Page 47 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

CHAPTER TW O

Taxonomy of

Microaggressions

Michael Richards (aka Kramer) of Seinfeld fame went on an insane racial
tirade after being heckled by Black patrons while performing at a comedy club.
During the interaction, Richards shouted, “ Shut up! Fifty years ago we ’ d have
you upside - down with a fucking fork up your ass [reference to lynching]! He ’ s
a nigger! He ’ s a nigger! He ’ s a nigger! A nigger! Look, there ’ s a nigger! ” The
following night, Richards appeared with Jerry Seinfeld on an evening program to
apologize.
On the set of the popular program Grey ’ s Anatomy it was reported that African
American actor Isaiah Washington used gay epithets toward fellow actors while
arguing over a difference of opinion. There were reports that Washington taunted
fellow actor Patrick Dempsey (Dr. Derek Shepherd or “ Dr. McDreamy ” ) by saying,
“ I ’ m not your little faggot like [name redacted], ” referring to a fellow cast member.
Washington later apologized stating he was not homophobic, but unfortunately
several other similar incidents seemed to contradict his claim. He was subsequently

fired from the show.

When arrested while driving under the influence, Mel Gibson made highly anti -
Semitic statements toward a Jewish officer: “ Fucking Jews are responsible for all the

wars in the world. ” At the police station, he is alleged to have used the term “ sugar

tits ” to refer to female officers. Several days later, Gibson apologized and issued several
statements. He claimed that he was neither anti - Semitic nor sexist and that “ it was
the alcohol talking. ”

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