Harriet Tubman ‘Sex Tape’ Prompts Civil Rights Boycott Of Producer Simmons

An effort to boycott Russell Simmons has launched in response to his Harriet Tubman “sex tape,” a lot of controversy, and a “weak apology.”

Simmons made headlines earlier this week for something other than his liberal views or running around on a beach with a bikini-clad hottie. Instead, headlines were dedicated to a “parody” video that appeared on his All Def Digital YouTube channel Wednesday – a “sex tape” featuring iconic abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

The Simmons-produced video features Tubman having sex with her white slaver while someone records it (so she can blackmail him later).

Why would Simmons be involved in such a thing? Who knows, but after a “friendly” phone call from the NAACP (we can imagine) Simmons said he “can now understand why so many people are upset,” adding that he’s “sincerely sorry” for anyone he may have offended with the tape.

He pulled down all of the copies he had any control over, but of course, you can still find Harriet Tubman’s “sex tape” elsewhere.

Anyway, civil rights activist Najee Ali is now urging a boycott of Russell Simmons and Def Jam Records over the tape and the “weak” apology.

Ali, the director of Project Islamic Hope, said in a statement:

“Russell Simmons’ half hearted, and weak apology is not being accepted… to portray Tubman an icon and one of the most bravest women in our nations history in this manner is inexcusable. Slavery was not a joke. I doubt very seriously that Simmons would produce a comedy skit depicting a holocaust victim engaging in sexual acts with Hitler or a Nazi guard in order to secure her freedom. The Jewish community would never allow it. The African American community shouldn’t allow anyone to depict Tubman in this manner. Simmons has to be held accountable.”

Therefore, “We’re calling for an immediate boycott of all his business products and companies which include DefJam, PhatFarm and RushCard.”

Project Islamic Hope’s Khadijah Muhammad agreed, saying that Simmons basically “spit” in the face of every African-American woman in the nation, adding, “I’m not accepting his apology.”

He also says that Simmons “should be held to the same standard” as celebrity chef Paula Deen, whose own troubles with racism lately are pretty well documented by now.

What do you think of the Harriet Tubman “sex tape?” Should we boycott Russell Simmons?

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