The Black Conversation Was Really About Something Much Bigger
May 10, 2016 5:39 PM Subscribe
Larry Wilmore's ending comment to the President of the United States at the White House Correspondents' Dinner has sparked a lot of conversation. Rembert Browne explores and explains some of the implications and reactions.
"In reality, he hit a nerve because he went against what we were taught, challenging the understood notions of both "know your place" and "don’t fuck this up for the rest of us." Because whenever you step outside of the boundaries of respectability, there’s a long-held sense that you put everyone else’s future on the line. It’s why the act of critiquing your black elders — this act right here — feels blasphemous. I’m supposed to be doing this very act in private, never public. Because, again, it goes against everything you’ve been taught — it’s not only disrespectful, it’s wrong."
"In reality, he hit a nerve because he went against what we were taught, challenging the understood notions of both "know your place" and "don’t fuck this up for the rest of us." Because whenever you step outside of the boundaries of respectability, there’s a long-held sense that you put everyone else’s future on the line. It’s why the act of critiquing your black elders — this act right here — feels blasphemous. I’m supposed to be doing this very act in private, never public. Because, again, it goes against everything you’ve been taught — it’s not only disrespectful, it’s wrong."
Rembert Browne has a very particular style that I always feel like I'm about to get tired of, but never quite do. And then he writes this piece, totally unlike that very particular style, and it's still just fucking great.
posted by Etrigan at 6:47 PM on May 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Etrigan at 6:47 PM on May 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
That article's exegesis on:
Hart: “Don’t be a negro, be my nigga,”
Malco: “I ain’t nobody’s nigga.”
Hart: “Well, I mean, you somebody’s nigga wearing this nigga tie.”
is brilliant.
posted by Sebmojo at 6:48 PM on May 10, 2016 [4 favorites]
Hart: “Don’t be a negro, be my nigga,”
Malco: “I ain’t nobody’s nigga.”
Hart: “Well, I mean, you somebody’s nigga wearing this nigga tie.”
is brilliant.
posted by Sebmojo at 6:48 PM on May 10, 2016 [4 favorites]
Wilmore was amazing. It's a shame his live audience didn't have the humility or the sensitivity to recognize it.
I really liked Jon Stewart's take on the whole thing in his appearance on David Axelrod's "Axe Files" podcast (Ep 49):
Larry Wilmore did the White House Correspondents' Dinner and everybody went nuts, "My God, he's done." With what? "He's finished." He's not running for anything. He's not finished. "He'll never get asked back." I don't think he gives a shit.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:11 PM on May 10, 2016 [14 favorites]
I really liked Jon Stewart's take on the whole thing in his appearance on David Axelrod's "Axe Files" podcast (Ep 49):
Larry Wilmore did the White House Correspondents' Dinner and everybody went nuts, "My God, he's done." With what? "He's finished." He's not running for anything. He's not finished. "He'll never get asked back." I don't think he gives a shit.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:11 PM on May 10, 2016 [14 favorites]
I thought it was just a verbal backflip joke dismount. He uses eloquent language to express his joy in Obama's achievement, then caps it off with un-eloquent language you wouldn't expect in the same context.
Kinda like saying, "I hereby commend you for an astonishing, breathtaking performance. Extraordinary to behold. Fucking eh, right on, dude."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:27 PM on May 10, 2016 [11 favorites]
Kinda like saying, "I hereby commend you for an astonishing, breathtaking performance. Extraordinary to behold. Fucking eh, right on, dude."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:27 PM on May 10, 2016 [11 favorites]
I don't think not giving a shit is necessarily a badge of honor. I'd also be surprised if the White House and/or Obama didn't know ahead of time how Wilmore was planning to end his speech. But on the off-chance they were as caught off-guard as everyone else, I saw it as more of a show of disrespect to the office than anything else. It set a bad precedent given the particular kinds of slurs that have been thrown at this President during his tenure--only not directly to his face on camera. (Except when certain self-important congressmen have gotten loud and mouthy during the SOTU address.) Ultimately I guess it's for Obama to decide whether it offended him but regardless, I'm of the opinion that what Wilmore did wasn't an envelope that needed to be pushed.
