Oh no he didn’t: Blair makes racial Michael Jackson joke
September 15, 2008 at 1:48 pm by Wayne GarciaHillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair went a bit off track in an interview between himself and challenger Kevin Beckner on ABC Action News’ Flashpoint talk show on Sunday, cracking a racial joke about himself and singer Michael Jackson both being from the same Gary, Ind., neighborhood.
The exchange comes near the 8-minute mark of the second segment of of the show, moderated by Channel 28 anchor Brendan McLaughlin:
BECKNER: This is part of Mr. Blair’s agenda of marginalizing people in our community. He’s had a history of it. He’s marginalized the Muslim community. He’s pushed for banning books in our libraries. He slighted our African American community. Mr. Blair has done more to drive down the socio- and economic value of our community than anybody other than former commissioner Ronda Storms.
BLAIR: That’s a complete fabrication. First off, I just supported giving the NAACP $15,000. I’ve been on the Urban Caucus for the last four years. I’ve coached black kids. Black children stay at my home almost every weekend. I was born in Gary, Indiana, you know where that is, Kevin.
There were very few white people in my neighborhood. I didn’t know what prejudice was. Probably the only two white people in my neighborhood were myself and Michael Jackson. My friends were all black. … You’re flat-out wrong. [emphasis added]
Why, some of my best friends are black people.
Now for those who are racial-sensitive challenged, Michael Jackson is an African-American man who has lighter skin as the result of a condition called vitiligo. And while making jokes about Michael Jackson’s sexual activities (alleged) and apparent whiteness are certainly a national sport, it still seems, well, racially ignorant to use a joke about him as an example of how racially progressive you are.
Watch it for yourself here.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Is Tonny Blair trying to be funny with an ofence like this? Pathetic. Besides the skin condition of MJ, he always has said he’s PROUD of being a African-American man.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
well this is definately the kind of ignorance i would expect of the baby seal clubbing blair.
off the top turnbuckle with a flying elbow, that is how i would like to see blair go down for the count.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Brian BumbleBee Blair is so out of touch with those that he’s supposed to be representing. BBBBlair seems to still think it’s all about him. Only him.
Makes me sick to be surrounded by such ignoramasses who support this dildo!
I liked seeing BBBBlair’s face get all red – he was showing his ’sensitive” side when faced with the truth and then tried to tell a joke –
the joke wasn’t funny, and BBBBlair having a voice on how the County Budget is spent – it aint funny either.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
“But…but…but…I have FRIENDS who are black people, Brendan! I’ve had black people stay in my HOUSE! Gee, I’m not racist!”
What a maroon. Panderin’ Blair needs to be booted from his HCC CHAIR.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I’d like a list of those black people. Just to check. Methinks he may be prevaricating — again.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I watched the interview with the two candidates, and I think Kevin Beckner was brilliant. He focused right on the issues facing Hillsborough County, and didn’t let himself get distracted with Bumblin’ Brian’s typical right-wing talking points.
Kevin Beckner is a thoughtful, accomplished, and solutions-oriented individual who will bring leadership AND professionalism BACK to the Hillsborough County Commission. With all the problems we’re facing, we need a Commissioner like Kevin Beckner!
September 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Brian told me that he has even eaten watermelon, and worked with a real live shiek once as proof that he is not racist. In all seriousness, this guy is a tool and needs to go. He is clearly a racist.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
More of the same from Blair. He is such a vile person to the core. I am sick of him using wedge issues like religion, race, gays, etc. to stay in power. NO MORE.
I want a commissioner with a vision, sense of community and some good common sense.
This is one republican who is tired of sitting in traffic and tired of excuses. I am voting for Kevin Beckner.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Lololol, good point Wayne.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I was cleaning the living room while Flashpoint was on in the background when my subconscious pick up something on the show. I thought I heard that Bryan Blair and Michael Jackson were the only two white guys somewhere. Damn I wish I had TEVo on that because I’m sure he wasn’t talking about THE Michael Jackson. Surly no one is that foolish.
Oops then I read this I guess someone is. I just can’t believe that Brendan McLaughlin didn’t jump all over that.
Was he just too stunned that it came out of Blairs mouth?
September 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
The Michael Jackson comment almost got by me…but you know when ignorant people try to be glib they come out sounding even more ignorant,,,glub,glub,glub, Brian
September 15th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Wow. What an ignorant fool. Why would Blair say something that stupid? Yes, Michael Jackson is white NOW but that doesn’t change the fact that he grew up as and still is an African American. Being black isnt just a skin color, its culture; and Michael Jackson is still part of that so, seriously…wtf Blair.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
If you have to tell me how many black friends you have, you are a racist.
