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Rush Limbaugh is at it again, earning his paycheck from Premier Radio Networks. Recently on his show, he seemed to proudly celebrate the death of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner by referring to Steinbrenner as "the cracker who made a lot of African-American millionaires", I guess referring to Derek Jeter, Reggie Jackson and others. The comments got the attention of the nation, which surely increased Limbaugh's ratings. What it also did was remind the country that he is a person of weak character and almost no class.
Steinbrenner had a very powerful legacy through the years, helping the Yankees build and maintain their dynasty through selfless and determined investment. No, he wasn't an angel, for people at the top of the heap rarely are, but for Limbaugh to call him a cracker on the day he died is like calling Dorothy Height the N-word at her grave site.
By now, the nation has learned not to take Limbaugh seriously. We understand that he is nothing more than entertainment and should not be respected as any sort of serious political figure. He continuously works, like Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity (whom I call the "axis of ignorance"; I just added Beck this year), to do whatever he can and say whatever outrageous thing that will keep him in the media. That's what happens when you're nothing but an entertainer who has almost no responsibility for the things you say.
With regard to Steinbrenner's legacy, he did create quite a few African-American millions, but quite a few white and Hispanic ones too. Steinbrenner spent nearly $100 million more in his annual payroll than the next highest paying team, so he leveraged the Yankees to the point where anything other than a championship was simply unacceptable. His investment strategy seemed almost irrational and even irritating to his competitors. What I like about Steinbrenner's life is that it seemed fulfilled. We also must say, at the very least, that his life was incredibly impactful. To disrespect the legacy of such a well-respected man on the day of his death in a racially demeaning way is both embarrassing and uncivilized, but then again, that's what Rush Limbaugh is all about.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (61)
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By: BillSchrier on 7/15/2010 8:25PM
"Dr." Watkins is taking Rush's comments out of context. Watkins may or may not be smart enough to know he's taking Rush's comments out of context.
Rush used the word "cracker" as sarcasm to complain that the Black Panthers could freely use this word against whites whereas whites using the "N-word" against blacks is considered "hate speech" and is strictly forbidden by the rules of today's policital correctness.
As a matter of fact, most of the blacks on BV use the "C-word" in describing whites, demonstrating that blacks are the biggest racists in America.
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By: Jeannette on 7/15/2010 10:10PM
I'm sorry Bill, or should I say Hitler? You are one of the racist people on this site. You hate everything black, and that is what most whites have been doing since the dawn of time. Why on earth did this nation create the Bill of Civil Rights? Blacks were beaten without cause, women, and children was raped, and murdered, along with their men. Blacks had no rights, and I know that you are waiting with baited breath, until the time comes again when blacks will have no rights.
If this site bothers you so bad, leave it.
OBAMA IN 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: 1pbm on 7/16/2010 12:08PM
you have issues.
I can't be bothered to school you on the difference between racism or prejudice or the history of both words and the FACT that Rush goes out of his way to alienate a lot of people cause he can.
I'm not surprised he said the word but I ask you this:
What was the last time a high profile black with access to news and commentary used either word?
You'll find that it doesn't happen because we are better raised.
Peace.
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By: aj on 7/19/2010 9:58PM
Where did this cat come from?? I don't use the word cracker in describing whites and if I was to use a word to describe Limbaugh and the likes of him I would certainly not pick such a nice word as cracker.I wonder how many followers of Limbaugh live in the kind of house he does,or drives the same kind of car,eats in the same places,etc. I suspect more of them are on the foreclosure list and of course blames that on black folks and hispanics.Don't worry you will have a front row seat in hell right along side your buddy..Rush!!!
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By: andrew on 7/19/2010 9:46PM
Why do any of you take anything serious from a meat-mobile fat head like Rush who is so far to the left that even making a right turn would still keep him way out into left field for a lifetime
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By: Jay Todd on 7/15/2010 8:39PM
"Dr." Boyce, if you don't get the joke, you are the joke.
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By: Tina on 7/15/2010 9:01PM
Dr. Watkins actually confirmed what RL said in this blog (he made a lot of blacks rich). OMG! I doubt Boyce gets upset with the constant use of the n-word by black people. Somehow he finds a way to be offended by a white person calling another white person a "cracker".
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By: black man on 7/15/2010 9:13PM
Where did Rush get the term Cracker from Boyce Watkins? You know the answer! He got it from your favorite black group The New Black Panther Party that was threatening white voters outside a polling place. Then one of those black panther idiots starts yelling "I hate Crackers,and let`s kill their little white Cracker babies. Rush only used that word on his show to get his point across,and he did! Your no better than Jesse love child Jackson and Al Tawana Brawley Sharpton. For those black people that read this crap and can`t think for themselves (which is the reason you do what you do) a lot of us have long since STEP OFF PLANTATION. Keep spewing your racist hate for your base but remember, were teaching our families a new way, tha the White man is not holding you down. And you know what.......... it`s working!!!!!
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By: Shirley Saunders on 7/16/2010 12:43AM
I'll believe it's working when you learn how to write a decent paragraph with proper punctuation,grammar and spelling.
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By: russell on 7/19/2010 3:53PM
I am a black man that is tired of all this retoric from shock jocks like Limbaugh. I am not going to pretend it is entertainment and not harmful. There is a coalition of whites that believe Rush and whom are blinded by racism and envy. Rush must be outted, his audience is angry, purchasing guns, attacking the president, and voting on policy that is favorable to the top 2%. These policies directly affect minorities and middle-income to poor whites. Many blacks are intelligent enough not to allow our progress in life to be hindered Rush and his ignorant flock, but we must call him out for his intentional racially divisive tactics. I am not going to feel guilty for calling a racist a racist. We are responsible for our own success in life, but not let's pretend that some whites are'nt continously particpating in behavior that is detrimental to us working together for a common cause.
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