Dallas Observer Bigwig Apologizes For His Streetness
I’ve known Mike Lacey for a while. (He co-owns Village Voice Media, which owns the DO.) I always loved working for him, even when he was furious at me. (He once called me up, screaming about a story I wrote, since I quoted someone whom Lacey had once bought ought. “He never made a dime I didn’t put in his pocket!” Lacey screamed. I pointed out that, who better to comment on Mike Lacey’s business dealings, then, than said person? He was still ticked, but he let the story run, as he always did.) I guess, though, I’m glad I never became REALLY close personal friends with him. Otherwise I might find my name in this story, the one where Lacey apologizes for calling one of his buddies “My n-[rest of word redacted]” at a press awards banquet. Um, murmur?
6 Comments to “Dallas Observer Bigwig Apologizes For His Streetness”
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Eric, I agree that Lacey is a stand-up guy. As a j-student at Arizona State University I contributed to the original Phoenix New Times during its startup phase, and once wrote a review of Jane Fonda’s “Klute” film that a bunch of the other New Times staffers apparently wanted to cut or spike. Reason: I’d said “Klute” demonstrated that Fonda could be a much more effective advocate for social change by making movies like “Klute” than by “picketing the grape rack at the A&P.” (Farmworker grape strikes were big in those days.) Lacey said he stuck up for the comment, which ran intact. To me that showed his commitment to free and vibrant speech, even when it went against the P.C. grain.
So, let me get this straight. In our uber-accepting, no absolutes, anything-goes society a white guy can’t refer to a close friend by a slang term that is used in every walk of life by the black community?
It’s okay to say it when you’re black, but not when you’re white? Seems like the same perpetuation of racism that the black community cries about at every opportunity. Look for Sharpton, Jackson, and the rest of those sniveling hate-mongers to jump into this one.
The guy apparently lost a close friend and was remembering him fondly. It was a term of endearment. Get over it.
Give me a break: Get a grip, my cracker.
OFFENSIVE! OFFENSIVE! Fire him from his job and foreclose on his home. I need reparations from Daniel for his callous and irresponsible rhetoric! Make checks payable to the NAAWP.
I was at a local blog trying to do my act and I got heckled, and I took it badly and went into a rage. For me to be on a local blog and to flip out and say this crap, I’m deeply, deeply sorry.
You know what? I’m black, I don’t drop the ‘N’ bomb in polite company, but same-race ‘N’-bombing doesn’t ruffle my feathers.