Raqiyah Mays Fired from Power 105, for Discussing Interracial Relationships

March 23, 2004

Raqiyah Mays Fired from Power 105, for Discussing Interracial Relationships

For anyone wondering if the neo-puritan climate would affect political speech as well as the sexual, Clear Channel's hip-hop station in NY has removed all doubt. I may disagree with her take on the issue, but firing her for discussing it is crazy.

DJ Fired for Race Remark
Weekend jock Raqiyah Mays was fired yesterday by WWPR (105.1 FM) after criticizing interracial dating during her weekend show. Power-105 officials said in a statement that the station "decided to release her based upon inappropriate remarks she made to listeners during her broadcast on Saturday.

"The station received many E-mails, phone calls and messages from listeners who were displeased and felt alienated as a result of her actions."

Mays' comments on interracial dating came while she was running a station contest in which listeners could win tickets to an Usher concert by making a confession. "Confession" is the title of Usher's latest record, which has sparked heavy buzz in radio.

"I made a confession of my own," Mays said yesterday. "I said I was concerned about interracial relationships when the African-American community has our own inner work and healing to do. If I see a white woman dating an African-American man, I feel, as do many African-American women, that there is one less black man available to us."

The host of a 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift on Saturdays, Mays said she was shocked by getting the boot from the Clear Channel station.

She claimed she was the victim of a "climate of pins and needles" stemming from the firestorm over indecency following the Janet Jackson and Howard Stern controversies.

"I wasn't speaking against anybody," Mays said. "I was just being honest. Unfortunately, the industry is under FCC scrutiny and the climate is ripe for reactionary measures."

EDIT, 3/26/04: Since I made this post, a transcript has come out of her original comments on the radio show, and they turn out to go much further than she would have us believe in her explanation I'd posted above:

"I'm a racist. I really am. I have a problem with white people. Not all white people, but a lot of white people. ... I can't tell if they are being real with me or not. And then I hate when the black guy is walking down the street with the white girl. I hate both of them. C'mon, there's a man shortage, why you got to go ... "

As I said in the replies below, seeing these actual quotes makes her explanation that she was merely "expressing concerns" about a need for "healing" seem a little disingenuous, and make it a tougher call whether she should have gotten fired. I'd want to hear the program in its entirety before I judged that, hear the tone of the overall conversation, what came before and after, whether it was part of a discussion where her views could be balanced out by others..

Going by this transcript, I'm still inclined to say firing her was excessive, but it's not as clear-cut as it originally appeared.. hard for me to say that some type of disciplinary action wasn't appropriate.

And for the record, personally I don't see how asking two people who are in love to reject that love because one of them is the wrong color will ever do any good for anybody, or bring about healing of any sort.

Posted by jsmooth995 at March 23, 2004 03:26 PM

Comments

Hmm,

How can you disagree with a feeling? I don't think that anything she said was wrong. As a Black woman I believe she was only expressing her concern, whether real or imagined. Doesn't sound like she was saying that interracial dating is wrong.

It's terrible that Clear Channel is going so far to the right that even simple free thought is under fire.

Posted by: METALFACE at March 23, 2004 04:14 PM

Absolutely correct. I think she's full of shit on the issue (though she's completely on point about the "climate of pins and needles"), but she's got every right to an opinion, and I would have liked to have heard what some callers from interracial couples had to say.

Posted by: echillri at March 23, 2004 04:22 PM

I said I "may" disagree with her take, I can't form a conclusion on that without hearing the original discussion.

But her choice to express it as a "feeling" does not render her statement immune to criticism. She has every right to feel how she feels about it, and I have every right to feel differently.

If we let ourselves be guided by feelings and emotions without a thought for whether they are grounded in sound reasoning, most of us would probably be in jail by now for killing our landlord. We shouldn't be afraid to express our feelings, but we shouldn't be unwilling to examine and scrutinize them either.

Which is exactly why the discussion she was initiating needs to be encouraged, not silenced.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at March 23, 2004 04:44 PM

if i owned the radio station she was on, i'd fire her too.

Posted by: robert at March 23, 2004 05:01 PM

Was it inappropiate? Yes. Racist? No. I think she was just stating the feelings of a majority of African Americans. I know my family would shit a brick if I came home with a white woman. That's just how it is.

However, to express her view during the middle of a radio show is pretty low. It was a cheeky promo contest, not a political forum.

Posted by: Stone at March 23, 2004 05:28 PM

I propose an Admendment to the Constitution ..... Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are your rights...so long as your veiws are in line with the moral majority and your happiness isnt with the same sex... that way I can feel better about hearing stories like these.

Posted by: Belve at March 23, 2004 05:55 PM

to be very blunt she was honest and true. Maybe it was wrong for her to say that. But I don't think she should of been fired for that.

Posted by: mallymal at March 23, 2004 06:42 PM

Funny, I saw her say on UPN/Channel 9 news that she's a "racist" and that she "hates" inter-racial couples. That's a world of difference between being "concerned" and "hating." I don't fault Clear Channel for making an obvious choice in the face of Repugnant over-reaction at the FCC.

Now if they'd only feel the same about the homophobic antics of their other DJs.

Posted by: ronn at March 23, 2004 11:56 PM

first, i don't think she should define herself as a racist, that is if she or we define the word correctly. but, she has every right to voice her opinions/feelings. she was voicing what many people-black and white-feel. but, i would encourage her to not give it so much energy. most of the black men who choose white women are the ones many black women wouldn't want anyway. for instance, the couple that was shown on tv last night "confessing" their love: the black guy with the fat white girl.

