I think I just heard another bigoted comment/stereotyping on NBC.

[hiaasenrocks]

Watching the Today Show, Matt Lauer reporting from Dubai. He was showing a video simulation of an amusement park that is being built called "Dubai Land" and said it will be twice the size of Disney World and Disney Land combined.

Al Roker, from the NYC studio, said, "Wow. Mickey Mohammad." This was followed by the co-hosts' nervous laughter. I was pretty surprised so I rolled it back on the DVR and I've listened to it twice. That's exactly what he said.

This strikes me as bigoted, and mocking the Islamic faith.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

1. I heard it too but don't look at it being a slur at all. IMHO, it wasn't funny but

mocking? Racist? No.

[hiaasenrocks]

4. The reason I did see it that way is because there was

no reason for the stereotyping using the name Mohammad.

But I respect your differing view.

[KittyWampus]

32. why? isn't Mohammed a common name in the Middle East? I just googled the name and found

in NY there are thousands of Mohammeds listed in the phone directory.

[bryant69]

2. Racism is a slur on a race, what you are talking about here is bigotry

which is a more generalized term. Islam is not a race, and in fact there are members of the Islamic faith of every race.

It is uncomfortable and stupid, but I'm not sure it's much more than that, just because it's so surreal.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[hiaasenrocks]

5. You are correct about the terms. I will edit.

[Saturday]

6. I believe you're right but bigotry should not be tolerated either IMO. n/t

[ellacott]

7. Thank you for clarifying that term

People use the word racism too much. This wasn't racist. Nothing demeaning was said about any people. It was just a joke that everyone didn't find funny(at least publically).

[John Q. Citizen]

11. Except that their is only one race, the human race. There are different ethnicities though

The notions of different races is archaic and scientifically unfounded.

As for the remark, It would be like if he'd said Jumping Jimminy Jesus Cricket.
I bet it would have elicited a response from some Christians, surreal or not.

[John Q. Citizen]

15. self delete -dupe

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

41. Racism works fine.

He's not just slurring muslims, but arabs.

He never would have said it if they were building the park in a non-arab, predominately muslim society.

[bryant69]

42. You just have to be contrary.

But ok, whatever.

Bryant

[Forkboy]

44. No he doesn't.

:evilgrin:

[Saturday]

3. It's just as racist as the comment Imus made BUT

Roker will get away with it. There is a huge double standard.

ETA - I think Bryant is right, it is bigotry rather than racist but not acceptable IMO.

[hiaasenrocks]

8. I filled out a media incident report form on the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committeewebsite.

Also with the Arab American journalists.

[mduffy31]

43. Which is kind of ironic

because he was the loudest voice at NBC to can Imus.

[ellacott]

9. What was demeaning with what he said?

How did he defame Muslims? Why send a letter?

[hiaasenrocks]

10. How common or appropriate is it to associate Mickey Mouse with Mohammed....

either the name in general or the prophet of Islam?

If you view this as being in the norm, that's your right, of course. I won't try to change your mind.

We'll see what, if anything, happens.

[ellacott]

12. Where did I say it was the norm

Does uncommon equal demeaning? That's my question. What was demeaning. It may have been a bad joke but wasn't demeaning.

Much worse things are said on this forum about Christians but no one cares, it seems the norm to join in on it.

Micheal Jackson called wine Jesus juice and no one said anything.

I'm just confused how this joke was demeaning but all the things said on this forum about Christians is ok

[hiaasenrocks]

13. I don't think highlighting other questionable comments is an

effective way to question another. Therefore, I don't see the relevance of the questionable comments about Christians. I'm sure there's no shortage of people out there who would protest such comments from a national TV figure.

I didn't say you thought it was the norm. I said "if"...so if you don't, then we're not too far apart in our view that this was out of the norm, at least, and it's up to each of us whether we want to excuse the comment as "just a joke" like so many others do.

[ellacott]

14. I guess the efficacy can be subjective

For me it's relevant because it shows a double standard. I still don't see what was demeaning or insulting to warrant the reactions of those in this thread.

[hiaasenrocks]

16. That's not the only double-standard to question...so far.

We'll see what happens.

By the way, on Roker's website, there was already a post there about it when I logged on to post mine. So others are speaking about it already, barely and hour after it happened.

