Racism against black and Jewish people is all in their minds, claims veteran comedian Jackie Mason in provocative outburst


By
Chris Hastings

18:24 EST, 10 March 2012

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18:24 EST, 10 March 2012

Veteran Jewish comedian Jackie Mason has plunged the BBC¿s Desert Island Discs into the centre of a race row

Veteran Jewish comedian Jackie Mason has plunged the BBC¿s Desert Island Discs into the centre of a race row

Veteran Jewish comedian Jackie Mason has plunged the BBC’s Desert Island Discs into the centre of a race  row by claiming that ‘Jewish and black people’ are no longer the victims of racial discrimination.

Mason, 75, who is regarded as one of the world’s greatest stand-up comedy stars, said some minority groups wrongly believe they are still being persecuted because of an inability to escape the past.

In an edition of the Radio  4 show to be broadcast today, the New York-born star says: ‘I wouldn’t say the Jews or the blacks today are suffering from racism.  

‘I don’t think it’s such a terrible disadvantage to be black or Jewish today.’

He added: ‘But because they once were .  .  . they are still not comfortable enough with the new situation they’re in.

‘They still can’t accept the fact that they are completely accepted everywhere .  .  . it’s all in their minds.’

Mason, who is currently playing to packed houses in London’s West End, said he doubted whether Jewish people were even being persecuted when he started out as a comedian in the early Sixties.

He said their memories of the horrors unleashed by the Second World War had kept their fears alive.

He said: ‘Jews weren’t really  suffering anywhere, but they were self-conscious because they have suffered in the past.

‘It was like they couldn’t believe the fact they were being accepted now and they were still nervous about something that hasn’t happened in the last 20 years.’

Mason, who was ordained as a rabbi before opting for a life as  a comedian, said many other minority groups shared fears that were equally unwarranted.

Mason¿s comments shocked Kirsty Young who said it was up to the minority groups themselves to identify incidents of racism

Mason’s comments shocked Kirsty Young who said it was up to the minority groups themselves to identify incidents of racism

He said: ‘It’s the same with black people today. They still talk about being persecuted when the white people don’t even feel that.’ Mason’s comments shocked Kirsty Young, the show’s host, who said it was up to the minority groups themselves to identify incidents of racism.

But the star said young people today simply did not care about issues of religion and race any more.

He said: ‘The younger the people are the less it matters to them what their identity is in terms of their religion or their colour.  

‘Whites and blacks would never marry in those days. Jews and Gentiles would never marry. Today, that type of marriage is very common.’

Mason said the election of President Barack Obama proved times had moved on

Mason said the election of President Barack Obama proved times had moved on

He said some people who complained of racism were simply covering up for their inadequacies, and the election of President Barack Obama proved times had moved on.

He said: ‘I see this with all the minorities. You can’t get a job somewhere. He can’t admit to himself that he is inadequate – they’ll claim it’s anti-Semitism.

‘It’s more imagination. Everybody imagined that it’s impossible for a black person to get elected President of the United States. Whether they are Jewish or white or black, they never thought it was possible for a black person to become President.’

Mason said his distinct Jewish sense of humour often alienated members of that community. He said: ‘A lot of Jews are embarrassed by Jewishness because it reminds them of their parents and grandparents who were refugees and poverty stricken. They were always like an alienated minority. People who are raised that way still have a feeling of “I don’t belong if I’m Jewish so I’d rather you don’t mention it”.’

Mason’s choice of records included Susan Boyle’s rendition of I Dreamed A Dream, Perry Como’s Accentuate The Positive and Dinah Washington’s version of Love Is A Many-Splendoured Thing.

Desert Island Discs is broadcast on BBC Radio  4 today at 11.15am.

 

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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Ignorant PIG!

Mason for President!

I think he’s spot on

“They still can’t accept the fact that they are completely accepted everywhere .  .  . it’s all in their minds” as a black guy raised in this country i can honestly say this is not the case. England is easily the most accepting place in europe and perhaps the world imo but unfortunately racism will always exist due to ignorance. Before people start saying that racism to blacks doesn’t exist any more can i just say that you can only make that assessment if ur black. A white person can’t comprehend what it’s like to be black in this country.

Couldn’t agree with him more. If all else fails, scream discrimination against gender or race. A very sensible gentleman, with an honest view on today. Then, “real” comedians are usually clever people. Just look at the rubbish the Beeb employs these days.

Thank you Mr Mason for nailing the issue up for a realistic discussion. Some (too many) people do not want to get off their personal pity pot and work for success. Instead they prefer the victim role which pays them for doing nothing.

Jackie Mason is a classic, God love him. He is completely fearless. Taste in music dubious however.

Phew………… I think he said what most of us have thought for a long time……… The minority groups still have a big issue with what he is saying, as for the rest of us, because we are not in their shoes don’t truly understand the past……….. A white woman who married a black man had dark skinned children who went to the same school as my son……………… She had enormous issues with their colour, and yet my son didn’t understand why they were treated better and given more respect than all the other children………… Because the white mother demanded it! Very strange to be different…………. I can understand everything this man is saying………. And he should know!

Just that he chose Susan Boyle as one of his disc, suggest to me he’s an idiot.

Jackie mason will get so much abuse because he has even dared to mention the “race” word.
It is because of this abuse it will validate his view.
However, to be racist to one person or another is totaly unaceptable.

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