Is Liam Neeson a Racist? How Should We Deal With This?

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  1. crankalicious profile image80
    crankaliciousposted 6 years ago

    Interesting happenings:

    https://ew.com/movies/2019/02/04/liam-n … XWUM5IPJQo

    So basically Liam Neeson admits to having racist thoughts back when a friend of his was raped by a black man. Neeson apparently went around hoping to be attacked by a black man so he could kill him as revenge. The question raised here that makes the statement blatantly racist is whether or not Neeson would have walked around hoping to be attacked by a white man if the rapist was white.

    So, can we clearly identify this as racism? I think we can.

    What is interesting that doesn't seem to be getting much play is that, as far as I can tell, Neeson is confessing to something "horrible". I mean, in order to move past being a racist, one needs to identify bad behavior and understand it.

    That said, admitting such a thing in the context of promoting a film is a bit weird.

    I know this all will probably go off the rails, but what do you think?

    1. Randy Godwin profile image59
      Randy Godwinposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      After reading the article you linked, I had the impression he himself was ashamed of his actions after he had time to think about it. I despise racists of any sort, but I can forgive them when they realize their actions were wrong.

      1. crankalicious profile image80
        crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

        Randy, that was my impression too. He seemed to be saying that he had these horrible thoughts and realized how stupid he was being. However, he's being attacked in social media for his racism and white privilege and such.

        There's definite white privilege here - black people don't get to be aggressive like this without being attacked or arrested or beaten (it seems), but I think Neeson deserves some credit for recognizing these thoughts and coming to the right conclusion about them. My point in posting this was to say we need to give appropriate credit when people make amends for things they've done. Sometimes this stuff is hard when we don't know the whole context.

      2. gmwilliams profile image85
        gmwilliamsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

        +10000000000000000000000000000000, Randy.

      3. Credence2 profile image82
        Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

        Well, said, Randy, I take pleasure in dealing with a truly repentant man. I forgave Robert Byrd and found him more frank and honest than say, Trent Lott.  Bryd, a dyed in the wool southern man, had the courage to stay with the Democratic Party and move with the party in a progressive direction away from its segregationist past, while his companions bolted to the Republican Party in reaction as part of the Southern Strategy.

        I always have room for people who can acknowledge the error of their ways.

        1. Randy Godwin profile image59
          Randy Godwinposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          I feel the same, Cred! The act of forgiveness is it's own reward as we also learn from other's mistakes. Some never learn though....

        2. Live to Learn profile image59
          Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          lol You guys slay me. Self righteous rot. 'Only the penitent man shall pass'. The gauntlet created, with special exits for particular people, of your choosing, is stupendous.

          This is the problem with the left. You think you are judge and jury and will,  at times, deign to be magnanimous and forgiving. How regal of you all. Although, Neesan having a ladder for the left to crawl out of the gutter and into his head, in order to play judge and jury helped. I guess.

          roll

          1. profile image0
            PrettyPantherposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            I suppose this is where you claim:

            Actor = politician
            One self-confessed incident = several blatantly racist actions and statements
            Apologizing = doubling down and/or denying.

            Yeah, they're the same.

            Right?

          2. Credence2 profile image82
            Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            What is your problem?

            So, I am to just welcome this man into my company as a racist and bigoted pig who continues in that behavior unchanged?

            If that is what you think, than the REAL problems emanates from your side.

            What gauntlet? If previously offensive people change their way, don't you think the act of forgiveness is noble, or is that uncharacteristic of rightwing oriented people?

            Where do you get these crazy perspectives, what is the root of your problem, I don't understand?

            1. Live to Learn profile image59
              Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

              I've seen the left cannibalize human beings who did less, further back.

              You aren't God. Accept in your divine presence, or don't. I don't believe your judgment means anymore than the next person's. None of you have some moral high ground, except in a delusional social media setting.

              Just because you'think' he's worthy of forgiveness means you think you know what motivates those you condemn. Without benefit of a conversation. Which means you are judging unfairly.

