A few months back, in the wake of the Don Imus/Rutgers fiasco, comedian DL Hughley was on the Tonight Show and asked about his thoughts on the matter, because he's black and that obviously makes him an authority on such issues. I've always thought DL's comedy routines were pretty funny in a crass and non-challenging way, but I haven't been able to look at this chump the same way since.
In the months since, I've gradually watched DL become more and more of a tool for conservative cable news hosts who use him like the house Negro he is invite him on to say things about black folks they can't say themselves for fear of getting Imus-ed. In fact, he was the sole guest on a recent one hour episode of The Glen Beck Show, during which when asked about this Rutgers comments, not only reiterated them, but had the nerve to defend them. This idiot continues to justify his comments by defending his "freedom of speech". Somebody should call his mom, wife, sisters, and daughters "nappy headed ho's" and see just how he feels about "freedom of speech".
Some organized a protest of his moronic statements during a recent comedy concert in Texas, after which a bootleg web show interviewed him about his comments. As expected, he flipped right to Chapter 27 in The Book of Negro Excuses, claiming "there are bigger fish to fry, blah, blah, blah" and wondering why everyone is so damn sensitive.
Cry me a river, Darryl Lynn. King of Comedy, my black ass.
Not to be outdone, the chronically underemployed Damon Wayans, who clearly didn't have anything better to do, more or less repeated the same comments while a guest on The View earlier this week.
I was somewhat upset at the Imus/Rutgers situation, but this pisses me off far more when black men who should know far better, more or less ape the same sentiments.
I'm sure some of you will accuse me of being overly sensitive here, but seriously, is there any need for this kinda B.S.? Just how prideful do these two Negros have to be to not just apologize and be done with it?
Black women have it bad enough as is. Chauvinism is no laughing matter. Do both these gentlemen a favor and don't bother supporting anything they're trying to sell you until they issue some genuine mea culpas.
Bill Cosby, assuming he isn't doing another one of his dope and grope numbers right now, is probably crying inside.
VIDEO: Damon Wayans Stuns the Ladies on The View [People]
Friday, November 9, 2007
Damon Wayans and DL Hughley Hate Black Women
Tags Popped: Drive-By Activism, Knee-Grow Please, MLK is Crying Inside, Negro Nonsense, TeeVee Sux, Web Junk
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Give me a break. I am a proud black woman who think everyone who is saying these men hate black women are stupid. It is an opinion. One opinion does not equate of oneself or black women in general. No, I don't agree with what they or Don Imus have said. No, I don't think it is wrong for you or anyone else not to support them. What is wrong thinking one statement or agreement is self hatred. My hair is all natural and I have been called and even consider myself nappy headed. What we need to learn as a people that one person or a word does not hold power over us. I have my power and will never give it away to someone I don't even know or someone I know if I'm completely honest. I know who I am and have more important things in life to worry about. I am a college graduate who can't find adequate work that meet my qualifications. This is more influential on my life that what a comedian, rapper or whatever says to me. We need to take back our power. No man or action defines me or my self respect. I don't answer to ho, b*tch, nappy headed, I answer to my name. If us women stop supporting these shows, rappers, comics, movies, videos, etc. then our voices can be heard. I respect what you are saying, I just think we have more issues as a race to deal with. I went to Jena, and protested for Jena Six. Sorry but I think that was a more worthy issue that what comes out a man's mouth. But maybe that is just me. Now I am done wasting my time on this useless issue. I think I will go find info on the positions that the presidential candidates have and stand for. That actually affects my life.
First, I can't believe how brainwashed that "anonymous" commenter is. She hates herself so much that she makes excuses for the men that publicly hate her. She misses the point. What these comedians say are as important as the Jena case, if not more, because it they are mainstream. People are aware of and blindly respect them solely because they are famous. Get it right: There is ONE discourse on race occurring in the U.S. today. It's just that many people are talking at the same time, and few are listening. Sad.
Second, I think that Damon and D.L are idiots. They should not be allowed out in public unless they are muzzled. D.L. even defended Dog The Bounty Hunter behind the scenes and on air at a local black radio show in NYC earlier this week. Clearly he's desperately trying to hold onto his 15 minutes by any means necessary.