posted by fuse theorem at 10:48 PM on May 10, 2016
posted by fuse theorem at 10:48 PM on May 10, 2016
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the president did not express any issues with Larry Wilmore’s routine, adding that “he appreciated the spirit and the sentiments that Wilmore expressed.”
posted by gucci mane at 11:32 PM on May 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 11:32 PM on May 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
Wow, way to miss the point. It's not "not giving a shit," it's one black man acknowledging another with a level of openness, joy, and authenticity that (white) respectability deems inherently offensive.
The argument that Obama is the president and therefore never should be addressed in such a crass way is legitimate ... but can’t Obama be my president and my nigga?
I find joy in believing that he can, even while acknowledging why someone else who is black would think that he can’t. I also know that I shouldn’t think this, and even if I do, I certainly shouldn’t say it aloud. I know that, because I — like so many of my peers — was taught how to be black in front of black people, and black in front of white people. Part of that: letting your hair down and being your truest black self in black private, and presenting the most refined black version of yourself in front of white public. It’s less "never let them see you sweat," more "never let them see you be too black."
Emphasis mine.
posted by joedan at 11:41 PM on May 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
The argument that Obama is the president and therefore never should be addressed in such a crass way is legitimate ... but can’t Obama be my president and my nigga?
I find joy in believing that he can, even while acknowledging why someone else who is black would think that he can’t. I also know that I shouldn’t think this, and even if I do, I certainly shouldn’t say it aloud. I know that, because I — like so many of my peers — was taught how to be black in front of black people, and black in front of white people. Part of that: letting your hair down and being your truest black self in black private, and presenting the most refined black version of yourself in front of white public. It’s less "never let them see you sweat," more "never let them see you be too black."
Emphasis mine.
posted by joedan at 11:41 PM on May 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
Great essay.
posted by klangklangston at 12:04 AM on May 11, 2016
posted by klangklangston at 12:04 AM on May 11, 2016
Jonathan Capehart, a black journalist, of the Washington Post was not amused. His piece was headlined “Why Larry Wilmore Is Not My N - - - -” (the dashes spell out nigga).
Because I don't trust anyone to use quotation marks properly anymore, I had to Google the article in question to figure out whether or not the parenthetical was part of the article's actual title.
Sadly, it wasn't, but imagine what a great article it could have been.
In fact, "The Dashes Spell Out Nigga" is a hell of a title, right there.
posted by rokusan at 1:13 AM on May 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
Because I don't trust anyone to use quotation marks properly anymore, I had to Google the article in question to figure out whether or not the parenthetical was part of the article's actual title.
Sadly, it wasn't, but imagine what a great article it could have been.
In fact, "The Dashes Spell Out Nigga" is a hell of a title, right there.
posted by rokusan at 1:13 AM on May 11, 2016 [9 favorites]
Let's see which is more disrespectful of the office: Building a nation's economic and political ascension off of 400 years of slavery, exploitation and degradation of a single race of people, or reminding those in power of that history while triumphing in the fact that it didn't break you? HmmmmmmmmmmhmmHMMMMMMMM
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:48 AM on May 11, 2016 [15 favorites]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:48 AM on May 11, 2016 [15 favorites]
"He'll never get asked back." I don't think he gives a shit.
As a not-American my only experience of this event is when it's newsworthy - Colbert, Wilmore - so I was under the impression that if you get asked back, you did it wrong.
posted by Grangousier at 3:53 AM on May 11, 2016 [24 favorites]
As a not-American my only experience of this event is when it's newsworthy - Colbert, Wilmore - so I was under the impression that if you get asked back, you did it wrong.
posted by Grangousier at 3:53 AM on May 11, 2016 [24 favorites]
Even if I didn't understand it or like it (and I didn't watch Wilmore's piece yet but now I will) I completely respect the fact that it was two black men up there, speaking to each other. And I'm glad there was space for that.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 4:54 AM on May 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 4:54 AM on May 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
I thought the essay was excellent, and very informative.
