When a prominent white man is surprised when there’s backlash after he calls his dead journalist friend a nigger at a Society for Professional Journalists gathering, we all really need to step back an analyze what is going on in this country. Michael Lacey, the co-owner of the alternative newspaper chain behind the Village Voice and all the various incarnations of New Times papers, called Tom Fitzpatrick, the late Pulitzer Prize winner, a nigger and gave a speech peppered with vulgar phrases while accepting an award at an SJP ceremony in Phoenix.

Here’s his apology:

CONTINUED »