Dr. Laura pulls the plug

[SteamWake]

Long time radio personality Dr. Laura decides 'no more radio' following a recent contriversiy over her use of the N word.

She states "want to regain my first amendment rights".

Dr. Laura the 'shock jock'?? :doh:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/08/17/doctor.laura.ends.show/index.html#fbid=2XKGYACiSZ-&wom=false

ps; Wholy smokes Larry King is still on the air :har:

[frau kaleun]

I assume by "first amendment rights" she's referring to freedom of speech?

She had the freedom of speech and exercised it. IIRC the first amendment doesn't guarantee "freedom" from the consequences of people being offended by what she said or thinking less of her because she said it.

[SteamWake]

As always I am sure there is more to this story than meets the eye. Most likely a falling out between the Dr. and 'management'.

So she is going to take her microphone and go home.

She has only been on the air for 30 some years :doh:

Now if we could just find something to bash Kommando on :haha:

[ETR3(SS)]

I'll say this, Dr. Laura hit the nail right on the head. It's nothing more than a word and by making it ok for one race to use it in everyday conversation, and not another is racism.

[frau kaleun]

I'll say this, Dr. Laura hit the nail right on the head. It's nothing more than a word and by making it ok for one race to use it in everyday conversation, and not another is racism.

It's precisely because of racism and its long, ugly history in our society that the word in question is likely to be received as more or less offensive depending on who says it.

[ETR3(SS)]

It's precisely because of racism and its long, ugly history in our society that the word in question is likely to be received as more or less offensive depending on who says it.Absolutely! All the more reason for blacks to treat it as a racist word and to stop using it. How many white people go around calling each other cracker or honky? Very few that I know of. And what happens when a black person calls a white person one of those names? There's no NAAWP up in arms crying racism. Why? Because we don't make nearly as big deal of a deal out of it.

[AVGWarhawk]

It's precisely because of racism and its long, ugly history in our society that the word in question is likely to be received as more or less offensive depending on who says it.

True. However it you listen to the exchange it was not meant in malice.

[Tchocky]

How many white people go around calling each other cracker or honky? Very few that I know of. And what happens when a black person calls a white person one of those names? There's no NAAWP up in arms crying racism. Why? Because we don't make nearly as big deal of a deal out of it.

It's almost like there's a cultural history behind one of these situations and not the other.

[frau kaleun]

True. However it you listen to the exchange it was not meant in malice.

My understanding of the exchange was that a woman of color called in with concerns about someone in her social circle (presumably a white person) who made a habit of calling her *that word* and that Dr. Laura's response was to downplay the situation by pointing out that black people use that word amongst themselves all the time.

To me that's like me saying some guy I know is constantly calling me a - can I use the "b-word" here? - anyway, it would be like me having concerns about some dude constantly referring to me as "[pejorative word for female person]" and you pointing out that it's not a big deal because you hear some women call each other that "all the time."

But what some women may or may not call each other for whatever reason is, to me, irrelevant. Whether or not I would be offended by another woman calling me that in some undefined context for some undefined reason is irrrelevant. The person I'm dealing with is habitually calling me *that word* only because I happen to be female and for no other reason, as if *that word* is an acceptable all-purpose way to refer to women. It's not. And to continue to call me one just because I have boobs and a vagina is sexist.

And the fact that it's a man saying it would raise the question of his attitudes toward women in general, and towards me because I'm female, because no matter how many steps forward we've taken in terms of equality between the sexes, sexism is not dead and women have to deal with the attitudes and behavior it generates among men on a regular basis in ways that simply do not apply in woman-to-woman interactions.

[frau kaleun]

It's almost like there's a cultural history behind one of these situations and not the other.

Yeah, I can't imagine what that would be. I mean, it's not like there was any longstanding tradition of non-white people being oppressed and discriminated against, which would be the sort of thing that might lead them to see racism as more of a problem than, you know, the people who actually benefitted from it for a few measly centuries.

/sarcasm

[ETR3(SS)]

It's almost like there's a cultural history behind one of these situations and not the other.If there was no cultural history behind one, then we wouldn't have the words that we do.

Yeah, I can't imagine what that would be. I mean, it's not like there was any longstanding tradition of non-white people being oppressed and discriminated against, which would be the sort of thing that might lead them to see racism as more of a problem than, you know, the people who actually benefitted from it for a few measly centuries.

/sarcasmThat is part of the problem. When someone says slavery today's society automatically assumes white American master, black African slave. Never mind that the Roman Empire traded an estimated total of 100 million European and Mediterranean slaves from the formation of the Empire to its downfall. Let's compare that to US slavery with an estimated 4 million African slaves by 1860. Quite the difference. Now just because there is this large number difference doesn't make slavery any less abhorrent. Slavery was abolished in the United States though.:yeah:

As a result of slavery being abolished, the Southern landowners who had relied upon slavery were resentful. Which led to a backlash by these landowners against blacks. Racism then ensued on both sides for a number of years. And we all know how the story goes from here. The fact of the matter is this; no one is trying to cover up slavery in the United States. It is taught everyday in every classroom in America as a part of our history. History, as in past. We are all Americans regardless of our skin color, and yet we have this divide because some feel the need to reopen past wounds. Some aim to belittle with words, others to guilt you with history because of your skin color versus theirs.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is you can't have a double standard and expect to make progress. When you can hold yourself to the same standard that you expect of others, then we can move forward as one people.