Posted by: loveable at March 24, 2004 10:03 AM

Does anyone have the exact quote from the radio program? As she explained it (presumably after the axing) I don't think it was that bad, but I imagine that while on the air it may have been unrehearsed, off the cuff and more than likely vulgar.

Posted by: Billy at March 24, 2004 01:03 PM

I see black men with white women all the time. It doesn't really bother me because one of my best friends who was black dated a white girl for some time and they made each other happy. If you are happy with someone it shouldn't really matter what the color of their skin is. She should of definately have been fired because we take everything personal. If she wasn't fired no one would listen to that radio station anymore, Considering the fact that half the listeners are white.
Peace n Love, Nelson

Posted by: Nelson at March 24, 2004 04:40 PM

As for getting fired, I see it as an extreme. But the comment was definitely inappropriate. I'm tired of all these issues with interracial dating. NOBODY has the right to decide whom another person should be dating. If a black man wants to date a white woman and vice versa that's their choice. People act as if there were only 10 black men left in the world. Additionally, in a sense it is a form of racism because the conflict is with two RACES dating.

Posted by: Free at March 24, 2004 04:45 PM

It was harsh comment but worse have been made. If we were not in such a sensitve fcc enviorment she would have been ok. It was a gutsy comment to make but, it is how she feels.

Posted by: Bry at March 24, 2004 05:14 PM

People who are happy in an interacial relationship don't care what anyone else thinks.
They should not have fired her for expressing her opinion.

Posted by: lex at March 24, 2004 05:40 PM

You guys have GOT TO BE KIDDING me! She's definitely RACIST. During the live radio segment she said herself "I'm a racist. I really am. I have a problem with white people. Not all white people, but a lot of white people...I can't tell if they are being real with me or not. And then I hate when the black guy is walking down the street with the white girl."
Sure that's expressing an opinion but how would you feel if a DJ said hey "I'm a racist and proud of it. The KKK should kick them all out of this country" Do you think that opinion would stand and would you tolerate it???

Answer that Lex, mallymal, stone, echillri, METALFACE!!!

Posted by: Borg at March 24, 2004 07:54 PM

Actually, this article is much softer than her actually quotes. I saw the story and they played her actual segment on Channel 9 News here in New York area. She said openly, I have a confession. She said "I hate White People" and then she went on to say, 'I hate when I see Black men with White Women�I hate them too' I'm paraphrasing in the last part - but she did use those words. Now, I don't want to be a hypocrite - I share her concerns somewhat, I don't hate all White people - but I am resentful & distrusting of Caucasians as a race based on history. I'm a Black male & I don't and will not date women outside the African Diaspora. As a Black Male I respect our ancestory, our experience here in America and our current struggle to take what assets I have & gained from my community -- and abandon them for another. But when you're in the media outlet - you have to be careful of your views and wording as such. If Gumba Johnny had said "I hate Black people�.and when I see Black men with White women I just hate that �.I hate them,", we would be calling for his firing. Now would we get it or not is another matter. But we have to careful of double-standards in our plight against racism.

Posted by: Kirreck Williams at March 25, 2004 09:19 AM

Posted by: Kirreck Williams at March 25, 2004 09:20 AM

To the person who says "she's definitely racist:" How are you defining the word "racist?" As a black person, in this country, she doesn't have the power to be a racist. People say words like "hate" all the time, but I don't they really mean "hate." Yes, seeing interracial couples might conjure up strong feelings of dislike, I don't think most people, with the exception of the KKK, skinheads, radical blacks, etc. really give a rat's behind who people date. I'm with the brother who would never date outside of the diaspora--I just don't find white men appealing. And, if I were to ever venture out there, the white boy would have to be "exceptional" in every sense of the word. He couldn't just be white. He would have to "BRING IT ON!

Posted by: loveable at March 25, 2004 01:50 PM

You should visit www.mindkandy.com to see what people have to say about interracial dating. Interesting views.

Posted by: piggy4 at March 25, 2004 01:52 PM

I am a Black man who is in a relationship with a White woman. Ms. Mays has a right to express her opinon, but she chose the wrong place to express her opinon there. Clear Channel was wrong to fire her and she has a right to express her opinon. I don't have a problem with Black women dating White men at all. I don't like anyone; especially my own race dictating my choices for me and it includes Ms. Mays.

I am tired of people using Interracial relationships as scapegoats for the problems of the African American community. I acknowledge that we have problems, scapgoating will not solve them. A decade ago, Spike Lee's film Jungle Fever had expressed a similar view as Ms. Mays.

I wish Ms. Mays success in where she will continue with her radio career, she has herself to blame, not interracial couples.

Posted by: Gregory at March 25, 2004 02:50 PM

I am a black man in Texas married to a white woman and you know, I think its crazy that people say they are only going to date a certain race. Love and sex are so personal, you can't tell a person who to be attracted to, who to fall in love with, who to have the ``hots'' for. If thats the case, then why everybody should just date the first person that comes along and treats them nicely. But that doesnt happen, does it? We date who we are physically attracted to _ tall, short, big-breasted, big-butted, skinny, fat, black, and yes, white. Why can we make choices about body sizes when we decided to date, but we cannot make choices about race? That's the double-standard.

Posted by: texasguy at March 25, 2004 04:13 PM

SHE WAS RIGHT ON BUT I WOULD HAVE FIGURED I WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED IN HER POSITIOPN, SO I WOULD HAVE NOT HAVE MADE THE STATEMENT. BEING BLACK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT WE SAY FOR THEY OWN THE COMPANY. BUT SHE IS RIGHT AND ANY BLACK THAT THINKS NOT I SAY STICK AROUND.