Finally, we have two black women on The View that did nothing to silence the ignorance of one loser. Instead they continued on with the interview, someone even calling him "fine." It took a white co-host to attempt to stand up for the Rutgers women. This may be worse that Imus because it was one of our own cosigning.
Sorry for the long comment. I'll try to be more brief in the future.
It's sad that the few individuals that have opportunities to speak out in behalf of Black women, men, or Black Americans can't do anthing but widen the gap of stereotypes and lessen the potential for understandings...do 'us' all a favor next time and. keep your damn mouth closed!
No one is suffering from a lack of negativity ... we're so full of it, it's nauseating!
Man, it seems like every other day something on this subject is coming up. I guess in one way it's about time we were open to talking about all this stuff even if it gets sort of crazy.
This hair business is not going to be truly resolved anytime in the immediate future, but I really do think things are changing. (It’s great to finally be seeing some African American women wearing their hair naturally – but hey if some want to straighten their hair who am I to say. We women are pretty much stuck doing some type of beauty voodoo. And that is whole other huge topic!)
Anyway, is there still going to be a "nappy-headed look"? Yes, just like there is always going to be "stringy-haired look". Are these nice ways to refer to people, especially with a derogatory word or expletive tacked on the end? No, of course not. Throwing around those phrases is just a mean way to cut people down. And people who casually use that kind of language are either in a little glass bubble where they are removed from having to deal with the immediate repercussions [of getting into a fight] or they hang with a crowd that let’s say…“has some issues” to begin with, i.e. talk pretty rough to begin with (whatever their background).
About the "Mr. Dog" business - I have begun to notice the absence of some additional honest discussion. Obviously, most talk (on TV, internet, radio, etc) has been about the racial stuff and the subsequent apologizing. But I'm not sure why another often discussed topic is not included - that being the subject of everyone facing up to what we (and kids) are watching on TV these days? TV viewers have so many options nowadays for watching people be trashy and rough with each other. And it is for no other reason than being able to comfortably sit on our couches and watch shows about nut-cases doing suicidal stunts, or shows about disastrous sagas of messed up lives, or shows about the inane minute by minute existence of celebrities/drama-queens or shows about the working lives of people barely keeping themselves from slipping back over the edge from which they came.
I’m not suggesting that these shows shouldn’t be “permitted”, but it does seem odd that we have come to the point of basically being spectators of television gladiators…and "righteous and entitled spectators don’t like it when their gladiators get out of line."
Keith,
You sure we ain't related?
While I agree with the anonymous poster that what these particular comedians and other idiots say should not hold any power over us as black women who live in the real world, the sad reality is that these comments are being picked up as the mainstream school of thought about black women.
And yes, I also thought it sad that the two black female hosts of The View did not call him on his comments, but let's face it, if they had - you would have had the general public out there, black and white, going on about how overly-sensitive, quick to pick a fight we black women are, no?
Am I only the only 'nappy-headed' female who is mostly upset that black folks are so upset about the word 'nappy'? I think that maybe if he had just said "ugly hoes" or "black hoes" the sting would have been different. We're all like "He called someone nappy? Oh HELL no!" Meanwhile white people are going around afraid to use the word nappy because suddenly its a slur. I NEED that word - thats what my hair is!
I never did think DL Hughley was that funny, but Im pretty dissapointed in Damon - he's not actually saying anything constructive and that's whats not cool.
who cares? I always hated to be the black spokeperson when I was attending a mostly white high school, so why turn around and act like Damon and D.L. are our black spokespersons, let's talk about something that is affecting my life, like high energy costs, the weak dollar, the war, high tuition costs.Yes, now the interner shows how truly racist Amerikka is, and?
anonymous- WE CARE! as should you! there is something DEEPLY wrong with the unchecked use of the term "ho" as a synonymn for "black woman". your callousness is representative of why this behavior is running wild in our society.
DL and Damon are spouting their usual house nicca nonsense in hopes that da man will keep them employed. Slave mentality is a mutha.
To Thembi and all other black women who try to downplay or support persons who refer to us in the way Imus, D.L. et al do: Firstly, "Black folks" are not just "upset about the word nappy". It was not one word he used, it was an entire term. When used with the other word, it took on a completely different connotation than just saying "oh black women have nappy hair."
