Bill O'Reilly, everybody's favorite blowhard at the state-run FOX News network, has gotten himself in hot water again. It all stems from a pleasant night out on the town with his new best friend, Al Sharpton. The two of them recently ventured deep into the heart of black America to enjoy some soul food at Sylvia's restaurant. Here's his take on his wild night in Harlem...
"We 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 in the conversation, he was discussing the effect of rap on the culture and said "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."
So apparently Billo was expecting a pretty wild scene at Sylvia's. He must have thought that the diners would be screaming insults and curse words at each other while perhaps engaging in a fun-filled food fight. He just "couldn't get over" the fact that black folks can sit down and eat a civilized dinner in a restaurant just like the rest of us. Who knew? Who would have guessed that blacks are capable of such refinement? Billo has really stumbled upon a highly significant sociological discovery. Thank you, sir. You are a great American.
Of course, the ironic part of O'Reilly's observation is that he thinks he's complimenting blacks. He just can't understand why so many people feel offended by his remarks. And, as usual, he chalks the whole brouhaha up to a "smear job" by that "far-left smear site, Media Matters." The sad truth is that B.O. is genetically incapable of self-reflection and self-criticism. Nothing is ever his fault. It's always somebody else out to get him. They're obviously jealous and want to bring down his empire.
Article comments
1 - daryl d
Doug:
I wrote an article on the same topic. I completely agree with you. I think Bildo's situation is worse than that of Imus because Imus was purposely trying to be shocking while Bildo was actually serious.
2 - Dan
Why this debate now? It is a public knowledge since long!
3 - Joel
First, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and recommend that you rely on primary sources of information. Second, to help you out, Bill was pointing out that whites too often stereotype African Americans based on secondary sources of information (i.e., music) because they lack primary sources of information (i.e., eating at Sylvia's). Third, I offer you similar advice in writing and life in general: before you attack someone based on "what someone else said the person said," I suggest you hear with your own ears what the person said (in its entirety), understand the context in which it was said, and begin an analysis from an objective viewpoint. Otherwise, you'll continue to be the punchline of comics.
4 - Temple Stark
because they lack primary sources of information (i.e., eating at Sylvia's)
But why is this so ...?
Getting it yet?
5 - Joel
Any number of reasons - whites living in a geographic area where not many blacks live, whites choosing not to associate with blacks, blacks choosing not to associate with whites, etc. In this case, Bill's radio show is easily accessible.
And to add to my previous post, not only do some whites "lack" information, but some whites simply "choose" to rely on inaccurate information (i.e., rap music). In Bill's situation, a "few cases" choose to rely on others' opinions as to how his words should be interpreted, rather than the topic and context in which they were used.
From the opposite direction, blacks don't provide enough positive publicity (i.e., burying the N-word was positive publicity) - rather, they should push for media attention that provides statistics showing how crime, education, and employment are improving among the black community.
6 - Joel
because they lack primary sources of information (i.e., eating at Sylvia's)
"But why is this so ...?
Getting it yet?" - Temple Shark
Similar to "whites choosing not to associate to blacks" and "blacks choosing not to associate with whites," I doubt Bill would've been in Harlem without Al. Even in a small Delta town where I live, it's well-known that there are certain areas of town a white person doesn't go unless he's with a black male, and there are certain areas he doesn't EVER go (even a white cop). So in a town where whites are the minority, locals rule the police, and it's generally understood that unauthorized whites will "show up dead in the next county" if they wander into the wrong neighborhood, the whites prefer to not seek information. While this is just one Delta town that kills unwelcomed whites, you can also consider factors such as blacks' general desire for separation or whites' disinterest.
7 - Michael J. West
"Is Bill O'Reilly A Racist?"
No. He's just an idiot.
8 - FlowersInMidgar
I don't know if he's racist, so much as condescending and presumptuous to assume that enough of his viewers are ignorant and racist enough to find civility in an African-run restaurant- as to make a news story to announce it to them.
In assuming this about others he may in fact be deflecting his own views on these "mystery viewers" who need to be "informed".
Much like Carlos Mencia needs to make up imaginary audience members who "don't get it".
Of course he could very well be racist.
Either way, it certainly is an interesting look at how he considers his own viewers.
9 - cls
He's both ignorant and racist - ignorance is an often ignored aspect of racism. Many people only consider purposeful acts of meanness and hate as racism. As a result many whites are proud to declare that they are not racist. However, choosing to be afraid of or ignorant about certain groups of people is also a form of racism that is acted out daily by many white Americans.
10 - Temple Stark
Joel Shark, you don't appear too chipper and entirely missed the point. Twice. You only gave further examples where the same question could be asked, "Why is this so?"
- Temple
11 - FlowersInMidgar
After some thought on the phrase "couldn't get over" I take it back, he's racist.
If he isn't, he's doing a damn good impression of someone who is.
Even if he isn't racist, the list of reasons to hate the guy is a mile long.