February 10, 2010
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John Mayer on HIMSELF re: Racism is a NO Way, Dudes
John Mayer has gone to twitter to try and explain this whole Playboy mess. I love that he’s not trying to defend everything like people would like him to do, but he does acknowledge that using a word (the ‘N’ word) was inappropriate since readers could not distill what he meant in trying to use it. Irony of all ironies. If I thought there was any real indication that he was a racist I would totally walk away as a fan. But he just has foot-in-mouth syndrome. If Mayer was a black guy who’d said this in the same joking context, what are the chances people would care so much? It’s the same for how a gay person can make a gay joke and it’s okay, but a straight person can’t make that same joke without severe consequences – even if their intentions aren’t malicious.
His tweets are as follows:
Re: using the ‘N word’ in an interview: I am sorry that I used the word. And it’s such a shame that I did because the point I was trying
to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself. It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize using it
because I realize that there’s no intellectualizing a word that is so emotionally charged.
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February 11th, 2010 at 1:31 am
Can some white person tell me how in the world does a young white man in the greatest country in the world, feel the need to express such ideals, where does this come from in a young white person who has all he needs, in terms of money and fame, will other young white people reject him or excuse him?
February 11th, 2010 at 2:10 am
I think it has nothing to do with race. Everyone gets rejected.
February 11th, 2010 at 3:10 am
I must say I was disappointed in John Mayer when I heard what he had said, but after I read the entire statement in the the proper context…I am appalled that any reader would take these statements to be racist. The N-word, was used to defend black people and their struggles and he was putting the person who wanted to disguise the true meaning behind “hood” credit. He was in defense of black people..ergo not a racist! Negative minded people can even make Jesus into an evil person. (For the idiot that thinks I’m comparing Mayer to Jesus…think again!) As far as the statement about his personal part being a white supremacist! For you challenged people, you need to read it in context again. He said he has a Benetton heart (for those who don’t know what that means…John Mayer likes all races and doesn’t discriminate) He goes on to say that he needs to open himself up to dating outside his race. It’s when black people, attach racism to every freakin’ thing that it becomes desensitized. (ergo, THE RACE CARD – that statement would not exist if it were not for many black people misusing the term racism for personal gain or fake sympathy) This IS NOT A RACISM SITUATION! The sad part is that some people can’t see that he was defending instead of offending! Please READ before you REACT, people!
February 11th, 2010 at 5:43 am
If people knew more about Mayer, they’d know he has worked/does work with many black people and there’s no way he’s a racist. Plus, all of his musical mentors are black. Well, not all – but plenty of them. It was a really poor choice of words, but he didn’t mean anything malicious by it. I feel really bad that people will take the sentences out of context, post them everywhere and then use them as proof.
February 11th, 2010 at 7:48 am
I happen to be a young African American female and I actually enjoy John Mayer and his music. I’m not commenting on him being a racists because I don’t think he is, but then again I don’t really know him, however the little that I do know from being a fan, its hard to listen to his music and not hear the influence that black music has had on him( jazz and blues).. As for using the “n word” it’s not ok…. It’s not ok for anyone to say it black white brown yellow or purple. The word is ugly, the word is hurtful and the fact is that there are still people alive today, where the “n word” was used to denigrate them. IT’S NOT OK!!! I’ve always found it interesting that anytime a white person gets caught saying something inappropriate about other races its always well they say that or they say this… Why can’t we just acknowledge the ignorance and lack of sensitivity in what was said and work to try and realize why that was inappropriate and why people maybe sensitive to certain things. If we want to become a post racial country we must stop pointing the finger at others and have an honest conversation about race without people in defense and attack mode all the time.
And P.S. Racism is not a feeling racism is a system of advantage based on race which manifests itself in different ways (like in education, our health care system, criminal justice system, housing ect). We cannot have an honest conversation about racism until we at least acknowledge that.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I think it’s wrong to say lots of things, so I don’t say them. Such as ‘that’s gay’ or what have you. But I know that gay people say that as a joke and it seems fine – no one gets mad at them. I think when you’re IN the minority, people know that you aren’t making fun of it. But if you’re not within the minority, you can’t even try to pretend.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I think his comment was off colored no matter how you look at it. Vanessa, you can’t tell a thing about this white man just because he is influenced by black artist. White people have been ripping us off for years when it comes to music. Just ask Little Richard and a lot of the other artists in his day. I could care less if he wants to date a black person or not. He is the one missing out.
April 1st, 2010 at 11:38 pm
We can not denounce racism yet still allow BET, Ebony, Jet, The Congressional Black Caucus, scholarships for Blacks, Affirmative Action, tons of professional organizations for Blacks, etc….. Let me know when those are gone and maybe I will believe you.