              1. Randy Godwin profile image59
                Randy Godwinposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                And you're not judging us?   lol

              2. profile image0
                PrettyPantherposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                Wow, you've really gone off the deep end.

                Can you give us an example of someone who volunteered to share a racist thought they had many years ago, and now deeply regrets, and who was then vilified by credence2, Randy, or myself?

                1. Randy Godwin profile image59
                  Randy Godwinposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  "crickets"

              3. Credence2 profile image82
                Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

                God has nothing to do with it. I have problems with unrepentant bigots and sexists, just a pet peeve of mine. You don't mind do you?

                My opinion and judgement is mine alone, I never said that it was a universal standard.

                When it comes to racists are you really equivocating regarding moral relevancy associated with this character failing?
                --------------
                I am letting this guy off of the hook, isn't that a cause to rejoice? I will withhold one of my 'plagues' as a result. So, I have said, so,it shall be done"...............

                1. Live to Learn profile image59
                  Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  I don't know if it's just cause, or not. His reaction, albeit racist, in the short run, makes sense. He was upset and wanted to lash out. Common sense prevailed and he understood the bad in that decision. Or so it seems.

                  Your ability to follow, understand, and accept his progression does not make it better, or worse, than another's. It makes you more empathetic with his story. I don't see that as reason enough to condemn one in your mind and give a free pass to another. If you have ever condemned another with similar circumstances, you run the risk of hypocrisy by not doing the same in this instance.

                  1. Randy Godwin profile image59
                    Randy Godwinposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                    As far as I can tell, no one is giving him more of a pass than anyone else who readily admits he acted in a racist manner.

                    No one, including your perfect self, is immune to hypocrisy on these forums.

                  2. Credence2 profile image82
                    Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

                    None of it makes sense, why blame every black fellow because your friend was raped by one?


                    I am not pretending to be holier than thou. I don't abide racists. I am not
                    empathetic, I respect anyone who will admit they were wrong and I am willing to give this person another chance as long as his apology is reflected in his future behavior. I did the same for George Wallace.

                    I will always condemn racists and sexist people, but always welcome them back into the fold from the "dark side" if they are willing to make amends. No unrepentant racist or sexist will ever get a free pass from me. I speak for myself, solely. So, where is the hypocrisy?

          3. MizBejabbers profile image94
            MizBejabbersposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            You do make me wonder why he went public with it in the first place (unless, of course he had already done or said something racist publicly.)  I wonder if this is a publicity stunt or is he just acting stupid?

            1. Live to Learn profile image59
              Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

              I like his blunt honesty. But, I'm not part of the lynch mob salivating for fresh meat with each new interview. I think he's just old and says what he wants. I do hope he isn't treated too poorly.

              1. Randy Godwin profile image59
                Randy Godwinposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                I just hope he isn't "eaten alive" like some folks claim!  tongue

                1. Live to Learn profile image59
                  Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  A large contingent on the left has developed a taste for eating innocent people alive. From many comments I've read of yours here, you included. Although I'd like to see that group move away from their cannibalistic ways I have not seen evidence for hope.

                  1. Randy Godwin profile image59
                    Randy Godwinposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                    Then why didn't give an example like I requested from you then? Who was innocent and eaten alive? 

                    And I likewise have no hope for anyone who defends Trump or his ideals.
                    ( a bad word for his beliefs)

                  2. crankalicious profile image80
                    crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                    Please identify who has been eaten alive.

    2. Sharlee01 profile image86
      Sharlee01posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      After reading the article, I came away with he was remorseful for his perhaps an immediate base emotional reaction to his friend's rape. It's very human to react poorly to a shocking incident, and then regret one's words after calming down and having time to put all into perspective.

      1. crankalicious profile image80
        crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

        I agree. He wasn't being interrogated. He wasn't under indictment. He wasn't on trial. He offered it up as a mea culpa, acknowledging his feelings and admitting that, these many years later, the feelings weren't right and his actions weren't right. He was talking about the effects of anger.

