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If you think racism is dead, you might be a racist.
More likely, you're someone who hasn't turned on the news in the last half-century. On a near-daily basis, cable news, talk radio stations, even your local news, can be found perpetuating the same casual racism you might encounter at local Klan gatherings.
Why?
Because the people who work at those networks are every bit as old and racially-unaware as the average country club member. You know, the semi-well-to-do people who think Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh are patriotic neo-revolutionaries. But they aren't. They're just assholes.
For those of you still doubting racial hatred persists in the post-Civil-Rights era, here's a compilation of the 25 overtly racist moments in recent news history. Now when you tell news-junkies to "turn off that crap," you have reasons beyond the standard "it's boring."
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Rush Limbaugh Knows Sports Too
When: September 2003
Network: ESPN
Analyst: Rush Limbaugh
Watch it here: Limbaugh calls McNabb overrated
In a curiously short stint with the worldwide leader in sports, noted windbag Rush Limbaugh made an ass of himself. The on-air pufferfish disparaged NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb in a diatribe laced with racist overtones. "Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go," Limbaugh said. "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well." Amid a storm of controversy, Limbaugh resigned from his post at ESPN in the fall of 2003. Everyone rejoiced.
Bill O'Reilly Hosts Cam'ron and Damon Dash, Havoc Ensues
When: November 2003
Network: Fox News
Anchor: Bill O'Reilly
Watch it here: O'Reilly hosts rapper, producer, principal
In 2003, renowned screamer Bill O'Reily hosted Cam'ron and Damon Dash on his show for something he paternalistically labeled an "intelligent discussion" on hip-hop. The conversation dealt with, you guessed it, rap's "harmful"' effects on the youth.
The two industry members faced off against Boondocks antagonist Salome Thomas-El while O'Reilly moderated, no doubt uncomfortable, surrounded by three black males. It didn't help that O'Reilly didn't have the decency to introduce Cam'ron as anything other than someone who "raps about pimping and bitches."
By the end of the segment, the venerated blowhard looked like a substitute teacher who'd lost control of his classroom. Trust us, Bill, no amount of "listen you guys"-es will help. "You mad?"
FNC Host to White People: Make More Babies
When: May 2006
Network: Fox News
Anchor: John Gibson
Watch it here: Fox host tells white viewers to make more babies
In a desperate call for the salvation of the white race, Fox News host John Gibson urged viewers in 2006 to fulfill their "duty" by making more babies. Why? Because he discovered a report stating nearly half of children under five in the United States were minorities—meaning twenty-five years from (then), the majority of the population would be Hispanic. Oh no! "But I don't even like soft tacos, and beans give me gas," Gibson said, probably. "To put it bluntly, we need more babies," Gibson said, actually. No word if anybody got to work at the command of the hideous-looking gargoyle shouting into their living room, but the assumption is: probably not.
Former LAPD Detective Discusses KFC, and Not in a Nice Way
When: November 2006
Network: FOX News
Analyst: Mark Fuhrman
Watch it here: Detective talks killing, KFC
Mark Fuhrman, a former Los Angeles Police Department detective convicted of perjury after denying that he'd ever used racial slurs, surprised nobody by claiming the following on a broadcast of Hannity & Colmes in November 2006. The types of people he dealt with for 20 years, he said, will "kill somebody and go have some chicken at KFC. You will catch them eating chicken and drinking a beer after they just murdered three people." Colmes later pointed out the racial overtones of Fuhrman's statements before characteristically backing down—probably as required by contractual terms with Fox.
"Barack the Magic Negro"
When: March 2007
Network: WABC Radio
Anchor: Rush Limbaugh
Watch it here: "Barack the Magic Negro" segment on Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh, everyone's favorite blubbering radio host, lives a life that seems to be a cruel joke. Limbaugh, syndicated talk radio's highest-paid host, has only seen his fortunes increase in recent years, after making infuriating quips like the following: "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?" (1990). "Ninety million Indians? Only four million left? They all have casinos—what's to complain about?" (2009).
In 2007, Limbaugh referred to then Senator Obama as the "magic negro" on his show. He later played a song entitled "Barack the Magic Negro" over the air, singing to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon."
