ONTD

1:31 pm - 07/05/2012

Chris Rock draws fire for July 4 tweet about 'white peoples independence day'

While Americans were watching fireworks displays and enjoying barbecues, Chris Rock was stirring up some fireworks of his own with a controversial July 4 tweet.

"Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren't free but I'm sure they enjoyed fireworks," Rock tweeted.




Reactions came fast and furious, with some fans telling the actor/comedian they were now swearing off his films for what they considered an unpatriotic comment.

Wrote David Burge, "Good one! I bet your Guatemalan house staff got a good chuckle."

And Jeff Schreiber, managing editor of libertarian-conservative blogAmerica's Right, tweeted "Slavery existed for 2000yrs before America. We eradicated it in 100yrs. We now have a black POTUS. #Go (expletive) Yourself." Schreiber later followed up with, "I'm not saying we're blameless for that horrid practice, but for @chrisrock to indict the US as he did is inappropriate at best."

Yet some jumped in on Rock's side. Actor Don Cheadle retweeted Rock's message with a simple "Haha," which put Cheadle on some Twitter user's enemies lists.

Cheadle later jumped into the Twitter fray, debating the comment with others. "Where exactly is the bigotry in that joke? Who is the victim? 18th century whites?" Cheadle wrote in a later tweet.

Actor Zach Braff also joined the fray, tweeting, "Slaves weren't freed for another 90 years. So maybe just enjoy some of the fireworks..."

Politics flew fast and furious, of course. Bradford Jones tweeted back at Rock and Braff, "u bashed July4th as "White peoples independence day." Know who gave u urs? Republicans. ur welcome."

Rock, however, didn't seem to be bothered. His next tweet was about a potential New York Knicks trade. But one reader found a connection even there. Lincolntf wrote to Rock, "White men trading black men amuses you these days, eh?"


Source
Chris Rock doesn't have a tag?!

Hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July!

klutzy_girl 5th-Jul-2012 05:37 pm (UTC)
He was right, though. What the hell, people on Twitter.
p2bab 5th-Jul-2012 05:39 pm (UTC)
White republicans can't handle the TEA!
luvthatdrtywata 5th-Jul-2012 05:44 pm (UTC)
i love the dude who was like "u know who gave you your freedom? republicans." like bitch, r u that dumb that you don't know republicans in those days were equivalent to modern day democrats??? like, have you never read a history book??? do you not understand that words change meaning over time? in the words of ontd, educate yourself.
ilovelucozade 5th-Jul-2012 05:51 pm (UTC)
MTE

He was so smug too - saying "you're welcome" even though he clearly doesn't know basic history.
hammersxstrings 5th-Jul-2012 06:21 pm (UTC)
yeah, this. that always gets me super pissed
between_lights 5th-Jul-2012 07:05 pm (UTC)
lmao exactly
emstrange1 5th-Jul-2012 11:43 pm (UTC)
This so much. I don't understand how they don't understand this.
anchors_oceans 5th-Jul-2012 05:40 pm (UTC)
i can't with twitter. ever since i saw kids go WHAT? THE TITANIC WAS REAL? WHAAATT? i was like i'm out, ya'll. can't handle this.
nsfl 5th-Jul-2012 05:47 pm (UTC)
omg lol
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