WWBA-AM 820's Mark Larsen, who is white, dressed in blackface to start his show TUES

[Hunter928]

Radio host defends his on-air racial antics


Published Wednesday, November 5, 2008 9:55 PM


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It didn't take long for a racially controversial routine to emerge in the local media after the landmark success of Barack Obama's election Tuesday as the nation's first black president.

The moment came at 6 a.m. Wednesday, when WWBA-AM 820 morning man Mark Larsen, who is white, dressed in blackface makeup at the start of his show.

Joined by the station's news director, Roger Schulman, Larsen joked about caking on the cosmetics and launched a number of racially influenced comments. Fans could watch the whole process via an in-studio Webcam.

"This gives me that Uncle Tom feel," said Larsen, who also joked about changing his name to Marcus Washington Larsen. "Are you sure this comes off? Because I don't feel like running for president."

Before Tuesday's election, Larsen talked about seeing a long line of black people waiting to vote at a Tampa Bay area polling place, saying they "looked like the line for takeout at Big Tim's Barbecue" in St. Petersburg.

And shortly after putting on the blackface makeup Wednesday, he told a caller he presumed to be black that "You love (America) because you have a man of color going to the White House. Before that, you probably were a malcontent."

Still, Larsen said he intended no racial insult.

"I wasn't making fun of black people," he said, noting that he was fulfilling a bet he made last year that he would wear blackface if America elected a politician named Barack Hussein Obama.

Bruce Maduri, president of WWBA owner Genesis Communications, spent the day in Melbourne and did not hear the routine.

"Knowing Mark, he's one of the least racial people I know," Maduri said. "I'm sure it probably was a bit that went bad."

Why wear blackface?

"If Dave Chappelle can wear whiteface and make fun of white people, then I should be able to do this," noted the host, who stressed his libertarian political views, saying he would have voted for black Republicans such as Colin Powell or Condoleezza Rice.

"The point I'm making is there's a double standard here, and I don't abide by the double standard," Larsen added.

But there is a difference in wearing makeup to play a character of a different race — as Fred Armisen (Obama on Saturday Night Live) and Robert Downey Jr. (as a white "method" actor playing a black man in the Ben Stiller film Tropic Thunder) have done.

Donning the historic "blackface" makeup conjures an image symbolizing stereotypes of black people perpetuated in theater and film in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Beginning in the 1800s, white performers used blackface makeup, raggedy clothes and white-painted lips to play character called "coons." These figures were the stars of minstrel shows caricaturing black people as lazy, uneducated, superstitious, musical and childlike — all the stereotypes black people continue to fight.

Talk radio has taken some criticism during the presidential election for racially insensitive language — from some hosts' insistence that Obama supporters might riot on Election Day to conservative Rush Limbaugh's parody song Barack the Magic Negro, based on a line from a Los Angeles Times column.

Still, Larsen insisted he was not trying to evoke long-held stereotypes or racist imagery in his on-air jokes. A broadcaster for nearly 30 years, he once drew criticism during a stint on WFLA-AM 970 for a Wednesday "Humpday" news segment featuring bizarre stories lampooning gay people.

"What I did today was knuckleheaded and goofy, but … it wasn't a big deal to me," Larsen said. "I want to make it abundantly clear, I'm not on any mission to disparage anyone. I just don't play double standards."

Eric Deggans can be reached at deggans@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8521. See his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/media.

[BTRedhill]

Not touching this with a ten foot cane pole.

[a22042]

Yeah, this is a tough one. the unfortunate fact is there is a clear double standard. A black man can wear white face but not vice versa. The one difference is the origins of the black face paint came from more racial beginings. Still, it is a bad double standard.

The comments on the other hand are not especially good, particularly the one implying that just because the person was black he used to be a malcontent.

[newjdgirl]

Mark Larsen is always going to the extreme. I haven't listened to him since he left 970, but I remember after 9/11 he had an evening show for months and it was very politically incorrect. It was a good show, he is a commentator and entertainer.

The double standard is ridiculous. I have seen Dave Chappelle do the whole white face thing and it is hilarious. I would have laughed my arse off if I had seen and heard Mark Larsen the other day.

I guess it will only get worse. Woops, did I say that? I meant, no it's gonna be great! Good times...

[BTRedhill]

It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all

[BTRedhill]

Last night, President Obama came to me in a dream and sang this song:

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, BT, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world
Don't you dare close your eyes
A hundred thousand things to see
Hold your breath - it gets better
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be

A whole new world
Every turn a surprise
With new horizons to pursue
Every moment red-letter
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you

A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me

[newjdgirl]

Pardon me, but did you choose the theme song from that racist Disney movie Alladin because you are trying to say Obama is Muslim? You evil hate monger.

