Nov 26, 2006 3:32 pm US/Central
Richards Tells Jackson He's 'Shattered' By Tirade
Comedian Appeared On Rev. Jesse Jackson's Morning Radio Show
by Rafael Romo
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Seinfeld star Michael Richards spoke with the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Jackson's radio program Sunday morning.
As CBS 2's Rafael Romo reports, Richards says the fallout from his racist tirade at an Los Angeles comedy club has left him shattered.
"Hope that the bottom of this will be some healing for the nation," Jackson said.
It is the question the entire nation wanted to ask and on Sunday morning the Jackson got to ask it. "Do you consider yourself a racist?"
"No," Richards replied.
The comedian appeared on Jackson's Sunday morning show, airing on WVON radio, and he again apologized for his racist meltdown.
"I can say now to them that I'm very, very sorry and hope to meet with them and get started with a bit of healing," Richards said.
Richards now says that he wants to personally meet with the two African-American men who were the target of his racial rant.
"It's been very frustrating for me this past week not being able to cut through the media to get to them; to reach them, to get their numbers, and to talk to them, but I know that meeting will come soon," Richards said.
The interview took place in Los Angeles, but there were callers from throughout the nation.
"This nation is sick, is wounded. We had 250 years of enslavement of the African people, genocide of the African people. You know, the whole immigration conflict that's erupted, that's a racist conflict," said one caller.
A man, who was also a guest at the comedy club where the incident happened, says the healing process must begin.
"He does seem to have contrition, so again, I definitely, for whatever it's worth, I definitely extend my personal forgiveness," the man said.
The Rev. Al Sharpton called in from New York to speak on the show. Sharpton said this is also a good time to reflect on the words used to describe minorities that seem to be getting acceptance in today's popular culture.
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