As for Wilmore's actions, I have no qualms. Rooms full of "powerful" people and their bloated egos need to be made uncomfortable far more often than they are as a rule.
As a white Canadian dude, I don't have much else to say: this is something I get to see unfold, but my life experience has precious little value in the discussion.
posted by Dark Messiah at 6:52 AM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
As for Wilmore's actions, I have no qualms. Rooms full of "powerful" people and their bloated egos need to be made uncomfortable far more often than they are as a rule.
As a white Canadian dude, I don't have much else to say: this is something I get to see unfold, but my life experience has precious little value in the discussion.
posted by Dark Messiah at 6:52 AM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
One more (white person) who enjoyed reading TFA! I love that kind of thoughtful, self-questioning piece that doesn't just throw up its hands (the truth lies somewhere in between, or wherever, I don't care, I've hit the word limit) but comes down (joyfully!) in an actual position.
posted by languagehat at 7:50 AM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 7:50 AM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Just trying to calibrate my thinking on this general topic. Would it be equally as authentic if, when we have a White woman president, a White woman comic is hosting this event and drops the word "bitch" or "c*nt" on her?
Not trying to derail the thread. Suffice it to say that I still feel what Willmore did was way out-of-bounds and acknowledge that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions.
posted by fuse theorem at 8:46 AM on May 11, 2016
Not trying to derail the thread. Suffice it to say that I still feel what Willmore did was way out-of-bounds and acknowledge that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions.
posted by fuse theorem at 8:46 AM on May 11, 2016
I don't know, do white women call each other "bitch" and "cunt" playfully when men aren't watching? Is there a need to draw equivalence between them or are you perhaps seeing this from a sheltered, "must draw equivalence" perspective? TBH I could totally see Tina Fey or whoever saying "Hillary's my bitch!" in the right setting but certainly no, I don't think most white women playfully throw "cunt" around willy nilly, and I don't think "bitch" enjoys the same sort of friendly jovial usage as "nigga."
posted by aydeejones at 9:14 AM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by aydeejones at 9:14 AM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Just trying to calibrate my thinking on this general topic. Would it be equally as authentic if, when we have a White woman president, a White woman comic is hosting this event and drops the word "bitch" or "c*nt" on her?
I don't know, I think Hillary wouldn't mind if she got called a "bad ass bitch." I know I wouldn't mind if I were president, I get called that now with vastly less power.
posted by teleri025 at 9:15 AM on May 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I don't know, I think Hillary wouldn't mind if she got called a "bad ass bitch." I know I wouldn't mind if I were president, I get called that now with vastly less power.
posted by teleri025 at 9:15 AM on May 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I saw it as more of a show of disrespect to the office than anything else. It set a bad precedent given the particular kinds of slurs that have been thrown at this President during his tenure
You know that Wilmore is black, right?
Would it be equally as authentic if, when we have a White woman president, a White woman comic is hosting this event and drops the word "bitch" or "c*nt" on her?
Not an equivalent situation. Black men have been reclaiming a word historically used to denigrate them.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:22 AM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
You know that Wilmore is black, right?
Would it be equally as authentic if, when we have a White woman president, a White woman comic is hosting this event and drops the word "bitch" or "c*nt" on her?
Not an equivalent situation. Black men have been reclaiming a word historically used to denigrate them.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:22 AM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
TBH I could totally see Tina Fey or whoever saying "Hillary's my bitch!" in the right setting
She said it eight years ago in a similar setting.
posted by Etrigan at 9:31 AM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
She said it eight years ago in a similar setting.
posted by Etrigan at 9:31 AM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
I don't know, do white women call each other "bitch" and "cunt" playfully when men aren't watching?
