Civil rights activists condemn remarks allegedly made by Mel Gibson

Civil rights activists are strongly condemning actor and director Mel Gibson’s alleged use of the N-word during a recorded argument with the mother of his child publicized by two tabloid media websites.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Institute, is calling for a boycott of Gibson’s movies while the Southern Christian Leadership Conference California said that Gibson has shown a pattern of racism and sexism in prior remarks.

Rev. Eric P. Lee, president of the California branch of SCLC, said Gibson’s statements are sexist and racist.

Gibson has shown “patterns of racism, sexism and anti-Semitism, because this is not the first time he has been publicly heard making extremely offensive comments about other races, and now about women,” Lee said.

Radar Online reporters say they have heard a tape made by Oksana Grigorieva, Gibson's ex-girlfriend and mother of his baby daughter, Lucia. Gibson and Grigorieva have been battling in court over custody issues.

In an e-mail to The Times, Gibson’s representative Alan Nierob said that he had not yet confirmed the report's accuracy "due to legal matters."

According to Radar, Gibson is heard yelling insults at Grigorieva, including a nasty racial epithet. In one of his rants, Gibson reportedly says, "You look like a ... pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of ..., it will be your fault." The entertainment website TMZ said it has confirmed the remark.

In addition to a string of derogatory remarks, Gibson also is said to have threatened his girlfriend, saying "I am going to come and burn the ... house down."

If the statements made by Gibson are determined to be accurate, Lee said the SCLC will call on the entertainment industry to demonstrate equitable punitive measures against Gibson as it has done against other actors.

In 2006, during a driving under the influence arrest, Gibson, according to authorities unleashed a profanity-laced tirade against a Jewish sheriff’s deputy that included anti-Semitic remarks. The actor later apologized for his actions and asked for forgiveness.

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Actor Mel Gibson. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Comments

[wes]

Really? This is what we are reporting?
I would not call the comments racist, more like stereotyping. They are only making a big deal because he makes more money then all these people with no lives that just prey on celebrity scandals. This happens all the time across America, and guess what, NO ONE CARES!

[Sandy]

I gave up on Mel years ago and certainly this does not surprise me. His ego is so huge he thinks everyone else is dirt, including his girl friend. She didn't deserve the verbal abuse, his ex-wife didn't deserve the infidelity over the years and most of all, his children don't deserve a father who is much less than a real man. Wonder what is happening with the Catholic church he built on his property? Will he be the only one worshiping there? And, will God listen closely? Pathetic!

[Jose Padila]

Oh darn,
There he goes again. Like the previous commenter, "They", African-Americans can and do use the "n word" all the time. But that's OK. In fact "They" can refer to Caucasians in any fashion "They" want. But that's OK. And if you listen to the words of "Rap" music, the words are so hateful towards EVERYBODY, but especially towards Whites. But that's OK. Frankly I am tired of being the victim of hatred by Non-Whites. In America we have, African American heritage month, Latin American heritage month, and Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage month. But if anyone proposed a White American heritage month, or even day, that would be called racist and condemned by every Non-White organization/group in America. When do we get a heritage month?

[joe]

mel is a true racist, his rantings have nothing to do with the situation he will be dealing with, was there any need to refer to jews when he was arrested?? was there any need to refer to blacks on his ex g/f's phone?? i dont think so!!

[michael Nash]

You gotta love her for it.

Secretly tape record your boyfriend during an argument.
When he does not agree to your extortive demands
go public with the tape.

It could have been worse. What if he had married her!

PS. I thought secrete tape recordings were against the law.

[Mike]

Mel Gibson is awesome! I love this guy!

[Ray]

What's the big deal?
I hear people call each others this on the street all the time.
Get a life PC people.

[don keyhote]

...wow!...this is true love!......what else did she record??...i guess her idea of privacy is to keep him agitated so she can use it in court....any sex tapes????

[stm]

Wait just a minute, why are people up and arms about something that happened between a couple? This was to be a private conversation between the two; I think laws were broken when this was recorded, either way; it’s none of anyone’s business regarding a matter between a couple who is going through a breakup.