Posted by: PAT at March 25, 2004 08:15 PM

Read all about it:

amren.com

Posted by: Angus at March 25, 2004 11:12 PM

Wow, comment spam from white supremacists! Funny how they make it so hard to find out what the site is actually about.. trying to find the page where they lay out their real agenda is like trying to find the free versions of the software on Realaudio's site.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at March 26, 2004 12:05 AM

"Discussing interracial relationships"? Let's look at the quote with the races reversed:

"I'm a racist. I really am. I have a problem with Black people. Not all Black people, but a lot of Black people. ... I can't tell if they are being real with me or not. And then I hate when the White guy is walking down the street with the Black girl. I hate both of them."

What if this comment had come from say, Michael Savage or Rush Limbaugh? Would you be writing posts about how it was "crazy" to fire them for it?

Of course I'm operating under the premise that racism against White people is 'wrong', clearly some of your readers feel otherwise.

Posted by: Mike E at March 26, 2004 05:10 AM

I don't have anything to say on the interracial relationships issue... I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about that myself. I don't share the same views as Mays, though that's all I can say about it. As for her being racist... well, she said it herself. I don't think we as ethnic minorities are excluded from being able to be considered racist (if that makes any sense).

The thing about this issue of her being fired is that nobody is forcing Mays out of the country or out of jobs in the media forever for what she said, though after this it'll probably be difficult for her to find another job with such a wide audience. Is it wrong for me to think that Clear Channel probably didn't fire her for her remarks alone? I'm sure it had much to do with that which is wrong. I mean, I'm with everyone about the free speech issue. But big-time radio stations are still big business and even though we're amidst all those FCC indecency rulings, she was probably fired moreso over concern that she just lost the station their white audience and their interracial relationship audience as I'm sure many of their advertisers went pretty sour over their remark. I'm sure they were at least a little more motivated by all the money they'd lose if they didn't do anything about it.

Posted by: Theresa at March 26, 2004 10:09 AM

Mike E: You are being a little disingenuous by applying my words to a quote that was not contained in my post. My assessment was based on the quote available from Ms. Mays at the time, which was quite different:

"I made a confession of my own," Mays said yesterday. "I said I was concerned about interracial relationships when the African-American community has our own inner work and healing to do. If I see a white woman dating an African-American man, I feel, as do many African-American women, that there is one less black man available to us."

More importantly of course, Ms. Mays herself was rather disingenuous in the her subsequent explanation if this transcript is correct, which it seems to be. Her actual quotes from the program make this case tougher to call.

Is the type of prejudice Raqiyah holds against white people wrong? Yes, but it cannot be compared with racism against blacks as simply and cleanly as you attempt to swap them in your example. Coming from a white host speaking about about black people those comments would have very different connotations, different implications than Raqiyah's quote, because black people and white people have very different places in the structure and history of America's race relations.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at March 26, 2004 02:00 PM

If she had been white and said what she said, african-american groups would be clamoring for her to be fired. Why should African-Americans be free to claim they are racists and make racist comments without fear of repraisal?

Posted by: T-Money at March 26, 2004 03:13 PM

Our radio station, KABC Los Angeles(Ken & Company), interviewed Ms. Mays this morning. I felt she was sincere and was only expressing her feelings. What's wrong with her expressing how she felt? Is a crime? She expressed her feelings, not mine or yours.

As those of us who are informed, if not research this topic. It is not just shared by Ms. Mays alone. It is shared by many across all ethnic lines. It's an issue that should be discussed because it breaks down barriers. People have been and are thinking and talking about this topic. It appears to me that she does not hate "white woman" she just felt that when they are with Black men, it lessens her pool of choices.

Ms. Mays indicated, she did not take questions after the statement, but MAYBE if she had, it would have opened up a forum for people to discuss the topic openingly and possibly learn something.

It seems as though we have gone off on the deep end with being politicaly correct. This Liberal agenda of being politically correct is becoming execessive. Ms. Mays stepped outside of the box and expressed her feelings with honesty and integrity. I admire her for her efforts and wish her the best.

Posted by: Charly at March 26, 2004 04:52 PM

I'm white and I agree. I hate seeing a black man or a black woman with and white man or woman. Its sickoning. I wish a white person on the radio like Rush or somebody would have had the balls to say it. I guess he was probably too afraid that Jesse Jackson would do one of his "shakedowns" and cry racism and extort money from the radio station like he usually does.

Posted by: John at March 26, 2004 05:09 PM

lol ^

Posted by: haha at March 26, 2004 05:21 PM

Hmm. Where were all of you protesting when the Greaseman was fired. He was only stating his opinion. Either some of you are hypocrites or you are mentally retarded.

If this dj shouldn't have been fired then neither should have the Greaseman. We all need to come to grips that racism is not a one way street. Technically it is racist to believe that black people racism is on a different level then white people.

Posted by: Martha at March 26, 2004 05:54 PM

Bottom line = White Racism BAD/Black Racism A-OK

Anyone that dares say blacks can't be racist is completely dishonest and loses all credibility. Racism is an attitude and any race can adopt it, it just happens that it's ok for blacks have those particular views in this country at present time and that in turn pisses off white people and further deepens the tensions that exist.

Posted by: H Dawg at March 26, 2004 06:58 PM

Jay: You're right, that was a bit of a straw man argument I set up against you there; sorry about that. But even based on her 'they're taking our men' argument which 'was' contained in your post, I'd say you had enough to go on to make the judgement that this was a radio host making racist statements on the air.

Yes, of course you can never really compare Black on White racism with White on Black; the latter is exponentially worse. I was just trying to illustrate, with some kind of reference point, the fact that this 'was' a racist statement- the kind that often gets a 'pass' in some circles.

