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Patrick Whitesell of William Morris informed Gibson's reps that he will no longer be represented by the agency. This happens to be near the same time that Gibson's longtime agent, Ed Limato, died. Limato's funeral is set to take place in New York next week.
A partner with the William Morris Agency, Ari Emanuel, had become hostile toward Gibson after the actor made derogatory statements about Jews and showed skepticism toward whether the holocaust actually occurred. Gibson upset the African American community when he was recorded telling his ex-girlfriend that she was "dressed like a pig in heat," and that "if she gets raped by a pack of n*ggers," it would be her fault.
Since his latest irrational tirade, many studio executives now claim that Gibson is untouchable in the movie industry. "I'd rather get engaged to Lindsay Lohan than have anything to do with him," said one studio head.
A spokesman for Gibson said the star had always planned to do without an agent after Limato's death. He added, "At this point, he doesn't seem to be in need of an agent." He then claimed that Gibson has projects set up for the next two years.
There is no question about the fact that Gibson has become toxic in the film industry. But he is getting older and probably doesn't care. Additionally, 'The Passion of the Christ' netted him hundreds of millions of dollars because he was one of the primary financiers of the movie, and the film did quite well. Perhaps there is one thing the black community can learn from the Gibson breakdown and the reaction by Emanuel from the William Morris Agency: If you've got economic power, almost no one can tell you what to do.
Gibson isn't worried about losing his job for what he did, since he has gobs of money and owns a great deal of his work anyway. He probably earns more by financing projects behind the scenes than most actors earn by doing three or four films a year. Emanuel's reaction to Gibson is a teachable moment because it reminds us how the Jewish community, through the mobilization of wealth, is able to take important stands when necessary. A rapper can use the N-word all day on an album and say what he wants about black women, but if he says something defamatory against the Jewish community, he'd be toast. This is not to say that one slur is better or worse than another, or one community's struggles are more or less important; it simply says that when a community is organized, mobilized, empowered and wealthy, it can make sure that its interests are protected and the group is respected. In America, money gives you the right to make your issues important.
I have yet to hear Gibson issue a public apology for his remarks, and I don't expect one. This breaks my heart because he'd always been one of my favorite actors. In fact, I still like Gibson as an actor, which doesn't mean I have to like him as a person. For most of us, that's the case with our Hollywood heroes: They are almost never the person they appear to be.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (99)
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By: Dani on 7/10/2010 9:28PM
Grow up People everyone has a prejudice bone in their body it’s an emotion someone steps on you foot you will say “ah”. The idea that people still believe that all white people are races blows my mind and all black people should hate white people is bologna. Without each other and our differences this world would be boring. We as people need to realize that we have to learn to live together; stop hating. When a nation will allow rappers to hate on the grandmothers, mothers, aunts and sister and will not stop buying the music appeals me. Without women there would be no nation disrespect to our women is so much more to talk about then an actor who clearly does not care about people and defiantly woman. Shame on him he has to look at himself every day I have stop watching his movies I hope you have too. Ways to stop rappers and actors mess with their money intake without us we can put them out of business.
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By: ooo-b-doo on 7/10/2010 11:28PM
Who cares what Mel Gibson says on the telephone to his ex-black girlfriend. She probably did want to dress like a pig. As far as the N-word, that will never stop, as long as we say it ourselves. Get REAL. Did he call her a Bitch too? N-word and Bitch is all you hear in the music,movies, school everywhere. What happened to the English lanquage? Ain't there a new "Hit" record coming out from Chicago where the word Bitch is now a noun or a verb for every description of anything? It's pathetic how people get bent out of shape and all historical, over something a Mel Gibson said on the telephone to his black girl. He should have gave her some more money to buy some clothes.
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By: Patty on 7/11/2010 12:02AM
I agreed with Amanda. White people aint sitting around thinking about black people. Black people are sitting around worrying about what white people think. I know there are racists out there. But there are also black racists. You dont let people live in your mind rent free. I dont care what white people think about me. I know black people are playing the race card all the time and it has gotten to be really lame. A hateful heart cannot thrive. Do you and live your life. Start with that person in the mirror and pray for people with hateful hearts white or black.
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By: smittyt on 7/11/2010 10:16AM
Then explain to me why you're always up here commenting on a black web site.You have to think about coming up here, before you actually do it.So wouldn't that mean you're thinking about black people.Because i do see your name up here alot,so just tell the truth.And that is ...You and all those other whites that come to this site ,you really can't get black people out of your minds.
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By: smittyt on 7/11/2010 12:02PM
There's no such thing as black racism,only black REVENGE!!!You hate me, and i, in return, hate you back.Are you telling me that makes me a racist?I see it as being an even steven.F*ck all that christain sh*t, about love your enemy,thay only gives the enemy the upper hand in th battle.
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By: djkut on 7/11/2010 2:30PM
@ Patty explain this to me then when you get dealt the Deck of cards that involves with Race issue what cards do you play with you play with the cards you are given.
Answer these questions for me ?
Why is there a need for HBCU's ?
Why is there a need for Civil Rights ?
Why has it been studies showing that major White crimes are lesser crimes that minor Black crimes ?
Why is there a Double & Triple unemployment for Blacks the ones that have experience and Degrees out of work and getting pass over for jobs ?
Why are intrest rates more higher for Blacks with good credit than whites with Bad credit ?
Why were banks strickly targeting Blacks and Latino for Sub-prime lending ?
Why do whites with no degree/experience get paid more than blacks with degrees/experience doing the same job ?
I need u to answer those question for me and do not come back on here acting stupid and silly, act like you got some sense and answer those few questions for me. I want to know why Whites are not thinking about Blacks but those question are facts not fiction they have been studies shown that these are true ?
I be waiting on your answer why Whites are not thinking about Blacks ?
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By: g on 7/11/2010 11:35PM
@Patty..you Rob and Amanda are the only one's making any sense on this post. I agree with all of you.
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By: smittyt on 7/11/2010 9:56AM
@Djkut,now that is a beautiful comment,i feel the same way.For whites not to think about us, we sure have to put up with alot of they're sh*T.Every day,all day.If you're lucky enough to not have to be around them,which is a good thing to not have to do.Then when you come on black web sites,you have to put up them with some more of their sh*t,we just can't get away from the devil.
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By: smittyt on 7/11/2010 12:13PM
NO!!!The white race has been doing all this to the black race for centuries.And like the old saying goes....What goes around comes around,so i have no problem with you typed.The white race didn't see anything wrong with killing black babies,sprewing hate for blacks,and destroying everything/ black.What do whites think that it's Ok to murder,rape, lie,cheat,and steal other people's land and everything is suppose to be alright.And when did the BLACK PANTHERS,ever say they wanted to kill cracka babies.I must have missed that one.
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By: smittyt on 7/11/2010 12:33PM
No i see no problem with this,hell everything you've typed.The white race has been doing to the black race for centuries.Sounds like a case of what goes around comes around.After all the hate and terror the white race have spread around the word,now they have a nerve to be looking for sympathy.And damn,from the same people that they have stuck it to.I'm not into the christain religion crap of forgive,and love,your enemy.
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