Wait, So Is It Wrong To Use Racial Slurs To Describe Dead People At Awards Dinners?

The Jury Seems To Be Out

When a prominent white man is surprised when there's backlash after he calls his dead journalist friend a nigger at a Society for Professional Journalists gathering, we all really need to step back an analyze what is going on in this country. Michael Lacey, the co-owner of the alternative newspaper chain behind the Village Voice and all the various incarnations of New Times papers, called Tom Fitzpatrick, the late Pulitzer Prize winner, "my nigger" and gave a speech peppered with vulgar phrases while accepting an award at an SJP ceremony in Phoenix.

Here's his apology: "My words, meant to honor a friend, were inappropriate," Lacey said. "All present have my sincere apology. It is regrettable that any phrase of mine offended those attending a First Amendment awards banquet." Sounds a little backhanded to me. If I ever picked up the Village Voice, I would say I am boycotting it. But that's sort of like giving up something you don't like for Lent.

Apr 10, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 6 Responses

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Tagged: Michael Lacey, The N Word, Village Voice

Comments (6)

No. 1 · sweett

I'm sorry, but where is the HONOR in these statements?! Please post a transcript/video, something, soon.

Posted: Apr 10, 2008 at 12:00 pm

No. 2 · Mary

Unbelievable, I wonder what he used to call Tom Fitzpatrick when he was alive. With friends like Michael Lacey who needs enemies.

Posted: Apr 10, 2008 at 12:46 pm

No. 3 · shagreen

Vulgar and offensive? Without doubt. (Though I wish the kids on my block would stop calling each other that every third or fourth word—I heard the word at least 10 times being used by a group of high-school students in apparently friendly fashion!!!!) As for the late Mr Fitzgerald … who knows the complexities and conversations in his relationship with Mr Lacey—perhaps that is what they called each other all the time. Not excusing the use of the word, just trying to figure out origin/reason/context.

Posted: Apr 10, 2008 at 2:31 pm

No. 4 · Rachel

Maybe T. Fitzpatrick used to call him my honky ? I kid !

Posted: Apr 10, 2008 at 3:25 pm

No. 5 · blackmistressdiva

I agree with shagreen. We don't know the relationship so we can't judge at this point.

Posted: Apr 10, 2008 at 7:49 pm

No. 6 · kjen

Why are such events like this (whites with access to a stage and the press using racial slurs) keep happening? Regardless of what sort of private relationship they may have had, there are things that when said in public will be offensive to other people. After awhile the whole using the word, public outcry followed by a "contrite, sincere" apology feels like it has become formulaic. Meaning no one has really learned a lesson. Wonder who the next prominent white person to say 'my nigga/nigger' or some variation, will be?

Posted: Apr 11, 2008 at 2:33 am

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