them just as much.
How many black males do you see who look like some semblance of a thug from day to day? Are they all from the hood or are some of suburban dwellers posing? How many young (and old sometimes) black people do we hear speaking in ebonics and being loud and obnoxious? How many young black boys do we see with their pants 5 sizes too big hanging off their asses and trying their damndest to keep them from slipping off with every bow-legged step they take? How many black people do we see who just love and adore hip/hop and BET because it's basically considered "not black" to love it? How many black men do we see sneering at each other like wild animals to show their bravado and how hard they can be? And how many black people do we see pointing fingers at those who don't fit any of these stereotypes and claiming they "act white"?

Mel Smith
September 26 2007, 4:02PM

O'Reilly views just reflect how a lot of people think we are an inferior race of people. He was surprised that he went into a professional black owned restaurant? To me, it's an insult. I'm a graduate student in NYC. I have dealt with students of European, Indian, Paskini, Arab, and various other ethnicities. I know people think blacks do everything second class and that's insulting that some people have those thoughts.

Mark
September 26 2007, 4:12PM

I have to say, he is just saying what the majority of people don't know and most think that blacks are sub-human with no class or dummies. But, since he has got rich off of making blacks scapegoats and public pariahs along with Fox News, it is odd that he is now being somewhat civil. I read that his dear old granny was afraid of blacks, so, I guess its in the bloodline.

But, its odd that in NYC, he has never met a black person who can actually speak in English without street slang? Amazing. And, I have to agree with the poster who said, American cites are the most segregated around.

And, black folks worse enemy? Black folks themselves, until we stop with all the foolishness of trying to keep it "real," just how do we think others will show one bit of respect. And, for those who don't care what Bill and his ilk think, think again, they still run the show from the White House to the HR departments on job sites, and bring this into every aspect of life in this country.

Fred
September 26 2007, 4:29PM

The part of O'Reilly's statement that shows the underlying racism is that he couldn't get over the fact that a Black owned and patronized restaurant would have well mannered customers. Anyone surprised by Black people peacefully eating dinner has some serious issues. I did listen to the audio, and it does not sound like he is trying to educate anyone. He just sounds as ignorant as usual.

Shabaka
September 26 2007, 4:45PM

Did you notice that he actually compared his experience to going to "...an Italian restaurant in an all white neighborhood...and there wasn't any kind of craziness..."? Since when did Italians stop being white? He should just be laughed at, not taken seriously. Even though America seems to love anything "sensationalistic".

Lucy
September 26 2007, 4:51PM

I don't know if this perspective is of any use, but I am a white English girl and I go regularly to New York, and I have visited Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem, and it never, ever occurred to me to be SURPRISED that the people in there were having a good time and behaving in a civilised way.

Maybe I don't understand all the nuances of race relations in America, but if it wasn't a surprise to me, then I can't really understand why it should be a surprise to Bill O'Reilly who LIVES in America.

Anyway, call me an annoying white tourist, but I love Sylvia's: the biscuits are amazing and so is the smothered chicken. Frankly, they are too good for Bill O'Reilly's flabby conservative white ass.

The other place I love visiting in Harlem is the Abyssinian Baptist Church: they have a great preacher called Calvin Butts III and a wonderful choir. Strangely enough, no-one runs around screaming "motherf***er" in there either.

Sean
September 26 2007, 4:53PM

I agree with your take on the comments. I don't think he intended to be offensive or incendiary. The nature of his comments, however, is consistent with a well-intentioned veneer of civil language that masks underlying (often unconsciously held) stereotypes. The fact that he commented on the fact that (shocking to him?) Blacks in Harlem conduct themselves consistently with shared cultural expectations of restaurant behavior is one indication that he found this to be stereotype-disconfirming. I loathe the little toad, give him a pass this time, but am left pondering once again how quickly we look past unconsciously held stereotypes.

Marco
September 26 2007, 4:53PM

I think Keith is giving Bill O'Reilly too much credit. He has derided the gay community in a similar fashion. He claims support for the equality of gays and lesbians, but actually said in order to be taken seriously, gay men should have to "take off the high heels" and put on a business suit.

