I don't have to list President Barack Obama's credentials, but I will.
He's a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School. He's also the first black to lead the Harvard Law Review.
He was a United States Senator and the first African American elected as president of the United States.
Obama is a powerful orator, and over the last 18 months, he has successfully tackled some of this country's most enduring problems, such as health care reform, while trying to pull the economy out of the gutter. He's also a loving husband and father.
Apparently, that's not good enough for comedian Bill Maher.
In an effort to tackle the latest crisis, the horrendous BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast, Maher thinks Obama needs to act more like a "real black president" and go in to the BP meetings flashing his gat.
Here's Maher's failed attempt at humor:
"I thought when we elected a black president, we were going to get a black president. You know, this [BP oil spill] is where I want a real black president. I want him in a meeting with the BP CEOs, you know, where he lifts up his shirt, where you can see the gun in his pants. That's -- (in black man voice) 'we've got a motherfu**ing problem here?' Shoot somebody in the foot."
Maher's line reminds me of one from Robert Townsend's parody 'Hollywood Shuffle.' Townsend was rehearsing with his brother in the mirror for one of the few stereotypical roles available to him, when he asked his brother to read the next line in the script:
"I ain't be got no weapons, man!'
Using Maher's logic, that's the language one might expect from Obama. And when Obama pulled his shirt up to reveal his gun, BP execs would also see a Tupac-like "Thug Life" tattoo across his belly, right?.
Obama shouldn't use his negotiating skills or the power of the U.S. government to solve the crisis. That's too "professorial." Even though Obama is the president of the United States, he's still black, and like all black men, Obama is surely packing heat.
He doesn't solve problems through discussion, he solves problems by pulling out his gun and busting shots. Black men don't negotiate. We shoot first and ask questions later. "Duck down!" That's how I solve most of my problems.
That sounds like the same racist rants from the Tea Party and some of the people who post comments on this site.
I realize that Maher is a comedian and that he was trying to make a joke, but the joke was in poor taste because it was based on racial stereotypes. Instead of challenging those stereotypes or making light of them, Maher's joke only reinforced the same tired stereotypes.
Maher has criticized the Tea Party as racist. A joke like this, unfortunately, places him in the same category.
It also shows that Obama's ascendancy to the highest office in the land has not quelled the racist stereotyping that black men in this country face. If you're black and go to Harvard, win a Noble Peace Prize or save the planet from self-destruction, there's still the potential for you to be a gun-toting, foot-shooting gangsta.
27-May-2010 - CNN was a little embarrassed after accidentally playing a rap song with the N-word in it. The gaffe was part of a segment about a 103-year-old woman, Gladys Flamer, who still drives herself around and lives alone in Coatsville, Pa.
25-May-2010 - Mattel has launched a new line of Barbie dolls called "Back to Basics (pictured below)," which features several dolls, white and black, in (what I can only term) "after-5" wear: There are off-the-shoulder dresses, strapless minis and plunging necklines. The whole thing is absolutely freaky. It's like some odd soft porno featuring call-girl dolls.
24-May-2010 - The 21-year-old R&B sensation recently went on a Tweeting tirade against Atlanta-based celeb gossip blogger Sandra Rose. Reportedly, Brown resorted to attacking the blogger's complexion by using juvenile "you're so black" jokes.
23-May-2010 - If I'm blessed enough to live past my 10th decade on this planet, then 103-year-old Gladys Flamer is going to be my blueprint for how to behave after I pass the century mark.
21-May-10 - Its tough for a tiger to change its stripes. And in the case of the 70-year-old Julianna Farrait, wife of Frank Lucas, one of the most notorious drug kingpins in American history, prison stripes might again be a part of her wardrobe.
20-May-10 - A Memphis, Tenn., man was babysitting his girlfriend's toddler when she defecated on the floor. The man reacted to the accident by beating the 2-year-old toddler to death with a basketball shoe.
17-May-10 - Geoffrey Fieger, the attorney representing the family of Aiyana Jones, a 7-year old who was shot dead during a police raid, says police are trying to cover up the truth about what exactly happened.
18-May-10 - Vicki Valentine has had to live through the foreclosure nightmare that is affecting all of America. She recently watched a crew of men break the lock on her door and take possession of the home she owned for 30 years. Her father paid off the mortgage in 1984, only to see his daughter lose the home 26 years later over a $362 water bill.
18-May-10 - President Barack Obama's very colorful, very opinionated ex-pastor, Jeremiah Wright, is making headlines yet again, but this time it is in the form of the written word. The Associated Press came across an explosive, missive written by Wright that talks about the president in a very unflattering light.