    3. Tim Truzy info4u profile image95
      Tim Truzy info4uposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Can anyone say George Wallace?
      Most people probably do have these thoughts at some time concerning (the other,", but should he had mentioned what happened then aloud? Maybe he was confessing and I give him credit for clearing his heart. A brave act.
      But that Sounds like it should have been a therapy session.
      In any case, he's a stellar actor and I have no problem with somebody evolving their understanding of humanity.
      Good for him.

  2. Live to Learn profile image59
    Live to Learnposted 6 years ago

    Color me confused. How has he gotten by without being ostracized, attacked, demonized and thoroughly chastised. Is it because he isn't American?

    Edit. Sorry. Is that politically incorrect? Noticing that?

    1. crankalicious profile image80
      crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      What I'm trying (ineffectively, apparently) to suggest is that he should be both criticized for whatever people want, but he also deserves credit for recognizing he was being stupid.

      I guess I'm asking whether people have the ability to apologize anymore? I mean, there are good apologies and bad ones, but he seems to be saying he was an idiot.

      That all said, I do see the white privilege here. I just don't think he's being asked to go that deep. I don't know. What type of apology is sufficient here and to whom? If no apology is sufficient, then we've got a problem.

      As a personal example, I used to live very near a city's main gay park hangout. There was a time when I was a kid where I thought negatively about gay people (I think a gay guy pinched my butt once and I got momentarily indignant). I now realize that was stupid. Am I forever marked as a homophobe? I'm definitely not a homophobe nor, frankly, was I ever. But sometimes when you're mad about something or irrational, you have stupid thoughts. I think we need to be a society where we allow people to admit their mistakes.

      1. Live to Learn profile image59
        Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

        I got that. My observation has been that the left does not allow for people to grow and learn. They are to be beaten down hard and unmercifully at even the slightest of transgressions.

        Which was what caused my confusion. What does the left see in him that gives him a free pass when they are always on the lookout for a lynching.

        1. crankalicious profile image80
          crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          He volunteered the information as part of a self-examination.

          1. Live to Learn profile image59
            Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Oh. So if you state, openly, that you once had what could be viewed as a racist thought then that is different from being observed having what can be viewed as a racist thought? Even if you knew it but didn't state it.

            Gotcha.

            1. crankalicious profile image80
              crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

              Try not to be dense, if that's possible.

              Somebody volunteering information in an effort to examine one's behavior and acknowledge its stupidity is quite a bit different than somebody openly engaging in that behavior and denying what it is. Introspection, self-examination - all good qualities.

              1. Live to Learn profile image59
                Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                I'd have to disagree with who was being dense in this exchange.

                Location,location, location. If I feel I'm in a safe environment I'll be more open, honest and engaging then if I'm in a situation where I feel I'm being attacked.  If one feels they are being misjudged they may present a defense different from the one they might if approached from a different angle.

                I can't harshly judge if I believe the person is handicapped with emotion during the exchange. Given the opportunity to calm down, feel safe and speak more from the heart and less off the cuff I can gauge their true thoughts and intent.

      2. profile image0
        PrettyPantherposted 6 years agoin reply to this

        From my point of view, he is just an actor who is voluntarily coming clean about his own racism. He wasn't outed or accused by someone else and now has to explain like so many (the current Governor Northam episode, for example). Also, to my knowledge, he hasn't displayed overt racism toward others, or repeatedly made racist remarks, so I'm inclined to forgive and forget.

        Now, if he were a politician who is supposed to represent all people, that would be different.

        1. Tim Truzy info4u profile image95
          Tim Truzy info4uposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          Thumbs up, P.P.

  3. Glenis Rix profile image66
    Glenis Rixposted 6 years ago

    It seems to me that he was expressing regret for the understandable rage that he felt when somebody who he loves was the victim of rape. It’s astonishing that he felt that he could exact revenge by a random murder. Good that he eventually came to his senses, foolish that he spoke about the episode to a journalist. I don’t interpret his story as an indication  that he is or was a racist - if the loved one had identified the rapist as white his reaction would have been the same rage, but directed at a person with a white skin. The past is another country but a sensational story still  sells newspapers. Move on.

 
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