You could have said gone on a tirade about race with no self-censor on live television…
I’m not sure if he works in Atlanta, but that’s where the CNN headquarters are. If he did have to head out on the streets of Atlanta though, he may want to take note that as of the 2000 census, Atlanta had a population that consisted of 61.4% Black or African American persons. That could make for some awkward social situations…
Mike // Apr 1, 2008 at 7:01 am
Race on self-censor on live TV is very good, but it may not work out in many countries. having blacks and africans is no matter as they are also humanbeings.
Sarah // Apr 2, 2008 at 12:07 pm
It is too bad that race even needs to be discussed anymore it really shouldn’t matter at all. Additionally, it is sad that America is not the most free country in the world in fact we are hovering around number 8 according to the freedom indexes. Seems a little crazy considering the constitution was supposedly based on freedom. Obviously at the time it was written it meant freedom for some as people owned slaves. It is a black mark on our history and I should like to think that people have become liberally enough to forget about race all together.
ci // Apr 3, 2008 at 4:18 am
Race is a very touchy topic and to be going on tv and saying something like that is very risky. 61.4% risky to be exact.
TT // Apr 3, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I don’t see what’s so controversial about that broadcast. In the UK they’re falling over themselves not to cause ‘offence’, to the point where it’s neurotic.
A man should be free to speak his mind, whether someone else gets ‘offended’ or not. That’s it.
Roger Lunn // Apr 3, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I really wish we could for ever put behind us race. The fact that any human being would be judged by any means other than his or her character is sin.
wm // Apr 4, 2008 at 8:38 am
The man speaks the truth. There is no denying that some folks have race related issues, but the only way to fight racism is to openly talk about it instead of sweeping it under a rug.
crowdstorm // Apr 4, 2008 at 10:24 am
It amazes me that people are still racist in this day and age. It just seems totally ilogical to me – in the past I can understand how fear would have caused hatred but surely this is not the same now? It’s just embarrassing!
Becca // Apr 4, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I think the key to helping people become less racist is teaching the principle of empathy.
Rich Kingsford Orem // Apr 4, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Racist people are generally poorly educated. I think as the world’s level of education rises, racism will go down.
James // Apr 4, 2008 at 4:12 pm
LOL.. what was he going to say? Cotton… what? haha…
Malcom // Apr 4, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Although he was obviously about to say ‘cotton pickin’ I don’t think he meant it in a derogatory manner at all. I could be wrong though. It is a very common phrase and I think he caught himself cause of what people might think about it. He is right, talking about race shouldn’t be a taboo.
hfj // Apr 5, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I agree with Sarah. Its a shame that this is even a topic. Malcom, are you seriously suggesting people should be okay with the reference to cotton pickin? “It is a very common phrase” Since when??
Ling // Apr 6, 2008 at 2:24 am
You can’t force civility and brotherhood. It’s gotta come naturally. Enforcing politically correct speech is actually a bone headed idea, cause it represses what people think and want to express but can’t. One fine day, it all boils out. That’s not helping anybody. The way you do it is to increase social contact across racial divides.
Daniel // Apr 7, 2008 at 1:36 am
race, has become akin to the f-word. 4 lettered, yet very offensive. but i guess each one is entitled to his/her opinion. honestly, i mean, this life of ours is too short to hold to many things.
Edward // Apr 8, 2008 at 4:47 am
let people decide it among themselves. it wont help really if we try to divide them.
Jesse // Apr 9, 2008 at 5:00 am
i guess each one to his own tastes.
Quentin // Apr 10, 2008 at 2:30 am
its better to put ourselves in place of those who have suffered. only then can we get the gravity of the situation.
Gus // Apr 14, 2008 at 10:01 am
Wait, so you’re going off on Lou Dobbs for almost saying “cotton picking minute.” Yes, that term does date back to slavery and could have been considered racial at one point, however many probably just feel it has entered American lexicon and just means to stop. Similarly to “gypped” or “shanghaied,” these terms may be considered offensive, but are rarely said in that connotation.
Marc // Apr 14, 2008 at 10:14 am
If that’s what he was going to say, the it’s no big deal. But the fact is that he was going on a tirade about black leaders and was saying just how fed up he was with those cotton pickin… Who knows where he was going to go with that.
I do agree with you that there is a big difference between saying a cotton pickin minute and referring to black people you dislike as cotton pickin something or others.
mark // Apr 14, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Wow! I didn’t get to catch that episode. He was making a good point but cant believe what he was about to say!!
Jeff Milincheck // May 5, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I really wish we could for ever put behind us race. The fact that any human being would be judged by any means other than his or her character is sin.