Posted by: Mike E at March 26, 2004 11:03 PM

Yeah I agree in either quote the sentiment she expressed is wrong-minded. But then again we all have prejudices and I think there should be space for those prejudices to be discussed openly in a public forum, if we want to overcome them.

I think whether it is appropriate can depend on many things including what forum is chosen, what context it is given, and what tone is used in expressing the views.. and the tone of her actual statement was awfully different than the tone of her defense after the fact.

It's hard for me to call because given the "confessions" premise she could have expressed it in a way that acknowledges these feelings without endorsing them, addressing them as a shortcoming within herself that she needs to work on. But judging by what I see so far, I don't think she did that too effectively, if that was her intent.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at March 27, 2004 12:03 AM

"Yes, of course you can never really compare Black on White racism with White on Black; the latter is exponentially worse"

Ok, thats pretty much the most racist and offensive comment I have EVER read. First, thats offensive to Black people. Its saying they are not strong enough or good enough as white people. Do you believe because they have a different melenocyte count then whites, their brain capacity is different and therefore cannot be racist?

Second it is offensive to white people. Its making a completely ignorant claim that because of their skin color they can "hate" more then somebody of a darker skin color.

Third its offensive to anybody with an IQ over 65. Your stupidity is hurting society.

Posted by: John Allen at March 27, 2004 04:04 AM

John Allen: The key to your misunderstanding is the mistaken assumption that "racism" is a synonym for "hate." There's much more to it than that.

Nobody here said that white people are genetically inclined to be more racist. But as I said, there is no more obvious truth than the fact that black and whites had very different places, very different roles in the structure and history of America's race relations, and have been affected in very different ways. If you cannot recognize that, you must have a spectacularly poor grasp of American history.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at March 27, 2004 01:26 PM

Straight up that was a racist comment, so I 100% agree with her being fired. The reason most of you don't think it's racist is because it isn't your race that is being discriminated against.

Posted by: Vc at March 27, 2004 11:49 PM

She voiced out her opinion...what's wrong with that? Last time I checked, we had something called THE FIRST AMENDMENT!! I have heard worse, believe me. CC (Clear Channel)is cutting her off which is unfair (not saying that I agree what homegirl is saying). Why not the Mega 97.9's morning show? or Howard Stern? I understood when CC and the FCC cut off Star and Buc from Hot 97 because of their insensitivity but come on? They need to get with the motherf--king program and realize there are more people getting away with things when they should have been gone A LONG TIME AGO!!

STOP THE OPRESSION!!

Posted by: Riordani at March 28, 2004 07:17 PM

What "OPPRESSION?" Also, this is not a freedom of speech issue. Where in the Constitution does it say that she MUST have a radio show? The Consitution gives you the right to speak, NOT the right to be HEARD.

Posted by: Mark at March 29, 2004 12:36 AM

IR couples as an entity are victims of discrimination i.e. cross burning recently in Detroit on a IR couple's lawn. Ms. Mays has every right to have an opinion about IR's but the forum of her statements and the nature of them were inappropriate. She could have had a discussion about the topic and the various implications and perspectives.

On another note, I am sick of the stereotyping that occurs from whites AND blacks about those involved in IR relationships. As a 23 year old white woman who has been involved in an IR for three years, I am saddened by the common assumptions made about those involved. For example, as the white woman I must be-- fat, ugly, uneducated, easy/slutty, quick to give away my money. In addition, the black man must be one that no black woman would want and he must be filled with self hate.

If people disagree with IR's then they should have arguments without the stereotypes. You do not have to attack to get a point across!!

PS I am not saying Ms. Mays made those comments.

Posted by: Cara at March 29, 2004 10:10 AM

Good thing they fired her ignorant, insecure, racist ass. You people jumping to defend her kill me. No wonder our communities are falling apart. You are so quick to defend some dumb ish, but don't give the time of day to things that actually matter. She called herself a 'racist' but since she is black and stupid you want to give her a pass. Wake up fools don't let your color blind you.

Posted by: Joey at March 29, 2004 10:22 AM

If you are trying to prove how prevalent racism still is you have succeeded nicely...on a hip-hop blog no less. Bravo.

Posted by: Terence at March 29, 2004 05:39 PM

What are you getting at, Terence? I think it's good and healthy that people with such differing views are coming together here and discussing them so openly.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at March 29, 2004 05:52 PM

Aside from the race issue and free speech issue at hand - and i'm not trying to downplay these issues - but Ms. Mays needs some interracial "loving and it ain't nothing nice..."

hahaha

Posted by: pexdiggy at March 30, 2004 04:15 PM

I can't believe that a comment like that came out of her ignorant mouth. She deserved to be fired. If a white, Hispanic, or Asia made the same comment on the Air, Rev. Jessie Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton would have been outside of that radio station protesting for the DJ's racist remarks. Ms. Mays got off with a slap on the wrist. I'm also sick of hearing that African Americans always get the short end of the stick. African Americans have many more opportunity than ANY other race. For instance, Affermitive Action. This "RULE" is racist in it self. MY Friends and I were affected by this "RULE", because we were not let into our first choice of college because these colleges had a quota to fill. In my case I had better grades, better SAT scores and I was still turned down because of the color of my skin. People have to focus on the future not the past. African Americans preach on how they were slaves for hundreds of years and that white people stole them from their "MOTHER LAND". In a lot of cases they were sold to the Europeans by there rival clans. Before people make incorrect statements they need to look up the truth in their history books. I can't stand when the race card is thrown by an African American and nothing is done about. This ignorance of racism has to stop, nomatter black, white, green or yellow. Just like Rodney King said,"Can't we all just get along".

A non-racist person,

Posted by: Adam at March 30, 2004 10:58 PM

I think Raqiyah should have the right to speak her mind, just like we all do everyday.

