NY Gov. Paterson Calls 'SNL' Spoof A 'Third-Grade' Attempt

New York Governor David Paterson says a Saturday Night Live sketch, aimed at spoofing his blindness, was nothing more than a "third-grade depiction of people and the way they look." It also sparked the ire of some activists in the blind community.

Continuing a trend of what some deem "more acceptable" blackface, cast member Fred Armisen portrayed the governor during SNL's "Weekend Update" segment.

Here's more via the New York Post.

... Paterson and advocates for the visually impaired didn't appreciate stock blind jokes that had Armisen pretending to be disoriented and wandering aimlessly.

"I can take a joke," Paterson told reporters.

But he called the SNL spoof a "third-grade depiction of people and the way they look" that could lead others to believe that "disability goes hand-in-hand with an inability to run a government or business."

"I run the place I work in, so I don't have to be worried about being discriminated against," noted Paterson.

Although Paterson is legally blind and has aides help him with some tasks, the governor is rarely out of step with his surroundings and seems comfortable in virtually all settings.

Watch the sketch, and tell us what you think:

Geoffrey Bennett

Tags: New York Governor David Paterson | Saturday Night Live

12:20 PM ET | 12-15-2008 | permalink

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