[ellacott]

17. Very true, there are many double standards

This Imus incident has made many people overly sensitive. There are bigger things to get upset about.

[hiaasenrocks]

18. Yep. And Roker was at the center of that.

That's part of what makes this more interesting, imo.

Enjoyed the discussion. Gotta run.

[ellacott]

19. Lighten up on Al

It was a silly joke.

Take care

[hiaasenrocks]

20. Actually, is it up to you?

During the Imus incident, people were saying that it's up to the offended group to decide what is offensive, not up to others. I later realized they were correct about that.

So we'll see if more people of Arab background say anything. It's already on two other websites that I've seen.

[ellacott]

23. That's my opinion

That's what we do on these boards. I'm not suprised that other people are going to complain about it. We are never at a loss to find something to complain about.

[Zywiec]

24. You're right. I'm always amazed at what people get upset about.

[KittyWampus]

25. Mohammed is a name ONLY associated with the Prophet? Jesus is a fairly common Latino name

Isn't Mohammed also taken by many in the ME?

Stupid joke that makes little sense.

Sorry you feel so offended by it, especially since I highly doubt Roker meant it as a slur.

[slowry]

21. It's the kind of thing Hannity and them would say.

But for them, its like a flutist taking a lightning quick breath between passages -- they've got far worse to say. Still, it's a vile comment; no comedic value, no point, and as usual says more about the person saying it.

[Zywiec]

22. As an Irish descendent, I'm outraged at the term MICKey

You're right this is racist! Al must go, Al must go!

[KittyWampus]

26. Now THAT was funny.

[slackmaster]

27. Al is black, so he's allowed to say things like that

:sarcasm:

[Beelzebud]

28. Do we still support free speech or not?

[Catherine Vincent]

29. Mickey Mohammad?

Lame.

[KittyWampus]

30. Roker butchered the joke. He SHOULD have said something like 'Mohammed Mouse'

He wanted to use a name common to the ME.

But he phrased it incorrectly but putting Mohammed at the end.

Like if Disney went to India it could be Abu Mouse.

Or Minnie Mouse in China could be Mai Ling Mouse.

[Marrah_G]

31. Yawn- more outrage

If I took time out of my day to get outraged everytime someone made a detrimental comment about Wicca, or called someone a witch (instead of a bitch) I'd be pretty tired by the end of the week. And in October.... I'd need a straight jacket.

This was a small stupid joke, bad taste and lame at best. Shrug it off and realize there are more important things to worry about. In fact, if this seems like a big deal to you I would suggest finding a hobby.

[bunkerbuster1]

35. Eh, if we can use this to some advantage, let's use it.

I agree in the great scheme of things it's hardly worth some activist full-court press. But when a major media figure (ok, it's Al Roker, but he IS well known), it's worth notifying Media Matters so it's at least documented and searchable.

[Marrah_G]

36. I guess I have just grown a really thick skin

If the only thing my religion had to get upset about was being compared to some cartoon character every once in a while..... oh wait.....

Forget hollywood, tv and lame jokes..... try this one on for size:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=262x1588

You want publically ACCEPTED in-your-face religious insults....click the above link.

People are ignorant, they will say little ignorant things and they will GIANT ignorant thing. Everyone says things that insult others. I prefer to save my energy for the truly nasty stuff. What Imus said was one of those truly nasty things.

Perhaps I am just numb.

[bunkerbuster1]

37. The good ol' NY Post

I can remember when they were publishing some columnist who blamed AIDS on "buggerers" back in the 80s.

Agree with you about saving energy for important things. but honestly, I do hope the OP-er sends Media Matters a note about this, it's worth logging (and moving on.)

[Marrah_G]

38. Agreed!

[hiaasenrocks]

39. Read my other posts and you'll understand why I brought this up.

[bunkerbuster1]

33. Hey, Al, don't be shy.

Why not talk about "Alice in Rag-Head Land" or "Sand-N*gger Goofy."

As long as you're courting the knuckle-draggers, make it good.

What a douchebag.

[Balbus]

40. I bet you couldn't wait to show off your "wit" and disguise it as outrage.

How long did it take you to come up with those? I'm betting they were already at the tip of your tongue.

[TahitiNut]

34. Dunno. Tasteless, perhaps. If it were Tel Aviv, would he say "Moses Mouse"??

:shrug: