Russell Simmons Backlash Over Harriet Tubman 'Sex Tape' Parody
Russell Simmons has apologized after a video depicting Harriet Tubman in a "sex tape" drew controversy Wednesday.
"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," Simmons wrote.
The parody depicted the civil rights icon capturing her sexual relations on tape as a means of gaining her freedom and thus in turn freeing other slaves. In reality, the abolitionist was beaten and abused by her masters during the time of slavery in the 1800's. She started the Underground railroad and earned the nickname of Moses since she helped free so many from captivity.
The parody, which was featured on Simmon's's All Def Digital YouTube channel, was pulled because of the backlash. Earlier in the day, Simmons had tweeted that the video was the funniest thing he had ever seen. However, he later offered apologies.
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
He also tweeted a link to a longer apology on his Global Grind website.
I get it and I respect it. The Harriet Tubman video has been removed… https://t.co/A63ysZgeJu — Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) August 15, 2013
Many on Twitter did not appreciate Simmon’s apology. They still remained offended over the satire and his statement of apology which they did not feel was a sincere apology.
you say "i'm a very liberal person with thick skin" as if to imply the rest of us are just being conservative and too sensitive @UncleRUSH
— Mychal Denzel Smith (@mychalsmith) August 15, 2013
explain very clearly why you think it's so hilarious to turn the trauma of sexual violence during slavery into a joke @UncleRUSH — Mychal Denzel Smith (@mychalsmith) August 15, 2013