To those who would make those paper-thin arguments, understand one thing:
Baker didn't lose his job because of his beliefs on race. In his off hours, he could prance around his home in a Klansman's robe for all anyone cares.
Racism alone didn't bring Baker down. Stupidity did. And not just your everyday brand of stupidity. I'm talking STUPIDITY.
In firing Baker, the Tennessee Hospitality Association and the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association came to the wise decision that if a CEO doesn't understand that forwarding an e-mail comparing the First Lady to a chimp as extremely hazardous to your career, then he probably shouldn't be running their campaign.
We are talking about public relations, after all.
In an interview, Baker offered an apology to those offended and said he never thought of himself as a racist nor as racially insensitive.
If you say so.
In most situations, being a racist alone can't get you fired, but letting people know you might be one can be hazardous to your financial health. Baker was too slow-witted to have understood that memo.
I know Baker wasn't the only person on the planet to forward the Mrs. Obama-as-chimp e-mail to friends.
Like it or not, sharing an off-color, racist or sexist joke is as American as apple pie, but if you have something to lose, as Baker did, you had better be very careful about how you express your freedom of speech.
It would be nice if we as a people could merely shrug our shoulders in response to an e-mail like Baker's. But the overt and subtle racism many black folks face every day in offices run by the Walt Bakers of the world won't allow for that response just yet.
Comments: (133)
Add a comment
By: leah on 3/10/2010 10:13AM
And the sad thing here is that he looks more like an ape than anybody...I'm glad this trailer trash lost his job, as anyone who contributes to anything that is meant to insult someone should no exceptions.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: jason on 3/11/2010 1:00PM
HOW DO YOU BLACK WOMEN, YES BLACK BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY COULNDT FIND AFRICA ON A MAP IF WE POINTED TO IT, HOW DO YOU GROW YOUR ASSES SO HUGE?
Report This
By: djkut on 3/10/2010 10:14AM
See here they go being cocky and in high positions and it tell u right there that some of these White Folks think they can do anything they want to do u can best believe before he sent that email out his pocket was line up fat and he will be the next C.E.O at a major company. I bet your ass he will be employed or starting up his own business not even missing a beat...
Now I will sit as I always do and watch the real racist White folks and Uncle Toms get wild and loose on thier comments it's " Tea Party Time ! "
They are about to let the fireworks go off on this thread ? Watch and see ?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ms. pam on 3/14/2010 9:58AM
Every company associated with him and his friends WE should STOP IMMEDIATELY DOING ALL KINDS OF BUSINESS WITH THEM RIGHT NOW TODAY WE SHOULD TWEET THAT THE NEW DAY BOYCOTT JUST TWEET IT AND FOLLOW THE TWEET. PUT A DEEP HOLE IN HIS POCKET. THAT WILL STOP A WHOLE LOT OF CRAP IMMEDIATELY. WE SHOULD TAKE OUR MONEY FROM EVERY BUSINESS ASSOCIATED WITH HIM IN EVERY MANNER.
Report This
By: toyna on 3/10/2010 10:18AM
Good the pale faced neanderthal what to be ''superior'' and hasn't come to term it's only in his mind buffoon loose his job, NOW TAKE THAT AND TWIST ON IT.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sandi on 4/04/2010 6:35PM
She's not some chick from around the corner. She is the First Lady, equivalent to a queen of a monarchy, and very popular in this country.
It's like insulting the Queen of England in public--a CEO in London wouldn't walk away from that unscathed.
Maybe this will teach the racists in power: hands off Mrs. Obama and the kids.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Proud German on 3/11/2010 2:42AM
Read the constitution. The first lady is not even mentioned. What is mentioned is that no title of nobility will issue by this nation.
In other words she has no constitutionally granted power, she is merely the person married to the president.
BTW where was the liberal concern when Laura Bush was being raked over the coals? Where is the liberal outcry to help Chile?
Report This
By: Rob on 3/11/2010 9:59AM
Yeah - fortunately that is exactly what she is, JUST THE CHICK FROM AROUND THE CORNER. Fortunately for her she was educated at OUR expense and through the RADICAL VIEWS OF THAT HUSBANDS OF HERS this great country ois going in the toilet with all STUPID IDEAS AND GOALS. Yes we need change but this FORMER UNION MEMBER, DEMOCRAT AND AMERICAN CITIZEN WHO NEEDS HEALTH CARE TOO IS TELL YOU THIS IS NOT THE Way to do it BY PENALIZING 80% OF THE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR 15TO 20% OF THE DEADBEATS OUT THERE YOU WON'T GET OFF THEIR COLLECTIVE BUTTS OR UNDOUBTEDLY ARE WORKING FOR BLACK MARKET CASH AT SUPPLIMENT THESE FEDERAL GOVT CHECKS. tHERE ARE ONLY A FEW GROUPS THAT SHOULD BE RECEIVING GOVERNEMENT MONEY SENIORS, THE PERMANENTLY DISABLED, THOSE CARING FOR A DISABLED OR SENIOR FAMILY MEMEBER (FOR THE PERIOD NECESSARY). THERE IS SO MUCH WQORK THAT NEDS DOING IN EVERY CITY AND TWON THE REST OF THESE PEOPLE COLD BE PAID A LIVING WAGES AS DAY LABORS IF NECESSARY. THE MONSTER OBAMA IS CREATING IS MONUMENTAL IN COMPARISON AND IT HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY NEAR WHAT HE PROMISED. THE ONLY EMBARASSMENT I CAN SEE IS PRESIDENT OBAMA HIMSELF. MY BLACK BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM THE HOODS ARE GOING TO BE MAD AT ME FOR THIS POSITION BUT I TOO AM VERY WELL EDUCATED AND I LOST MY JOB 18 MONTHS AGO. THIS PRESIDENT OUR CONGRESS, RADICAL AND FAR TO LIBERAL IS WRONG JUST PLAIN FRIGHTENING. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
Report This
By: blackbear72 on 3/11/2010 11:49AM
Sandi, if you knew anything about this country and how it was formed you would understand how wrong your statement is. First off she is not anywhere equal to the queen in a monarchy, she is married to the person who happens to be president, nothing else. This country was founded with the opposite idea of a monarchy. In a monarch a person is King or Queen based on birthright not a vote of the people. Could the First lady ever become queen by birthright? Never, so if you think a monarchy or queen is such a great thing, then you wouldn't think much of the first lady.
This country was also based on freedom of speech and that includes criticizing the Pres and First lady, the kids I agree with you should be off limits.
This guy didn't walk away unscathed, he lost his job and it was because of political correctness and nothing else.
I agree with other posts this guy does resemble a ape, if he can resemble a ape why cant the First lady resemble a monkey?
Report This
By: heywood on 9/05/2010 8:20PM
Equivalent to a queen or monarch? That's the problem with mochelle and her husband-they think they are royalty, monarchs, and NOT the elected servants of the people. You AND they need to get it straight-obama is our employee, mochelle is baggage, and both will be out in 2012.
Report This