Comedian Jackie Mason used what some say is a racial epithet in describing President Barack Obama during his act Thursday night, infuriating at least several people in the crowd.
During a performance at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in NYC, Mason referred to Obama as a “schwartza” — some say it's equivalent to the “N” word — others say it's just part of the Yiddish culture and a literal translation of the word “Black.”
Jackie Mason: Obama is a “Schvartza”
Comedian Jackie Mason used what some say is a racial epithet in describing President Barack Obama during his act Thursday night, infuriating at least several people in the crowd.
During a performance at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency in NYC, Mason referred to Obama as a “schwartza” — some say it’s equivalent to the “N” word — others say it’s just part of the Yiddish culture and a literal translation of the word “Black.”
We’re told one person walked out fuming, “He’s more offensive to the Jews than Madoff tonight.”
We spoke with Mason by phone a few minutes ago, and he was outraged at the criticism, saying, “I’m not going to defend myself. Chris Rock has told a lot more jokes about whites than I have against Blacks. What about the demeaning words Blacks say about Jews?”
Mason added, “If it’s a racist society, the white people are the ones being persecuted because they have to defend themselves.” Mason called people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson “professional racists.”
Mason added, “I’m an old Jew. I was raised in a Jewish family where ‘schwartza’ was used. It’s not a demeaning word and I’m not going to defend myself.”
And there was this parting shot: “I’m more talented than Oprah Winfrey and look at how much she makes. I can’t even make a living.”
UPDATE: Rev. Al Sharpton just sent us this statement:
“At this stage in Jackie’s life and career he should get our prayers more than our responses. It is sad that maybe he forgot he used the same term against Mayor David Dinkins when he was elected the first African-American Mayor of New York City and got in trouble for it. As for him attacking me, maybe he forgot that he has had me on his TV show and has taken me to dinner and commended me for forgiving a white male who tried to kill me by stabbing me while I was leading a non-violent march. I’m sure Jackie just forgot.”
Here come the excuses
Did I miss something, is he not a “schwartza”?
CN
I don’t recall Jackie Mason ever getting into trouble for saying Dinkins was a “schwartza”. As I recall he got into trouble (i.e. thrown off Rudy Guliani’s campaign team) for saying Dinkins looked like “a black model looking for a job.”
half schvartz only
yes. did I miss something? Is Obama now identifying more with his White half?
Fir Schvartz Yorn
No, Obama is not a shvartzer! Er iz a schvartz yohr ver macht fir shvartz’e yorn far Amerika!
unimpressed
what a chillul hashem!
so uneccessary
I like Jackie
Just like the word “OY” has a dozen meanings depending on who says it and how it’s used and how it’s spoken so does the word “schwartza”
If a black called a Jewish boy a Jewish kid it is very different then him saying Jewboy.
There is nothing wrong with JM saying anything he wants to in his show that people pay to see. However if he says it in public in an angry context he would deserve ridicule.
Alexander of Hollywood
Previous poster wrote:
CN wrote:
I don’t recall Jackie Mason ever getting into trouble for saying Dinkins was a “schwartza”. As I recall he got into trouble (i.e. thrown off Rudy Guliani’s campaign team) for saying Dinkins looked like “a black model looking for a job.”
Yes, Mason also got in trouble back then for describing Dinkins as “a fancy schwartzer in a moustache” — and also IIRC as “looking like a washroom attendant.” The Village Voice made quite a big deal about it at the time — but then, the Village Voice WOULD, wouldn’t they.
I’m also in total agreement with Jackie when he says “I’m not going to defend myself. Chris Rock has told a lot more jokes about whites than I have against Blacks”; and “If it’s a racist society, the white people are the ones being persecuted because they have to defend themselves.”
G*d bless Jackie Mason not just for saying these things, but also for NOT BACKING DOWN or apologizing or groveling to the Grievance Industry’s goon squads when they try to shut him up with their PC censorship.
Tania
i can see too many of you here believe you are truly “white”, that is until someone burns down a synagogue.
say it loud, im black and im proud