[Moeceefus]

The word is offensive, but it is just a word. You cant ban a word. You can feel free to use it, just as the person hearing it can feel free to kick the crap out of you. Its one of those use at your own risk words. As far as radio and tv personalities go, they have rules and a responsibility to the public. They cant really cry about freedom of speech when they agree to FCC guidelines. On the topic of slavery, probably all of us had at one point in history, an ancestor who was a slave. How long can we call foul on that? What does something that happened thousands, or even hundreds of years before you were born have to do with your lives today. How long can this be used as an excuse to cry discrimination?

[AVGWarhawk]

My understanding of the exchange was that a woman of color called in with concerns about someone in her social circle (presumably a white person) who made a habit of calling her *that word* and that Dr. Laura's response was to downplay the situation by pointing out that black people use that word amongst themselves all the time.

To me that's like me saying some guy I know is constantly calling me a - can I use the "b-word" here? - anyway, it would be like me having concerns about some dude constantly referring to me as "[pejorative word for female person]" and you pointing out that it's not a big deal because you hear some women call each other that "all the time."

But what some women may or may not call each other for whatever reason is, to me, irrelevant. Whether or not I would be offended by another woman calling me that in some undefined context for some undefined reason is irrrelevant. The person I'm dealing with is habitually calling me *that word* only because I happen to be female and for no other reason, as if *that word* is an acceptable all-purpose way to refer to women. It's not. And to continue to call me one just because I have boobs and a vagina is sexist.

And the fact that it's a man saying it would raise the question of his attitudes toward women in general, and towards me because I'm female, because no matter how many steps forward we've taken in terms of equality between the sexes, sexism is not dead and women have to deal with the attitudes and behavior it generates among men on a regular basis in ways that simply do not apply in woman-to-woman interactions.

It was an African American woman who was married to a white male. His friends would tell offensive jokes that were off color for a lack of a better description. Dr. L said she sees comedians on HBO use the word all the time however there is no offense in the audience...just laughter. There is a double standard apparently with the use of this word. But, I believe Dr. L went off in the wrong direction. My first thought is her husband should have stood up for his wife if these jokes were not appropriate. Dr. L should have approached it the same but went off on another route that was wrong in the end. But what do I know...

[SteamWake]

Context is everything.

Alot of pepole disliked Dr. Laura if for no other reason than her success. They found a way to persicute her.

Personally I am saddened to see her just give in but thats where it stands.

[frau kaleun]

If there was no cultural history behind one, then we wouldn't have the words that we do.

That is part of the problem. When someone says slavery today's society automatically assumes white American master, black African slave. Never mind that the Roman Empire traded an estimated total of 100 million European and Mediterranean slaves from the formation of the Empire to its downfall. Let's compare that to US slavery with an estimated 4 million African slaves by 1860. Quite the difference. Now just because there is this large number difference doesn't make slavery any less abhorrent. Slavery was abolished in the United States though.:yeah:

As a result of slavery being abolished, the Southern landowners who had relied upon slavery were resentful. Which led to a backlash by these landowners against blacks. Racism then ensued on both sides for a number of years. And we all know how the story goes from here. The fact of the matter is this; no one is trying to cover up slavery in the United States. It is taught everyday in every classroom in America as a part of our history. History, as in past. We are all Americans regardless of our skin color, and yet we have this divide because some feel the need to reopen past wounds. Some aim to belittle with words, others to guilt you with history because of your skin color versus theirs.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is you can't have a double standard and expect to make progress. When you can hold yourself to the same standard that you expect of others, then we can move forward as one people.

I think it's a bit disingenuous to try and blame racism in the US on the abolition of slavery here, when racism was a primary factor in justifying it in the first place.

AFAIK slavery in "ancient times" was not primarily about race or ethnicity. In the US, it most definitely was. A black person was considered inherently inferior to a white person and therefore it was not only "okay" but perfectly "natural" for them to be bought and sold like chattel by any white person who had the means to do so.

[Tribesman]

Most likely a falling out between the Dr. and 'management'.

Yep, its another example of her making silly comments which mean sponsors pull the plug, which means management won't pander to her anymore as she is there to make them money not to lose it.

[AVGWarhawk]

I think it's a bit disingenuous to try and blame racism in the US on the abolition of slavery here, when racism was a primary factor in justifying it in the first place.

