Gilbert NMO Morris

Ordinarily, I do not concern myself with these prurient tempests, (particularly in a week in which Milton Friedman has died), but really, it has gotten to be too much. First, there is an act of revealing stupidity, then a round… an absolute circus… of apologia. This is followed by assessments – by a variety of “sincerity analysts” - whose ostensible jobs are to determine whether – the now, rather convenient – apology was heartfelt, and further, whether certain insular and discrete minorities caught the inflection of the apology appurtenant to their specific unspeakable hurts.

Its all balderdash!

Here is the “skinny”, then let us be done with it:

First, Mr Richards has had a hard go of it since the final season of Seinfeld. He has been trying new shows (which failed, or bombed as they say), and new stand-up routines to revive his improbable career; saving him from either having a job like those in his audience, or serving in Rumsfeld’s Iraq, once Congressman Charles Rangel reinstitutes the military draft. 

Imagine yourself in his position, knowing that he failed to ignite the audience because he was so unfunny. He was desperate, afraid and not a little hurt. And when the heckler heckled him, the heckler being black, Richard hurled what words were sure to hurt him as much. That is it: he wanted to hurt the fellow. But really, Mr Richard’s rant is less proof that he is racist, than it is that he is talentless, weak and self-absorbed; as are most people we call celebrities.

Second, were I Richards, I would refuse flatly to apologise to anyone. Why? First, because some of those who were offended by what he said got their satisfaction by calling him racist names; which proves that, like him, when they feel hurt, they can be… or say things… racist too. Second, it is impossible to apologise for such things in public settings. The best, if anything is to issue a statement and let oneself be attacked.

It can hardly be sensible to call Sharpton (much as one enjoys his new found prominence) or Rev. Jesse Jackson (whose relevance in these matters is impossible to comprehend).  Moreover, I see no reason to apologise to an entire race (or over sanctimonious members of other races) in which there are black people who themselves are openly prejudiced against other blacks.

Gandhi’s solution for a Hindu who caused the death of a Muslim child was to have the man adopt a Muslim child and raise him as a Muslim. I think Richards should, as I said, refuse to apologise, but find a school in a little black neighbourhood far from the media spotlight, and begin making enormous financial contributions, such as 25% of his royalties from Seinfeld syndication. In 10 years when we discover that that is what he has done, our acceptance of his contrition will be based upon a genuine exhibition of sustained sacrifice.

Is he a racist?  Well, are you?