Liam Neeson

[PatricksRum]

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-rape-black-man-attack-cosh-cold-pursuit-sexual-assault-interview-a8760866.html

Why is The Independent acting so casual towards this blatant act of racism?

Not condoning what he said or did but surely he was looking for a black man because it was a black man that raped his friend. If it had been a white man then presumably he'd have been looking for a white man.

Hoping that I'd be approached by a black bastard so that I could kill him

He's not even trying to find the rapist, just any black male.

Neeson openly says how deplorable his behaviour and line of thinking was in searching for blind revenge. What's the problem? Calm down, fgs.

The whole point of the story is that he bitterly regrets it and understands that it was the wrong reaction.

He was telling the story to demonstrate that people can leave go of their senses after a trauma.

The very reason for him telling it was to show how deplorable his behaviour was!

You're being deliberately obtuse, OP. Or you can't actually read.

If he was racist, surely he'd be excusing or justifying his behaviour in some way, not condemning it?

At least quote him properly, OP.

hoping some [Neeson gestures air quotes with his fingers] ‘black bastard’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could kill him.

He’s already stated that he’s horrified by his own thinking. Hardly the reaction of an ardent racist.

The entire point of his statement was to disown his own behaviour. He's admitting to something terrible, and being open about just how terrible he was. The article isn't ignoring that; they're publishing his comments describing how disgusting his behaviour was.

Yeah, I think what he said is fine. He's acknowledging that what he did was wrong and says he's ashamed. His actions were racist and could have been potentially violent.

I kind of respect his statement more than the people who are actually racist (even in a small way) but pretend that they're not and get annoyed if they're called out on their behaviour/actions.

I don't think publishing a piece specifically about that shocking confession during an interview is being casual about it.

Presumably if the rape had been committed by a 4ft high red head he would have gone looking for 4ft high red heads? Or a 6ft tall Irish man he would have gone looking for 6ft tall Irish man?

@Peridot1 Quite. And I think an awful lot of people respond totally out of sync in reaction to a traumatic event that happens to ourselves or someone we love.

Or a 6ft tall Irish man he would have gone looking for 6ft tall Irish man?

He’d have to beat himself then, since he’s Irish.

He is owning his past behaviour and saying how wrong he was then.

downthestrada - I agree.

I fired a man who twisted himself in bloody knots trying deny a racist joke he made about a customer (he had previously drunkenly racially abused a member of the public whilst on company time, and was let off - not by me! - so was extra surprised when I fired him for the 'mere' joke).

If it were purely the joke, and he had held his hands up saying, 'I was an idiot. These issues don't affect me and I don't understand them. I made a stupid joke. I'm sorry'... then it probably wouldn't have gone that way.

hoping some [Neeson gestures air quotes with his fingers] ‘black bastard’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could kill him.

Clearly he was describing his mentality at the time, which he was talking about being ashamed of. So basically admitting that it was racist and regretting it.

PositivelyPERF - true!

I passed him in Berkeley Square once many years ago (before he was well known) and recognised him but just assumed he was someone from work. Said hi and passed on. Then realised who it was and turned to look back. He was looking back too........

You might want to re-read the article OP😉

My point is. Why have they reported it so casually?
It's not about his regrets etc, I feel like they didn't acknowledge how wrong it was.

Eh, looking for a white man would be quite different seeing as though black males are often the accused.

Not condoning what he said or did but surely he was looking for a black man because it was a black man that raped his friend. If it had been a white man then presumably he'd have been looking for a white man.

To be fair I don't think this is true. He wanted a black man to get revenge because he was associating the rape with the attacker being black in a way he probably wouldn't do if the attacker had been white.

Eh, looking for a white man would be quite different seeing as though black males are often the accused.

Rape victims should be more equality minded when reporting their ordeal?

YANBU. Yes he's acknowledging his bad behaviour, but so what? It's pretty fucking bad (and no he wouldn't be looking for a white man if a white man had raped his friend otherwise he'd have to beat himself up).

White men are bloody Teflon coated when it comes to the media aren't they! I wonder if this was a black male celebrity saying this, or a woman saying she was once a violent racist if the tone would also be "oh bless they've turned their lives around"

@BIgBagofJelly & @GunpowderGelatine this is exactly what I'm getting at!
Black men are the minority and I cannot condone his behaviour and I don't like the way they've reported it without acknowledging how wrong it was.