BET Wire: Does Rep. Paul Ryan Think Black Men Are Lazy?

Ryan opines on an inner-city "culture" of not working.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - In Case You Missed It: Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan doesn't think much of men living in urban cities; conservative commentators are offended by President Obama's appearance on Between Two Ferns; immigration activists can soon bid Gov. Jan Brewer "Adios!" — and more. —  Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: BET)

Culture Clash - Former Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan in an interview on the radio program Morning in America said that men in urban cities don't value hard work. "We have this tailspin of culture, in our inner cities in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value and the culture of work," the House Budget Committee chairman said. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Culture Clash - Former Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan in an interview on the radio program Morning in America said that men in urban cities don't value hard work. "We have this tailspin of culture, in our inner cities in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value and the culture of work," the House Budget Committee chairman said. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

SMH - California Rep. Barbara Lee said in a statement that Ryan's comments about inner-city men were "deeply offensive" and racist. "Let's be clear, when Mr. Ryan says 'inner city,' when he says 'culture,' these are simply code words for what he really means: 'Black,'" Lee said. (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for TV One)

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SMH - California Rep. Barbara Lee said in a statement that Ryan's comments about inner-city men were "deeply offensive" and racist. "Let's be clear, when Mr. Ryan says 'inner city,' when he says 'culture,' these are simply code words for what he really means: 'Black,'" Lee said. (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for TV One)

Can We Talk? - The Congressional Black Caucus has extended an invitation to House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan to find "constructive common ground" on poverty reduction. "A serious policy conversation on poverty should not begin with assumptions or stereotypes," wrote Reps. Marcia Fudge and Gwen Moore. "Poverty in our nation is a critical problem that must be approached with diligence and the utmost respect for those who are trapped by poverty's grasp." (Photo: The Plain Dealer /Landov)

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Can We Talk? - The Congressional Black Caucus has extended an invitation to House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan to find "constructive common ground" on poverty reduction. "A serious policy conversation on poverty should not begin with assumptions or stereotypes," wrote Reps. Marcia Fudge and Gwen Moore. "Poverty in our nation is a critical problem that must be approached with diligence and the utmost respect for those who are trapped by poverty's grasp." (Photo: The Plain Dealer /Landov)

Not Laughing - Conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly doesn't approve of the president's comedic turn on Between Two Ferns to promote Obamacare. "I’m all for PR and if [White House spokesman Jan] Carney wanted to go on Funny or Die, fine. But the President of the United States?" O’Reilly said. "All I can tell you is Abe Lincoln would not have done it. There comes a point when serious times call for serious action." (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

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Not Laughing - Conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly doesn't approve of the president's comedic turn on Between Two Ferns to promote Obamacare. "I’m all for PR and if [White House spokesman Jan] Carney wanted to go on Funny or Die, fine. But the President of the United States?" O’Reilly said. "All I can tell you is Abe Lincoln would not have done it. There comes a point when serious times call for serious action." (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

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Club Obama? - Jason Mattera, another conservative commentator, also didn't appreciate Obama's Between Two Ferns segment. "He seems to generally love hanging out with celebrities rather than actual governing, regardless of what’s actually happening abroad or here at home," Mattera said on Fox Business News. (Photo: FOX Business)

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Club Obama? - Jason Mattera, another conservative commentator, also didn't appreciate Obama's Between Two Ferns segment. "He seems to generally love hanging out with celebrities rather than actual governing, regardless of what’s actually happening abroad or here at home," Mattera said on Fox Business News. (Photo: FOX Business)

Whatever Works - According to White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, Obama's Funny or Die segment was a success and predicted  on CBS This Morning that it will "break all kinds of records" in terms of sending traffic to healthcare.gov. The day after the video aired, CBS News reported that 11 million had viewed the video, sending approximately 32,000 people to the Obamacare website. (Photo: This Morning via CBS)

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Whatever Works - According to White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, Obama's Funny or Die segment was a success and predicted  on CBS This Morning that it will "break all kinds of records" in terms of sending traffic to healthcare.gov. The day after the video aired, CBS News reported that 11 million had viewed the video, sending approximately 32,000 people to the Obamacare website. (Photo: This Morning via CBS)

Inch by Inch - The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced in a report that as of March 1, more than 4.2 million people have enrolled in health care plans through the exchange marketplaces. In addition, enrollment was up for individuals between the ages of 18 and 34. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Inch by Inch - The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced in a report that as of March 1, more than 4.2 million people have enrolled in health care plans through the exchange marketplaces. In addition, enrollment was up for individuals between the ages of 18 and 34. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Sunk - In a blow to Democrats 2014 midterm dreams, Alex Sink, their candidate in a Florida congressional special election, lost to David Jolly, a disgraced former lobbyist, by 3,456 votes. Voters weren't buying Sink's "mend it, don't end it" approach to the health care law as opposed to Jolly's anti-Obama and Obamacare message. (Photos: AP Photo/Steve Nesius, File)

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Sunk - In a blow to Democrats 2014 midterm dreams, Alex Sink, their candidate in a Florida congressional special election, lost to David Jolly, a disgraced former lobbyist, by 3,456 votes. Voters weren't buying Sink's "mend it, don't end it" approach to the health care law as opposed to Jolly's anti-Obama and Obamacare message. (Photos: AP Photo/Steve Nesius, File)

The World According to Bachmann - In an interview with conservative radio host Lars Larson, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann accused the gay community of bullying the nation. "I think the thing that is getting a little tiresome, the gay community, they have so bullied the American people, and they've so intimidated politicians. The politicians fear them, so that they think they get to dictate the agenda everywhere," she said during last week's Conservative Political Action conference. (Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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The World According to Bachmann - In an interview with conservative radio host Lars Larson, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann accused the gay community of bullying the nation. "I think the thing that is getting a little tiresome, the gay community, they have so bullied the American people, and they've so intimidated politicians. The politicians fear them, so that they think they get to dictate the agenda everywhere," she said during last week's Conservative Political Action conference. (Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Adios! - The controversial, anti-immigration Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is calling it quits and will not seek a third term. "Serving as governor has been the privilege of my life," said the colorful legislator, who also was a proud member of the birther movement. (Photo: AP Photo/Matt York)

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Adios! - The controversial, anti-immigration Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is calling it quits and will not seek a third term. "Serving as governor has been the privilege of my life," said the colorful legislator, who also was a proud member of the birther movement. (Photo: AP Photo/Matt York)