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Stephen Colbert Discusses Dr. Laura and the 'N-Word' Controversy (VIDEO)

by Oliver Miller, posted Aug 19th 2010 2:16AM

Stephen Colbert Discusses Dr. Laura - and the 'N-Word' Controversy As you probably know by now, radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger is retiring from her show. This is following an unfortunate incident in which she used the "N-word" 11 eleven times in a row during a five-minute segment of her program. Now, 'The Colbert Report' (weeknights, 11:30PM ET on Comedy Central) weighs in on the whole controversy.

First, Stephen Colbert plays the now-infamous tape of Dr. Laura repeatedly using a racial epithet. And here's a fairly horrifying excerpt from that tape: "N*****, n*****, n*****." ... Not so good.

Luckily, Colbert is the perfect person to handle this type of highly-charged issue, since -- as he's said repeatedly -- he "doesn't see race." Stephen then does a parody of Dr. Laura's show in which he offers awful racist opinions.

Even though we'd like to think that Colbert will have the final word on this issue, it seems likely that the debate will rage on. Was Dr. Laura being offensive? Was she just exercising her First Amendment rights? Was she fighting against political correctness? ... And what does Sarah Palin think about this whole thing, for instance?

... And what do you guys think about it, for that matter? Leave your own opinions in the comment section, please.

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deemack

Dr. Laura immediately labeled this woman "hypersensitive" without ever hearing her out. Found out what the woman found offensive then continually threw it in her face. Comedians say many offensive things. They use the f word the c word. If I told sometone that I found it offensive and then they turned around and said it 11 times in my face--i too would be insulted.
Dr. Laura has a contract with a network who has to answer to advertisers. I have an employer, and I certainly cannot say whatever I want at work without consequences.

August 19 2010 at 12:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
khia213

First, the First amendment only protects your speech from government interference. Everyone else? You're on your own. What Laura wants is for her speech to be free of consequence; that she should be able to say what she wants without criticism. Not gonna happen.
PC? Nah. There are lots of things that you can't say depending on time and place. You can't call your boss an azz and you do well not to call a cop a pig during an arrest.
White folks are free to use the n-word. I'm pretty sure they do it all the time. It's the desire to use it to black folks that's at issue and they're still free to say it. What happens after is questionable.

August 19 2010 at 12:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to khia213's comment
Gordy

A better analogy to what Dr. Laura did would be this: In speaking about an employee calling his boss an ass, a third party wondered why people can't say 'ass'. The third party preceded to keep citing instances where calling someone an ass was acceptable, using the word ass over and over. Said third party then got fired for using the 'a-word'.

August 19 2010 at 1:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
khia213

Laura's bigger sin was that not only does she want to say it, she wants to control how black people react to her saying it. She apparently believes that she has some right to tell black people what they can feel. She wants the right to insult and for the people she insulted to have to just stand there and take it. That is the height of racism. She thinks that black people are so low and that she is so superior that she has the right to tell them what they can react to. The use of the n-word in a context of a discussion of the word - not so bad. Her use? When this was not a discussion about that word, reprehensible.

August 19 2010 at 1:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gordy

I agree with Dr. Laura, and the whole issue is just stupid. I find using the term 'n word' to be pandering, condescending, and slightly arrogant towards African Americans. We all know what the word is. If it's not considered profanity, then use it. Rappers and comedians do, why not her? She was using it in a rational discussion which I found appropriate.

I'm tired of my race being singled out as a protected class. It diminishes all of our accomplishments, and perpetuates the myth that we are lesser than. ARGH!!!

August 19 2010 at 9:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to Gordy's comment
Atticus Draco

You think Obama has ever said the N WORD in the oval office?!
I do
I'm sure he has!
I'd bet ya on it!
"WHAT'S UP MY NWORD"
Yeah,, he has

'Coz he is so cool

August 19 2010 at 6:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Atticus Draco's comment
ColinInLA

That's quite an argument, Atticus. Apparently you have super powers. What other things do you imagine happening?

August 19 2010 at 11:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vivianprine

I think if Steven did ever steal jokes it would be done in the same satirical "King of All Media" manner and just be more funny. That and it could be considered an inside joke among the people who know about it or are familiar with the show
http://ezinearticles.com/?Acai-Advanced-Cleanse-Review&id=2866404

August 19 2010 at 5:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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