Anecdotal, but yes, absolutely.
posted by thivaia at 9:38 AM on May 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
What if, like, Obama was a Martian and a fellow extraterrestrial said "gimme some dap, ET motherfucker."
posted by Dark Messiah at 9:43 AM on May 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Dark Messiah at 9:43 AM on May 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
Just trying to calibrate my thinking on this general topic. Would it be equally as authentic if, when we have a White woman president, a White woman comic is hosting this event and drops the word "bitch" or "c*nt" on her?
Not trying to derail the thread. Suffice it to say that I still feel what Willmore did was way out-of-bounds and acknowledge that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions.
I agree that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions. But, did you watch the tape, or are you reacting to a typed quote? I happen to have watched the whole tape yesterday or the day before. In context it is very clear that Wilmore is expressing feelings of admiration and affection.
posted by puddledork at 12:03 PM on May 11, 2016
Not trying to derail the thread. Suffice it to say that I still feel what Willmore did was way out-of-bounds and acknowledge that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions.
I agree that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions. But, did you watch the tape, or are you reacting to a typed quote? I happen to have watched the whole tape yesterday or the day before. In context it is very clear that Wilmore is expressing feelings of admiration and affection.
posted by puddledork at 12:03 PM on May 11, 2016
Let's not lose sight of what really matters here: the dashes actually spell out igga. Wake up sheeplez.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 12:06 PM on May 11, 2016
posted by Joseph Gurl at 12:06 PM on May 11, 2016
I don't know, do white women call each other "bitch" and "cunt" playfully when men aren't watching?
Anecdotal, but yes, absolutely.
Hell, sometimes when they ARE watching.
posted by MissySedai at 1:19 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Just trying to calibrate my thinking on this general topic. Would it be equally as authentic if, when we have a White woman president, a White woman comic is hosting this event and drops the word "bitch" or "c*nt" on her?
Not trying to derail the thread. Suffice it to say that I still feel what Willmore did was way out-of-bounds and acknowledge that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions.
I can jussssst about see 'bitch' being used in a jokey kind of way and landing, there's an example upthread.
'Cunt', no of course not. Even using the antipodean version (where it basically means 'guy', weirdly enough e.g. WILL YOUSE CUNTS GET YER ARSES INTO GEAR AND GET IN THE FUCKEN VAN) it would be entirely inappropriate.
posted by Sebmojo at 2:27 PM on May 11, 2016
Not trying to derail the thread. Suffice it to say that I still feel what Willmore did was way out-of-bounds and acknowledge that everyone is entitled to hold and express different opinions.
I can jussssst about see 'bitch' being used in a jokey kind of way and landing, there's an example upthread.
'Cunt', no of course not. Even using the antipodean version (where it basically means 'guy', weirdly enough e.g. WILL YOUSE CUNTS GET YER ARSES INTO GEAR AND GET IN THE FUCKEN VAN) it would be entirely inappropriate.
posted by Sebmojo at 2:27 PM on May 11, 2016
Words mean things and changing what words mean is an exercise in power, and power grows by being exercised.
posted by Sebmojo at 3:40 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Sebmojo at 3:40 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Nightly Show, May 2: Aftermath of Larry's White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech: Piers Morgan takes offense at Larry's colloquial use of the N-word to address President Obama at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
posted by homunculus at 4:22 PM on May 11, 2016
posted by homunculus at 4:22 PM on May 11, 2016
Unless you want to know what's on a dead girl's cellphone, why would anyone ask Piers Morgan anything - ever?
posted by Dark Messiah at 7:42 AM on May 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Dark Messiah at 7:42 AM on May 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
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I am as white as it is possible to be if it's relevant here to my reactions.
posted by an animate objects at 6:41 PM on May 10, 2016 [32 favorites]