VIDEO: SNL’s ‘Number One Slave Draft Pick’ Sketch Offends Obama’s Former Black Vote Outreach Director
A sketch on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” news parody show has offended many who consequently took to Twitter to register their complaints. Stefanie Brown was particularly offended – she was in charge of turning out black voters for Obama, as the National African-American Vote Director in 2012.
Welp…#SNL just proved the irony of adding Black women on the cast. Increased equity-check. Unfunny, insensitive black jokes-double check
— Stefanie Brown James (@StefBrownJames) May 4, 2014
Whoever wrote #SNL "black woman better as a slave so I can breed strong boys for my master" bit should be fired for being racist AND unfunny
— Stefanie Brown James (@StefBrownJames) May 4, 2014
“@UbaTheDiplomat: @StefBrownJames That skit was terrible.” No like really terrible #SNL
— Stefanie Brown James (@StefBrownJames) May 4, 2014
@PoliticalPearl The thing is are they even trying with the writing? If yes that's shameful. If not, still shameful. #SNL u need help
— Stefanie Brown James (@StefBrownJames) May 4, 2014
@SakinahLu Crazy….I can't believe that NOBODY stopped this from being aired. What were they, especially the black ppl, thinking?? #SNL
— Stefanie Brown James (@StefBrownJames) May 4, 2014
“@nbcsnl: .@Lesdoggg just killed it in her first appearance on @SNLUpdate. #SNL #LeslieJones” Seriously? Sketch was disgustingly offensive
— Stefanie Brown James (@StefBrownJames) May 4, 2014
@nbcsnl @Lesdoggg @SNLUpdate Yeah she killed it…it being her credibility with the african american community. #SNL
— Johnathan Davis (@Jay_Bishop) May 4, 2014
@nbcsnl You just glorifed the practice of slave masters making slaves mate w/ each other to potentially produce stronger slaves WTF #SNL
— EmPee (@msmarypryor) May 4, 2014
She was far from the only one, however:
This is a problem. Pls watch this slave joke segment from #snl & discuss http://t.co/8BxXxH8sNg @ReaganGomez @suey_park @FeministaJones
— mary pryor (@msmarypryor) May 4, 2014
Except for joking abt being a desirable slave RT @nbcsnl: .@Lesdoggg just killed it in her first appearance on @SNLUpdate. #SNL #LeslieJones
— Jamal Simmons (@JamalSimmons) May 4, 2014
@nbcsnl You just glorifed the practice of slave masters making slaves mate w/ each other to potentially produce stronger slaves WTF #SNL
— EmPee (@msmarypryor) May 4, 2014
If you're gonna make slave jokes, be funny. That was just stupid. Breeding slaves is not a love life. #SNL
— Yaina (@YLCantrell) May 4, 2014
They just mocked the forced slave breeding that further enriched slave masters & the habitual kidnapping of Black kids. #snl
— Afro State of Mind (@AfroStateOfMind) May 4, 2014
Im not into the slave jokes on #SNL. Sexual violence toward slaves in the old south has been historically ignored, let's not add to it.
— Jessica Coons (@jcoonzie) May 4, 2014
Naw naw naw black folk don't be mad at #SNL now! Black women writers have been hired and they cranking out slave jokes just like white folx!
— Husky PopCultureCzar (@HuskyBro_Inc) May 4, 2014
Welp, we wanted more black representation on #SNL and we got it with Leslie "No. 1 Slave Draft Pick" Jones
— Husky PopCultureCzar (@HuskyBro_Inc) May 4, 2014
No. That segment was disgusting RT @AfroStateOfMind: "Back in the slave days" is not a phrase #SNL should ever use.
— Jamal Simmons (@JamalSimmons) May 4, 2014
I get where she was going but they were laughing at her being a slave & popping out kids like a horse – not with her – big difference #SNL
— EmPee (@msmarypryor) May 4, 2014
I have to admit, I don’t usually join the racist outrage train, but those jokes even made me uncomfortable! So is it much ado about nothing, or is the offense appropriate? Let me know in the comments.
