SNL Writer Rebuts Critics over Slavery Sketch
Last year people were clamoring for Saturday Night Live to have a more diverse cast, and in response the show ended up hiring new cast member Sasheer Zamata, as well as two new black female writers, LaKendra Tookes and Leslie Jones. Jones appeared on this past episode’s Weekend Update segment for the first time to do a bit that basically turned into an in-character Jones farcically bragging about how well she would do back in the days of slavery.
Needless to say, the bit did not go over entirely well on Twitter.
First time we see Leslie Jones on screen and the skit is used to disqualify black beauty and cruelly objectify the black female body.
— rocco (@OMFGio) May 4, 2014
I have to thank @Ntellectual for the term "coontastic." Perfect description for that Leslie Jones SNL buffoonery.
— Jennifer Williams (@4coloredgirls) May 4, 2014
I am so disappointed in #SNL for the "No. 1 Draft Pick" slave skit from Leslie Jones last night. That right there is why I stopped watching.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) May 4, 2014
Those slaves jokes are distasteful and Leslie Jones coulda did alot better. Wow girl what a sell out move #SNL
— mary pryor (@msmarypryor) May 4, 2014
This Leslie Jones person is an embarrassment @msmarypryor. I'm so appalled right now.
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) May 4, 2014
Jones responded on Twitter Sunday firing back at her critics and defending the point of the comedy. Here’s her Twitter defense in its entirety.
Ok I wasn't gonna say any thing because I know that dumb people know how to use the computer too, but now this is so ridiculous.
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
Where is the rape idiots. I said nothing about rape you fucking morons. I was talking about being match to another strong brother.
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
Not being rape by white man. What part of this joke that wasn't true? I would have been used for breeding straight up. That's my reality.
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
And it saddens me that BLACK PEOPLE bitch and moan about the most stupid shit. I'm a comic it is my job to take things and make them funny
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
to make you think. Especially the painful things. Why are y'all so mad. This joke was written from the pain that one night I realized that
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
black men don't really fuck with me and why am I single. And that in slave days I would have always had a man cause of breeding. If anybody
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
If anybody should be offended is white folks cause it's what they did. Y'all so busy trying to be self righteous you miss what the joke
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
really is. Very sad I have to defend myself to black people. Now I'm betting if Chris Rock or Dave Chappelje did that joke or
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
or jay z or Kanye put in a rap they would be called brilliant. Cause they all do this type of material. Just cause it came from a strong
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
black woman who ain't afraid to be real y'all mad. So here is my announcement black folks, you won't stop me and Im gonna go even harder
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
and deeper now. Cause it's a shame that we kill each other instead of support each other. This exactly why black people are where we are now
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
cause we too fucking sensitive and instead of make lemonade out of lemons we just suck the sour juice from the lemons. Wake up.
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
I wouldn't be able to do a joke like that if I didn't know my history or proud of where I came from and who I am. My dad is the biggest
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
militant in the world and he would have loved that joke. My grandmother went to jail for whooping two white men asses for attacking her she
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
she also was 6'2 and strong. And she laughed her ass off. Get over yourself and you might as well get use to it cause I'm good at what I do
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
and I ain't going NOWHERE!!! #bouttowakemfsup
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
You can watch Jones’ segment below, via NBC:
[h/t Salon]
[image via screengrab]
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