(March 16) - Legendary stand-up comedian Jackie Mason is in full defense mode after catching flack for using what many consider to be a Yiddish racial slur to describe President Barack Obama.
GettyThe 'Caddyshack 2' star referred to Obama as a "schwartza" during a performance in New York City on Thursday night, TMZ reports, infuriating several audience members and causing at least one paying customer to storm out.
Mason denies the word is a racial epithet, angrily telling TMZ that it's just slang for black person. "I'm an old Jew. I was raised in a Jewish family where 'schwartza' was used," he said. "It's not a demeaning word and I'm not going to defend myself."
Schwartz literally means "black" in Yiddish. According to the Racial Slur Database, the word itself is not derogatory in nature, but that it is usually used in a negative way.
Though he said he wouldn't "defend himself," Mason continued to do so in his conversation with TMZ, slamming fellow controversial figures like comedian Chris Rock and Rev. Al Sharpton in the process. "Chris Rock has told a lot more jokes about whites than I have against Blacks. What about the demeaning words Blacks say about Jews?"
Mason then alleged that white people are more persecuted when it comes to civil rights. "If it's a racist society, the white people are the ones being persecuted because they have to defend themselves." He then referred to Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson as "professional racists." Sharpton quickly struck back, sending the following statement to TMZ:
"At this stage in Jackie's life and career he should get our prayers more than our responses. It is sad that maybe he forgot he used the same term against Mayor David Dinkins when he was elected the first African-American Mayor of New York City and got in trouble for it. As for him attacking me, maybe he forgot that he has had me on his TV show and has taken me to dinner and commended me for forgiving a white male who tried to kill me by stabbing me while I was leading a non-violent march. I'm sure Jackie just forgot."
TMZ caught up with Mason again over the weekend when he continued his no-defense defense strategy, saying he believes "white people have no freedom of speech."
No comments:
Post a Comment