Jackie Mason does it again
Twenty years ago, comedian Jackie Mason got in trouble when he referred to David Dinkins, then a candidate for New York City mayor, as a "fancy shvartze with a mustache" while campaigning for Rudy Giuliani. Last week, Mason used the Yiddish term again, this time to describe the president, reports TMZ.com:
Comedian Jackie Mason used what some say is a racial epithet in describing President Barack Obama during his act Thursday night, infuriating at least several people in the crowd.
During a performance at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in NYC, Mason referred to Obama as a "schwartza" -- some say it's equivalent to the "N" word -- others say it's just part of the Yiddish culture and a literal translation of the word "Black."
We're told one person walked out fuming, "He's more offensive to the Jews than Madoff tonight."
We spoke with Mason by phone a few minutes ago, and he was outraged at the criticism, saying, "I'm not going to defend myself. 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 added, "If it's a racist society, the white people are the ones being persecuted because they have to defend themselves." Mason called people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson "professional racists."
Mason added, "I'm an old Jew. I was raised in a Jewish family where 'schwartza' was used. It's not a demeaning word and I'm not going to defend myself."
And here's a TMZ video of Mason responding to the original TMZ report, in which he says he's called other ethnic groups "a lot worse" and once again brings up Chris Rock, who he confuses with the singer "Kid Rock." (The best part of the video is probably when the woman he's with gives him the smart advice to get in the car, but he just keeps talking.)
Of course, while not to make excuses for Mason, there is a significant difference between the 1989 incident and this one. The Dinkins remarks came at a campaign appearance, while his use of the term "shvartze" to refer to Obama was in a comedy show -- and much of Jackie Mason's act for decades has involved making fun of various ethnic groups.
Jackie's last foray into politics, this fall, was his response to Sarah Silverman's famous video for "The Great Schlep," in which he objected to Silverman's implication that Jews were not voting for Obama because of his race.
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Sadly, Jackie Mason lost all sense of decency years ago. He used to be a wonderfully funny and original comedian for whom I had great respect. But over the years he has become an out-and-out racist.
His constant comments about Arabs and Palestinians are nothing short of hateful. His refusal to appear at a club at which a Palestinian comic was also booked was disgusting, and now he finds it funny to refer to our president as a shvartzeh, which anyone who is Jewish knows, is most definitely equivalent to nigger amongst some Jews.
Had this been is first error in judgment, I would be less harsh. But this is just a continuation of his narrow-minded and mean-spirited material that does not shine a very positive light on the Jewish community or himself.
Jackie Mason is a mumzer who hasn’t been funny since once second before he gave Ed Sullivan the finger. He had a lame excuse for that, too.
Tamar, what I or any other non-African American says doesn’t have any effect on Chris Rock or his diction, that’s Bill Cosby’s and Maya Angelou’s job.
It’s different with Mason. He’s my guy and I don’t want his rancid, biggoted Ashkenazic ass besmirching my religion anymore. Mason has been giving Jews a black eye for 45 years, and it’s time he converted to Catholicism, Shinto, or something. Anything.
And cut the macho crap, please. If you weren’t anonymous, we might take your tuff guy stuff seriously, but for all we know, you’re a wheelchair wuss with a Rambo complex who has unlimited time to play the bully on the puter. Grow up. Get a job.
HORRAY for JACKIE MASON! He said what Everybody knows is True. Great Balls. JACKIE MASON is my PRESIDENT!!!
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Marla
03/16/09 11:57 AM
“NOT CUTE JACKIE” For JM to compare himself to Chris Rock is an example of not only wishful-thinking, but dilusional! CR is relevant,a brilliant commentator of the times and mostly illuminates the foibles of life of the mainstream American Black experience-besides which, he is hysterically funny,smart and usually has Me, a proud MOT with tears in my eyes from laughing so hard that my stomach aches.. a true entertainer of the times! Jackie Boobie,on the other hand, and I say this respectfully, unfortunately is relying on recycled old-shtick that plain and simple is not only NOT funny-but lacks any originality. I am totally embarrassed for him to have to sink to that level. I am certain, Barack could care less, but what it says about JM speaks volumes! Marla,Atlanta,GA.