[a22042]

I fear it might get worse, but because of sentements like that.

You expect it to get worse. You will find things to justify the idea that it is getting worse.

Everytime you see an article about a black person (or muslim person, or poor person, or what ever type of person) doing something bad inside your head you will here "see, I knew it!" yet the other articles of while people (or conservative people, or rich people, or what ever kind of people) doing bad things will not go un-noticed, but they wont have racial undertones like antyhing a black person (or muslim person, or poor person, or what ever type of person) does.

You have already convinced your self the end of days are here. America could turn into sunshine and rainbows in the next 4 years but all you will see is the things gone wrong. As far as you are concerned the American flag should be flown upside down because we have already been destroyed.

I can assure you, the far left liberals thought the same thing when Bush got elected, and especially when he got re-elected. I still remember liberal news articles spouting how America is done for. I still remember Liber firends decrying the ignorance of the rest of the country for letting Bush stay for another 4 years (remember, I lived in VA, but just out side of DC, a very liberal town). It's funny how a lot of the exact things you, and Kieth, and Chucksgal, and Z, etc. were said by the liberals 4 years ago (and even 8 years ago).

In thier eyes they are completely vindicated. They are almost excited that the country is in bad shape because it proves them right. And frankly it saddens me, honestly saddens me (and even a little disgust is thrown in) that any one, left, right, middle or upside down would hope for, predict in glee, or in any way shape or form get comfort in the fact that the country is not doing well, or might not do well.

If you wear red sunglasses (or blue), and are looking for red things (or blue), it is a pretty safe bet you will see plenty of red (or blue). Never mind the other colors out there.

So you, and Chucksgal, and Kieth, and Wirl, and Z, and whoever else, have fun with the whole "I can't believe America is so dumb! Now we are all going to go down in flames!" and prove you are absolutley no better what so ever than the whiney a$$ cry baby far liberals were over the last 8 years.

[BTRedhill]

Praise Allah, no!!! Don't say such things. Infidel. Plus Barack chose that song for me; I didn't pick it.

[BTRedhill]

Whilst on the Disney theme, I am suddenly recalling Scar's alliance with the hyenas (Iran, Venezuela, et al) in the Lion King. A once great land of great people was reduced to something far less.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[newjdgirl]

I don't know who you are talking to to A2, but I said the day after the election I am just gonna sit back and see what happens. I'm not going to throw all my support behind the guy, however. He is going to have to EARN my support. He works for me. Bush disgusted me his second term and I voted for him. He made a lot of bad decisions, decisions that I nor many of his supporters expected him to.

I will not revel in any harm this country suffers under Obama's administration, but if it comes from his decisions, I will criticize them. I love this country and I am going to take things as they come.

All I was saying is political correctness is bad enough and with all the media sensitivities that have run rampant the past two years regarding Obama, I just imagine its gonna get worse.

Which makes me wonder, who are leno, letterman, stewart and colbert going to make fun of now? They certainly can't make jokes about our new president now can they? Just sayin...

[a22042]

Im talking to just about everyone on this board. Since the election there has been nothing but negativeness. Not a single honest sentiment of hope without somesort of caveat that you dont think it will happen though.

What I am saying, is that if you WANT to see bad things happen, you WILL see bad things happen.

I have seen more hate on this forum in the last two days that I am reminded of those confederate flag waving wack jobs there were on here a while ago spewing all of thier hate.

Of course, the great thing about America is you are allowed to have those feelings. You are allowed to hate.

It just saddens me that people here don't seem to have any inclination what so ever to give Obama a chance. Stocks go down after election day and this is already linked to him.

It reminds me of when Bush was elected (and subsequently re-elected). The liberals had no intention what so ever of giving him a chance. Now in his case he did let the country down, but I can tell you this, i gave him a chance. I honestly hoped he would be able to turn things around. But I gave him that chance.

Obama is not even in office and there are already predictions that the country will go to hell. The drop in stocks are attributed to him, etc.

You already have made up your mind that this administration is going to be a disaster and the man hasn't even done anything yet.

But yet somehow I get called a hatemonger? (not by you, by bible spice).

It is sad. At least to me it is.

[rjclark2]

It's called partisan politics. If I can't have mine, I'll dam well make sure you don't get yours. This is the way all politicians works. It's time for the American people to come together and demand they do what is right for all of us. I'd love to see a 5 million citizen march on DC.

