CNN’s Don Lemon not only agreed with some comments made by Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, but Lemon went on to say that O’Reilly didn’t go far enough:
Don Lemon is so right. || Video CNN's Don Lemon: Bill O'Reilly's Criticism Of Black Community "Doesn't Go Far Enough" http://t.co/SxZxrWxDfW
— Chris (@4cchild) July 28, 2013
Partial transcript via Real Clear Politics (video also at the link):
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL O’REILLY, FOX NEWS HOST: The reason there is so much violence and chaos in the black precincts is the disintegration of the African- American family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: He’s got a point. In fact, he’s got more than a point. Bill?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O’REILLY: Raised without much structure, young black men often reject education and gravitate towards the street culture, drugs, hustling, gangs. Nobody forces them to do that, again, it is a personal decision.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: He is right about that, too. But in my estimation, he doesn’t go far enough. Because black people, if you really want to fix the problem, here’s just five things that you should think about doing. Here’s number five, and if this doesn’t apply to you, if you’re not doing this, then it doesn’t apply to you, I’m not talking to you.
Many tweeters, in spite of Lemon’s qualifier, thought he was talking to them
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Don Lemon put his jacket over a puddle for Bill O'reilly to walk over it. He didn't take the jacket off first.
— jamilah (is in the crib like you should be.) (@JamilahLemieux) July 28, 2013
Really sad watching @DonLemonCNN become the minstrel version of uncle tom.Almost as if O'Reilly put on Black face to make racist points.
— It's the culture stupid (@wwalwyn) July 28, 2013
@DonLemonCNN you state that O'Reilly's comments didn't go far enough? They went too far and were out of context as were your comments.
— Baby Yoda (@iammarcustb) July 29, 2013
Among the biggest critics of Lemon’s comments was MSNBC’s Goldie Taylor:
MSNBC's Goldie Taylor: CNN's Don Lemon a 'Turn Coat Mofo' for Agreeing With O'Reilly on Race http://t.co/zYx77lxeJY
— Noel Sheppard (@NoelSheppard) July 28, 2013
https://twitter.com/goldietaylor/status/361262653995352065
There are those who still believe that one of the great things about America is that everyone has access to their own “rope ladder” should they know where to look for it and choose to use it. How disappointing it must be for some to discover that, according to Taylor, their only way “out” depends on a CNN host not taking away the magic rungs.
Lemon took to Twitter to explain:
Looks like most commenting didn't actually see #NoTalkingPoints segment on #CNN. I'll comment from 5-7pET tonight. http://t.co/nB6LcuEaYQ
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) July 28, 2013
Kinda surprised the things my mom taught me in kindergarten r so controversial. Respect yourself & others. hmm. #CNN #NoTalkingPoints
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) July 28, 2013
dress nicely. use appropriate language. keep ur surroundings clean. go to school. be responsible, involved parents. That's offensive? SMH
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) July 28, 2013
#NoTalkingPoints was not about ending racism. Was about bettering oneself in spite of. ie, abused woman at some point has to leave abuser.
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) July 28, 2013
More in Lemon’s Twitter feed here.
And for others, “pass the popcorn”:
https://twitter.com/JonathanGOP/status/361613618128760834
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