Don Imus and the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team
When: April 2007
Network: Don Imus
Anchor: MSNBC radio
Watch it here: Imus calls Rutgers girls "nappy-headed hoes"
Remember when popular syndicated radio host Don Imus characterized members of the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hoes"? Of course you do. Imus's "colorful" description came right after the show's executive producer Bernard McGuirk called the girls—mostly black and some tattooed—"hard-core hoes." After much deliberation and protest from listeners and company higher-ups, the network fired Imus. Hard-core hosed.
Bill O'Reilly Surprised Black People Didn't Ruin His Dinner
When: September 2007
Network: Fox News
Anchor: Bill O'Reilly
Watch it here: O'Reilly on Sylvia's Restaurant
During a September 2007 episode of his syndicated talk radio program, Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly appeared to commend black people for being civil. Discussing a recent dinner outing at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem, O'Reilly noted that despite the restaurant's black ownership and primarily black clientele, he was treated with respect and "had a great time."
He later expanded on his comments with Fox News contributor Juan Williams, no stranger to racially-charged moments himself, adding, "There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea.'" Why are you so surprised?
Sheriff Joe Arpaio Honored to Be Compared to KKK
When: November 2007
Network: CNN
Analyst: Joe Arpaio
Watch it here: Sheriff calls KKK comparison an honor
The man called "America's Toughest Sheriff" used a little ironic racism to shake off claims that he was a bigot in 2007. Only problem: The irony doesn't scan when you're actually racist. In a CNN appearance with fellow xenophobe Lou Dobbs, Arpaio joked, "Well you know, they call you KKK. They did me. I think it's an honor. It means we're doing something." Of course, when you consider the sheriff's history of racial profiling and an interview in which he referred to undocumented immigrants as "all dirty," it's easy to see why the sarcasm didn't shine through.
Homicide Detective Pinches Eyelids, Nation Cringes
When: November 2007
Network: Fox News
Analyst: Rod Wheeler
Watch it here: Detective demonstrates "eyes like this"
While attempting to defend the vague, race-based suspect descriptions provided by police departments on a Hannity & Colmes appearance a few years ago, former homicide detective Rod Wheeler did more harm than good. Wheeler crossed a few lines when he depicted the criminal in question, a "Hispanic," as "not a black male, not a Chinese male with his eyes like this," before pulling the skin of his eyes toward his eyebrows. Not the only eyebrows raised during the exchange.
Golf Anchor Jokes About Lynching Tiger Woods
When: January 2008
Network: Golf Channel
Anchor: Kelly Tilghman
Watch if here: Anchor jokes about lynching Tiger Woods
A Golf Channel anchor was suspended for two weeks in early 2008 after commenting that any young challenger seeking to take on Tiger Woods would be best to "lynch him in a back alley." Seeing how company officials said Kelly Tilghman's statement was made in jest, the accepted course of action was apparently to admonish the anchor for blatant stupidity. Perhaps there was a better choice of words...or, like, a metaphor for the situation that didn't involve killing the most powerful athlete in the world in a way popularized by racist mobs.
Lou Dobbs' Freudian Slip
When: April 2008
Network: CNN
Analyst: Lou Dobbs
Watch it here: Dobbs almost calls Condi a "cotton-picker"
If Lou Dobbs isn't a proud reactionary, he's at least the most racially-unaware commentator of all time. In an apparent Freudian slip, the former CNN host countered Condoleeza Rice's claim that racism still existed in America by, well, illustrating her point exactly.
"Not a single one of these cotton...[stammering]...these just ridiculous politicians should be the moderator on the issue of race," he said, unaware he was part of the problem.
"Terrorist Fist Jab"?
When: June 2008
Anchor: E.D. Hill
Network: Fox News
Watch it here: Fist bump called "terrorist fist jab"
In something of a fatal gaffe, Fox News anchor E.D. Hill lost her show a week after suggesting that an innocuous fist-bump regularly performed by Barack and Michelle Obama on the campaign trail might constitute a "terrorist fist jab." Upon hearing the news of Hill's firing, thousands undoubtedly engaged in celebratory fist jabs as well. This prompted a national security crisis of the yellow variety, which meant people should basically freak out, but quietly, without waking the neighbors.