[chucks1girl]

Im talking to just about everyone on this board. Since the election there has been nothing but negativeness. Not a single honest sentiment of hope without somesort of caveat that you dont think it will happen though.

What I am saying, is that if you WANT to see bad things happen, you WILL see bad things happen.

I have seen more hate on this forum in the last two days that I am reminded of those confederate flag waving wack jobs there were on here a while ago spewing all of thier hate.

Of course, the great thing about America is you are allowed to have those feelings. You are allowed to hate.

It just saddens me that people here don't seem to have any inclination what so ever to give Obama a chance. Stocks go down after election day and this is already linked to him.

It reminds me of when Bush was elected (and subsequently re-elected). The liberals had no intention what so ever of giving him a chance. Now in his case he did let the country down, but I can tell you this, i gave him a chance. I honestly hoped he would be able to turn things around. But I gave him that chance.

Obama is not even in office and there are already predictions that the country will go to hell. The drop in stocks are attributed to him, etc.

You already have made up your mind that this administration is going to be a disaster and the man hasn't even done anything yet.

But yet somehow I get called a hatemonger? (not by you, by bible spice).

It is sad. At least to me it is.


"confederate flag waving wack jobs there were on here a while ago spewing all of thier hate."

this is why....

"But yet somehow I get called a hatemonger?"

This opinion differs from yours sooo...............etc etc.
Oh, BTW it is their constitutional right as an American to fly that flag (the law even confirmed it ya wanna know how) if ya look to the left on 75 right before I-4 heading north, you will see it flying.


"Not a single honest sentiment of hope without somesort of caveat that you dont think it will happen though."

How do you know this? How do you know if we are being honest or not?
Oh your speculating our feelings and emotions again, I get it.


"Obama is not even in office and there are already predictions that the country will go to hell."

You cannot tell me with any certainty that this would not be exactly the same from the lefties if it were reversed. This kind of rings true for the "we can't take 4 more years of the same!" I realize you address this fact but c'mon A2 really. This is the political game.

[a22042]

"confederate flag waving wack jobs there were on here a while ago spewing all of thier hate."

this is why....

"But yet somehow I get called a hatemonger?"

This opinion differs from yours sooo...............etc etc.
Oh, BTW it is their constitutional right as an American to fly that flag (the law even confirmed it ya wanna know how) if ya look to the left on 75 right before I-4 heading north, you will see it flying.


I am not talking about the ability to fly the flag itself. Thankfully in America you are allowed to do that. i am talking about a group of people on this forum before your time who got way out of hand, starting threatening people in real life etc. they eventually got banned. But they had no tollerance what so ever for anyone elses opinion.


"Not a single honest sentiment of hope without somesort of caveat that you dont think it will happen though."

How do you know this? How do you know if we are being honest or not?
Oh your speculating our feelings and emotions again, I get it.


I retract that statement as there have been a few posts that seemed very genuine in hoping for the best. Pastor Rick and BT come to mind.

This does not negate that the majority of the people here have already given up on the administration. I don't think I need to go and dig out all the quotes of people bashing the soon to be administration.


"Obama is not even in office and there are already predictions that the country will go to hell."

You cannot tell me with any certainty that this would not be exactly the same from the lefties if it were reversed. This kind of rings true for the "we can't take 4 more years of the same!" I realize you address this fact but c'mon A2 really. This is the political game.

Ugh, how is it you seem to read one out of every 2 words I type.

I VERY CLEARLY SAID THAT THIS REMINDS ME OF THE ULTRA LIBERALS FROM 2K AND 2K4.

And further more, if you actually READ my entire posts, you would see that I say I UNDERSTAND people feeling that way. I UNDERSTAND. My comment is that it saddens me. Not that i think it is wrong. Not that I blame you. Not that I do not understand your (and this includes all conservatives on here that have expressed certain doom in the comming 4 years).

I NEVER SAID IT WAS WRONG. I simply said it saddened me.

But once again, you only see the parts of my post you want to.

Let me repeat myself:
I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU GUYS FEEL. I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU FEEL THE WAY YOU DO. HOWEVER, IT MAKES ME (ME! ME! ME! ME!) SAD!

That is MY OPINION. I AM ALLOWED TO BE SAD THAT THERE IS A CERTAIN PORTION OF THE POPULATION THAT WILL REFUSE TO GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE!

On a side note:

Why is it when you and other make a statement about your opinion, and I use that opinion in my argument it is bad, but when you take the words and opinions of vets and thier families it is not only OK, it is deffinitive on the subject?