Posted on 11/19/2004 8:00:05 AM PST by lindor
An unrepentant Sly explained why he called the nominee to be secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, an "Aunt Jemima" and outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell an "Uncle Tom" on the radio Wednesday.
Sly, the on-air name for John Sylvester, told WTDY-AM (1670) morning show listeners that Rice, who is black, bought her way into the White House with obedience to President Bush.
"I'm not apologizing for what I said," Sylvester said Thursday in an interview. "I stand by it.
"I was aiming that directly at a black person that is letting himself (and herself) be used by an administration that has been extremely hostile to minorities," he said.
"Being subservient and being a black role model are two different things. I think (Rice) has not only been bad for the country and for national security, but I think she's been a bad black role model.
"I don't think being subservient to white people and not blowing the whistle on their misdoings is a good role model at all."
Sylvester said his comments were not a ratings ploy. "People know who I am. I don't need to get attention."
Response was negative, from Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold to Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and the Urban League of Greater Madison. Sylvester has been intensely supportive of Feingold and Wisconsin Democrats in general.
The comments came in the wake of conservative Milwaukee talker Mark Belling's five- day suspension from WISN-AM (1130) for using the word "wetback," a derogatory term for illegal Mexican immigrants, on his Oct. 27 show.
"While it is not my intention to comment on every extremely inappropriate remark made in our society," Feingold said in a statement today, "given the proximity to the unfortunate comments made by another member of the media, I feel it is necessary to completely reject and repudiate these recent comments."
Cieslewicz said he didn't hear the broadcast but understood that Sylvester's comment were racially insensitive. "Our society is not well served by a coarsening of political discussion," the mayor said, "and comments with negative racial overtones are even more troubling."
The Urban League said it was deeply disturbed. "Such slurs based on racial and ethnic stereotypes have no place in the 21st century," said its statement. "We call upon WTDY and John Sylvester to apologize for using the basest form of racial derision to highlight a political viewpoint."
Sylvester, who is also program director, said he would not take himself off the air nor would station owners, the Mid- West Family Broadcast Group. General Manager Tom Walker did not return phone calls Thursday.
Sylvester said the issue was being stirred by Milwaukee talk show host Charlie Sykes. "I didn't think anything about it," he said. "I think I've even said it before. Anybody who knows me knows I'm not a racist."
"I did call her the Aunt Jemima of the administration because I think not only have they used her race as a trophy, but I think her price of admission to the White House has been complete obedience to the white power structure in the White House," Sylvester said. "(And) I called (Powell) Uncle Tom. Frankly I think they bought his silence."
"I was aiming that directly at a black person that is letting himself (and herself) be used by an administration that has been extremely hostile to minorities,"
Is there any way we can ask for proof of this "hostility"?
An illustration in America's Double Standards.
Anybody who knows me knows I'm not a racist.<<
Mighty white of you.
Sarcasm off//
DK
So it's OK to be a racially derogatory if the target of derision disagrees with you politically.
The left just keeps on digging.
Double standard alert-more hate and bigotry from the nonjudgmental, inclusive, diverse and tolerant Left.
I spoke with Midwest Family Broadcast owner Tom Walker this morning. He was unapologetic, said they had listener support in Sly's area, and was not concerned that the FCC was hearing complaints on Sly's statements.
Unbelievable. How do these stations keep their licenses when they do not give a rip what their program directors do or say?
His kind of talk has no place in civilized discourse.
Easy call: Fire him.
If you tell a lie long enough, people will eventually believe it... Keep it up Sly, you've got a longgggggggggg way to go! Do you really think African Americans are that stupid.
RACISM ON THE AIR!
LET ME AT HIM! Tell me how to email the station manager. Who is this guy to belittle a highly educated adult woman by comparing her to the fat lady on the syrup bottle?! WHO IS THIS GUY???? Did he compare idiot Madeline Albright to Aunt Jemima? Or does he only reserve demeaning comments for African-Americans?!
sly sounds like a frickin babbling racist. he is obviously jealous over the success enjoyed by Ms. Rice and Mr. Powell.
Well, duh. you don't get to work for the President without agreeing to abide by his decisions. Being disobedient is not a good career move in that situation.
I don't get it. The only racists, it seems, are on the left. Aren't they the folks who are so compassionate about the plight of minorities? The left is the only faction holding back minorities from succeeding. Success by any minority is deemed traitorous to the cause.
Oh wait, she is not a dumb-o-crat, that's the answer.
Sounds like a they need a little motivation from their advertisers. Enough people call the local and national advertisers and General Manager Tom Walker will be more than happy to yank this moron off the air.
and Yankees would have us believe that all the racists are down South...
and folks in Wisconsin allow this POS to remain on the air for years?
where's the outrage in WI?
I wonder how FCC Chairman Michael Powell feels about this clown calling his father an "uncle tom?"...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.