Obama's Baby-What?
When: June 2008
Network: Fox News
Anchor: Megyn Kelly
Watch if here: First Lady described as "baby mama"
An on-screen graphic displayed on a June 2008 Fox News broadcast referred to the now-first lady as "Obama's Baby Mama." Ignoring the channel's obvious misapplication of the term, the fact that the network resorted to using it in the first place is outrageous. If the classification doesn't strike you as offensive, or racially-charged, or outright despicable, consider whether Fox would depict the wife of another candidate in similar light.
Pat Buchanan Weighs in on Sonia Sotomayor
When: June 2009
Network: MSNBC
Analyst: Pat Buchanan
Watch it here: Buchanan calls Sotomayor affirmative-action candidate
When President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor to to the United States Supreme Court, normally irrelevant political commentator Pat Buchanan unleashed a series of criticisms on her credentials and, more specifically, her race. Buchanan sought to downplay Sotomayor's achievements on the basis of skin color—calling the then nominee an "affirmative-action pick," before launching a flurry of racially-charged attacks at non-whites in general.
"This has been a country built basically by white folks," he said, before going on to claim that the nation's highest court needed more white representation. At the time Buchanan made his claim, 108 of 110 supreme court justices in history had been white.
"Fox and Friends" Host Decries America's "Impure" Marital Practices
When: July 2009
Network: Fox News
Anchor: Brian Kilmeade
Watch it here: Kilmeade on "other species and ethnics"
"We keep marrying other species and other ethnics," Brian Kilmeade said, on an episode of Fox and Friends. During a July 2009 episode of the recurring train-wreck, the co-host compared Finland and Sweden's "pure" societies—untainted by miscegenation's ill effects—to our frothy residual mixture of a population, where "we marry everyone."
Glenn Beck Calls President Obama Racist
When: July 2009
Network: Fox News
Anchor: Glenn Beck
Watch it here: Beck calls Obama racist
In a self-referential gaffe, Fox News commentator Glenn Beck branded President Obama a racist during a July 2009 broadcast of the channel's brain-frying variety hour, Fox and Friends.
Speaking about the President Obama's reaction to the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. in Cambridge, MA, Beck suggested the president had a "deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture." The claim was apparently insane enough to prompt a response from apparent eugenicist Brian Kilmeade, who responded by pointing out that Obama's then-top advisors—Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and spokesman Robert Gibbs—were white. Not to mention, you know, the woman who carried him in her womb.
Pat Robertson Blames Haitians for Earthquake
When: January 2010
Network: Christian Broadcasting Network
Anchor: Pat Robertson
Watch it here: Robertson blames Haitians for earthquake
If you're a devoted follower of Satan, you probably find yourself watching The 700 Club every now and then. Not because Pat Robertson is helping you find the light, but rather, because his beliefs are an express ticket to hell. After a devastating earthquake shook Haiti in January 2010, killing as many as 300,000, Robertson took to the airwaves to admonish the victims themselves, for a phony curse they couldn't possibly have brought on themselves. "They got together and swore a pact to the devil," Robertson said, shoulders tensed, head hanging forward, and with blood dripping from his teeth. (Almost.)
CNN Plays Coolio Song After Segement on Black 103-Year-Old Driver
When: May 2010
Network: CNN
Anchor: Kyra Phillips
Watch it here: CNN plays Coolio song with n-word
After airing a segment about a 103-year-old Pennsylvania woman who, at the time, was still driving, CNN decided to follow the centenarian as she got into her two-tone Coupe de Ville. For reasons unknown to everyone, the music they chose to accompany the clip was Coolio's "Fantastic Voyage." Now, it's unclear whether the woman's skin or the fact that she was driving a Coupe de Ville are to blame for the musical sampling.
Bill O'Reilly Tells Guest He Looks Like a Cocaine Dealer
When: May 2010
Network: Fox News
Anchor: Bill O'Reilly
Watch it here: O'Reilly tells guest he looks like a cocaine dealer
In the spring of 2010, Bill O'Reilly made the awkward, unfortunate mistake of telling a Columbia Ph.D he looked like someone who sold drugs. That person happened to be black. "Say you're a cocaine dealer—and you kind of look like one a little bit," O'Reilly said to a clean-shaved black man in a pinstripe suit. Marc Lamont Hill replied in somewhat bruising fashion, "As do you...you know, you actually look like a cocaine user." Nice job.