The problem comes when anyone takes those words and put them to action. Much like the KKK has done. Racism is wrong but do we need to have "thought police"? This is a free speech issue even though I totally disagree with her.

Here is dictionary.coms definition of racism.

1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Prejudging someone based on skin color means she is a racist.

Where did the "races" come from?
Apes?
Chimps?
Aliens?
Adam and Eve?

FOR THE REAL SCOOP ON THE SO CALLED "RACES", CHECK OUT:

http://www.onehumanrace.com/

Peace,
Apollos2

Posted by: Apollos2 at March 30, 2004 10:58 PM

Dictionary definitions can only provide a beginning, not an ending, when it comes to understanding the meaning of a word like "racism" that is used so often in political/sociological contexts, and has connotations in those worlds beyond what is covered by websters.

The defition you offer is certainly correct, but it is not complete. The word "racism" has more than one meaning, including what is often cited as the sociological definition which involves not only prejudice but the power to act on it, ie "prejudice+power". Much of the disagreement on this board just stems from folks failing to recognize that they're using different definitions of the word.

Personally, I think when someone is using a definition that implies more than prejudice they should start by stating so explicitly, otherwise any discussion is likely to get sidetracked by this type of confusion, unless you're already preaching to the converted.

As for the link you provided, that site is on the money when it says our systems of racial classification having no basis in science or logic. But they stop making sense when they try to tie that idea in with their creationist agenda, and throw the theory of evolution out with the bathwater.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at March 31, 2004 12:12 AM

I am against what Raqiyah Mays is saying overall!!

She is incredibly lucky to even get another job. This could have easily destroyed her career for the rest of her life. Does anyone remember the former NFL/CBS sports commentator Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder or former Los Angeles Dodger executive Al Campanis infamous appearance on "Nightline?"

Those careers were dumped in a heartbeat and were not able to be recovered!! All because they expressed themselves on the black athlete and the black genes.

Although this may seem like a double standard, but Raqiyah is VERY lucky to get another job. It could have been much worse than what it is. After all..unlike Snyder and Campanis, she DID claim herself to be a racist.

Posted by: Blackrush at March 31, 2004 01:32 AM

come on. flip it around. White DJ says she hates blacks and disapproves of interracial dating. You know she'd be publicly crucified. Everyone pussyfoots around when a black person says something nowadays. Newsflash, this chick just illuminates the fact that black people are more ignorant than many of us thought. This double standard needs to be shot down immediately before this issue spirals out of control.

Posted by: Get Serious at March 31, 2004 01:50 AM

Knowbody has a right to say if interracial relationships are right on wrong. Its completley down to the two people involved. If she said that she would never date a white man then thats completley her opinion but she can only speak for herself. Im a white male whos girlfriend of two years is black and the only time the "race issue" has come up has been from other people.... so therefore mine and my girlfriends relationship is RIGHT and knowbody can tell either one of us any different....however if your in an interratial relationship and the issue of race does come up between the two of you then obviously its not right for you. Its a personal thing, its definatly not for any one person to say its right or wrong.

Posted by: Dj Snips at March 31, 2004 06:24 AM

...And also, why when ever IR relationships are spoken about its allways "black man" "white woman"...

Posted by: Dj Snips at March 31, 2004 06:31 AM

First of all, I completely disagree with what that DJ said. She is definitely spreading hate with her comments. To openly admit being a racist, and then encourage disdain of both whites and interracial couples is unacceptable.

And what type of moral authority do blacks have against white race-baiters, when blacks endorse black race baiters?

However, to all the people who think that a white would have been fired, have you listened to talk radio lately? Apparently not. The racist sentiments of Mays are reflected from the white point of view constantly on the many AM 'neocon' talk shows. In fact, much more blatantly racist and bigoted views are expressed freely in this medium. Yet these shows are not only unmarginallized, they are enjoying burgeoning success.

Not to mention the Imus's and Sterns of the world that frequently mock blacks on their shows. They won't be fired any time soon.

To fire Mays and the Asian radio personality (fired for saying the 'f'-word) in LA were definitely double standards AGAINST minorities in a world where whites spew offensive and hate speach all the time.

The answer is to chastize ALL of these bigoted idiots, not give the white and/or famous ones slaps on the wrist while firing the rest.

Posted by: keto at March 31, 2004 08:51 AM

IRR is a beautiful thing. You are able to expand your mind to other cultures and people and being able to truly enjoy what the other cultures have to offer. How are we ever going to become a world of one race (human race), which I tend to hear over and over, if we are so hung up on ourselves of our own race. Segregation is a means of descruction because you will be limited to what your own has to offer, which has a limit. Intergration is the way to equaltiy because sooner or later, people cannot complain about race because we will all be mixed with "all of the above"

Posted by: KingJust at March 31, 2004 09:31 AM

However, to express her view during the middle of a radio show is pretty low. It was a cheeky promo contest, not a political forum.

Posted by: Stone at March 23, 2004 05:28 PM

I really dont think you should assume that MOST African Americans feel that way... Ide like to think that the kind of people with these views are in the minority whether there black or white....Maybe im wrong, and if i am... then its a sad world that we live in.

Posted by: Dj Snips at March 31, 2004 10:50 AM

Ide also just like to make another point(excuse my rant... but its a subject that i obviously feel strongly about) ... But i Live in London where we share a lot of the same social issues as most major cities in the U.S. one of these issues obviously being racism. There is not the same history of ill feeling between races here since the majority of Black people in England came to the UK by choice rather than through the slave trade. However, In England its still very much frowned upon by both races to be in an IR relationship...But someone looking from the outside into American Society as far as race relations are concerned, All i can say is that people really need to wake up, (and this is by no means an insult to American People black or white) But i recently spent some time in Broolyn NY with my girlfriends family and i was disgusted to see the lack of intergration, I found it extremely hard to belive that black people live in one area and white people live in another area. People were actually stopping on the street and staring at me and my girlfriend as we walked down flatbush ave. How do people expect to live in harmony when people wont even live on the same street?. Maybe its the Norm for people who live like that but for people outside america its a real eye opener, esecially since bother White and Black people have been living on the same island for over 400 years.

