Here's What Colorlines Readers Said About This Tone-Deaf 'Ellen' Sketch
When the "Ellen" show (aka that daytime talk show that's obsessed with talented black children) decided to lampoon the news of a forthcoming ABC show based on Nicki Minaj's childhood with a parody sketch in which a whole black family—including a girl and dog—has cartoonishly large butts, we couldn't believe our eyes.
Do you think the way @TheEllenShow sexualized a little black girl was okay? #SOUNDOFF #ELLEN http://t.co/6aQb8SJ1Cm pic.twitter.com/6JvuX6F921
— Colorlines.com (@Colorlines) October 13, 2015
The thought that this show—"Ellen," the middle-of-the-road arbiter of tame comedy and sensible liberal taste—would sexualize a black girl in a sketch was ridiculous. So we took to social media two days ago to ask what readers thought. Surprise: In general, you were just as shocked as we were.
@Colorlines No. But that's what happens when society doesn't view Black girls as children.
— Black Magic Woman (@jananamirah) October 13, 2015
This is offensive, like highly offensive https://t.co/IskaBZNTOK
— Karen Morales (@Reinita_Chinita) October 13, 2015
Some responded with a bit of sympathy:
@Colorlines @TheEllenShow Ellen is oblivious to what she's doing she doesn't deserve hate for this she needs to be informed !
— spooky sac (@hotlocals1ngle) October 13, 2015
I love Ellen, but I don't understand why this was necessary. At all. https://t.co/Jo5yF1w1oK
— Nicole A. (@justjerdi) October 13, 2015
Others noted Ellen's history of using black guests and humor around black stereotypes to further her image:
is this strike 2 or strike 342532454352 for ellen? i've lost track. https://t.co/YYKNseHjDd
— anti-dentite bastard (@proseb4bros) October 13, 2015
@justjerdi @Colorlines Ellen has a history of treating Black women disrespectfully. & it's largely unnoticed.
— ImaniIzzi (@TheDivaShiva) October 13, 2015
Some asked poignant questions about the depiction of black women and girls in media:
@Colorlines Why is it humorous to alter black bodies, especially young ones?
— Dillon C. Harvey (@DCHarvey13) October 13, 2015
So @TheEllenShow thinks Nicki Minaj is the new Saartjie Baartman? https://t.co/P5Y823ep8g cc @Sugarintheplum https://t.co/8pxEejdccB
— John Edwin Mason (@johnedwinmason) October 13, 2015
And a few noted the way racist "liberal" themes in mainstream media exploit and distort black bodies:
They're curating this idea that Nicki's narrative (even from childhood) is limited to her ass. Classic white media.. https://t.co/8nL8WIvbr9
— Baby Mars (@marisssx) October 13, 2015
@NatvNewYorkr @Colorlines No. This is not petty. There is a history & a context to this particular portrayal of black women.
— DJ Shiva (@djshiva) October 13, 2015
When we say society doesn't see us, this is what we mean. https://t.co/TG2DgHRTKm
— Black Magic Woman (@jananamirah) October 13, 2015
But most thought it was disgusting and racist:
This is NOT funny! DISGUSTING to say the least. https://t.co/D5idKLB8X6
— Haute Pink (@HautePinkSTL) October 13, 2015
Way of of line, but let's just skip to the part where @TheEllenShow offers an half hearted apology to Nicki. https://t.co/GDcTy6Mp3k
— Jason Williams (@newsworthyindc) October 13, 2015
I gasped when the girl came down the stairs; not sexualized but disgusting and racist @TheEllenShow https://t.co/8OSQZt1hD1
— Dusky Literati (@duskyliterati) October 13, 2015
Oh hell no. Cheap, empty laughs at the expense of Black girls and women's bodies. NOT ok. https://t.co/gGyx6UQdKd
— mater mea (@matermea) October 13, 2015
Thanks to everybody who responded. Check out the full range of response on our Twitter page, as well as a corresponding conversation on Facebook below:
Yesterday, Ellen DeGeneres aired a skit about an upcoming sitcom around Nicki Minaj's childhood. It featured a little...
Posted by Colorlines on Tuesday, October 13, 2015