Going Back to the Porch With Juan Williams
Poor Juan Williams! Do the indignities ever cease? First he's the only black guy half the time on FOX News (they recently fired liberal commentator Marc Lamont Hill). That deserves some form of hazard pay alone, but being in the position that he's often in (sometimes defending Bill O'Reilly, this time arguing over Rush Limbaugh being kicked to the curb by his fellow rich dudes in their group bid for the St. Louis Rams), he is often the target of ... how can we put this delicately? Accusations of a word I loathe -- "coonery." I don't use the term, but Lord knows, Juan should be more than familiar with the pejorative. Especially since fellow yakker Warren Ballentine went there with a "coonery" derivative, telling Mr. Williams to take his ass "back to the porch."
From Mediaite:
At the very end of a segment on The O’Reilly Factor about Rush Limbaugh being dropped from the bid for the St. Louis Rams, a racial slur creeped into the conversation.
Aimed at FNC contributor Juan Williams, the slur was then compounded by tweets bragging about it from Warren Ballentine, who made the comment, and no remorse today either.
The Washington Times reports on the entire back-and-forth that continues this afternoon. While discussing “Barack The Magic Negro” song that Rush Limbaugh played, Williams and Ballentine, both African American, disagreed on whether that was “racial”.
Just before the end of the segment, Ballentine said, “You can go back to the porch, Juan. You can go back. It’s ok.”
But wait! Juan came up with a response ... after the fact. And didn't say it to Ballentine's face. Because ... I'm assuming Juan isn't as fast on his feet. It's easier to stand up to a guy if you don't have to actually look at them.
You can divine whatever meaning you'd like from Ballentine's remarks, but when I think of "porches" you can go back to, all I see is Massa and the term "porch monkey." No matter how you feel about Williams and his ... um ... tendencies, dude didn't deserve to be told to get back on the porch. I personally think he can commit some ass-clownery fouls, but ... again, I shy away from using terms like what Ballentine flung out because they tend to trivialize an otherwise serious debate. Just because Juan can be ridiculous doesn't mean you have to stoop to an ever lower level, but some people like to call 'em as they see 'em and last time I checked Balletine wasn't apologizing for shizznit.
He was almost gleeful while bragging about it on Twitter: “ok howd i do u hear me tell jaun back to the porch lmao” he wrote, among several other comments. Today, he wrote, “You gotta love how now Iam the racist LMAO gotta love the washington post and the GOP.”
The Times also has a clip of his web radio show, and he wasn’t remorseful in any way:
Now if you want to take what I said about Juan Williams as racial, you go right ahead. All I said was he could go back to the porch. I didn’t call him a house negro. I said he could go back to the porch. Now if you took it as such, that means you took it as such.
FOX News, Juan Williams, Warren Ballentine, media, mediaite, pundits, race 
Reader Comments (54)
Sorry Snob.
There isn't enough scorn that can be heaped on Juan's head. He's earned every ounce of it.
Thanks Snob for acknowledging that Juan Williams didn't deserve that kind of snub. It's amazing to me how so many Black liberals are silent on this issue. We can't have it both ways. It's like legitimizing the N-word when we use it, then raising holy terror when it's used outside our community. How can we attack the Conservative talk show hosts on Fox (Faux) News for using racial epithets and making derogatory statements about people of color, when we can't go on a program without succumbing to the same level of conduct? It’s a double standard, pure and simple. If liberals can't adhere to a higher code of conduct, than we have NO business complaining about the derogatory statements from the political pundits on Fox News.
Juan deserved it.
To be honest I’m torn. Firstly I agree with, adorsey, we can’t have it both ways. We can’t attack the Conservatives for their offensive remarks, but then stoop to their level. That being said, hearing Juan defend that fool Rush made me mad, that’s kind of why I wasn’t instantly applaud by what Warren said. I kind of laughed when he said it. I know he’d been waiting to say it the whole interview.
I can’t be mad at Warren for not apologizing. I hate when people apologize for stuff they really meant.
Juan so deserve it. It couldn't have happened to a better boot-licker than him! He earned it!
We would truely appreciate it if you'd add us at http://weeseeyou.com/ to your blog roll and vice versa!
Thank You Kindly!
@ Adorsay
You wrote:
"How can we attack the Conservative talk show hosts on Fox (Faux) News for using racial epithets and making derogatory statements about people of color, when we can't go on a program without succumbing to the same level of conduct?"
When a person of color goes on Fox news and gives clearance to a certified racist telling an African-American radio show caller to take the 'bone from his nose", that's how we can.
Coonery may be lucrative, but nothing is worth selling out your race for.
Juan should be allowed to have his own opinion and not be called a coon for it.
Hehehe...
The whole point of Juan WIlliam's segment was to show that Rush Limbaugh has a Black friend. How many times did he say "friend", "he's my friend", "he's a friend of mine"?
