Liam Neeson: "I wanted to kill a black bastard"

[aRat]

Liam Neeson has revealed he once walked the streets with a cosh for days looking to kill a “black bastard” after someone close to him was raped many years ago.

“She handled the situation of the rape in the most extraordinary way,” Neeson said during the interview, which can be read in full here. “But my immediate reaction was ... did she know who it was? No. What colour were they? She said it was a black person

“I went up and down areas with a cosh, hoping I’d be approached by somebody. I’m ashamed to say that, and I did it for maybe a week – 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.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-e...-a8760866.html

umm wtf?

[BehindBreakaway]

His follow up was even worse. He used growing up during the troubles in Northern Ireland as a way to excuse his behaviour.

I used to really like him. I don't get how anyone can defend what he's saying.

[Rihab]

Wow, the racists are really out in full force this year huh.

[DOSSOME]

He actually said that???? Ugh

[DnBLover]

I don't necessarily see what's so awful about it.
He was just wanting to kill the black dude who raped his friend, no? Or a random black dude?

[aRat]

I don't necessarily see what's so awful about it.
He was just wanting to kill the black dude who raped his friend, no?

Just? How was that not awful?
Anyway he is saying that he wanted a random black dude to provoke him so he could have killed him...

[MusicRecords]

So fkn messed up

[Wayne]

I don't necessarily see what's so awful about it.
He was just wanting to kill the black dude who raped his friend, no? Or a random black dude?

But why does it have to be the "black bastard" - why not just the "bastard" who raped her?

I bet he wouldn't have said "I wanted to kill a white bastard".

[menime123]

To contextualise - he’s saying this was his reaction 40 years ago. It doesn’t make his actions, thoughts or comments anymore palitable, but I’m not sure what he thought 40 years ago makes him racist today.

Why on earth he thought it was a good story to tell the press though is beyond me. Put it this way, everyone now knows he has a new movie out.

[DnBLover]

Just? How was that not awful?
Anyway he is saying that he wanted a random black dude to provoke him so he could have killed him...

Ok I didn't read in detail. Well killing anyone is mostly not ok but the urge is understandable in some occasions.

He is basically admitting he was racist at the time. Hopefully he is not anymore.

[Thriller]

To contextualise - he’s saying this was his reaction 40 years ago. It doesn’t make his actions, thoughts or comments anymore palitable, but I’m not sure what he thought 40 years ago makes him racist today.

Why on earth he thought it was a good story to tell the press though is beyond me. Put it this way, everyone now knows he has a new movie out.

Yes how did he think disclosing this was a good idea?! Silly man.

[Loveguru]

Ok I didn't read in detail. Well killing anyone is mostly not ok but the urge is understandable in some occasions.

He is basically admitting he was racist at the time. Hopefully he is not anymore.

The fact that he can say this story now and think that he won't face and probably wont face any backlash shows how much priviledge white cis man have

[Blondini]

[DnBLover]

Excellent analysis. I didn't know the whole speech and it makes to total sense now. The "leftist" crowd only gets hurt for blowing up this story. Liam was candid. Mad respect for him, actually. This is how you show progression.