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.
I absolutely love Bill but I am not fond of this comedic attempt.
As to those who want to split the racial humor line down to what those who say it look like, I disagree. Standing up for oneself should always be a priority no matter who says it. I am not a fan of racial/prejudice jokes at all. They are not constructive, positive or really needed to be funny.
Concerning the remark. its typical Maher being ignorant. Concerning your remark about the Tea Party, YOU were the ignorant one. There are a lot of Black Tea Party members too. And I have NEVER heard a comment like that!
I never did think Bill Mahr was funny and could only make a living by making sick remarks about someone else. When he was young his humor was off in left field; but as he gets older the desperation comes out of his mouth more often.
Why do people think president Obama should be other than himself in or out of office. He is the president of the United States. All says I love the United States the greatest state in the world. this being a true statement why do we want the rest of the world seeing us as a bunch of thuggie thinking people. We should be glad we have a president that can put aside his own I wants for the good of all. Do we want all other nations seeing us as pushy people with no sense of real direction but at the tip of a gun. We want sympathy for our selves but only criticizes others. I wonder if this can be the way the rest of the world sees us and hate us for it.Those of us that think we have a better plan offer your help not your criticism. I am so proud to see a thinking man for once.
Wealthy white-men make money just talking or listening to black people period.You do not have to agree or disagree. George Washington was white remember, who makes the laws fool.Welfare was his invention,relax, get a job take care of your children ok. You talk to much, got Martin Luther King killed,we sell one another out! Judus !! Who do think owns these net-works,Jesse Jackson!!
Iam bi-racial.and I do not think Bill Maher was out of line with that joke. In my opinion his show is a great way to get your news and politics with out all the ignorance and "fear" you get with others-LIMBAUGH,BECK,FOX NEWS.I think Bill Maher was saying what may people are thinking-Obama needs to get tough whith the people who care more about money and their position in life. Lighten up, we shouldnt waste our time and energy picking a part everything a comic says. Besides Bill Maher actually respect Obama, just because he says he needs to show a tougher side doesnt mean he is out of line.
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I don't have to list President Barack Obama's credentials, but I will. 
Comments: (187)
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By: Barbara on 6/08/2010 2:50PM
I absolutely love Bill but I am not fond of this comedic attempt.
As to those who want to split the racial humor line down to what those who say it look like, I disagree. Standing up for oneself should always be a priority no matter who says it. I am not a fan of racial/prejudice jokes at all. They are not constructive, positive or really needed to be funny.
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By: Angelia on 6/08/2010 4:28PM
Concerning the remark. its typical Maher being ignorant. Concerning your remark about the Tea Party, YOU were the ignorant one. There are a lot of Black Tea Party members too. And I have NEVER heard a comment like that!
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By: h Ron Stephens on 6/09/2010 7:57PM
I never did think Bill Mahr was funny and could only make a living by making sick remarks about someone else. When he was young his humor was off in left field; but as he gets older the desperation comes out of his mouth more often.
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By: WLShow on 6/11/2010 9:31PM
What if Rush Limbaugh had done a parody that was similar? Some of you commenting would be frothing at the mouth.
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By: Carrie williams on 6/14/2010 3:10PM
Why do people think president Obama should be other than himself in or out of office. He is the president of the United States. All says I love the United States the greatest state in the world. this being a true statement why do we want the rest of the world seeing us as a bunch of thuggie thinking people. We should be glad we have a president that can put aside his own I wants for the good of all. Do we want all other nations seeing us as pushy people with no sense of real direction but at the tip of a gun. We want sympathy for our selves but only criticizes others. I wonder if this can be the way the rest of the world sees us and hate us for it.Those of us that think we have a better plan offer your help not your criticism. I am so proud to see a thinking man for once.
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By: CHIEF PHD. on 6/15/2010 10:41PM
Wealthy white-men make money just talking or listening to black people period.You do not have to agree or disagree. George Washington was white remember, who makes the laws fool.Welfare was his invention,relax, get a job take care of your children ok. You talk to much, got Martin Luther King killed,we sell one another out! Judus !! Who do think owns these net-works,Jesse Jackson!!
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By: stacy on 7/14/2010 6:14PM
Iam bi-racial.and I do not think Bill Maher was out of line with that joke. In my opinion his show is a great way to get your news and politics with out all the ignorance and "fear" you get with others-LIMBAUGH,BECK,FOX NEWS.I think Bill Maher was saying what may people are thinking-Obama needs to get tough whith the people who care more about money and their position in life. Lighten up, we shouldnt waste our time and energy picking a part everything a comic says. Besides Bill Maher actually respect Obama, just because he says he needs to show a tougher side doesnt mean he is out of line.
Reply to this Comment | Report This