How did this guy ever get elected?
September 15th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Toni I says stifle it, I got black friends, them there light in the pants friends, and them other ones that live out in the dessert.
Boy, the way Glenn Miller played. Songs that made the Hit Parade.
Bigots like us, we had it made. Those were the days.
Didn’t need no welfare state. Everybody pulled his weight.
Gee, our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days.
And you know who you were then. Girls were girls and men were men.
Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again.
People seemed to be content. Fifty dollars paid the rent.
Freaks were in a circus tent. Those were the days.
Take a little Sunday spin, go to watch the Dodgers win.
Have yourself a dandy day that cost you under a fin.
Hair was short and skirts were long. Kate Smith really sold a song.
I don’t know just what went wrong. Those Were The Days.
Ditch Brian Blair….
September 15th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
oh come on, who among us doesn’t enjoy a good Michael Jackson joke every now and then ?! ;)
September 15th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
The statistic is actually dwindling, the humor is getting old.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Michael Jackson is the best thing to ever come out of Gary, Indiana, not this Blair idiot!
If Blair could get such simple facts like MJ’s vitiligo incorrect I’d hate to think what other mistakes he’d make with respect to policy decisions.
P.S. Since Blair seems to care about color so much, this is coming from a white guy!
September 16th, 2008 at 1:51 am
What should you do? Call, Email, Write a complaint. Don’t leave it to someone else! Don’t let him get away with it!
His direct office number:
1 (813) 272-5730
How to email him, Administrative Office, and other Commissioners:
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactusblair.cfm
Commissioner’s Office phone number: (813) 272-5660
Address:
Hillsborough County Commissioners
Post Office Box 1110
Tampa, Fl 33601
September 16th, 2008 at 2:30 am
what an idiot, the guy should stop trying to be funny and pay attention to the truth
September 16th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Making fun of someone’s disease?
Just because someone’s skin gets darker or lighter, that doesn’t mean the ethnic and cultural background changes too.
Michael Jackson is the most famous black person in history. Admired in every corner of the world (And I do mean every corner). The greatest performer of our era, and one of the most gifted artists to ever exist.
If black people have any pride left, this should be taken as an insult.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:06 am
any worse than a VP candidate remarking about stereotypes? where’s the call for his apology?
September 16th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Blair was going for the “good ole boy” vote where they still tell ethnic jokes and laugh at them. (I grew up in Polk County, so I know what I’m talking about.)
I watched the streaming video and Blair came off as clumsy and uncomfortable. Beckner talked too fast and didn’t have as good a command of verbal flow as he will after some more seasoning. But all in all, advantage Beckner.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
WHAAAAAATTTT!!!???? A Michael Jackson joke now and then????? you should say now and ever!!!
IT’S PEOPLE LIKE YOU, WITH YOU’RE TOASTED BRAIN THE ONES THAT CAN MAKE THIS KIND OF JOKES, YOU ARE SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 18th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Why does Brian Blair insult Michael Jackson?
There’s absolutly no need. Moreover there’s hardly anyone who don’t know that Mr. Michael Jackson isn’t white because he chose or wants to be, but because he has the skin-disease VITILIGO.
In Fact Mr. Michael Jackson is a very proud african-american who has never said anything to doubt that.
It’s pathetic to use or make fun of someone’s disease!
What an ignorance!
I hope Mr Joeseph Bui can find ways to make his point without dragging someone in the mud and making racial jokes next time.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
What a fool.
He think’s he is cool for kicking Michael Jackson.
Like Michael has said he has an illness. That is so Brian Blair like to pick on others.
This is – in my opinion – the media’s fault for writing all this garbage about Michael Jackson.
September 19th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Uh? Wacko has a “lighter skin as the result of a condition called vitiligo”??? Are you serious? I can not believe that someone living in this 21th century would still believe this.. Michael Jackson just wanted to be a whitey, like a lot of black people actually (no I am not a racist, only honest). He did anything in his power and with all the money he has to change his skincolor, his nose, his mouth, his eyes, his eyebrows and so on. Besides I don’t believe a racial comment has been made, it’s actually very funny. If a joke of comment is made about coloured people, everybody react so sensitive about it.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Brian Blair have no right to make fun of de Michael Jordan, I mean Jacksoon! Brian Blair, is the gay. He is the fag. He is WORSE than Michael Jackson! The reason he had a job in WWF is because he suck Hulk Hogan dick and he suck Hulk Hogan ass!