Who Says What
On Point with Chris Papst
Our society amazes me – but not always in a good way. I find it simply incredible that what is said is not nearly as important as who says it. The double standards we have placed on certain people, and groups, are nothing short of infuriating. And I believe it's hurting the cohesion of our society.
For example: Last Sunday, my wife and I were watching the red carpet for the Grammy Awards. Halfway into the program, Ryan Seacrest interviewed Jamie Foxx. The discussion concluded with Seacrest asking Foxx why he didn't keep his awards at home. Foxx responded by saying, “I got people that come over to my house that don't have Social Security numbers, and I just don't want nothing to slip away.”
What did that mean?
When we heard this, my wife and I turned and looked at each other. We both knew that comment would get many people in trouble. But not him.
As someone in the media, I don't think it would be fair to critique his meaning. I can't read the man's mind. But I think someone should ask him. Did he mean he has illegal aliens cleaning his house who could take it? Did he mean he has foreign friends who would steal from him? If so, they are not really friends. Why does he have people without Social Security numbers in his house? Why does he not trust them?
Just to see how the media handled this, I Googled it. The only mention I found of his comment was at Eonline. They simply said Foxx was being honest about why he didn't keep his awards at home.
In America, some people are hammered for most everything they say. Yet, Foxx is not even being questioned? Why is he getting a pass when others would have their name's tarnished?
Remember John Rocker, the Atlanta Braves pitcher? He was once asked if he would ever consider playing for the Mets or Yankees. He said, “The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English.” For that comment he was driven out of baseball.
Rocker said he didn't like all the foreigners in Times Square. Foxx said he didn't trust people without Social Security numbers (foreigners). What's the difference?
Examples of these double standards are near endless. A few years back, Senator Trent Lott was excoriated for complimenting Strom Thurmond during his 100th birthday celebration. Lott said, “When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We’re proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years, either.” When Thurmond ran for president, he essentially challenged the Civil Rights Movement. For his comment, Lott was forced to resign his Republican leadership position.
Yet, not too long ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said President Obama was partially successful as a black candidate because he was "light-skinned" and spoke with “no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." Not much was made of this. Reid apologized, but there was no pressure for him to step down.
As a country, if we are to strive for equality, then we need to treat everyone equally. And it starts with these divisive double standards – they separate us along artificial lines. Too many people are quick to call out statements that benefit their cause. But then they couldn't care less if similar comments are said by one of their own. Until we learn to hold everyone equally accountable for their actions, we will continue to fight a losing social battle for true equality.
Chris Papst is an two-time Emmy Award winning reporter for CBS-21 News.
For example: Last Sunday, my wife and I were watching the red carpet for the Grammy Awards. Halfway into the program, Ryan Seacrest interviewed Jamie Foxx. The discussion concluded with Seacrest asking Foxx why he didn't keep his awards at home. Foxx responded by saying, “I got people that come over to my house that don't have Social Security numbers, and I just don't want nothing to slip away.”
What did that mean?
When we heard this, my wife and I turned and looked at each other. We both knew that comment would get many people in trouble. But not him.
As someone in the media, I don't think it would be fair to critique his meaning. I can't read the man's mind. But I think someone should ask him. Did he mean he has illegal aliens cleaning his house who could take it? Did he mean he has foreign friends who would steal from him? If so, they are not really friends. Why does he have people without Social Security numbers in his house? Why does he not trust them?
Just to see how the media handled this, I Googled it. The only mention I found of his comment was at Eonline. They simply said Foxx was being honest about why he didn't keep his awards at home.
In America, some people are hammered for most everything they say. Yet, Foxx is not even being questioned? Why is he getting a pass when others would have their name's tarnished?
Remember John Rocker, the Atlanta Braves pitcher? He was once asked if he would ever consider playing for the Mets or Yankees. He said, “The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English.” For that comment he was driven out of baseball.
Rocker said he didn't like all the foreigners in Times Square. Foxx said he didn't trust people without Social Security numbers (foreigners). What's the difference?
Examples of these double standards are near endless. A few years back, Senator Trent Lott was excoriated for complimenting Strom Thurmond during his 100th birthday celebration. Lott said, “When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We’re proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years, either.” When Thurmond ran for president, he essentially challenged the Civil Rights Movement. For his comment, Lott was forced to resign his Republican leadership position.
Yet, not too long ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said President Obama was partially successful as a black candidate because he was "light-skinned" and spoke with “no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." Not much was made of this. Reid apologized, but there was no pressure for him to step down.
As a country, if we are to strive for equality, then we need to treat everyone equally. And it starts with these divisive double standards – they separate us along artificial lines. Too many people are quick to call out statements that benefit their cause. But then they couldn't care less if similar comments are said by one of their own. Until we learn to hold everyone equally accountable for their actions, we will continue to fight a losing social battle for true equality.
Chris Papst is an two-time Emmy Award winning reporter for CBS-21 News.