Juan Williams Is Scared of People in "Muslim" Dress on Airplanes
When: October 2010
Network: Fox News
Analyst: Juan Williams
Watch it here: Juan Williams describes fear of Muslims on airplanes
On an episode of The O'Reilly Factor, news analyst Juan Williams evoked the mindset of a reactionary yokel, describing his wariness at the prospect of getting onto an airplane with a Muslim.
"If I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they're identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried, I get nervous," Williams said. To the surprise of no one, Fox News went on to expand Williams's role within the network, even cutting him a new deal worth $2 million to reward his abject racism.
Pat Robertson: Dump Your Muslim Girlfriend
When: July 2012
Network: Christian Broadcasting Network
Anchor: Pat Robertson
Watch it here: Robertson tells guest to dump Muslim girlfriend
When a "700 Club" viewer asked part-time televangelist Pat Robertson if he should marry his Muslim girlfriend, the full-time leprechaun responded "no way." "She wants to do her Muslim thing and you want to do your Christian thing," said the man who blamed a catastrophic earthquake on its victims, in a July episode. "Walk away."
Walk away? You don't have to tell us twice. Not from our girlfriends, though. From you. We'll go on doing our Christian thing, or our Muslim thing, or our Satan-will-rise thing. And you, Pat—you go on doing Jerry Springer's job for him: destroying relationships on TV.
Pat Buchanan calls Obama "Drug Dealer of Welfare"
When: September 2012
Network: Fox News
Analyst: Pat Buchanan
Watch it here: Buchanan calls president "drug dealer of welfare"
Pat Buchanan, a man who's pretty much everything wrong with the GOP lumped into one person, referred to President Obama as the "drug dealer of welfare" in a September interview with Fox News's Greta Van Susteren. The failed pundit/presidential candidate's argument wasn't so much racist—though it was definitely racist—as it was illogical. A drug dealer who believes in redistribution? FOH, pay up.
Pat Robertson Tells Man to Move to Saudi Arabia so He Can Beat His Wife
When: September 2012
Anchor: Pat Robertson
Network: Christian Broadcasting Network
Watch it here: Robertson to man: "Move to Saudi Arabia"
Robertson's inhuman depravity struck again this September, when he told a misogynist with an "unsubmissive" wife that, "Well you could become a Muslim and you could beat her." In a decidedly awkward response, co-host Terry Meeuwsen tried to act as a buffer, telling the husband-master, "Not physically, of course."
Right, because what ol' Pat really meant was to beat her upside the...emotions. Deciding that the situation was hopeless, Robertson went on to say, "You can't divorce her according to the Scripture, so I say: move to Saudi Arabia."
Romney Chair Says Colin Powell Endorsed Obama Because He's Black
When: October 2012
Network: CNN
Analyst: John Sununu
Video: Romney chair says Powell endorsed Obama because he's black
A few months ago, the campaign chair of a long-since forgotten presidential candidate suggested former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell only endorsed the president for re-election because, well, both men are black. Which raises questions as to why Powell didn't simultaneously endorse Herman Cain, or Jimmy McMillan—or Richard Roundtree.
Bill Cunningham and "Barack Hussein Obama"
When: November 2012
Network: WLW Radio
Anchor: Bill Cunningham
Watch it here: Cunningham on "Barack Hussein Obama"
Bill Cunningham, a radio host popular in Cincinnati and nowhere else, only refers to the president using his full name "Barack Hussein Obama." As anybody with a cursory understanding of today's political climate can surmise, it's not so much a show of respect as it is an attempt to fuel racist and Islamophobic attitudes. On a broadcast following the president's re-election, Cunningham could be observed openly grieving for the nation—or maybe his talk show's relevance. And then, in a bizarro turn of events, Cunningham asked, "Should I take my staff, crash in my skull and kill myself?" Whoa, whoa, do you really want us to answer that? We wouldn't go that far, but the plus side here is that Cunningham pledged to quit talk radio if Obama won re-election. We're waiting.