He's all about the backhanded "support."

What he was really suprised when eating at a harlem restaurant or attending an Anita Baker concert is that he found black men and women acting suitably "white" enough for his tastes.

David
September 26 2007, 5:05PM

Though I admit I've only rarely seen Bill O'Reilly and other Irish American commentators such as Sean Hannity and Pat Buchanan, I'm always surprised that they show no indication of drinking.
They didn't slur their words, were able to sit upright, and otherwise behaved in a surprisingly sober manner.
Although I've heard of sometimes loutish behavior, I didn't see it in the (admittedly brief) times I've watched them.
All kidding aside, this reminds me of Sen. Biden's reaction to Sen. Barack Obama.
The irony of course is that in the 19th century most of America thought of the Irish as violent, brutish, subhuman criminals.

Ron
September 26 2007, 6:33PM

While I think Bill O'Reilly was trying to say something positive, the fact that he is the host of a widely popular cable news program, and writes books make this something he needs to be called out on. For someone who seems to often be telling black folk how to conduct themselves, his statements regarding the conduct of the patrons at Sylvia's show to me that he needs to STFU until he immerses himself a bit more into black culture outside of hip hop.

This is the same kind of comment I get from white folk who say "Oh you're so articulate and well spoken". Well...what voice exactly were you expecting to come out of my mouth. Its a backhanded compliment. So no...his ignorant ass isn't getting off the hook that easy.

brian
September 26 2007, 7:06PM

O'Reilly gets no quarter from me for this, his latest addition to the American dialogue on skin color.
What is more surprising,a high profile media spokesman so out of touch with modern black U.S. society, or one so uncurious as to have gone his entire life without investigating any of the black people he encountered along the way?
It seems to me he wants to have it both ways. On the one hand, blacks are finally thinking for themselves without the influence of Sharpton or Jesse, yet he takes Sharpton out to dinner for making himself(Sharpton)so available for Bill O's program.
How can you lament the message when you provide the pulpit?
One final observation, why as American citizens do we get almost all of our political analysis from one ethnic group?
O'Reilly,Chris Matthews,Tim Russert ,Maureen Dowd,Pat and Bay Buchanan,Andrew Sullivan,George Will,Anna Quindlen,John McLaughlin,and David Brooks. If they were black, O'Reilly wouldn't know a thing about them. But we do, right?

B-Boy
September 26 2007, 8:51PM

O'Reilly is surprised going to Sylivia's and finding it's just like any white restaurant? He was shocked that no one was yelling "M-Fer"?!?!?

The man just outed himself as a racist, ignorant fool. He just said that his ongoing assumption, that black people are NOT civilized and are not capable of being respectful, was challenged by reality.

Honestly Keith Boykin, the people you'll give a pass to is embarrassing.

I guess Fox pays pretty well for those guest appearances of yours, huh? *wink, wink*

cmoney
September 26 2007, 9:05PM

Keith, cut it out! O'Reilly is one of the biggest racists on television and you know it. He can't even say something complimentary about Blacks without turning it into one of his usual racist tirades. O'Reilly says ignorant, racist things about Blacks everyday of the week. He's also a pathological liar. He did not suddenly become Martin Luther King over a plate of soul food. He does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Antwan
September 26 2007, 11:28PM

Preach on it cmoney, preach on it! Good old boy Bill has gotten filthy rich being a race baiter, as have quite a few on the Fox "news" network including Murdoch. But, the one thing I love about a Billy boy, is at least you always know where you stand as a black, something I can say I respect about him. Be a bigot and don't try and sugar coat it like so many do in this country.

And, whats up with so many pundits being bigots and of Irish background? I guess they really have blended in, the days of no blacks, Irish or dogs allowed from the turn of the last century has them saying no blacks or dogs, since we is white and right.

