I do not want Bill Maher taken off the air. He is crude and says things on issues many are scared to say. In the process, he upsets many. Hell, the man is a comedian/satirist. But I will expand further below.
The explosion of Bill Maher’s use of the N-Word was shocking to me this morning. It was the second story headlining the evening news. Are you kidding me?
I watched Real Time in real time and chuckled especially in the context he used the phrase next to a Conservative Republican talking about working in the fields. For those who did not see the piece, the exchange went like this.
Senator Ben Sasse was Bill Maher’s first guest on Real Time. Sasse and Maher were talking about the boundaries between adolescence and maturity. Maher mentioned that adults in California still dress up for Halloween. Sasse said this did not happen in his state. Maher then said, “I’ve got to get to Nebraska more.” To which Sasse replied, “You’re welcome. We’d love to have you, work in the fields with us.” Bill Maher responded, “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house nigg$r. No, it’s a joke.”
Senator Sasse did not go anywhere close to the comment but later said he wished he had interjected. According to the New York Times, HBO issued the statement saying, “Bill Maher’s comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless. We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show.” Bill Maher subsequently apologized saying, “Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive, and I regret saying it and am very sorry.”
Everyone knows it would not be long before the attention getters would chime in with their righteous indignation demanding that HBO takes Bill Maher off of the air.
But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9
— deray (@deray) June 3, 2017
Many will be upset with my take. But I think it is now time that we stop being held hostage by those who use the N-Word whoever they are or held hostage itself by the word. I am a black man. I am not a nigg$r. I am an intelligent person. I am not a fool. I do not acknowledge anyone who may think they are referring to me with words for which I do not classify myself as. Therefore, I simply disregard those utterances as just warm air vibrations. If we taught more people that concept, we could then get upset and do something about issues that matter instead of spending time on issues that stimulate passion but have little value to our personal economies or well-being.
Here is something to ponder. Rappers’ music is repleted with the N-Word. Most of the buyers of rap music are white. Can all purchasers rap along with the music they buy?
I am no longer interested in the arguments in who can and cannot use the N-Word or for that matter other offensive words. The only intellectually honest position in my humble opinion is that everyone can or no one can use these words. But again, since one should learn not to make the words from others define or identify them, it should not matter all that much.
Bill Maher use of the phrase “house nigg$r” is inconsequential. However, his stance on the Muslim religion’s complicity with terrorism is dangerous. I don’t want him removed for that either. Progressives believe in airing our opinions out there, defending them, and ultimately the right one should emerge. In fact, Fareed Zacharia schooled Bill Maher on air, and while Maher refused to relinquish his position, the ability for Zacharia to challenge him on air likely educated many of Maher’s listeners.
It concerns me how quickly Progressives can turn on one another. They make a mistake and the piranhas all come in for their pound of flesh and the kill. The Right couldn’t have better allies. I disagree with Bill Maher on several issues. But I love that he tells Progressives some hard truths. Hell in the same hour his “New Rule” scolding Democrats was on point and in my opinion was much more newsworthy. We spent an inordinate amount of time on a joke that was clearly said without malice.
I have a similar complaint about the blanket attack given to Kathy Griffin for her tasteless antic. But I am sure you can extrapolate.
If Progressives continue to obsess with that which makes us less than pure, the Right will continue to use us against ourselves. And their pilfering of us all will continue. I think it is time for us to grow up and see the big picture, reality. I trust that many of us will refrain from group think and consider this different point of view.
Now that I have made many of you upset, let me have it. But I am pretty sure I am right on this one my friends.