Sean Spicer and Bill O'Reilly continue the age-old American tradition of disrespecting black women
Leonard Greene
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 5:58 PM
Malcolm X said it best: “The most disrespected woman in America is the black woman."
Anyone with doubts about that sad fact needed to look no further Tuesday than Twitter, where two names — Bill O’Reilly and April Ryan — were trending most of the day.
Let’s start with O’Reilly, who offended black women everywhere with an on-air quip about U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters after watching a clip of her criticizing President Trump on the floor of the House of Representatives.
“I didn’t hear a word she said,” O’Reilly joked. “I was looking at the James Brown wig. If we have a picture of James — it’s the same wig.”
O’Reilly apologizes for likening Rep. Waters’ hair to James Brown
Hours later, White House Spokesman Sean Spicer tore into reporter April Ryan for having the audacity to challenge his interpretation of the facts at a news conference.
Spicer offered one of his most patronizing moments behind the press room podium Tuesday.
(Andrew Harnik/AP)
“Stop shaking your head again,” Spicer, on live television, told Ryan, as if she were a petulant child arguing over her bedtime.
What we have here are two grown, well-respected black women being spoken down to and degraded by two prominent white men.
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O’Reilly started by pulling a worn-out page from the “How To Be Sexist” handbook. He ignored everything Waters said, whether he agreed with it or not, in favor of a silly comment about her looks.
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O’Reilly also failed to account for the respect Waters deserves for being 78 years old.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) was disrespected by Bill O’Reilly when he said her “James Brown” wig was distracting.
(AP)
Spicer, meanwhile, offered one of his most patronizing moments behind the press room podium, scolding Ryan for shaking her head in disagreement while he was trying to make a point.
That’s not to say Spicer would not have treated any other reporter with the same disrespect. He’s an equal opportunity offender.
But the optics were not good considering that Ryan, a black reporter with the American Urban Radio Networks, is the same reporter who asked President Trump weeks ago if he was going to meet with the congressional black and Hispanic caucuses.
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Trump’s classic reply?
April Ryan shook her head at Spicer’s response, which led him to scold her.
(CNN)
"Do you want to set up the meeting?" Trump said, mistaking Ryan for the hired help. "Are they friends of yours?”
O’Reilly, at least, apologized for his remarks.
“As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs. I said that again today on ‘Fox & Friends’ calling her ‘old school,’” he said. “Unfortunately, I also made a jest about her hair which was dumb. I apologize.”
Spicer, meanwhile, has yet to say he’s sorry for talking to Ryan like he was her daddy.
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Leonard Greene
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 5:58 PM
Malcolm X said it best: “The most disrespected woman in America is the black woman."
Anyone with doubts about that sad fact needed to look no further Tuesday than Twitter, where two names — Bill O’Reilly and April Ryan — were trending most of the day.
Let’s start with O’Reilly, who offended black women everywhere with an on-air quip about U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters after watching a clip of her criticizing President Trump on the floor of the House of Representatives.
“I didn’t hear a word she said,” O’Reilly joked. “I was looking at the James Brown wig. If we have a picture of James — it’s the same wig.”
O’Reilly apologizes for likening Rep. Waters’ hair to James Brown
Hours later, White House Spokesman Sean Spicer tore into reporter April Ryan for having the audacity to challenge his interpretation of the facts at a news conference.
Spicer offered one of his most patronizing moments behind the press room podium Tuesday.
(Andrew Harnik/AP)
“Stop shaking your head again,” Spicer, on live television, told Ryan, as if she were a petulant child arguing over her bedtime.
What we have here are two grown, well-respected black women being spoken down to and degraded by two prominent white men.
Paid Content by American Osteopathic Association How to Avoid High Heel Long-Term Pain
High heels put the foot at an angle and pull muscles and joints out of...
O’Reilly started by pulling a worn-out page from the “How To Be Sexist” handbook. He ignored everything Waters said, whether he agreed with it or not, in favor of a silly comment about her looks.
Spicer says media would cite connection over 'Russian dressing'
O’Reilly also failed to account for the respect Waters deserves for being 78 years old.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) was disrespected by Bill O’Reilly when he said her “James Brown” wig was distracting.
(AP)
Spicer, meanwhile, offered one of his most patronizing moments behind the press room podium, scolding Ryan for shaking her head in disagreement while he was trying to make a point.
That’s not to say Spicer would not have treated any other reporter with the same disrespect. He’s an equal opportunity offender.
But the optics were not good considering that Ryan, a black reporter with the American Urban Radio Networks, is the same reporter who asked President Trump weeks ago if he was going to meet with the congressional black and Hispanic caucuses.
White House says Obamacare repeal bill was 'a bad idea'
Trump’s classic reply?
April Ryan shook her head at Spicer’s response, which led him to scold her.
(CNN)
"Do you want to set up the meeting?" Trump said, mistaking Ryan for the hired help. "Are they friends of yours?”
O’Reilly, at least, apologized for his remarks.
“As I have said many times, I respect Congresswoman Maxine Waters for being sincere in her beliefs. I said that again today on ‘Fox & Friends’ calling her ‘old school,’” he said. “Unfortunately, I also made a jest about her hair which was dumb. I apologize.”
Spicer, meanwhile, has yet to say he’s sorry for talking to Ryan like he was her daddy.
