An Accusation Which Makes Me Proud: Bill O'Reilly Thinks I'm a 'Race Baiter'

The main people who don't seem to want to talk about race in America these days, are those who earn their living by keeping us apart.

Exhibit A: Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly, a guy who I've called on the carpet many times for his use of coded words and phrases to pass along stereotypical, insulting ideas. He's gleefully pointed out going after "black rappers" in a prime time special on explicit entertainment, noted how those who live a "gangsta life" were like those left to drown in post-Katrina New Orleans and insisted he wasn't going to "go on a lynching party" when Michelle Obama said some thing which upset conservatives about America.

Last night, in one of those inexplicable moments when a world-famous opinionator reaches out to swat a barely-known newspaper writer, O'Reilly called me "one of the biggest race baiters in the country," offering no proof of how I'd earned the term, beyond my status as chair of the Media Monitoring Committee for the National Association of Black Journalists.

I'm betting it's because I took note of his lynching remark in a column about Don Imus on Friday. Indeed, I have a long history of tangling with Fox News' most popular pundit, viewable in stories here, here and here.

"Millions of white Americans will no longer even think about discussing race with black people," O'Reilly offered, just before plastering my picture on his screen. "Any slip of the tongue can lead to trouble."

Of course, O'Reilly's use of coded race language is hardly accidental. A key part of his show involves invoking the specter of out-of-control black males to frighten his audience. Once a critic like me objects, he can claim it was a mistake and accuse others of overreaching or unfairness. But if the Don Imus incident teaches anything, it's that mainstream America is growing far less tolerant of such antics.

I'm not saying I'm perfect in this. We've reached a point with prejudice and stereotypes where the issues are subtle, deep-seated and difficult to discuss. But I think intent counts for a lot -- and it seems obvious to me that O'Reilly doesn't come to these debates with respect for many positions besides his own. And that's why I'm so tough on him; because he's smart enough to know exactly what he's doing.

The News Hounds web site notes that the only people O'Reilly accuses of being unfair about claims of racism are black folks (he did cite the liberal media watchdog Web site Media Matters for America, which is run by white people). His list of "race hustlers includes an ex-girlfriend of comic Bill Maher, who filed a palimony suit accusing the HBO host of using "degrading racial comments" against her. (that mention, which really has little to do with accusations of racism in politics and media, just seemed calculated to show a picture of Maher, who is white, next to his black centerfold model ex-girlfriend).   

O'Reilly and I can agree on one thing: the word racist is thrown around way too much. It feeds the notion that the only people who leverage such language are serious bigots, which isn't true. The toughest thing about confronting stereotypes sometimes is that they are seductive, entertaining and often employed by people who aren't bigots. Doesn't make them any more right.

In O'Reilly's world, the only "race hustlers" in the game seem to be black people (except Al Sharpton, with whom O'Reilly seems to have a cordial relationship). But white pundits like O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage often use race tension to score points with their audiences, exploiting their fear and frustration about race issues to score ratings points.

As I've said many times before, I judge journalists by the enemies they make. So I must be doing pretty well these days.

Here's a clip of O'Reilly's rant, courtesy of YouTube:

   

Comments

[NED THE NOSE HAIR]

Ummm, sorry to disagree on your point about Imus, but he was actually rewarded for his years of hatred, and his bogoted remarks. His "punishment" was actually a lengthy vacation and a new million dollar contract. He is now on ABC radio. This courtesy of ABC:
'Citadel Broadcasting Corporation and 77WABC announced the hiring of Don Imus as the station’s new morning host beginning Monday, December 3rd. Imus is bringing his team back to the radio on 77WABC including newsman Charles McCord. The show will air 6-10am on 77WABC and will be syndicated nationally by the ABC Radio Network.

“We are ecstatic to bring Don Imus back to morning radio,” said 77WABC President & General Manager Steve Borneman. “Don’s unique brand of humor, knowledge of the issues and ability to attract big-name guests is unparalleled. He is rested, fired up and ready to do great radio on the nation's most listened to News/Talk radio station, 77WABC.”'

That's not punishment, my friends...that's FUNishment.

[Eric Deggans]

I've been having these kinds of discussions in print, cyberspace, public forums, classrooms, cable Tv shows, radio programs and many other forums for nearly 20 years.