LMAO... oh mercy.
This is so great.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This thread makes me sad.
From: Mr. O'shea Jackson
To: Mr. Juan Williams
Re: Selling out your race on Fox news.
Dear Juan,
Find a mirror and take a look, G
Do you like what you see?
Stop selling out your race
And wipe that stupid-ass smile off your face
You wanna be the big fish, you little guppy
Black man can't be no yuppie
You put on your suit and tie and your big clothes
You don't associate with the Negroes.
You wanna be just like Jack
But Jack is calling you a ni--a behind your back
You know that's right
You ain't white
So stop holding your ass tight
Cause you can't pass
So why you keep trying to pass?
With your black ass
Wanna be Mister Big
But in reality, you're shorter than a midge
You only got yourself to blame
Get a grip, oreo.
And be true to the game
What Ballentine did is unacceptable. And all this 'he deserved it' talk is ridiculous. Juan did deserve it. No one does. Regardless of how much of an idiot someone is or how much I loathe them I would never in my right mind think 'he deserved it' if he was being called the N-word. Why is this case any different? People need to wise up.
**Juan did NOT deserve it.
I was in agreement with Ballentine until he unleashed that porch comment.
It's ugly and uncalled for. And his gloating afterward? Classy. Real classy.
Whatever his politics, WIlliams came away from this looking like the bigger man.
Honestly, I can't imagine what it would be like if other white people judged me a "traitor" because of my political beliefs. Frankly, it must feel horrible. And so constricting.
I don't understand black conservatives' ability to comfortable within the Republican ranks, but it's their choice and it takes balls, really, to stick by your guns when catch hell for it from ALL directions. In the GOP, you're surrounded by many people who are grossly insensitive to racial matters (not that Democrats are squeaky clean about this either, but the reputation isn't equal), and from the black community, you get condemnation and insults. So you're not fully welcome anywhere.
Frankly, it sounds like a nightmare. And the only way anyone could keep it going is if they REALLY believe strongly in conservative Republican principles. You have to admire that kind of dedication, even if you think the beliefs are BS.
He deserved it.
adorsey made a point I disagree with. As someone who has called someone a nigger in a post I think AA's should and can go there, I bluntly want racist whites to go there and I'll educate ignorant white people whom use it.
When AA's use it it can be a class thing, a faux class thing or my preference Rihard Pryor's use Pryor clearly used it to mean an AA who did the wrong thing knowing it was the wrong thing and did it anyway. Class wise currently it is my friend and the faux is the wannbe be real AA's. This is like the communist idea of the upper social class that identifies w/ the working class to lead it to socialist nirvana. Stupid then stupid now.
I want Fox's friend to go there. I want them to lose their cool so that the ignorant defintion of racism is exposed. White people only want to think racism is Bull Connor, dogs and fire hoses. We know racism is a systematic method of social control to elevate the ordinary to a position of power their own community will not allow. Rush Limbaugh calling someone Nigger would ruin him and expose his cronies like Oedipus finding out he has been fucking his mother. It's that crude and wrong and white folks will be exposed for listening to dog whistles.
Young dumb white people whom believe their upper middle class life as a member of the nomenklature has granted them the foilbles of the upper class slum w/ the use. "I saw Denzel do it. It was cool" No it isn't. Their shock is almost exquiste. It's like they have been caught by their mother doing something mean then forced to empathize and apologize. Their shame actually takes.
So go ahead and call Juan out for his behavior let him know he serving a master that has no regard for him.
Get ya shine box Juan.
sidebar: Massa is a West African name.
it's an amusing irony when one is called a sell-out or a tom for having his own beliefs, but then the same people people calling him a sell out or a tom get mad at whites for thinking blacks are all the same.
I cringe when we resort to phrases like "go back to the porch" and yet I am an avid reader of the blog "Field Negro". But I disagree with inflating the phrase to the level of offensiveness as n*****. Telling someone to go back to the porch might carry a certain level of contempt but it doesn't sink to the level of pure racist, offensive and oppresiveness of n******.
I also feel that some are conflating conservative beliefs with racial apologism (is that even a word?). You CAN have strongly held conservative beliefs WITHOUT resorting to racial apologism that provides cover to those whose true, and not at all covert, agenda is racism and the survival of white supremacy. It's called integrity people. To see examples of how it is done, see Condolezza Rice and Gen. Colin Powell among others. I can respect someone whose political beliefs are fundamentally different than mine but who doesn't tolerate or provide cover for thinly veiled racism.
As for Juan? Coonery is coonery is coonery. Stop the cooning.
