The witless witch of the Radio Airwaves, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, will soon be going silent, but it won't be because her listeners finally realized how much time they were wasting listening to her drivel.
Dr. Laura imploded her radio empire (Schlessinger claimed an audience of 9 million listeners) by blurting out the N-word 11 times during a six-minute meltdown last week. Her sudden fall from grace is almost too bizarre to be believed.
Schlessinger, who has been dispensing her bland blend of pop psychology and weak self-help tips for more than 20 years, is already blaming "special interest groups" about taking away her First Amendment rights.
But don't be fooled by her excuses. She was the chief architect of her radio demise. She has no one to blame but herself for getting into an N-word controversy.
Though I think the controversy over the N-word is a bit overblown, I guess there is a legitimate point of discussion over why some black folks feel free to say it to each other yet white people can't. (Why some white people like Dr. Laura feel an overriding need to use the word at all puzzles me, but that's another topic.)
One thing is certain, though: If you want to wade into the murky waters of race and use of the N-word, you have to be a lot more thoughtful and intelligent than shouting the word over a caller's objections, as Dr. Laura did.
If you want to see a smart execution of the N-word, check out the clip of how the award-winning television comedy 'The Office' took on the subject.
During a workplace racial sensitivity training, bumbling boss Michael Scott does an unintentionally hilarious send-up of a racially charged Chris Rock routine.
By the end of the scene, you are not only laughing out loud but also pondering the issue of who can and can't use the word in polite company.
If Dr. Laura had one ounce of creativity in her veins, she might have crafted a similarly artful way to inject herself into the N-word subject. Instead, she went at it in the same crude, classless manner a second-grade schoolboy might.
In the end, it cost her a high-priced national radio gig. The damage to her bank account might be severe, but luckily for radio listeners, taking Dr. Laura's simplistic, artless radio blather off the air is a good thing.
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13-Aug-10 - Well-known conservative talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger said the N-word 11 times to a caller who reached out to her for help regarding her interracial marriage.
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Comments: (73)
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By: Bobby on 8/18/2010 1:18PM
Dr. Laura's comments only go to prove that censorship is a huge component of todays media. I did not find her use of the word to be racist in nature nor directed at any particular individual. I find it extremely hypocritical for African Americans to complain about the word when merely uttered in the context in which she used it; yet, those same African Americans are listening to, dancing to, and have children who listen to, and dance to songs by rappers like Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., aka. Lil Wayne, who is always using it in a vulgar manner. Oh I know he changed the ending from - er- to - a- , but the meaning is not lost. And I think this is the point Dr. Laura was making to the caller. But if you're one who is so obtuse as to not understand this point, then there is really no helping you. You will look for any excuse to condemn the wrong people. Which really gets to the point of why some African Americans find the spoken word so offensive that they litterally seem to fall apart both mentally and emotionally; self hatred. I have been called many offensive things in my life and I don't stop to engage the speaker on the topic because I know for the most part it won't make one bit of difference. But, neither will I let it bother me. Like Eddie Kendricks sings, I just keep on trucking.
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By: Queens on 8/19/2010 12:28PM
Dear Bobby,
Have you ever been called a RACIST? Clearly, African American/Black Americans have a tradition in our culture in which the N word might be used. It is not always meant the same when used in different context. I have many friends who are Jewish, Polish, Greek, Asian, Gay, Italian and Black. I understand that there are cultural words used by each grown to define any attitude or behavior of a person which can be derogatory. America is a melting pot and there needs to be sensitivity yet acceptance that people of certain cultures use words that are confined to the people of that culture. Too bad that African Americans and other Blacks around the world were given the N word by slave owners and racists who happened to be outside of the African American/Black culture. Read up on real American History then comment about the emotional and educational inability of Black people.
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By: bob on 8/19/2010 1:04PM
Bobby you are right on. Sadly you will not convice people that argue they have a right to say an offensive word because of their culture. Queen... yes there are acceptible cultural words within races the n word is not one of them nether is mutha fuka. As long as black people continue to make these words part of their culture outlawing them is going to be impossable.
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By: AL. HILL II on 8/26/2010 3:43PM
The arrogance of white people constanlty amzes me me what gives you the right to tell us what whay and when we should be offended. Dr laura did not address the callers quetion and was on her own program, and I dont listen to rap but you people always critisize rap artist and now you want to justify your actions by there's and I believe you accusation that rapper constantly use the (n) word is over stated dont listen to much but have not herad it used in years & never on the air ways at least in Chicago.
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By: Doc WINOUX on 8/18/2010 1:32PM
In America, being white is the newest of 'hate' crimes...that is if you are happy with being white.
Whites can be called all matter of "hate" terms, but for a white to do the same...sad indeed.
One good thing...2 years of 'action, hope and change' has assured the public that there will never be another black...or any other non-white President.
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By: b&b on 8/18/2010 2:28PM
Doc, what does this statement have to do with Dr. Laura losing her show??
"One good thing...2 years of 'action, hope and change' has assured the public that there will never be another black...or any other non-white President"
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By: B B on 8/21/2010 1:57PM
Doc,
There HAS to be another non-white prez. because the "WHITE" race will soon be BROWN. (Note all of the white women having black babies.) It's just a matter of time...
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By: keep-n-it-real on 8/19/2010 5:10PM
Oh so that's your problem. Can you say this "Leave the African American Society Alone" you know when people can't seem to get alone you separate and that's what the New Black Generation is trying to do you notice we are not tripping off of white racism anymore it happened to our ancestors but it won't happen to us leave us along and go worship satan like you been doing. It's not what they call you it's what you answer too. A racist hockey mom, with no class, little education and a dysfunctional family does not offend us. I know her husband has to be awfully embarrassed about her behavior, loud mouth and no tact. A woman should be seen not heard Mrs. Palin and you never hear anything about him. Usually when men are that quiet and don’t have much control over their wives actions then they are usually somewhere cheating with someone who is a lot more civilized then Mrs. Palin. Do you carry on like this around your grandchildren because you have some serious issues with African American people? Maybe someone should call Child Protective Services to remove those children away from her because she is feeding them racist poison. Ignorance is a thing of the past and so is shackles Mrs. Palin. You need anger management.
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By: juana on 8/19/2010 10:53PM
LOL DOC.....you people's time is acoming fast, quick and in a hurry. You are done ruling, pillaring and enslaving the world. Oops your timecards ran out. bye bye
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By: Rene on 8/20/2010 1:50AM
Say Doc News Flash.....This world is rapidly becoming multicultural, so sad to say for "pure white" americans there will probably never be another "white president". More like everything, but white.
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