TV’s Colbert Report in slur stir over tweet
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Version 0 of 1. If you’re making fun of someone else’s racism, is it still possible to be racist? Stephen Colbert found himself in quite the mess after his “Colbert Report” tweeted a quote from his Wednesday night show, making fun of Washington football team owner Daniel Snyder: “I am willing to show #Asian community I care by introducing the Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever,” the Colbert Report posted in a March 27 tweet that was later taken down. The Report later clarified that the account is a publicity account run by the Comedy Central network, not Colbert, nor his show. For the record @ColbertReport is not controlled by Stephen Colbert or his show. He is @StephenAtHome Sorry for the confusion #CancelColbert — The Colbert Report (@ColbertReport) March 28, 2014 For the record @ColbertReport is not controlled by Stephen Colbert or his show. He is @StephenAtHome Sorry for the confusion #CancelColbert — The Colbert Report (@ColbertReport) March 28, 2014 Snyder was pilloried by the online Native American community Monday night after releasing a four-page letter saying that he would be creating the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation. Many were outraged by what they felt was an ersatz show of support from the man who refuses to change the team’s name, which many consider a slur. “The super-rich racist white guy has decided for us that ‘redskin’ is a perfectly acceptable slur that NAs love.” http://t.co/pNPGFZNVEt — BlueCornComics (@bluecorncomics) March 27, 2014 “The super-rich racist white guy has decided for us that ‘redskin’ is a perfectly acceptable slur that NAs love.” http://t.co/pNPGFZNVEt — BlueCornComics (@bluecorncomics) March 27, 2014
But things didn’t go much better for Colbert, who became the target of a #CancelColbert Twitter hashtag started by those who found the tweet offensive. Suey Park, the hashtag activist responsible for #NotYourAsianSidekick, said she would continue calling for Colbert’s job until he issued an apology. #CancelColbert because white liberals are just as complicit in making Asian Americans into punchlines and we aren’t amused. — Suey Park (@suey_park) March 27, 2014 #CancelColbert because white liberals are just as complicit in making Asian Americans into punchlines and we aren’t amused. — Suey Park (@suey_park) March 27, 2014 Some felt #CancelColbert was derailing and distracting from the original issue, Snyder, the team name he won’t change, and #NotYourMascot. Let’s not #CancelColbert. Instead, let’s focus on the bigger picture he was making about the #Redskins and #whiteprivilege. #NotYourMascot — Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) March 28, 2014 Let’s not #CancelColbert. Instead, let’s focus on the bigger picture he was making about the #Redskins and #whiteprivilege. #NotYourMascot — Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) March 28, 2014 Colbert responded Friday night, in character, it appears: #CancelColbert – I agree! Just saw @ColbertReport tweet. I share your rage. Who is that, though? I’m @StephenAtHome http://t.co/e0Pqz7U7i9 — Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) March 28, 2014 #CancelColbert – I agree! Just saw @ColbertReport tweet. I share your rage. Who is that, though? I’m @StephenAtHome http://t.co/e0Pqz7U7i9 — Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) March 28, 2014
H/t Entertainment Weekly |