So yes, I've already been having these kinds of discussions for a while. i'm glad to see Don imus has decided to join us.

Eric,

Imus' Jesse Jackson interview is just one of many discussions he has had on race since returning to the air.

These discussions are not part of a 12 step plan nor are they predicated on an AA meeting. Thankfully they are taking place without preconditions or permission from media critics. Have to ask, are truly ready for the discussion?

ChanX

[Eric Deggans]

Thanks so much, Karl,Cathleeen and Wayne. When O'eilly first complained aout my work on air, i got 50 emails and most of them were critical of me.

Following this latest dustup, I've gotten about 12 emails and all but three or four were complimentary to me.

So I think that says something about his standing -- and maybe mine....

[Karl Nurse]

When Bill O'Reilly is attacking you,
you must be doing something right.
Congratulations!

[Cathleen]

Great commentary, Eric. You are obviously a bigger name than you think you are.

[wayne dawkins]

Fight the good fight Eric D.
In the 1990s, E. Tyrell, editor of the conservative American Spectator, established this rule: Whoever stepped up to critique racist behavior or racism should be tarred as the racist. Stand firm and speak truth to power.

[Eric Deggans]

If you look at my Imus post from last week, you'll see that I noted his discussion with Jesse Jackson on Friday was exactly the kind of dialogue I have been calling for.

But I do think it is a bit disingenuous for Imus to do this kind of stuff now without owning up to his own racist past.

He knows very well, as a former alcoholic, you can't change what you don't acknowledge. I wish he had the strength to admit the many things he's done wrong in the past, so us media critics could be confident he has renounced his old ways....

[ChannelXRFR]

Eric, While you continue to beat the Imus "race drum" Imus has been pursuing the race discussion. Here are two recent guests appearing on Imus addressing the issue of race in America...

Carl Jeffers, editorial contributor toThe Huffington Post, and Seattle Times, as well as a nationally reknown political columnist.
http://www.wabcradio.com/Article.asp?id=634050&spid=22807

Dr. Douglas Blackmon, Author of "Slavery by another name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II.
http://www.wabcradio.com/Article.asp?id=634092&spid=22807

[Eric Deggans]

thanks for the cool comments Mr. Mayor.

I don't know about whether O'Reilly is a racist, but I do think he very cynically plays upon the prejudices of others. He may not subscribe to stereotypes about people, but he certainly seems to have no qualms about spreading them....

[oakling]

But would you call Bill O'Reilly a bigot? Seems to me that anyone who uses the loaded language and tactics that he does, day after day, has earned that name.

[The Mayor]

Congratulations are indeed due you, Eric. But I'm not sure I got Billo's point (not an uncommon occurrence, I'll grant you): Calling a racist a racist is bad but smearing someone's integrity and making vague threats is good?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to a Harlem dining establishment for some M-F-ing tea.

[Bruce]

Mr. Deggans I will forward this to Mr. Imus.

Have a great day.

[Eric Deggans]

Anytime, Bruce. Anytime.

[Bruce]

Mr. Deggans is so insignificant he is only trying to get hits for this most amazingly stupid article.

Bill O'Reilly is not one of my most favorite opinionated talk show hosts, but he has got you pegged Mr. Deggans.

Would love you to be asked by Don Imus to come on his show. He would love to go toe to toe with you about who are the true racists out there. Or the more appropriate term (RACE BAITER).

[Kelley]

Wow. That was so random. Great response though, E.

[Eric Deggans]

I hear you, Tampanian. Although, since he's much more famous than me, I'm the one who stands to benefit most from a public disagreement...

It's like Keith Olbermann says, anytime he talks about me on his show, it just makes his fans come to my web site and the newspaper's site.

So as long as he's mad at me over the right reasons, I'm happy to be included.

[former tampanian]

Nice job, Deggans. I find it funny that Bill O. left his name off of the list of "labelled racists." I wonder if it's worth the pissing match, though. It seems Bill O. is "baiting" you into some free pub. Just a thought.

[Chuck Welch]

Congratulations. Can we look forward to Rush Limbaugh crawling out of a pill bottle to climb on the Get Deggans bandwagon?

One suggested change for your post: "world-infamous opinionator"