Juan is right to be upset...and if blacks don't have the 'victim' and 'race' card to use against those (black, white, asian, etc.) then what excuse can be used for the otherwise lack of personal responsibility? It's unfortunate that America used to be about picking yourself up, understanding every day there will be 'W's' and 'L's', dust yourself off, and get back in the fight. Now its, well I couldn't succeed because America is racist, or my teacher is racist, or I come from a broken home, or I got A.D.D., etc. Gone are the days when sacrifice, self-worth, character and responsibility ruled the day. Nope, even among blacks to other blacks, if you don't fall into the 'we are black and we are oppressed, don't you understand?' category then you are an uncle Tom or as Juan eloquently puts it, a 'house negro.' It's sad commentary when even black people have to attack other black people who don't feel like the 'victim' game is a game they want to be involved in. They have to be dragged back down into the mud to play by the 'victims' rules. This, unbelievably, is also how Obama wants it played. He speaks out in favor of his friend Gates but then says nothing about the black beat down murder in his own neighborhood in Chicago just 3 weeks ago. Why? He doesn't want to speak out against that kind of behavior because then it MAY force blacks to prosper on their own, without the help of the 'victim' card.
When was the last time a black person in this country couldn't sit in any seat on the bus? When was the last time a black person not allowed into a public library? This is not the 60's my friends. And also, for all you republican bashers who think that just because they are labeled conservative means they are racists, you may want to actually educate yourself some and find out what political party fought to free slaves in the 1860's. Also, you will be surprised to know that it was the democratic party who didn't seat black delegates until 1933. It was democrats (Al Gore Sr and WIlliam Fullbright - Clinton's mentor) who filibustered the Civil Rights act in the 1960's. It's the democrats who currently have an elected member of its party who is the former KKK member. It was democrats who had as their party slogan during the Reconstruction Era, "It's a white man's party, let the white man rule'. So why is it that for all the hatred that is going on in this country toward republicans/conservatives, no one takes notice of how it has been the democrats who have tried to hold us back? Welfare is a 'lazy man's wages' and it was created for minorities. As a black society we must avail ourselves of the truth and realize that both parties are wrong in so many ways but for those who believe that the democratic party is the party of higher ideals for black people is ludicrous. The scathing tongue of Jesse and Al are only highlights of how they force themselves into the media when its white/black issue. But where are they in Chicago or LA when blacks are killing other blacks. They remain in power because too many ignorant black people believe that they have their best interest at heart and speak out against the maliciousness of hate crimes against blacks or racism. I didn't hear them speak out when Kanye took the mic from a teenage white girl and shouted out that basically the black woman was better. Nope, they were hidden from view. Why? It's coming in due time where these people will be called to answer some of these tough questions by the black race. Unfortunately, slavery didn't end over night and either will our political slavery to the democratic party simply because we think they are fighting for us. That's nonsense. They are fighting for themselves and the longer they can make you feel that they are 'fighting for you' the longer the charade will continue. And the poorer and less educated we will be. If you disagree, try researching black incomes and education rise (not singling out Thomas Sowell, Colin Powell, Condeleeza Rice, etc.) as it related to the whole of the race since the democrats pushed for Welfare in the 1930's and the expanded push in the 1960's. If that isn't a precursor to how bad things are about to get with what this administration is doing in the mantra of 'hope and change' then you will never learn.
Educate and empower yourself. Stop believing what the democratic leaders want you to believe so you continue to support them. A long time ago after my parents continued to vote democrat and hold up the virtues of the party, I asked myself, "how has the democratic party made my families life and my life better?" The answer surprised me. It hadn't. I then started voting for the right person based upon character, integrity, experience, values and belief that its the individual who makes this country great, not the country who makes the collective great.
oy vey,
lets see, rush and others make comments that are defended with claims that they're not racial but when ballantine makes a comment and also claims that it's not racial, there's no room for 'debate' for him, there's no benefit of the doubt for him. do i have this right?
funny how that works. why isn't juan defending ballantines comments?
if we're supposed to respect juan and his defense of that pill popping assclown, that means we're on the fence in regards to rush either being a racist, saying racist things or being a race-baiter and we believe that juan thinks rush is a-ok. if you're going cutting that much slack, why not cut as much for ballantine as well?
however, if we're not on the fence and see rush for what he really is, then juan is either a willful fool or he's willing to defend and protect a racist punk with his dying breath...or a paycheck and a biscuit.
take your pick
Been listening to Juan since his hair was black and have always found him to be an ass. I don't care what anyone says to him. I don't watch Fox so I didn't hear it but I have said worst to him years before. I can't stand him and his ilk. I think they have the right to believe what they want, but I get tired of them using Black folk as beating post. I hope when the Republicans are back in the White House that they have some really big seats for all of these Black men who are so anxious to tear down the president to get on Television. I don't say they have to like him, but they really go way over the line to attack him.
@ bajanlady
if a white man told juan to go back to the porch, would you be offended?
Um, no he gets zero sympathy. If he's go to aid and abet FOX news's racist agenda then he runs the risk of getting called out. There' a difference between being conservative and referring to michelle obama as stokely Carmicheal in a dress.
I'se glad Ballentine told him off.