Posted on 07/23/2004 5:53:33 PM PDT by SunnySide
Katie Couric asked Denzel Washington if he likes to keep his politics private, He said he's not one of those people. He does speak his mind.
Couric asked Denzel, Did you see Moores movie 9-11?
Denzel, "I didn't see it, I live in America, I grew up here, I'm an ex-slave"
Whaaaaa?! Really?! Denzel, do you even know what a slave is? Have you ever worked on a plantation, prepared meals for an entire household? Driven Miss Daisy? Ugh another dillentante entertainer posturing as a martyr to the masses who puts his silver foot in his obnoxioulsy opinionated mouth. He wouldn't even allow Meryl Streep to get her opinion in edge wise.
Mr.Denzel, YOU are nothing but an obnoxiously opinionated MALE CHAUVINISTIC PIG. How many women have you punked on the sly behind your wifes back? About the closet you probably ever came to being a slave was being asked to take out the kitchen trash by your own mother and I'm certain you did that with bitter contempt too. Lose the huge chip on your shoulder Denzel. Nobody likes a wealthy pouter. And YOU are a Hollywood person wether YOU like it or not. Yes YOU too are subject to labels. Slave my hiney. Indeed, your remark is a disgrace to every slave in the history of the world. Slaves still exist today in Africa held captive by other Africans. Get over yourself Denzel.
The fun part would be to do a geniological study to see if he really is a decendant of a slave.
Nah, the fun part would be to do a geniological study to see if he really is a decendant of a slave trader or holder.
|: Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin' for to carry me home! :|.....
"He wouldn't even allow Meryl Streep to get her opinion in edge wise."
This is probably not a bad thing in and of itself.
On the other hand, he did challenge Streep on her ridiculous JESUS/BUSH campaign comments regarding the Bible....saying "turn the other cheek isn't all it said". Also he was defensive about being lumped in with Hollywood people, and seemed upset the Troops weren't getting more of a welcome. Maybe I have missed comments he has made in the past, but it seemed to me he was actually trying to say he didn't agree with the Hollywood/Streep nutjobs without actually saying it (after all it DOES kill careers). Maybe Denzel is the biggest Lib ever, but the part I saw, something was a bit different there.
"Denzel, "I didn't see it, I live in America, I grew up here, I'm an ex-slave"
We can pitch in and buy him a ticket to The Sudan,where his former occupation is still being practised.
I do not want to dilute your point, but I think that you should choose better examples.
Working on a plantation (or farm) does not equal slavery. Preparing meals for an entire household is not slavery, and being a driver for someone does not mean slavery.
I can think of people I know today who do each of those things, who are happy people who are not slaves at all.
Think about it.
I'm an ex-slave.
According to his logic, I’m a former slave owner.
Maybe I can still legally whip his ass.
Oh Geez would that be amazing
"Denzel, "I didn't see it, I live in America, I grew up here, I'm an ex-slave"
He's doing pretty good for an ex-slave.
If he REALLY wants to see slavery, maybe he should visit the Sudan.
But then Washington and Meryl Streep are just a couple of overpaid prostitutes wtih an identity crisis and no brains.
Wouldn't it be a damned hoot?
I agree with you that Denzel Washington may not have meant what freepers have interpreted. I think the "ex-slave" remark may be a dig at Michael Moore along the lines of, "I could claim more right than you to play the victim, but I have more class than to cop-op the suffering of my ancestors for some attention." And thumbs up for his challenging Streep vis-a-vis her commentsd about the Bible.
(And let's not ignore the fact, freepers, that Denzel has chosen not see Ferenheit 9/11! He deserves points for that alone.)
I'm an ex-slave too.....Why not? I can paddle the boat too ya know.
I always thought Denzel Washington had a more balanced perspective than some of the Hollywood haters.
Denzel, "I didn't see it, I live in America, I grew up here, I'm an ex-slave"
What a great answer...I understand it completely...Let me rephrase it for y'all..."I'm Denzeel America and was a stuned beeber in Washington, you slave ex-er I didn't see in Tijunna..."
FMCDH(BITS)
Aw man! Please tell me that Denzel didn't drink the koolaid too he's made some great films....
