# OPRAH- It's Not Because You Were Black! Get the Hell Over It! (lame)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [June 28, 2005, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207 "2005-06-28T15:19:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/101 "2005-06-29T06:03:15Z")
Oh, you called me as many names as I called you. Stop whining.
“Get over it!”, just like you told Oprah.
I didn’t see “salad tossing” as a reference to gays. Maybe you know something I don’t. My apologies to any gay person who found the remark offensive. Well, to any gay person who found the remark offensive in regards to sexual orientation. The remark, as with many of my others in this thread, was intended to be offensive in general.
I have no interest in antagonizing gay people. Unless they’re French gay people, in which case, they suck, but not because they’re gay. And by “suck”, I’m not referring to any sexual act, but rather a general state of worthlessness, of the sack of shit variety.
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### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/102 "2005-06-29T06:13:04Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> I have friends and family members who’ve been over in the past couple of years. They tell me that there is anti black feeling there, mainly against Africans. The usual things - police beatings, being turned away from shops, snubbed in restaurants, denied apartments etc. Overall, though, most black Americans who’ve been speak highly of Paris, and you could make the case that black Americans are treated better over there than in the States.
I wonder if you could fill me in on how these black American tourists who speak highly of Paris come by this information about treatment of Africans. Information that if I had heard about treatment of my ethnic group in a city would cause me not to speak highly of the city where it took place.
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### Author:  [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/103 "2005-06-29T06:26:55Z")
Ah, but you see, that’s just it. Black Americans and Africans aren’t the same ethnic group. And just having an American passport makes your life a lot easier.
Black Americans in Paris tend to be government workers, academics, artists, military people, students. A lot of them work in areas with that have a professional interest in Africa. There’s also the cultural interest between artists, musicians, writers, and their fans, that bring black Americans and Africans together. Then there’s just plain curiosity. How has the experience of these African descended people like ours? How is it different?
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### Author:  [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/104 "2005-06-29T06:29:36Z")
So…wait. If black Americans are treated A-OK by Parisians and Oprah is a black American…
Nope, you’re still a dumbass.
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### Author:  [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/105 "2005-06-29T06:35:37Z")
Dude, you gotta follow the thread. Reading comprehension 101. They thought she and Gail were Africans. They didn’t recognize her. If they knew, as I said, if Oprah’s assistants had called ahead, there wouldn’t have been an issue.
Asshole, yes. Wrong about Oprah’s experience, no.
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### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/106 "2005-06-29T06:37:35Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> Ah, but you see, that’s just it. Black Americans and Africans aren’t the same ethnic group. And just having an American passport makes your life a lot easier.
Well, let’s say I’ve been having a hankering to visit Zimbabwe. I head over, all psyched about viewing the ruins, learning something about a different culture, and so on. I am apparently a different ethnic group from the native white Zimbabweans, but while I am there, I hear about farms being seized, a white legislator being imprisoned, and whatever. Am I going to come back with high feelings and statements? If Paris is so horrifically racist that even someone as famous as Ms. Winfrey is mistreated, despite her American passport, why is it spoken highly of among American blacks? I’m sorry, but you’re just not making a lot of sense here.
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### Author:  [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/107 "2005-06-29T06:49:43Z")
Because they didn’t **see** her passport. They didn’t **know** who she was. If they knew, they would have been happy to let her in and spend her fool ass money.
To break it down further, black Americans in Paris are fairly well off, well educated people. Even people who are cash poor are usually students or artists with better connections and more options than regular working people. These black folks emigrate to Paris, put down roots, start businesses etc. They mostly speak highly of the place and their experiences there.
A lot of black Africans are poor immigrants or refugees. They talk about being constantly harrassed, stopped on the streets by cops, barred from certain neighborhoods, pubs with signs that say, “No Africans, no dogs”.
Two different sets of experiences.
Nice Zimbabwe reference. See what I said earlier about claiming victimhood. :rolleyes:
(Zimbabwe is not the subject of this discussion. Mugabe is a power mad loon. Both white and black Zimbabweans are suffering terribly under his corrupt incompetent rule. Start a thread on it.)
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### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/108 "2005-06-29T06:56:44Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> Because they didn’t **see** her passport. They didn’t **know** who she was. If they knew, they would have been happy to let her in and spend her fool ass money.
So all the black Americans who are treated well in Paris walk around waving their passport in front of them before any interaction with a Frenchman?
> [@](#):
>
> Nice Zimbabwe reference. See what I said earlier about claiming victimhood. :rolleyes:
Please explain the difference between me running around Harare waving an American passport and you running around Paris waving an American passport.
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### Author:  [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/109 "2005-06-29T06:57:45Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> They tell me that there is anti black feeling there, mainly against Africans. The usual things - police beatings, being turned away from shops, snubbed in restaurants, denied apartments etc…
All this is true.
However, there’s a context to this story. In particular the place. Had she stated she was turned down at some club, I would have had less difficulties to believe her for instance. At a high end shop? Not so likely.
More importantly, the timing. She turned up 15 minutes after the shop closed. So, there’s a very good reason why she wouldn’t be let in, and I can’t see why I should instead buy her story about racist motivations for which she offers no evidences.
Finally, I always feels some…how is spelled this uniquely german word??? schadenfreude??..at the tought of a celebrity being pissed off because she was treated like us mere commoners…
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### Author:  [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/110 "2005-06-29T07:00:14Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> I have no interest in antagonizing gay people. Unless they’re French gay people, in which case, they suck, but not because they’re gay. And by “suck”, I’m not referring to any sexual act, but rather a general state of worthlessness, of the sack of shit variety.
Could you elaborate?
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### Author:  [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/111 "2005-06-29T07:19:46Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#):
>
> So all the black Americans who are treated well in Paris walk around waving their passport in front of them before any interaction with a Frenchman?
