I can’t help it, all this fuss about Seinfeld’s character Kramer and his stupid outburst using racial slurs and all. Saw Jesse Jackson on Lou Dobbs and you know, the hypocrisy is amazing. Here is Rev Jackson wanting a boycott of Seinfeld because Kramer gets residuals from the show, but he doesn’t take into account that others from the show suffer as well, but hey that is okay because the show is ‘predominently’ white folk.

Personally I think Kramer was a moron and words do hurt. Course its interesting to note that in the United States the ‘N’ word is mostly used by african American rap artists and yet, here is Jesse Jackson wanting the word to be erased by artists and the media… though not even mentioning the rap artists. It is also a bit of a double standard in how he talks about this Richards character. I mean does he forget his ‘Hymie Town’ remarks? Seems most Jews were willing to give him a second chance, but strange how he can’t do the same thing when the shoe is on the other foot.

Words are powerful weapons but all this fuss and yet not a word about how Gays are hurt daily, by bullying at school. Not a single word about adding Gays to the Hate Crime protection but instead that the media needs to have more non white actors. To attack a show like Seinfeld because it is or was cast by white actors is simply another form of racism. Just as Kramer was wrong, this subtle attack on others is just as bad, if not more so. If he truly wants to end people using the “N” word, then he should start in his own backyard. The majority of the use comes from rappers and not sick white folk like Kramer.

I do have a problem though with blanket banning a word. I know that many are upset with Huck Finn because of the depiction of slaves and the language used. Thing is, it is a historical piece that depicts the time when slavery did exist. To ban words that were common then destroys the historical view or accuracy of any literature. To ban the book as well as the words used is not the answer. The answer lies in education, not removing education tools. Huck Finn is a book that shows what it was like, that depicts the time accurately and yet without the words it would be meaningless.

Jesse Jackson should concentrate on helping to foster positive role models, not boycott shows because one cast member was an ass. To hurt innocent bystanders to the whole mess is counter productive in my view, but hell being Jewish I suppose I have a bit of a bias when it comes to Jesse Jackson. For me, Racism is something that is gender neutral as well as colour blind. All sides have it, and for me I am willing to give some leeway, not to go out of the way to hurt others because of one. I recall the ‘Hymie Town’ incident well, so should I then boycott all African American businesses because of Jesse Jackson?

The issues shouldn’t be about one word. As despicable as that word is, the issue should be that society needs to address ALL RACISM, not just those who use the ‘N’ word. Boycott that! I think Jesse Jackson had an opportunity here that he missed. This was an excellent example of why there should be more education, not banning of naughty words. It is what has created this situation in the first place. Just like in writing this post, I no longer know what word to use to describe people of colour? Do I use African American? Black? What?

The problem isn’t just the word, it is how it being used. I firmly believe that this Kramer joker needed to be slapped down, as he was, but come on, banning a word? That isn’t going to make racism go away. Real education, real role models is what the world needs, not fake characters on stupid television shows.