They did not simply call someone "nappy", the entire term used, and the spirit in which it was said - they are not simply making a statement or observation, "oh, black women's hair is nappy." You do not have to be that in-tune to see where the statement was coming from. It is different than just casually referring to your hair as nappy in a conversation. Secondly, it was not even necessary to use the term nappy or anything else in the first place, because the original issue was about a female basketball team - what on earth did their hair or anything else have to do with it? It's disappointing to see the way we black women - in trying to show that we are way above and beyond these verbal assaults on our identity - are almost saying that these people are right to refer to us in this way. Please let's keep things in perspective.
yep I said who cares, I don't feel defined by ppl who I don't personally know. The Internet has shown how racist Amerikka really is. I don't feel like rappers are talking about me, what do you call Superhead, an aspiring writer, a smart black women? No. if you let some ignorant person have power over you then I feel sorry for YOU! I care about how my family sees me and that's it. We hate when white ppl think Al and Jesse represent all of us so why get mad at D.L. and Damon it sounds divisive and off the point to me. We are foaming at the mouth b'c some rapper said Ho. OMG it's so affecting my life, not!Seems like a plow of the devil, have ppl upset over nonsense and miss the big picture, rappers are not affecting my life, BUSH IS!What does it say in the Bible to answer ignorance is ignorance. At least rappers got off the corner and aren't selling crack. it's a phase music will move on a progress and if you don't like it don't listen! how the hell is someone I don't know going to have power over me. My callousness?! please my power I hold on to!
I KNOW I AM THE ORIGINAL MAN AND all others come from my womb. I know the devil was unhappy to have to bow down to my man (Adam) I blame education for not stating the truth about the origins of man. I don't care what they call me or my hair cuz I KNOW everyone came from me. I could let it get to me, and arise negative emotions or I could keep my power and laugh it off and keep moving on
anonynous- you explained yourself well- you're only concerned about yourself. we get it. the rest of us who are concerned about ALL BLACK WOMEN and the negative images that are continuously displayed in the media, will continue to speak up.
i'm only concerned with myself? did you read, I know the creator made me the original man, I know it no one can take my power by clalling out a word. Why always discuss what you Don't like? discuss something positive, I guess it would be better for rappers to sell crack, than have a legit job. No woman in my family is mad at rap, we're mad at Bush and those who voted for him twice!
Disclaimer: Whether their comments and opinions are right or wrong is not the purpose of this comment. But what you have to realize is that these men are comedians by career. That means that the freedom to say what they want is important to them. These comedians and many other black comedians have made millions making jokes about white people so to turn around and say that racial remarks in entertainment are wrong would make them hypocrites. Should Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and Katt Williams be banned from comedy for their racial humor? Have any black comedians spoken out against Don Imus? Can They?
To the anonymous person, you can downplay this all you want, but this type of behavior is permeated throughout society, and that's disturbing. You said, "At least they're not selling crack." They're not selling crack, but they're selling stereotypes and ignorance, and these things are all over the world. I don't know where you get that ridiculous "power" idea, but you should know language is a powerful thing. And words are not just words. Every word in every language have a history, meaning, and a definition. Language can offend, hurt, uplift, be funny, complimentary, loving, friendly, deceitful, racist, etc. MLK inspired people with his words. Hitler deceived people with his words. You also said rappers aren't talking about you. Well, if a Klansman at a KKK rally said, "All negroes should go back to Africa," are you going to say he's not talking about you? The fact that black women would listen to anything that degrades them is ridiculous, unless they think they're whores. That's self-hate, and Hughley and Wayans are idiots. It sounds like you're excusing this behavior. By the way, to many rap listeners, rap is more than music or entertainment. It's a way of life, a culture. And this, along with other things, is a problem in black communities. One more thing, if rappers don't control you, how does Bush control you if you beacame successful in your life?
I want to rephrase something. When I said rap is a way of life and a culture to some and that's bad, I was referring to the vile rap music. All rap music is not vile, and it is a great form of musucal expression.
Were you outraged by the racist "white chicks" movie?
Were you outraged by the racist "white chicks" movie?
Black people need to learn to stop being so sensitive in relation to what people say about us that is not politically correct and appealing to our ears We need to toughen up and respect our rights as citizens and other peoples rights to have freedom of speech. Black comedians always joke around about white people and their culture in a deragatory manner. We as black people act like sensitive wimps when someone says something about us.
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