Perhaps he meant that he was freed from the liberal left wing welfare plantation. And he is no longer a slave of those ideas anymore ? Just a thought.
This guy must be about 150 years old - sure looks young for his age.
I guess that would make me a ex-indentured servant.
Geneology is irrelevant. If he believes he is an ex-slave, then he is. With certain mentalities (and hollywood is a moron magnet) their perception is reality.
Exactly what I was thinking. I think people should SEE his reactions and the WAY he was talking...I thought he was about to get legit ticked off at Streep...and he was getting all over Katie C at one point too. He said "I don't need to see it" with sort of a "Why would I want to see that pile of crap" sneer...then, as you say, sort of laying claim to "hey, I know more about it than M.M'
Also he actually told Streep maybe Jesus meant US since WE (the actors) are so RICH.
Remember, talking against the party line can get you kicked out of the game. I think Will Smith is a closet Republican (or at least is sane), but what kind of fire would come down if they actually SAID it? I'm not familar with Denzel's public comments though.
"I can think of people I know today who do each of those things, who are happy people who are not slaves at all.
Think about it."
I'm sure you are correct BUT he needed to be MORE SPECIFIC when he said that "he is an ex-slave". An ex-slave of whom or what?
And his whole demeanor with Streep was extremely condescending, rather male chaunistic. If he doesn't like or believe what anothers opinion is fine but wisdom allows another view point to at least be "heard". Denzel does not give the respect he so demands for himself = bitter arrogance.
Denzel, you like the rest of us humans were born with 2 eyes and 2 ears and ONLY 1 mouth. Here's your clue, that means you(we) were intended to see and "listen" twice as much as you(we) speak.
You guys might be overreacting. I can't claim to actually understand that sentence, but 1) he didn't see the "movie" and 2) he challenged Streep, so who knows.
On the other hand, he's in the Manchurian candidate which apparently is a huge dig against republicans.
Here in Atlanta PBS is playing the original "Manchurian Candidate" with Frank Sinatra and Angela Landsbury.
I guess PBS didn't get the memo. It's a Bush Bashing movie all previous copies need to be bergered.
Uh, Meryl Streep had PLENTY of time to shill her ridiculous viewpoint, and Denzel disagreed...I don't see the problem with that. Her points were stupid and ludicrous..she DESERVED to be condescended to.
ok... what does
FMCDH(BITS)
mean????
thanking you in advance :)
One can hope!
I read his comment as meaning that he not only hasn't seen the movie, but he didn't plan to see it, because he's an American. The part about being an ex-slave was possibly to underscore the many generations of his ancestors who have lived in America. In other words, he was saying his roots are in America, and they are deep. The fact that he later disagreed with Strep and also distanced himself from Hollywood, makes me think this interpretation is correct.
Good points. This is one interview where one should really be able to see the WAY he said things..it will look a lot different in print.
You guys might be overreacting. I can't claim to actually understand that sentence, but 1) he didn't see the "movie" and 2) he challenged Streep, so who knows.
On the other hand, he's in the Manchurian candidate which apparently is a huge dig against republicans.
I hope you're right cause when you are being publicly interviewed like Denzel was ones meaning can be totally misunderstood, misrepresented by the wrong body language and short quotes said out of context. He just seemed too glib without enough definition. Maybe he felt he couldn't resond what he really felt due to the pressures of the Hollywood lefties black balling republicans. (shrug) who knows. But I've seen Denzel in many other interviews over the course of his career and his smug condescending 'tude especially towards women is dismal. It's as if he can't be bothered with (in his view) silly women who belong back in the kitchen(that other slavery acceptable to men of all races).
I lean toward your view of what he said. He has opted out of seeing the film. He made the point that he is an American, and his remark about being an "ex-slave" may have meant to say that he as descendent of slaves has done well in America.
He has distanced himselves from the other Hollywood types, and he took that opportunity to avoid criticizing America and the war. Obviously he hasn't been forthrightly for the war, he hasn't come out as a Republican and probably never will. But he is one of the few, now, to have avoided insulting the president, and he had the perfect opportunity had he wanted to. He didn't.