Actually, \*\* Belowjob \*\* is mostly correct. Tourists or expatriates don’t have the same jobs, don’t live or hang out in the same places, don’t belong to the same social category, don’t interact with the same people, don’t face the same issues than African immigrants.
Besides, they generally look distinctly _not_ African in skin color, clothes, etc… Barring any obvious clue like language or taking pictures of the eiffel tower, an american tourist/expatriate is much more likely to be mistaken for an “antillais” (people from the french west indies) rather than for an African. And said antillais, though it occasionally happen, generally don’t face the same level of racism than Africans.
Doesn’t make his other comments smart, though…
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### Author:  [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/112 "2005-06-29T13:16:10Z")
> [@hajario](#):
>
> FTR, there is racism. Black people are disproportionate victims of racism. Oprah was not a victim of racism by Hermes.
And, for the record, I would say the same thing if Barbra Streisand had been shut out under the same circumstances and yelped, “It’s because I’m a _Jew!_” Paris has a long, rich history of anti-Semitism (and no comparable record of racism), but I would say, “No, Babs, it’s because _they were closed for a special event_.”
[P.S. No offense to les Frenchies here]
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### Author:  [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/113 "2005-06-29T13:49:54Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> Because they didn’t **see** her passport. They didn’t **know** who she was. If they knew, they would have been happy to let her in and spend her fool ass money.
Except, of course, as **Liberal’s** link handily points out, Oprah says that they **did** recognize her and that they **did** know who she was. Oprah also says that the North Africans comment was never made.
Kinda blows your whole argument out of the water, doesn’t it?
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### Author:  [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/114 "2005-06-29T14:09:15Z")
I’m just astonished that a store closed on time and would not serve someone after hours. How appalling!
When I worked foodservice I’d be waiting at the door with the key and as soon as the clock said 9:00 I locked the door. If we were slow I’d have already cleaned. I had no obligation to stay open. In fact, since I usually worked 12-13 hours per day I wouldn’t have stayed open for anybody, not even Jesus himself.
Regardless, this is Oprah having an overdeveloped sense of entitlement. Remember, Oprah has earned her right to be better than everybody else. And since she earned that right it must be racism because they didn’t wait on her beck and call. :rolleyes:
Good on Hermes. If I could afford it I’d go shopping there right now. Solidarity and all that.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/115 "2005-06-29T15:06:30Z")
The real question is: Who will cry on the special episode? Will Tom Cruise show up to explain that all Herme’s employees really need to overcome their racism is just some exercise and good nutrition?
How can she possibly squeeze Halle Berry into this episode, inject a fashion segment and make time for all the fawning? Not to mention, Oprah has to somehow intertwine her weight into the mix somewhere, and talk about her challenges in this area (in which she appears the victim of something)…even though one can’t imagine how someone with personal chefs, nutritionists, therapists, trainers, gyms and assistants can explain eating and exercising as challenges which she goes blow to blow with everyday. In the end, she’ll squeeze in praise for Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan.
I have to take her seriously.
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### Author:  [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/116 "2005-06-29T15:36:41Z")
> [@Philster](#):
>
> Not to mention, Oprah has to somehow intertwine her weight into the mix somewhere . . .
Now, _there’s_ a theory that makes sense—maybe Hermès kept her out because she’s not a size 2! “Ptui, le chubby Americaine—we speet on your doughy meed-section!”
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### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/117 "2005-06-29T15:50:58Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> Oh, you called me as many names as I called you. Stop whining.
I called you a scheißkopf (spelled correctly) in response to your comment and said you were wrong. Please show me where I called you a demographically based name.
> [@](#):
>
> “Get over it!”, just like you told Oprah.
Actually, I’ve never met Oprah.
> [@](#):
>
> I didn’t see “salad tossing” as a reference to gays. Maybe you know something I don’t.
Just because you asked an openly gay male to perform a sexually explicit act on you that is associated most with prison rape and degredation, why would I find that offensive? Just as I’m sure you’re man enough not to find it offensive if I call you a sorely deluded, hypersensitive, self-absolving victim mentalitied whining neurotic failure borne of a schizoaffective three-dollar whore and a random member of the trainload of drunk circus freaks who skipped town without paying her. (No offense meant to circus freaks, of course.)
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### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/118 "2005-06-29T16:04:10Z")
> [@clairobscur](#):
>
> Actually, \*\* Belowjob \*\* is mostly correct.
Well, you being on site, I’ll take your word for it. Which means I should probably apologize to **Belowjob2.0**. Sadly, I don’t feel like it.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/119 "2005-06-29T17:41:25Z")
I don’t know why anyone is surprised at a _French_ retailer being snobbish and rude to an American. I mean, it wasn’t like she was Jerry Lewis! 😛
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### Author:  [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-its-not-because-you-were-black-get-the-hell-over-it-lame/310207/120 "2005-06-29T19:50:00Z")
An observation from some distance:
In almost every thread he posts to, **brickbacon** wins the Tunnel Vision Incoherent Dumbass of the Thread Award (TVIDotTA[sup]**TM[/sup]**). With this statement, however, **Belowjob2.0** has taken the lead:
> [@Belowjob2.0](#):
>
> That doesn’t mean they weren’t turned away because they were black. They most certainly were.
All evidence indicates that they were turned away because the _freakin’ store was closed_!
After roughly 2&1/2 pages, Belowjob2.0 has a healthy lead over brickbacon, but there’s still time.
Anybody want to place a bet on the winner of the TVIDotTA [sup]**TM[/sup]** for this thread?
And **Zoe** : Had me a girl from Sommerville once. West Tennessee girls, whether in spike heels or barefoot, certainly will kick it down if it’s in their way. 😃
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