JOAN RIVERS CALLED ‘RACIST’ DURING LONDON RADIO SHOW:

Comedian says her attempt to express brotherly love was misinterpreted.
(October 24, 2005)

During a visit to BBC Radio 4’s “Midweek”, comedian-turned-QVC queen Joan Rivers thought she’d interject her feelings on the subject of race during a discussion about the new film “Son of Mine.”
The movie, from Trinidad-born writer and black activist Darcus Howe, is about Howe’s relationship with his son, who spent half of his childhood living with his white mother in Trinidad. A guest on the show with Rivers and author Jackie Collins, Howe spoke about the pervasiveness of race in personal relationships. Rivers interrupted him to say: "I'm so bored with race."
In the midst of her trying to explain her statement, Howe responded: "You're entitled to be bored by it. I am not."
Rivers argued that race should be irrelevant, and interracial marriages and children should be commonplace in today’s society.
"Race doesn't mean a damn thing; it's about people," she said, giving Halle Berry as an example. “It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white. You’re beautiful, and you’re wonderful and you’re having a good life. Your son will have a good life. Everybody just relax, take the best of their back cultures and move forward.
Midweek host Libby Purves said that Rivers’ point of view was "an American approach; a very melting pot approach." Howe responded by calling the U.S. one of "the most savagely racial places in the world."
A heated discussion on the origins of hatred followed, during which Howe said he would use the term to "Caribbean children, since black offends Joan."
Rivers went off.
"How dare you say that! You know nothing about me," Rivers said.
“The use of the term black offends you," Howe clarified.
"Where the hell are you coming from? You have got such a chip on your shoulder," Rivers said. "Don't you dare call me a racist! I want an apology from you."
As Purves tried to mollify Rivers, saying she didn't think Howe was making a personal comment about the comedian, Rivers became even more frustrated.
"This is a problem in your stupid head," Rivers told Howe, and then accused him of abandoning his responsibilities as a father. "Where were you when he was growing up?"
Purves, again attempting to calm her down, said: “I have great sympathy with both sides, but I am starting to feel like Oprah."
"Both sides? Then you're a racist," Rivers said, stunning the host into momentary silence as Rivers continued, calling Howe a "son of a bitch." After Howe said he did not think Rivers was a racist, Rivers said: "Thank you. Please continue about your stupid film."
You can hear the whole thing for yourself at the program's website, www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/midweek.shtml. (The exchange occurs at 19 min. 49 seconds into the program.)

Janet's A Deadbeat?

After 18 long years, the existence of Janet Jackson’s child with former husband James DeBarge has finally been validated. James’ younger brother, Young DeBarge, revealed on New York’s WQHT-FM that Janet and James have a daughter named Renee who is 18-years-old.
"James and the Jackson family kept everything real close, real tight,” said Young. “No one really knew how it was working out until things kind of surfaced."
DeBarge and Jackson eloped in 1984 when Jackson was 18-years-old. The marriage was annulled the following year, largely due to DeBarge's drug habit. In the years that followed, rumors began surfacing that Jackson and DeBarge had a baby who was given to Janet’s older sister Rebbie to raise.
Young said that Renee still lives with Rebbie. He claims the situation has caused the relationship between the sisters to be somewhat strained.
He said: "I think there's a little despondence. She hasn't really revealed that, but I'm sure that there's some feelings there. It's only natural that you wonder about what is and how it's come to be that way."
Jackson’s rep Patti Webster did not deny the claims when contacted by media outlets Friday, but said the singer had no comment.

Rosa Parks 1913 - 2005