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Sly defends 'Aunt Jemima' comment (Update)
Wisconsin State Journal ^ | 11-19-2004 | Patricia Simms

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."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: auntjemima; boycottwtdyam1670
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To: kellynla

OK!! I've contacted every one on that list!!
I am hoping others will too


61 posted on 11/19/2004 8:58:00 AM PST by DrkEyez
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To: lindor
Its OK for demoRats to be racist.

Could you imagine the firestorm from the MSM if a conservative uttered a racial slur like that??

62 posted on 11/19/2004 9:01:16 AM PST by Walkin Man
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To: smag499

Unbelievable. How do these stations keep their licenses when they do not give a rip what their program directors do or say?



Can you say Dan Blather???


63 posted on 11/19/2004 9:01:30 AM PST by danamco
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To: DrkEyez
Good work!
now let's see how many WI FReepers follow your lead.

what kind of response did you get from the sponsors???
64 posted on 11/19/2004 9:01:57 AM PST by kellynla (U.S.M.C. 1st Battalion,5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Div. Viet Nam 69&70 Semper Fi)
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To: lindor
"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,"

Bush has:

1) appointed more African Americans to high-profile posts

2) committed more funds to fight AIDS in Africa

3) championed minority homeownership (which is the highest of all time)

4) supported more trade and aid for African and Caribbean nations than any other administration.

5) done more for the African-American community through his education policies alone than any previous president, including Clinton.

6) lowered taxes for the poorest taxpayers by 33 %.

7) supported faith based programs which help black communities.

And this is hostile? Give me a break!

65 posted on 11/19/2004 9:02:09 AM PST by ravingnutter
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To: kellynla
Who says the KKK is dead. It certainly appears to be alive and well in Wisconsin!

Little known fact: in the 1920s, the KKK was the most powerful political force in the Midwest, particularly in Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. It had more political control there than it ever had in the South.

Worst racist I ever met was a Vermonter. Also, Simon Legree (of Uncle Tom's Cabin fame) was a Vermonter.

66 posted on 11/19/2004 9:02:11 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: DrkEyez

I asked Vermont Teddy Bear to come out on their website and speak AGAINST these racist statments they are supporting ...

we'll see:

Greetings,

The Bear Crew has received your e-mail and is looking into your request. We do our best to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible.

Thank you for Bearing with us.

Fuzzy Regards,
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Customer Service Department
1-800-988-8277


67 posted on 11/19/2004 9:02:28 AM PST by DrkEyez
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To: lindor

Hey Mr. Sylvester, dare to compare resumes with Dr. Rice? I guess not, since that would make you look even more foolish than you already have.


68 posted on 11/19/2004 9:03:55 AM PST by savedbygrace ("No Monday morning quarterback has never led a team to victory" GW Bush)
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To: kellynla

not one word 'YET' except an auto confirm from Vermont Teddy... I didnt see their 1800 number until I got this email....but I did email them at the customer service:
Greetings,

The Bear Crew has received your e-mail and is looking into your request. We do our best to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible.

Thank you for Bearing with us.

Fuzzy Regards,
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Customer Service Department
1-800-988-8277


69 posted on 11/19/2004 9:03:57 AM PST by DrkEyez
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To: kellynla

I meant to mention... 2 of those companies are country wide so everyone should email them.....the others dont know we are not in Vermont, so everyone should email them also if you ask me.....
imo


70 posted on 11/19/2004 9:06:34 AM PST by DrkEyez
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To: Izzy Dunne

Truman fired McArthur for having a "diverse" viewpoint.

Guess there are two sets of rules.


71 posted on 11/19/2004 9:11:45 AM PST by BenLurkin (Big government is still a big problem.)
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To: lindor
If this was a conservative radio show the media would be calling for his head.We should all put as much pressure as possible on the station to fire this pompous ass.He doesn't think a highly educated black woman who is the most powerful woman in the world is a good role model for blacks because he knows education will destroy his liberal agenda.He wants black role models to remain the stupid thug rapper or criminal race hustler.
72 posted on 11/19/2004 9:21:49 AM PST by rdcorso (Did I mention I was in Vietnam where I lost my backbone? Spineless John)
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To: lindor

this bozo has been a pain in madison for almost the entire time he's been on the air as a talk show person. at first, he was a conservative, but then he succumbed to the pressure of being 'cool' or 'chic' to the college crowd here.


73 posted on 11/19/2004 9:22:14 AM PST by NoClones
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To: lindor
One white dude's take on Aunt Jemima: She is a God fearing, homemaking mom who makes pancakes for her husband and kids before church on Sunday. She holds the kids to a high standard; the homework gets done, their language is civil and they're not allowed to "hang out" with trash. She raises her boys to respect women and her girls to respect themselves.

She finished high school, went to work until she married and had children, and is now running a small on-line business at home now that the kids are older.

In other words, she is the kind of bedrock upon which any community would grow and thrive. Would that there were more like her!

There probably are lots more, but good folks just aren't news.

74 posted on 11/19/2004 9:25:43 AM PST by JimRed (Investigate, overturn and prosecute vote fraud; turn more counties red!)
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To: DrkEyez

any response from the "local" sponsors???


75 posted on 11/19/2004 9:27:04 AM PST by kellynla (U.S.M.C. 1st Battalion,5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Div. Viet Nam 69&70 Semper Fi)
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To: kellynla

Now you're talking. THESE COMPANIES NEED TO HEAR FROM US!!!


76 posted on 11/19/2004 10:07:10 AM PST by Cinnamon Girl (OMGIIHIHOIIC ping list)
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To: JimRed

I like that!


77 posted on 11/19/2004 10:13:39 AM PST by lindor
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To: kellynla

Hi again every body. It's just me, racist feces throwing chimp sly here... i just want you to know that i think it is ok to make racist remarks because after all "I know some people may not like the term Aunt Jemima, but really some of my black callers had used it long before I did" and whats more, even though it was radio, i could just tell they were black callers.

78 posted on 11/19/2004 10:17:15 AM PST by new cruelty
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To: rdb3

I consider this a market-targeted ratings stunt perpetrated by a small-souled, ignorant, and nasty person.


79 posted on 11/19/2004 10:47:25 AM PST by King Prout (tagline under reconstruction)
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To: smag499

The owner was unapologetic, too?

Well, even ultraliberal Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and ultraliberal US Senator Russ Feingold have issued statements of opposition to the "Sly" comments.


80 posted on 11/19/2004 10:48:57 AM PST by Chummy (Thank you God for giving to the USA our President George W. Bush!)
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