Posted by: Dj Snips at March 31, 2004 11:18 AM

She has a right to say anything she wants. The station also has a right to fire if they want. She represents them and when you see stuff like that you put your job on the line. That Free Speech defense is bogus because she had every right to say it because if she didn't who would know that she did but her employers have a right. I feel her sentiment but I heard she said that she dated a white guy in the past on the Bev Smith show so she's nothing but a hypocrit

Posted by: Mike at March 31, 2004 01:42 PM

I think, you DON'T have a right to blast your racist prejudice over the airwaves polluting people's ears and minds. It is as wrong as if some white radio host expressed her averse "feelings" about a white man dating a black woman. I'm not sure whether not even the personal attitude to exclude people of another race completely from you relationship-map, cuz they don't look like you, isn't best parochial and worst SEGREGATIONIST. People fought to go to the same schools, colleges even restrooms, why would there still be a segregationist border in people's minds when it came to dating.

Posted by: Al at March 31, 2004 03:57 PM

"I'm a racist. I really am. I have a problem with black people. Not all black people, but a lot of black people. ... I can't tell if they are being real with me or not. And then I hate when the white guy is walking down the street with the black girl. I hate both of them. C'mon, there's a man shortage, why you got to go ... How long do you think I would last as a white dj saying that?
Al Sharpton would be all over it! And would the black community think that firing me was "excessive"? Be real it works both ways you know.Now I am not going to qualify my remarks with " I have many black friends bullshit" It should'nt matter to any rational thinking person.Whats wrong is wrong period!

Posted by: John at March 31, 2004 04:02 PM

John I agree with your sentiments; but again, on the "would I get away with this" question, this stuff is said all the time by white, 'conservative' talk show hosts. Bigoted views on interracial dating among other racial topics.

I don't see Jesse or Sharpton anywhere......

Posted by: keto at March 31, 2004 05:33 PM

I've read the notion, that black people can't be racist and that expressing an opinion is not like attacking folks KKK-style. That certainly is true. Also no one should deny the history of white racism against blacks in this country. The distinction however is not between instituionalized discrimination, segregation, slavery, or violent extremists on one side and critizing interracial relationships on the other. All those things are the same on different levels of severity and graduation. This assertion can be proven by the fact that probably all these segregationists, supremacists and violent racists would applaude and defend Radiyah Mays remarks. It ends with "Apartheid", but it starts with the notion that certain human beings should not interact with each other because they don't look like you. Just because your not gonna act on your disapproval and assault someone or because you don't have the power to install a institutionalized racist "Apartheid"-system of oppression and discrimination doesn't make your opinion not racist.

Posted by: Al at March 31, 2004 07:04 PM

Keto, you need to back this statement up,

"this stuff is said all the time by white, 'conservative' talk show hosts. Bigoted views on interracial dating among other racial topics."

with some evidence. Otherwise you are just making a wild accusation and stereotype over what you think is the topic(s) on a "Conservative" radio show.

Posted by: Mark at March 31, 2004 09:37 PM

I definatley think that there are a lot of white radio hosts with the same views on IR dating but ive never actually heard one say "I have a confession, i dont like blacks and it makes me angry to see a black guy with a white woman". I think this would cause outrage regardless of the race of the person saying it.

Posted by: Dj Snips at April 1, 2004 03:48 AM

To people who want proof of my above assertions:

Since I don't transcribe or record these programs when I listen, I don't have any direct proof. So I would urge you to listen for yourselves if you don't believe me.

I would ask that you listen to some of the local AM conservative talk radio shows in the day and night. And not just for a day; I'm not saying racial statements are uttered continuously. Listen for two weeks, and tell me what you hear.

I am a talk show junkie (whether or not the host agrees with me); for example, I have been listening to Rush since the 80s, when I was in jr high. And when I go on day/night road trips, I often listen to talk radio rather than music.

I have heard alot of disturbing things on these radio shows, from both the hosts and the call-in audiences. On the national ones (Rush, Savage), the bigotry is very subtle. But on the more regional and local shows, the racism (and sexism, and homophobia) is quite salient.

I have heard people call in and bemoan interracial relationships in much the same way Mays did, with agreement (silent or stated) from the host. I have heard hosts go on diatribes about the 'black' or 'mexican' problem quite often, with callers chiming in with agreements and anecdotes to boot. Minorities are contrasted to whites in the most unflattering and unobjective ways, to put it lightly. So, there is subtle and overt racial views expressed on these shows.

I think it's narrow-minded to assert that a direct statement of hate ("I hate X") is the only threshold for outrage for a racially tolerant person. Hate speech is such whether it is directly said or said using code words and 'wink wink' inuendo.

Posted by: keto at April 1, 2004 11:03 AM

I definatley agree with you, I was just stating that it was the first time ide heard such direct comments on air from anyone of either race. At the end of the day whether people are expressing these views or not it wont change the way they feel. We live among racism and probably will untill the day we die, So maybe its better for everybody to air out the way they feel no matter how narrow minded there views are, at least we would all then know the people to stear clear of.

Posted by: Dj Snips at April 1, 2004 11:34 AM

review this, wouild i get fired for saying that in-air? damn straight i would.

