Chris Rock may have been aiming for a joke, but his July 4 tweet is creating controversy instead.
The comedian and producer of the FX show “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” sent a message to his followers that said: “Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren’t free but I’m sure they enjoyed fireworks.”
Some of followers apparently got the joke, with Don Cheadle replying with a simple “Haha,” MSNBC reported. Cheadle later defended Rock by writing, “Where exactly is the bigotry in that joke? Who is the victim? 18th century whites?” Some even chided Rock back, like David Burge who responded, “Good one! I bet your Guatemalan house staff got a good chuckle.”
But many others didn’t find it so funny. His twitter account was bombarded with angry messages and others telling him they would boycott his films for what they considered an unpatriotic comment. Jeff Schreiber, managing editor of the conservative blog America’s Right, claimed that “for @chrisrock to indict the US as he did is inappropriate at best.”
Schreiber also tweeted:
“Slavery existed for 2000yrs before America. We eradicated it in 100yrs. We now have a black POTUS. #Go (expletive) Yourself”
As the Huffington Post pointed out, Rock is no stranger to racially charged commentary. His 1996 special “Bring the Pain” featured a bit called “Niggas vs. Black People,” though Rock told 60 Minutes he has not performed it since then as “some people that were racist thought they had license to say n—–.”
Rock didn’t seem too bothered by the mess he created. His following tweet was about a potential trade for the New York Knicks. But his twitter followers wouldn’t let it go too easily. Lincolntf tweeted to Rock, “White men trading black men amuses you these days, eh?”
Do you think Chris Rock’s tweet was funny or did he go too far?
All Blacks that cry " Injury" done by the slavery practiced over one hundred yrs ago are pussies. Chris Rock can kiss my white ass and say goodbye to my hard earned consumer dollars. If it were a joke he was stating, then he should have made it known better. It is bigotry if the sins from a long time ago are visited on the great grand children by a party uninjured by that atrocity.
Some people just can't handle the truth.
how come when black celebs. become famous they suddenly become aware of their race?
Chris…I love you buddy. But you weren't a slave and neither was anyone you know. There are planes and boats that head to Africa everyday. If you're hear against your will – no on is stopping you.
Get a life people! It's called Freedom of Speech! Can noone in this country take a joke anymore? It was a funny line. Let it go at that.
He's absolutely right! I'm a little disappointed in myself that I didn't even consider that fact actually.
Every time the words black and white appear within ten feet of one another people start screaming about racism… even if you're only discussing a game of chess.
What do you expect from a filthy Negro like Chris Rock?
Chris Rock has always made comments like this. I don't understand why people become so invested in it.
well now after he took sides with morgan and knowing some black gay men that taken there lives. it does not surprise me but.
typical….Why are you offended by the truth? Stop trying to hide the past and sugar coat everything. Own up to it.
yes, you have nothing to do with slavery, celebrate your history the -good-.But don't forget the bad or askme to.
Not offensive and not funny, was a lame joke that should've waited until the 4th of August… We celebrate the 4th out of pride for country not based on the 18th century, but how far we've come as an independent nation so far. Even new immagrants show pride during the 4th!
People become 5 year-olds the moment stuff like this happens. Let'em tweet his ass off, my brothas and sistas.
A filthy negro? So, I guess Chris Rock point is well made.
I think we've all owned up to it.. time and time again… when does it end? There isn't an ethnic group in this world that can't claim some horrific episode in their past. Chris Rock has made millions in this country and abroad; good for him!
Let it go and move on!
If you think that is the truth, then you are more of an idiot than Rock is.
If you think that is the truth, then you are more of an idiot than Rock is.
You are not the only one disappointed in you.
It seems race will always be an issue in America. However, we are free. If they don't like it, they can leave and go back to the ancestral home.
It seems race will always be an issue in America. However, we are free. If they don't like it, they can leave and go back to the ancestral home.
You are an absolute moron. Can't spell or put two words together that make sense. Sort of like Rock.
Micki Haffar His point was that at the time America gained its independence Blacks were still enslaved. Which is true. You were clearly trying to come up with a good insult, but you can't refute history… Even if you don't think it's funny, it's still true.
Micki Haffar His point was that at the time America gained its independence Blacks were still enslaved. Which is true. You were clearly trying to come up with a good insult, but you can't refute history… Even if you don't think it's funny, it's still true.
Micki Haffar Says the person with no picture who keeps insulting other lamely? I don't think Theresa needs your validation.