If Denzel can shut Streep's mouth then he's okay in my book!
From nothingnew profile
I have updated my FMCDH sign-off with the addition of (BITS).....Blood In The Streets, which I foresee coming soon, due to the enormous increase of the communist progressive movement being shoved down the throat of this failing REPUBLIC through the Judicial tyranny of fiat law, and the passing of unconstitutional laws by the Legislative and Executive branches of our government.
FMCDH(BITS)
Sorry Denzel but you're not an exslave!
You are a slave of the liberal elite who have even you, the most acclaimed black actor of your generation, mouthing the pseudo status of victimhood.
Denzel, you should be ashamed of your self.
But you can only feel shame if you have a conscience.
Or some of us ex-serfs. Still --- since he didn't see 9-11 --- I wonder what he meant by saying he is an ex-slave.
Damn you put a good scald on that chicken...now fetch me a beer honeybuns.
FMCDH(BITS)
I've often wondered why Blacks did not take the PR stance that said, 'if anyone has truly earned the title of American Citizen, it is us.' They were as instrumental in the development of infant America as any group of people could ever hope to be.
Sometimes I think that the same PR propensities presently driving the NAACP are identical to those of the PLO. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Well, thank God! She's twice the blowhard he is.
One word and one question for Ms. Streep.
The word: ALAR
The question: "How many apple producers did you destroy"?
"Uh, Meryl Streep had PLENTY of time to shill her ridiculous viewpoint, and Denzel disagreed"
Uh Uh Uh
NO, Denzel kept talking over Streep and Couric everytime he didn't want to "hear" their words. That's disrepect and worse it's male chauvinistic disrespect TALKING LOUDLY OVER ANOTHERS attempt to respond. It's rude to cut some one off when they've allowed you to have your say in matters.
There's a slave ancestor in everyone's past if you go back far enough, I'm sure.
The first black people on these shores arrived as slaves, in Virginia, within a decade or so of the Jamestown settlement. I haven't heard of any blacks arriving here from Africa as free men, pre-Civil War, so unless his grandparents came through Ellis Island or something, he is the descendant of slaves.
But to what Denzel said--no, HE's not an ex-slave, he's a descendant of slaves. But being a descendant of slaves is absolutely nothing on the "I have suffered" scale compared to an actual slave.
Anyhow, I don't know what he meant or was trying to say, since I didn't see the clip, but I haven't seen him around making an ass out of himself like many other Hollywood types. He's an extremely talented actor, and it may be he wants to keep his true political views to himself--which is fine by me. Would that everybody in Hollywood would do the same.
"Damn you put a good scald on that chicken...now fetch me a beer honeybuns."
LOL
Get it yourself, you pot bellied stud. :P~
Yes, he is being bogus here. BUT, you are also being bogus and insulting with your rant! Think of all the families in the country where the division of labor has one partner doing the cooking. She (or he) is "cooking for the entire household" yet to call that role a slave is ludicrous.
Earning your keep by providing driving service is not slavery. Did you even see "Driving Miss Daisy"? Morgan Freeman wasn't a slave, dude. Daisy was a bitchy old lady in the beginning, but Freeman weren't no slave.
Yes, he is being bogus here. BUT, you are also being bogus and insulting with your rant! Think of all the families in the country where the division of labor has one partner doing the cooking. She (or he) is "cooking for the entire household" yet to call that role a slave is ludicrous.
Earning your keep by providing driving service is not slavery. Did you even see "Driving Miss Daisy"? Morgan Freeman wasn't a slave, dude. Daisy was a bitchy old lady in the beginning, but Freeman weren't no slave.
Oh geez put a cork in it troll. You're babbling. And I saw the Miss Daisy movie. I know YOU didn't see the Couric / Denzel interview. Fool, now go rush someone else child.
The director (Demme?) got on his rant about cooperate greed and profiting from the war blah blah... hmm...seems to me good ole Michael Moore has made more money than anyone exploiting the war!!! But of course that thought doesn't occur to these nut jobs.
I'll wait to see the whole interview in context before I jump to any conclusions.
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