Posted by: Gaz at April 1, 2004 03:31 PM

It�s interesting . . . without any good reason, I have an undeniable sense that those lining up against Raquiya and equating her comments to those of white racists are themselves predominantly white. At first I thought T-Money and H Dawg are probably white, and was really feeling pretty rotten about the sort of thoughtlessness my fellow Caucasians are capable of . . . but looking at their posts again, it�s unclear, and they mean something different if you imagine them being put up by black dudes. In fact, in that light, their comments are downright progressive. Funny how context changes the meaning of the same sequence of words, eh?

Get Serious= probably white. Gaz= definitely white. John Allen=definitely white, but perhaps reformable.

It�s not that blacks can�t be racist, but it means something much different. For one thing they�re much more justified in any suspicions they may have of whites (you know, that whole centuries of slavery thing could sour you on a whole race pretty easily . . .). For another, they�re rarely in the position to put their prejudice in action in substantive ways (denying someone a job/raise/bank loan).

On this particular issue, I�ll raise my hand as a white guy who is inclined mostly towards women of color. Of course I figure this is more common among guys raised on/involved in hip hop, maybe it�s some sort of subconscious Lou Reed/Lester Bangs type of compensation thing.

Posted by: David at April 1, 2004 04:41 PM

to david.

As a non-american (i hate how american communities of all races assume white peoplem all over the world are the same) and a white male, i have to say that i have never hung any black people, it wasn't my ancestors committing those crimes, i have no problem with people of any race or creed. I'll admit that i can't understand the wayward thinking of americans (of all colours), but that is blatantly racism - 'i hate white people' come on - what the f**k have i ever done to be 'hated'.

Posted by: Gaz at April 1, 2004 05:00 PM

On another note; If there is a shortage of black men, why not date interracially? i'm sure there are more than enough White and Asian males interested in IR's with AF-AM girls.

Posted by: Gaz at April 1, 2004 05:22 PM

Now I know why I stayed in Europe so long. Been around the world in my job where the last thing on peoples agenda was what was walking together on the side of the street. Ms Mays has too much time on her hands. She needs to worry about the future of mankind in general, the aids epidemic, helping out people that haven't a pot to piss in and ways to improve public relations so we don't end up like some of the country's out there of the same race that can't get there own society together, get on with it lady! Peace!

Posted by: Herc at April 2, 2004 01:16 AM

Gaz: I don't assume whites around the world are the same. Specifically, I think it's very difficult for those in Europe to understand the type of racism that many of those in America ascribe to. Of course there's racism everywhere, but my impression is that things are much more fucked up and complicated here than in, for example, the U.K. It's all about context, and in an American context, it's simply false that Raquiya's statements are equivalent to the inverse statements made by a white DJ. They would mean and imply totally different things.

As for black women dating outside their race, that's exactly what we're discussing here. I've observed that, aside from the obvious tensions within the black community, I think a lot of white (and asian and hispanic) men are threatened by African-American women, making the situation doubly difficult.

Posted by: David at April 2, 2004 10:02 AM

I'd also like to contribute some wisdom courtesy of the immortal Bullworth:

"Everybody's just gotta keep f*cking everybody else until we're all the same color."

Posted by: David at April 2, 2004 10:08 AM

Well if was the attention she might have been looking for, she definitely got it. I wonder who hired her after all this hoopla anyway. Now that would be an interesting place to work at don't you think? Maybe there's a representative for everyone that feels the way she does from all races in there. Daayum let's hope not!!

Posted by: Herc at April 2, 2004 01:02 PM

What two people do is their own business..Not yours, not mine, and definately not a racist like Ms. Mays. And I do love the replys of everybody who says she has a right to view her opinion, therefore, it's 1st Amendment, not racism. I'm sure you all had the same nonchalent view concerning Rush Limbaugh a while back. Or Campanis, Jimmy the Greek, Trent Lott, and others. yeah, right!! PS: I love women of ALL races.

Posted by: jon at April 3, 2004 12:17 PM

Here's another example of racism on the air, with no consequence (but higher ratings) for the offender. Like I said above, most hate speech never gets the DJ or host fired.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/108073075117391.xml

Posted by: keto at April 4, 2004 01:31 AM

Keto, in your reply to John, yo said what Ms. Mays did as far as self-admitted racist opinions happens all the time on radio by the white DJ's and they don't get fire. Could you be specific? Who and when and what were the comments? I do know this, CBS fired 'Jimmy the Greek' on the spot for saying blacks were bred for handle the heat better and what have you. Which gave them more speed. Yet, Dusty Baker said something similar and he wasn't fired. And we know Trent Lott was removed as 'senate majority leader' by the republican party because he praised Strom Thurmond's service in the senate. Although no racial comments were used. Rush Limbaugh said Donavan McNabb was overrated as a quarterback, that he's never won a championship, but nobody wants to admit it because they are pulling for a black quarterback. ESPN immediately fired him from that show. Yet, Spike Lee made similar types of racist comments towards Larry Bird, who has won 3 NBA titles and 3 MVP awards, and nobody jumps on him. Same with Isiah Thomas and his comments at Bird. And they still hired Isiah for coaching and GM jobs. Please, be specific, tell me who gets away with these racist comments (as far as whites go)? I don't mean whats viewed as conservative, I mean actual racist, as has come from the lips of Ms. Mays, Lee, Baker, and others..Why Jesse Jackson called jewish people in New York City "hymies." Referred to the people in NYC as the 'hymies in hymietown.' Did he get fired? No, he even had a CNN talkshow on Sunday's after those anti-semitic comments. D!ck Gregory, the so-called(?) comedian/political activist said," I heard it on a good source that all jewish workers called off work at the World Trade Center on 9/11." The idiot never did give his source and didn't mention that 552 of the workers killed that day were of the jewish faith. And the white media liberals who've created these guys as your 'black spokesmen', who speak for you(?), wouldn't challenge them on it. So again, give me the ABSOLUTE examples of the white DJ's who always get away with racist comments? Give names and what they said?