"filthy negro"? Would've expected a veteran to be more respectful… Just because you're patriotic doesn't give you the right to say that. What he said was a joke, and way less disrespectful than your comment.
Rock is just as Racist as 90% of the white people who get labeled a racist.Problem with USA is there is no crossing the line if your black and wanna spew racial insults if your white and question or say anything your a racist.Maybe I will tweet to Christ during the ENTIRE month devoted to black history Happy black people month.
I love the people who call out Chris Rock for being racist and then say "if they [Blacks] don't like it, they can leave and go back to the ancestral home." WOW. That's the behavior Rock is referring to. Just a question what is the ancestral home of Americans? Because I believe Americans were not born here, but rather migrated here and got rid of the natives.
it did not even occur to me-he's right
I think it's hilarious to hear a black man make jokes about slavery while his whole career has been made off the exploitation of poor black stereotypes, and then watching a whole bunch of white people getting upset about whether not he should of said it! lol
How about the riots in 1968 LA? Burning down your own neighborhood is not very smart.
Yea, I said it.
Piss off
Karunya Sabapathy You can piss off, too.
"As the Huffington Post pointed out, Rock is no stranger to racially charged commentary. His 1996 special “Bring the Pain” featured a bit called “Niggas vs. Black People,” though Rock told 60 Minutes he has not performed it since then as “some people that were racist thought they had license to say n—–.”".
Really, yahoo? Either censor it or don't.. lol
People, lets stop the BS. Which one of you can truly say you are not prejudice, privileged and think you deserve to have your way you in this country, I mean come on now, Chris Rock is not the only one that can see the bias, admit the BS and try.. TRY to do better. In fact, look at what a BLACK President has to endure in this country, just remember YOU will PAY for your SINS. Listen to and see the prejudice in this country.
People, lets stop the BS. Which one of you can truly say you are not prejudice, privileged and think you deserve to have your way you in this country, I mean come on now, Chris Rock is not the only one that can see the bias, admit the BS and try.. TRY to do better. In fact, look at what a BLACK President has to endure in this country, just remember YOU will PAY for your SINS. Listen to and see the prejudice in this country.
Karunya, his ignorance is the reason this country can't move forward in the first place.
From the Inquisitor, real good reading I presume . . . NOT.
Racist piece of crap.
Chris is funny but don't insult the people who pay your bills , see your movies, laugh at your sometimes funny jokes, and now your up there and you want to kick them in the face with tweets like that, so much for your future, myself anyone who makes such hatred remarks are not worth seeing. Never again join me and see who laughs now.we had nothing to do with slavery and you where not there.
The so called "funny line" might be funny if a joke about black history MONTH (Feb.) or even black music MONTH (June) were to follow…
Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. The old saw probably originates with one of the bird's defensive behaviors. At the approach of trouble, ostriches will lie low and press their long necks to the ground in an attempt to become less visible. Their plumage blends well with sandy soil and, from a distance, gives the appearance that they have buried their heads in the sand.
Until this country is FAIR and BALANCED as FOX News Obliviously touts, Ostriches will always be Ostriches.
And where the heck do YOU come from?
The Slavery Bullshit is over with now it's the ones who are racist bringing it back up and starting trouble The rich Chris rock gotta start shit.The Blacks are running out of shit to stir up you got your equal rights now deal with it. It's only a skin color if racist is in the picture then I am a victim.
Black people are the one's that keep racism going in this country! Always sqawking about what happened hundreds of years ago! We've all been victims of racism somewhere along the way, So get over it already! If you don't like it here and the way things are go somewhere else we're tired of your crying and that goes for any other race not originally from this country!
Micki Haffar You said it!! I so agree, We used to have a good nation until all the people from all these other counties took over and ruined America, Why don't people just stay wherever they were born? It's not our fault they don't know how to run their own country but they sure know how to screw up ours!
It was black people who captured and sold them to white people. If blame must be apportioned, shouldn't it first go against those who captured and sold blacks in the first place; which would be other blacks. There were a 'lot' of white indentured servants at that time also- basically slaves- and they aren't crying about it. I would enjoy and praise the freedoms you have, not try to tear them down through racist comments.
I don't see the humor. I'm not saying it's racist…it's just not funny to me. Of course, I've never thought Chris Rock was funny. An argument can be made for both sides. Take it for whatever it's worth.
Who did he insult? Slave owners?