AFAIK slavery in "ancient times" was not primarily about race or ethnicity. In the US, it most definitely was. A black person was considered inherently inferior to a white person and therefore it was not only "okay" but perfectly "natural" for them to be bought and sold like chattel by any white person who had the means to do so.

I believe it is safe to say anyone subject to slavery is seen as inherently inferior.

[frau kaleun]

I believe it is safe to say anyone subject to slavery is seen as inherently inferior.

They are certainly in an inferior state, which in some cultures where institutionalized slavery existed might be temporary and due primarily to factors having nothing to do with any presumed "inherent" inferiority of their race relative to the race of their masters.

With slavery as it existed in the US, the presumed pre-existing inferiority of black folks relative to white folks was the primary factor in their enslavement and in the justification of same.

There is a subtle difference between:

"Circumstances have made you my slave and you are now inferior to me"

and:

"Your race/ethnicity/etc. made you inferior and therefore I am justified in enslaving you."

It's the second one that applies to the history of slavery in the US, which is why I contend that attributing any lingering racist attitudes to resentment over its abolition is nonsensical at best.

[Bubblehead1980]

Another victim of the PC crowd.

[Tribesman]

Another victim of the PC crowd.
Another victim of their own stupidity.

[Platapus]

I wonder how low her ratings were? Her deciding to retire sounds a lot like damage control. There is no way she would voluntarily give up the money she was making from radio.

[nikimcbee]

I wonder how low her ratings were? Her deciding to retire sounds a lot like damage control. There is no way she would voluntarily give up the money she was making from radio.

That's a good question. Not really a fan of the show, but thing thing that I disliked the most about her show was she had some of the dumbest callers on the air.

The funniest call I ever heard was on her show ( I was channal surfing). It basically went like this: The caller caught her husband "taking care of himself":oops::haha:. The woman was shocked and the husband retorted that he wasn't getting enough from her. The woman wanted to know if they should get marrage counceling. Dr Laura proceeded to yell at her for not taking care of her man.:har: I would have paid money to see the look on the caller's face when she got that answer.

[Bubblehead1980]

In reality, not the PC world that has been forced upon us, that I see losing it's grip slowly, what she said was not bad.Now I barely know about Dr Laura, just heard of her a few times until this issue came up.The word is all about context.

I recall a classic lecture in one of my law classes my sophomore year in college.The Professor was fed up with students saying "The N Word" instead of using the entire N word.Prof went on to give a lecture about context and actually recited infamous monologue from Pulp Fiction as an example of context since he was quoting.Then he went on to say now if you are using that word to insult someone or a group of people, that is entirely different.A couple students complained but nothing came of it because he was right and luckily the admin at my college realized this.

I heard the recording of Dr Laura and she was right on, she was not calling anyone "that word". This PC crap is censorship and most americans are sick of it, looking forward to it going away, although it will take a while.

[Platapus]

Anyone here old enough to remember Lenny Bruce?

"Please, don't take away my words". :yep:

[jumpy]

hmm, slavery - lets not forget that many of the black african peoples who were sold into the slavery of the white man were sold to the white man by other tribes and nations of black africans. Not simply a case of the white man kicking back because blacks were deemed to be merely 'inferior beings' (that came later). Blacks were enslaving other blacks in the dark continent (as referred to by europeans because it was unknown territory, not because of its denizens skin colour) long before any white men arrived on those shores.

Slavery is about money first and foremost. Race only comes into it after it's accepted for one group to exploit another for pecuniary gain.

In order to perpetuate this, spurious reasons of inferiority and intellectual retardation and many other facile ideas are used to establish vested interests and prejudice as fact.

[SteamWake]

Meh way I see it she wanted to go out with a bang.

She got a little pop... /shrug

[FIREWALL]

Another victim of their own stupidity.

Your so right. :yep: And I consider you an expert on the subject. :haha:

[nikimcbee]

Your so right. :yep: And I consider you an expert on the subject. :haha:
:haha::03:

[Weiss Pinguin]

Another victim of their own stupidity.
Something we agree on :yep:

[CaptainHaplo]

If your going to form an opinion - at least have the integrity to be informed by facts....

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/13/dr-lauras-rant-in-her-own-words/

The above is a transcript of the incident.

As for her "retiring" - she actually is not doing so. She will remain on the air (as currently planned) until her current contract expires at the end of the year. At that time she will be leaving radio while pursuing other avenues (read - books and such).

Was she right in doing what she did? Were she a black woman using the word on the radio it wouldn't be a question. Did she use the term in a derogatory manner? No she didn't. She was making a point about a double standard and the innate hypersensativity that some people of "color" have about it. Yet she should have addressed the caller's husband lacking in intestinal fortitude to deal with it. So did she go the wrong direction - yes. Did she take the opportunity to make a "political" or "social" statement when she should have been doing something else - yes. However, was she wrong in her assessment or point? No.

Get over it. After all - she insulted whites too in that rant.