In the past few days comedienne, Leslie Jones, has been under fire for a skit she did on Saturday Night Live that people are referring to as the “slave skit” or the “No. 1 slave draft pick skit.”
The skit, performed on SNL this past Saturday, immediately ignited a great deal of controversy with many saying that the new SNL comedienne crossed the line with her jokes about having better luck getting a man during the days of slavery than she has today.
Jones had a lot to say to the the heavy criticism she received on Twitter, including her opinion that there was truth to her skit and that Black people are being overly sensitive. She also believes she is bing unfairly judged because of her gender and that a male comedienne would not have received such backlash.
Check out the skit below and tell us what you think about Jone’s skit. Was it offensive? Inappropriate? We want to hear your thoughts.
Kirstin Fuller (The Travelin Diva) says
Hmmm… I don’t think it was funny or appropriate especially since we have a current case where young Nigerian girls are being kidnapped and sold into slavery. I also think that comedians sometimes go way too far trying to get laughs.
If we don’t respect the seriousness of our history who will?
Candace says
I agree with you wholeheartedly. So easily we make our history laughable, because we are so out of touch. I can’t imagine if some ancestor could hear the things some of us will say to make light of the struggle. It’s terrible and truly a dishonor.
Constance H. says
I agree with you. We must respect the seriousness of our history. However, there is much truth to what she said. As musicman3000 said we care more about the Polaroid image portrayed. The same poloroid image that Lupita (most beautiful person) herself believed was much more favorable at sometime in her life. Unfortunately plenty of black men also have that same thought process and do not find women who are made up of her similar characteristics to be alluring. With that being said, during slavery black men and women were treated only as capitol. If the master recognized that she and another well stature slave could produce a child in their likeness, it would have been done. Harsh reality, but a reality nonetheless.
musicman3000-0 says
I think the skit was very well done. I agree that we don’t value the things we should. We care more about the Polaroid image than who would have our backs. What usually ends up happening is that the beauty queen gets played and the good guy is sitting alone in the corner.
kristie says
I agree completely