[stm]

Wait just a minute, why are people up and arms about something that happened between a couple? This was to be a private conversation between the two; I think laws were broken when this was recorded, either way; it’s none of anyone’s business regarding a matter between a couple who is going through a breakup.

[Gary]

Victor said it right: There are better things to care about. And yes, I am African-American. Here comes the same old civil rights leaders trying to jump start a movement. It is all about the hustle. Poor schools, high crime, poverty, domestic violence, teenage mothers, substance abuse and high unemployment, yet these so-called leaders are worried about using the "n" word. None of you quoted leaders cared about the abuse his ex- suffered. No! Mel Gibson isn't coming to you to have you affirm him as "brother" once he pays you off.

[Vee]

How can we hold accountable people who use the N word when we ourselves use it? It's ludicrous and then you want to get mad at the person saying it? Is this not insanity??

[hypocrites]

oh please, EVERYONE IS A RACIST!!! it's human nature, part of survival. when you see someone who does not look like you, it's part of human nature to identify them at a minimum, as someone who is not part of your group/tribe.

but politicians and school teachers think it's mean, so they tell everyone that we're all the same. no, we're really not all the same - the fact there's "difference" proves it.

[robert]

That's free speech. I support him

[dAVID]

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is a wonderful person and a brilliant commentator on African American affairs here is Southern California and I totally respect him. Personally, Mel should be able to say whatever word he wants. If you don't like him, then don't watch the Road Warrior anymore. Have you ever listened to the way Blacks talk when they think there are no Whites in the room? We are all racist in one way or another. The curse of racism can be overcome by eating dinner with our Black neighbors and getting to know them as humans. I have faith that we will get along here in Los Angeles. We have more in common than you think.

[Johnnyboy56]

You say a lot of things in anger. It's the Jesse Jacksons, AL, Sharptons, and Jeremiah Wrights who say racist things not in anger but I don't hear you libs yelling about that. As a matter of fact, I hear them say the "N" word on a regular basis. Where is the outrage. Leave Mel alone. It's a boy/girl issue and nothing you need to worry about. She's a tramp for releasing the tape.

[godisred]

How weak minded can people be to allow a word to alter their emotions. The only way you can be hurt by a word is if you give it power or if the person saying it has value in your eyes.

I love freedom of speech so much I would never oppress it, I do not fear words, nor do I fear actions that may ensue because of them.

I will now make sure to buy and support all of Gibson's projects.

[thunder]

who cares what people say in their personal life, its not like it was a speech. everyone who has never said anything slightly racist or sexist, please throw the first stone, and yes cracker and honkey count too. i know most of you think there is no such thing as racism against white people but its very common, just white people are not sensitive even though whites have been slaves too.

[James H.]

Hey, you know - Israel sure does cause a lot of problems for the U.S. - not that it really has anything to do with his tirade against his wife.

[Nadia]

So what big deal.

[Tornadoes28]

Who cares what Mel Gibson says? I don't.

[Richard]

If you feed off the public then be prepared to be crticized off the public. All you angels who think he's above it all can go and do the other thing. Look it up.

[jeremy]

some have posted that blacks use the word and it is OK, however not all blacks feel that way. I don't use the word personally. It is a disgusting and hateful word that was used to classify blacks as not being humans. I love hip hop and wish that the use of the word in the lyrics will stop. Someone mentioned that blacks put it in the movies which are reflections of life so once we stop using the word we will see it no longer in our movies. but whites write it into their movies also (ever see a Tarantino movie). No one should have to endure being called that word. Stop it my brothas and sista. Grow up.

[DJ]

To all of you who think that what he said is "no big deal" because it was a "private" conversation; who do you think put out the information? Stupid people make my head hurt!!

[Richard]

Yeah - freedom of expression - I'm free to express my disgust over a racist jackass who thinks he has a straight line to God. Will the rapture never come and rid us of these control freaks?