Sandy
September 27 2007, 12:01AM

Mr. O'Reilly is a man is on television every night, has met countless numbers of individuals and has traveled. But he is surprised to eat in a Black owned and operated establishment in Harlem and find Black patrons behaving normally? So surprised that he had to comment on it? In 2007?
You know with everything that is happening in America right now, Jena, nooses swinging like new jewelry, I have to remind myself that this is not the 1700s.

saint james
September 27 2007, 2:49AM

Wasn't it in the same admission of his racial bias that O'reilly said "Black people(I think he said African Americans) are finally starting to think for themselves"? He was making reference to the growing diversity in the black political landscape. He deserves no credit. Remember that He claims daily that he is the ony one looking out for YOU (based on his book). Now you know who YOU is. When he makes that statement on his radio show he is clearly talking about conservative upper middle class white people. And it aint colored people. He clearly cannot be advocating for a grup of people he does not know can act appropriate in social settngs like concerts and resturants.

sb
September 27 2007, 4:02AM

You can try to spin this anyway you want, Keith. But the first commenter (Kyon Saucier) said it all. We were civilized human beings BEFORE his pronouncement. Since when has Bill O'Reilly EVER spoken to educate racists of ANY stripe? Clearly he was EXPECTING a "monkey show". And that makes him an ignorant racist in my book. A sly one to be sure, but an ignorant racist just the same.

elg
September 27 2007, 10:07AM

I don't think Bill O'Reilly said anything wrong, much less racist. There are times when I walk into an establishment and see blacks working there and have second and third thoughts about the service I will receive or how I (a black gay man who is perceived as such, especially by blacks) will be treated. Sometimes I drive out of my way to patronize establishments I think will have no blacks working there for this very reason. And don't go into that "self-hating black gay man" thing with me. You know who you are. My feelings are based on bad experiences I've had with black people. Don't tell me it's my fault if I don't stand up to the crappy treatment from some blacks because I don't feel I should have to - it's not my nature to go to war with people. I know other blacks who feel the same way. And if some of you would be honest, you've felt the same way at various times or you know other blacks who have expressed similar thoughts.

Nathan James
September 27 2007, 10:40AM

As a person of mixed ancestry, let me offer this perspective: while O'Reilly is pontificating on his amazement at the "civilized" behavior of the patrons in Sylvia's, (I myself am partial to Aunt Ruth's on 116 St., but I digress...) I am still astonished that we in 2007 haven't moved away from the mind-set that causes O'Reilly to make such commentary in the first place. All my life, I have straddled the fence...too light for one side, not light enough for the other, and BOTH sides abhor the LGBT community. When, oh, when will we ever stop this and function as the human family we can and should be?

Then the O'Reillys of this world won't have to broadcast their ignorance for all to hear...

Derrick from Philly
September 27 2007, 10:56AM

elg:

I know what you're saying, and you might remember how many times I've ranted about black discrimination against black gays; but when it comes to black restaurants, I've never had a problem (not that I can remember, but when I'm tipsy, everybody's friendly). Now, those fast food places are a different story (you know, all those fast food chains that have ruined young black men's physiques with that shit they call food). Young black employees in those places carry on when "a faggot" comes to the counter(unless it's a drag queen, then they know they better wait until "she" leaves to say something nasty). I, too, am almost relieved to see a white or Asian cashier behind the counter--and that's a shameful shame.

But Bill O'Reilly is full of shit. Why would he spend so much time criticizing black folks over the decades when he obviously didn't know much about us. He remembers "The Cosby Show"--unless he was too racist to watch it.

VERB
September 27 2007, 11:27AM

I don't believe O'Reilly is a racist, just an idiot who should select his words more carefully. I listened to the Radio Factor episode in question (unedited) and truly believe that it was not his intention to sound racist, although his word selection was questionable and could easily be construed that way. I watch Bill every single night (he's so ridiculous that his show should win an Emmy for best comedy). Racist? No. Elitist? INDEED!!! It's just Bill being the pompous, condescending jackass that he is.