Posted by: Jon at April 5, 2004 01:58 PM

Acts 10:34, 35, ACTS 17:26 - SAY THAT GOD MADE FROM ONE MAN OR BLOOD EVERY NATION OF MEN, AND THAT GOD IS NOT PARTIAL OR A RESPECTER OF MEN, THEREFORE AND WHO PROFESS CHRIST BUT HATES MEN IS ACTUALLY A HATER OF GOD AND A CONTENSIONER OF MEN. YOU CANT SAY YOU WANT PEACE BUT HAVE SUCH DEEP ROOTED FEELINGS OF HATE OR EVEN DISLIKE SIMPLY BASED ON SKIN TONE... OUR BLOOD ALL COMES FROM ONE MAN... ABLE TO BE SAVED ALSO THROUGH ONE MAN... IF WE VIEW THINGS THIS WAY THEN GODS KINDOM HAS OVER TAKEN YOU..JOE

Posted by: JOE at April 6, 2004 11:43 AM

FROM ONE MAN OR BLOOD EVERY NATION OF MEN, AND THAT GOD IS NOT PARTIAL OR A RESPECTER OF MEN, THEREFORE ANY WHO PROFESS CHRIST BUT HATES MEN IS ACTUALLY A HATER OF GOD AND A CONTENSIONER OF MEN. YOU CANT SAY YOU WANT PEACE BUT HAVE SUCH DEEP ROOTED FEELINGS OF HATRED OR EVEN DISLIKE SIMPLY BASED ON SKIN TONE... OUR BLOOD ALL COMES FROM ONE MAN... ABLE TO BE SAVED ALSO THROUGH ONE MAN... IF WE VIEW THINGS AS GOD DOES THEN GOD'S KINGDOM HAS REALLY OVER TAKEN YOU..- JMBDRAFT@COX.NET

Posted by: JOE at April 6, 2004 11:59 AM

SHOULD SHE BE FIRED, NO... SHE WAS SIMPLY EXERCISING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AS SHE THOUGHT, BUT SUCH FREEDOM SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED TO MORALLY SUPPORT NEVER TO MORALLY DEGRADE ANY RACE, WHETHER YOUR OWN OR NOT... FOR INSTANCE IF YOUR FAMILY HAS A PROBLEM WITH A CERTAIN FAMILY MEMBER DO YOU ADVERTISE THEIR FAULTS, NO YOU WOULDNT EVEN IF THE FAMILY MEMBER REALLY IS IN THE WRONG... WELL CERTAINLY ONE SHOULD NOT ADVERTISE THEIR DEGRADING FEELINGS BASED ON SIMPLE OPINIONS...SURELY WHEN THERE IS NOT EVEN A PROBLEM WITH DATING SOMEONE OF ANOTHER RACE. THE REAL PROBLEM IS TO SAY I'M A CHRISTIAN AND VERBALLY EXPRESS OR EVEN HAVE A PARTIAL VIEW IN THIS MANNER ....PREJUDICE IN ANY FORM IS WRONG ..JOE

Posted by: JOE at April 6, 2004 12:17 PM

what she said was inappropriate whether it was her opinion or not. as a radio announcer, youhave guidelines for waht you say. you are trying to get people to listen to your station not hate it. when you are on the air whether it is tv or radio, you cannot state opinions that will offend your listeners or viewer. we all have a right to our opinion but we have to think about the appropriate place and time to voice them. for example, that is like an african american talk show host stating his/her opinion on why they dislike white people, even when their viewers are black and white. people need to know thier limits when it comes to the public eye.

Posted by: nisa at April 19, 2004 05:22 PM

you stupids....
you're still talkin' about RACE!!!!!!
the problem of all problems is race no interracial couples...
she's a racist and there's no difference between a white racist and a african-american racist. is the same shit! we don't want white racism as we don't want black racism.
hope she will be fired again as i don't want a nazi talkin' on my radio
(sorry for my english)

Posted by: boost at May 10, 2004 07:23 AM

Well in that case a lot of white people need to be fired. Many white people do openly racist things and even though folks see racism and call it out, nothing is done about it.

Posted by: girl6 at June 6, 2004 10:07 PM

If you look at this from a DNA point of view, it is part of nature's structure to keep the gene pool with plenty of combinations. Therefore the differences between the races... any of them... help promote more perfect repoduction of the human being.

The actual amount of differences between the races is so microscopic from a DNA stand point that I find the idea of racist's attitudes to be brightly ignorant. Unfortunately, the human being's nature of "us vs them" will never go away.

Posted by: Garry Routh at June 7, 2004 01:53 PM

SHE IS A RACIST AND THANK GOD IS FIRED, I DONT THINK SHE SHOULD EVER WORK IN MEDIA OR WITH THE PUBLIC EVER AGAIN.I CANT BELEIVE WHY PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO GIVE DAVID DUKE TYPE COMMENTS A PASS. ON ANOTHER NOTE BLACKS GET A FREE RIDE IN MAKING JOKES ABOUT WHITES AND OTHER GROUPS IN COMEDY ACT ALL DAY LONG BUT IF A NON BLACK COMIC EVRY TRIED TO M AKE FUN OF BLACKS ON HBO OR SHOWTIME OR IN THE MOVIES. IT WOULD BE FRONT PAGE NEWS. AN UGLY DOUBLE STANDARD.