Yes it was in poor taste but not out of bounds for Bill Maher. If it were one of ours doing stand up it would have been funny. If Wanda Sykes had said that same thing on her late night show we all would be laughing right now instead of commenting on a blog.
I totally agree with you; plus, even worse, it just wasn't funny; in fact, it was lame; he should have had Wanda write the line for him. If it had actually been funny, maybe no one would have cared.
No, it would not have been funny if "one of ours" of which Wanda Sykes--with her WHITE "wife,"--is not) said it either. We just accept self deprecating stereotypism as humor from one another in a way we don't, and shouldn't, from others. Sometimes both apparent options can be wrong for us if we ever hope to regain our self respect AS A PEOPLE. Can we pick neither of these evils this time, please? Just say no to foolishness!
Yes I totally agree. If this statement would have come from Chris Rock or any other Black comedian I feel it would have been recieved differently. Bill Maher has supported Obama for a long time. One of the problems with life in general is that people in the our black community and world wide look for something to be offended about. Too much energy is put toward being offended when it needs to be toward things a lot more positive. This sort of media is old, stale and not nurturing at all. This is a new time, get out of compacency and let's support Obama with integrity and not whining about comedic remarks that are going to take place no matter what.
Lets be honest!!! Everybody is waiting for President Obama to get ignant. We all want to see if he has a lil bit of rough neck in him. When the Pres said 'Plug the dang hole', people was like whoa he is about to stand up and throw down!!! We are waiting for him to trade in his pair of goodie two shoes. Keep in mind the Word says, there is none good, no not one.
I don't think it was out of bounds. It wasn't particularily funny. Black comics do a lot more stereotyping of whites than vice versa. Do we want them to stop. I look at Bill M every week and have more of an issue with his atheism but I like the guest discussion. If you're a republican, he's insulting every week even though he almost always has a republican guest. We need to grow up. I see very little black commentary about our real problems like black on black crime etc.
I don't have to list President Barack Obama's credentials, but I will. 
Comments: (187)
Add a comment
By: JPie612 on 6/01/2010 10:04PM
Yes it was in poor taste but not out of bounds for Bill Maher. If it were one of ours doing stand up it would have been funny. If Wanda Sykes had said that same thing on her late night show we all would be laughing right now instead of commenting on a blog.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Elaine Lewis on 6/02/2010 10:52AM
I totally agree with you; plus, even worse, it just wasn't funny; in fact, it was lame; he should have had Wanda write the line for him. If it had actually been funny, maybe no one would have cared.
Report This
By: kheru on 6/02/2010 11:11AM
No, it would not have been funny if "one of ours" of which Wanda Sykes--with her WHITE "wife,"--is not) said it either. We just accept self deprecating stereotypism as humor from one another in a way we don't, and shouldn't, from others. Sometimes both apparent options can be wrong for us if we ever hope to regain our self respect AS A PEOPLE. Can we pick neither of these evils this time, please? Just say no to foolishness!
Report This
By: LAM on 6/02/2010 2:20PM
I DON'T AGREE WITH YOUR ANALYSIS AT ALL!!!
Report This
By: Madu on 6/02/2010 2:55PM
True. And Bill wayyyy more funnier than Wanda. ;-)
Report This
By: Mary on 6/02/2010 2:59PM
Yes I totally agree. If this statement would have come from Chris Rock or any other Black comedian I feel it would have been recieved differently. Bill Maher has supported Obama for a long time.
One of the problems with life in general is that people in the our black community and world wide look for something to be offended about. Too much energy is put toward being offended when it needs to be toward things a lot more positive. This sort of media is old, stale and not nurturing at all. This is a new time, get out of compacency and let's support Obama with integrity and not whining about comedic remarks that are going to take place no matter what.
Report This
By: charles on 6/02/2010 3:40PM
Yep, def one of his most unfunny joke
Report This
By: dollfacegenie on 6/02/2010 4:35PM
What is it with white people, why do they think black people act (ghetto) and (hood) all the time ?
Report This
By: selfish people on 6/02/2010 6:02PM
Lets be honest!!! Everybody is waiting for President Obama to get ignant. We all want to see if he has a lil bit of rough neck in him. When the Pres said 'Plug the dang hole', people was like whoa he is about to stand up and throw down!!! We are waiting for him to trade in his pair of goodie two shoes. Keep in mind the Word says, there is none good, no not one.
Report This
By: Wjohnson on 6/03/2010 8:22AM
I don't think it was out of bounds. It wasn't particularily funny. Black comics do a lot more stereotyping of whites than vice versa. Do we want them to stop. I look at Bill M every week and have more of an issue with his atheism but I like the guest discussion. If you're a republican, he's insulting every week even though he almost always has a republican guest. We need to grow up. I see very little black commentary about our real problems like black on black crime etc.
Report This