Hip hop tycoon Russell Simmons showed his true character when his new endeavor “All Def Digital” published a despicable video entitled “Harriet Tubman Sex Tape,” which insulted the memory of an American hero, and enraged many on Twitter. Both “Harriet Tubman” and “Russell Simmons” were trending on Twitter Wednesday night as thousands of people discovered the disgustingly insulting video.
Russell Simmons tweeted his approval, then deleted the message late in the evening. But by then a screenshot of his tweet was already circulating:
https://twitter.com/TheMoxieSophic/status/367872032035176448
Twitter users, including many on the Left, gasped:
.@Jason_Horton @shannamalcolm @DeStorm @AllDefDigital Do ya even understand the degradation of Black women during slavery? They were RAPED!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) August 15, 2013
I'd love for @UncleRUSH to explain why he found the video to be "the funniest thing ever." Really? Aren't you the founder of Def Comedy Jam?
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) August 15, 2013
I am livid and disgusted. I actually feel like vomitting. Utter disrespect of Harriet Tubman's legacy, and what she fought for.
— ✨? ADRIENNE ✨?✨ (@AquafarE) August 15, 2013
https://twitter.com/SpiffyTiffyH/statuses/367794147979063296
Some detected a double standard:
https://twitter.com/BrownNlovely/status/367849023098470401
According to @UncleRUSH it is a betrayal to black people to point out that 72% are born out of wedlock, but mocking Harriet Tubman is A-ok!
— (((AG))) (@AGHamilton29) August 15, 2013
One of the actors involved responded to her detractors:
@chescaleigh the intent was for comedic depiction of massa being exploited in a multiplicity ways; sadly thats not how it came across…
— Shanna Malcolm (@shannamalcolm) August 15, 2013
@Chireann your point is taken and after seeing the final product today (with you) agreed.
— Shanna Malcolm (@shannamalcolm) August 15, 2013
Really? Only after seeing the final product did she see that it was insulting?
Just before midnight last night, Russell Simmons posted this apology:
I get it and I respect it. The Harriet Tubman video has been removed… http://t.co/A63ysZgeJu
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) August 15, 2013
In the whole history of Def Comedy Jam, I’ve never taken down a controversial comedian. When my buddies from the NAACP called and asked me to take down the Harriet Tubman video from the All Def Digital YouTube channel and apologize, I agreed.
I’m a very liberal person with thick skin and it’s hard to offend me. My first impression of the Harriet Tubman piece was that it was about what one of actors said in the video, that 162 years later, there’s still tremendous injustice. And Harriet Tubman outwitting the slave master, I thought it was politically correct. Silly me. I guess I’m older now and instead of fighting for one piece of content, I can understand why so many people are upset. I have taken down the video. Lastly, I would never condone violence against women in any form, and for all of those I offended, I am sincerely sorry.
~Russell Simmons
He also tweeted this:
I I guess I have a sensitivity chip missing. Lol. Haven't been in trouble since defjam. Sorry if people r hurt 🙁
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) August 15, 2013
LOL?
The response was mixed:
https://twitter.com/TMisschelle/status/367889022913642496
@UncleRUSH You're horrible smh #willneverforget
— Camilla Kay (@RandomlyShe) August 15, 2013
@marclamonthill not enough. He took no real responsibility for the damage he caused…it was a trigger for me as well as other survivors
— Bekah (@theater_geek13) August 15, 2013
There was also this tweet, which Simmons had the incredible arrogance to retweet:
https://twitter.com/sandsmoms/status/367887843915354112
Finally, if you’re so inclined, you can view a repost of the offensive video here. Obviously not safe for work. Or anything else really.
Editor’s note: An offensive tweet was inadvertently included in this post. It has been removed by the managing editors.
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