5 posts tagged “the colbert report”
"Look at this little criminal. Oh, he's so innocent and helpless. I guess I'd better give him food and shelter and pay for his education and cater to his every whim until he's robbed me of my youth. Babies, I am on to you. You know what else? Turns out when you cover your eyes, I don't disappear. I'm not falling for that one again."
–Stephen Colbert, Threat Down #4 - Naked People
The Colbert Report, June 9
Video: Show us a video that makes you laugh.
"He's a brother. But he's an adopted brother." -Debra Dickerson
I'm not trying to be provocative with this post, but I just don't get it. Isn't this a form of racism? Ms. Dickerson's explanation just doesn't make sense to me. The slaves were originally from Africa. Barack Obama's father is from Africa. He may not be descended from African-American slaves; however, there is no one alive today who personally experienced the era of slavery in America. Is the distinction so important? He identifies himself as black. I assume he has experienced the same types of discrimination as other people of color, descendants of slaves as well as immigrants. I think it's unlikely that people who engage in discriminatory practices on a day-to-day basis stop to ask for a genealogy chart first.
For what it's worth, I don't think Obama is automatically entitled to support from the African-American community, any more than I think Hillary is automatically entitled to support from all women. Individuals should support the candidate who best embodies their ideals and hopes for the future, and in fairness, base that assessment on the candidate's voting history, activism, stated views, and campaign platform.
I'm not trying to whip up controversy. I am truly interested in any and all viewpoints on this matter.
At a small gathering, I was discussing The Daily Show and The Colbert Report with a friend, and fellow fan of the shows. A third person joined the conversation by asking me this question:
"So, is that your only source of news?"
One-one-thousand. Two-one-thousand. Three-one-thousand.
A slew of questions and possible responses raced through my mind, something like this:
What an absurd question. Is he serious? Do I look like the kind of person who tunes in to Comedy Central to get my news? Are there people who do that, and if so, are they any happier about the state of the world than I am? Maybe he's joking? But he sounds so bitter and disdainful. Maybe it's a partisan jab. No, can't be; the shows lampoon absurdity without regard to political affiliation. Does he get his news from TV? Surely he's heard of newspapers. Blast! Is there a nice way to ignore this guy and go top off my drink?
This internal monologue didn't take long, so my rather bland reply (I wish I wasn't so timid) was delivered after only a brief pregnant pause.
"No, actually, it isn't. You're funny."
