When I first started writing for the Daily, I assumed that all media outlets were the same.

I used to believe television, radio and print media were all used for education purposes, as well as entertainment.

Recently, I’ve been forced to question my prior beliefs.

It hit me when I was watching Chris Rock’s stand-up on HBO, which I highly recommend to anyone who has not seen it yet.

Chris had several jokes worked into his performance that dealt with “touchy” subject material.

For instance, Rock said that he loves black people, but he hates “niggers.” Rock went on to say that “niggers” are making black people look bad, while questioning their mentality and joking that “niggers” love to know nothing.

The crowd laughed and cheered on Rock’s approach to what he considered to be a serious dilemma within the African-American culture.

Since most of my readers don’t know me, I’ll give a quick insight on my views about racism:

I believe that to downgrade any other human beings, because of the color of their skin, political views, religious views or sexual orientations is the highest offense against human life and should be considered a capital offense punishable by death.

Rock was not downgrading anyone for the reasons that I just mentioned. He was downgrading certain people for their dishonest, lazy and often violent behavioral patterns. Rock discussed these serious issues through the use of a comedy stand-up routine that reached millions through the media outlet of television.

Here’s my question. What if I, a white boy with a shaved head and earrings, had discussed the very same issues as Rock in a column in the Daily?

I tell you what would happen: I would be accused of being a racist, or maybe even a white supremacist.

Rock also joked that there is “always a reason to hit someone,” and went as far as to say that a person can find a reason to toss an elderly person down the stairs. The crowd’s laughter filled the room for Rock’s satire.

Last week I wrote a column in which I sarcastically stated something to the effect of that if Pamela Anderson cheated on Tommy Lee, then he had the right to “straighten her out.”

The column also stated that I felt stupid because I had summarized a negative opinion of Lee since I had regretfully believed what I read and heard about him.

I went on to write the statements about Lee and Anderson to show all of you how easy it is to believe what you read. My statements were filled with inconsistencies, but they were read over and taken seriously by many, proving my point even further.

Not only was I surprised by the many angry phone calls my editor in chief received from college professors and anti-rape groups, I was overblown by the idea that so many would believe that I actually condone and support domestic abuse.

I have a fianc‚e whom I’ve been dating for seven years and who means the world to me. She is my strength in life. I can’t imagine living a day without her, and I can’t imagine ever raising a finger toward her.

She has read every column I’ve ever written and strongly supports my style of writing. So I asked myself, how did I become so misunderstood? Was it because most of you don’t know me? I doubt it because most of you don’t know Rock either.

The crowd laughed and cheered in applause at Rock’s sarcastic approach to the issues of racism, domestic abuse and several other dilemmas that America faces.

Nobody jumped to a conclusion about Rock’s sincerity. They took his stand-up for what it was worth, which was a way to laugh about problems while taking them to heart as well.

I’m not saying that I’m just as funny as Rock, or that our views parallel each other’s. I’m not trying to say that we’re both the same people.

I am saying that I don’t understand why it is so provocative for someone to write down his feelings from a sarcastic and satirical viewpoint, but then if he stands on a stage full of people and screams them out, then it’s comedy suitable for HBO.

Every week I’ve tried to provide a way to make every one of you have a good laugh, while still making you think about serious issues that are often too depressing to discuss.

I’m only jealous that I couldn’t reach you on television.

We’ll talk later.

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Chad Calek is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Persia.