I’m no fan of radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who
bills herself as a tough-love life counselor. I find her unnecessarily
combative and close-minded. But I don’t think she should have called it
quits — or have been pushed out.
Last week, the good doctor used the N-word 11 times in an exchange with a caller. In response to complaints — and likely management and advertiser concerns — she has said that she’ll stop her radio show at the end of the year.
Dr. Laura did not use the N-word to describe a particular person or as a smear against African- Americans. She used the word matter-of-factly in describing — accurately, by the way — how often the word is used by African-American comedians. “Turn on HBO, listen to a black comic, and all you hear is (the N-word),” she said, adding, “I don’t get it. If anybody without enough melanin says it, it’s a horrible thing; but when black people say it, it’s affectionate. It’s very confusing.”
Last week, the good doctor used the N-word 11 times in an exchange with a caller. In response to complaints — and likely management and advertiser concerns — she has said that she’ll stop her radio show at the end of the year.
Dr. Laura did not use the N-word to describe a particular person or as a smear against African- Americans. She used the word matter-of-factly in describing — accurately, by the way — how often the word is used by African-American comedians. “Turn on HBO, listen to a black comic, and all you hear is (the N-word),” she said, adding, “I don’t get it. If anybody without enough melanin says it, it’s a horrible thing; but when black people say it, it’s affectionate. It’s very confusing.”
Dr. Laura apologized, but apparently the damage was too great.
Were her comments provocative? Absolutely. Did she deal indelicately with an exquisitely delicate subject? Yes, again. But were her comments racist? I don’t think so.
Were her comments provocative? Absolutely. Did she deal indelicately with an exquisitely delicate subject? Yes, again. But were her comments racist? I don’t think so.