J
September 27 2007, 12:38PM

You all just got Miss Bill another vintage Ferrari.

bubba
September 27 2007, 1:12PM

So then this joker gets Sharpton on his show last night, and rehashes his lame defense, which Sharpton laps up because he hadn't heard the audio in question. But if you're not a racist, the question remains.
Why would you be SURPRISED that African-Americans conduct themselves respectfully? Why even use that word?
I wonder if he thinks Sylvia's white waiters are squandering their master race potential.

linnea
September 27 2007, 6:46PM

baby steps...i don't expect anyone to come to enlightenment in an instant. i applaud his ability to see that he might have a narrow view of things. not everyone would be willing to admit their point of view is skewed. just because he has been ignorant in the past doesn't mean he can't grow - if we don't allow him room for that we are at fault for keeping him ignorant (and in danger of people not giving us space to learn and grow where we might be limited in our views).

sb
September 27 2007, 9:39PM

Thank you, bubba!!
The point is, he had a preconceived idea of how Blacks would behave BEFORE he entered the restaurant! Thus he was "amazed"! What is so hard to understand about that?
If I went into a Chinese restaurant and was "amazed" that they were not doing kung-fu or an Italian restaurant and "amazed" that they weren't all mafioso, then what would that make ME?
Well here's some help with that answer. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, racism is a belief or ideology that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially to distinguish it as being either superior or inferior to another race or races. O'Reilly is guilty by sheer amazement.

Hassan
September 28 2007, 2:14AM

He is the 21st Century Archie Bunker....and that step-and-fetch-it Negro Juan Williams is just shuckin and jivin wit massa ....so sickening...O'Reilly could BREATHE and it sound racist to me.

SoCal
September 28 2007, 2:45AM

how can he claim to have a college education, live in NYC and NOT POSSESS at least a working history of Harlem??? You mean to tell me he's never heard of the Harlem Renaissance, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, or the Cotton Club? There's a legacy of pride, courtesy and hospitality above 110th St - and why white folks still "Take the A Train" when they want good food in comfortable surroundings. For him to act like "wow, surprise - no one's shooting or swearing in here" is utter bullshit, period.

Cadence
September 28 2007, 2:24PM

People keep focusing on his comments about Sylvia's, but I think his comments about Black people "finally thinking form themselves" are much worse, and show his ignorance. It also shows that he thinks Black people are less than human, not intelligent, and that we all think as one group; which is a common theme with race mongers and white supremacists.

JD
September 28 2007, 3:22PM

Have you seen the Daily Show take on O'Reilly's comments? Hilarious.

Justin
September 28 2007, 4:04PM

Keith:

I think you're way too lenient and naive about O'reily's comments. I did listen too the audio on media matters site. And after listening, I've come to the conclusion that the man is nothing more then a arrogant condencending, bloviating gasbag. And that Juan Williams is nothing more then a apologist enabler. Is this the same man (Reily) who was charged with sexual assault?

jas
September 30 2007, 1:50PM

oh he is absolutely racist, just watch his show!

if he had gone to a white restaurant and said "wow, i'm so surprised that these people didn't dress up in KKK gear and blast redneck country music" that would have been kind of racist too. it's as if it's something other than what's expected, something abnormal. but anyway his show on Fox 'news' speaks for itself.

Mitch
October 2 2007, 12:59PM

Wow Keith, what drugs were you on when you wrote this piece of shit? No difference between restaurants? Businesses are businesses. A business will only stay successful if it produces a quality product. He basically called us all SAVAGES and pointed out that we have a FEW GOOD NIGGAS in Harlem that know how to behave. And as usual, a FEW WANNABEE BLACK folks stand up and point to themselves while saying "he is talking about me. look I am just like you good WHITE folks. please love me. please respect me." Keith, keep on with your journey to find the true meaning of being a man of African descent that loves men of AFRICAN descent. When I read your first book I immediately knew you were so angry about race trumping class that your book came across boring and sterile. This last year I attempted to follow your logic in hopes your eyes were opened, but this blog tells me you are just as LOST as ever!