Comedian Leslie Jones Criticized Over "Saturday Night Live" Slavery Skit
Jones answered her critics via Twitter Sunday.
During May 3's episode of Saturday Night Live, writer and comedian Leslie Jones appeared as an image expert on the show's "Weekend Update" skit.
Jones congratulated Lupita Nyong'o for winning People magazine's Most Beautiful award, but said she believes there's a new precedent for what it means to be black and beautiful.
"Back in the slave days, my love life would have been way better,” Jones joked during the skit.
She clarified that she "does not want to be a slave" by joking that she doesn't enjoy working for white people now. But if she was, she'd be having "superbabies" every nine months, like LeBron James, Shaq, and Sinbad.
Some fans were amused by Jones' skit:
Leslie Jones' brazen Weekend Update appearance suggests #SNL might actually be able to bring it when it comes to race-related humor.
Eric D. Snider@EricDSniderFollow
Leslie Jones' brazen Weekend Update appearance suggests #SNL might actually be able to bring it when it comes to race-related humor.
03:40 AM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
I demand more Leslie Jones. You hear me, Lorne Michaels? More Leslie! #SNL
Candice Springer@CandiceSpringerFollow
I demand more Leslie Jones. You hear me, Lorne Michaels? More Leslie! #SNL
12:24 AM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
WOW. Leslie Jones, you are amazing. I just laughed for five minutes straight. Instant fan. #snl
Jason Whyte@jasonwhyteFollow
WOW. Leslie Jones, you are amazing. I just laughed for five minutes straight. Instant fan. #snl
03:29 AM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
While others criticized the comedian:
Slave jokes? No, not the way to introduce another black contributor to #snl If you're funy, you can make other material funny.
Cocoa Popps@CocoaPoppsFollow
Slave jokes? No, not the way to introduce another black contributor to #snl If you're funy, you can make other material funny.
12:24 AM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
I will *not* be watching #SNL @nbcsnl again for a very long time. Slavery, forced breeding & "slave drafts" aren't comedic. #LeslieJones
James Neal@james3nealFollow
I will *not* be watching #SNL @nbcsnl again for a very long time. Slavery, forced breeding & "slave drafts" aren't comedic. #LeslieJones
05:07 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Really @SNLUpdate @nbcsnl??? Is this Leslie "I'm not cute but I'd make a great slave wife" Jones a new cast member? What a demeaning skit.
Todd Johnson@PastorToddJFollow
Really @SNLUpdate @nbcsnl??? Is this Leslie "I'm not cute but I'd make a great slave wife" Jones a new cast member? What a demeaning skit.
12:27 AM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Welp, we wanted more black representation on #SNL and we got it with Leslie "No. 1 Slave Draft Pick" Jones
Husky PopCultureCzar@HuskyBro_IncFollow
Welp, we wanted more black representation on #SNL and we got it with Leslie "No. 1 Slave Draft Pick" Jones
12:25 AM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Sunday night, Jones took to her own Twitter account to address the highly controversial jokes in her skit.
Ok I wasn't gonna say any thing because I know that dumb people know how to use the computer too, but now this is so ridiculous.
Leslie Jones@LesdogggFollow
Ok I wasn't gonna say any thing because I know that dumb people know how to use the computer too, but now this is so ridiculous.
05:53 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Where is the rape idiots. I said nothing about rape you fucking morons. I was talking about being match to another strong brother.
Where is the rape idiots. I said nothing about rape you fucking morons. I was talking about being match to another strong brother.
05:56 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Not being rape by white man. What part of this joke that wasn't true? I would have been used for breeding straight up. That's my reality.
Not being rape by white man. What part of this joke that wasn't true? I would have been used for breeding straight up. That's my reality.
05:56 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
And it saddens me that BLACK PEOPLE bitch and moan about the most stupid shit. I'm a comic it is my job to take things and make them funny
And it saddens me that BLACK PEOPLE bitch and moan about the most stupid shit. I'm a comic it is my job to take things and make them funny
05:57 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
to make you think. Especially the painful things. Why are y'all so mad. This joke was written from the pain that one night I realized that
to make you think. Especially the painful things. Why are y'all so mad. This joke was written from the pain that one night I realized that
05:57 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Jones continued to elaborate on her argument to her followers:
If anybody should be offended is white folks cause it's what they did. Y'all so busy trying to be self righteous you miss what the joke really is. Very sad I have to defend myself to black people. Now I'm betting if Chris Rock or Dave Chappelje did that joke or jay z or Kanye put in a rap they would be called brilliant. Cause they all do this type of material. Just cause it came from a strong black woman who ain't afraid to be real y'all mad. So here is my announcement black folks, you won't stop me and Im gonna go even harder cause we too fucking sensitive and instead of make lemonade out of lemons we just suck the sour juice from the lemons. Wake up. I wouldn't be able to do a joke like that if I didn't know my history or proud of where I came from and who I am.
She even took time to directly address her fans' concerns:
black men don't really fuck with me and why am I single. And that in slave days I would have always had a man cause of breeding. If anybody
black men don't really fuck with me and why am I single. And that in slave days I would have always had a man cause of breeding. If anybody
05:58 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
. @Lesdoggg he wouldnt have been your "man". Your reflections on the piece reveal a deep misunderstandings of the reality of chattel slavery
Angie C @abitofbrownsugaFollow
. @Lesdoggg he wouldnt have been your "man". Your reflections on the piece reveal a deep misunderstandings of the reality of chattel slavery
06:58 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
@abitofbrownsuga ITS A FUCKING JOKE!! YOU DONT BELUEVE CINDERELLA HAD GLASS SLIPPERS. It's not meant to be taken so serious
@abitofbrownsuga ITS A FUCKING JOKE!! YOU DONT BELUEVE CINDERELLA HAD GLASS SLIPPERS. It's not meant to be taken so serious
07:06 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
And joke around with them:
.@Lesdoggg Wait...does mean I have to go pick up our kids again?!?
Mark Ellis@5150ellisFollow
.@Lesdoggg Wait...does mean I have to go pick up our kids again?!?
06:07 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
@5150ellis dammit mark they gone take them kids from us
@5150ellis dammit mark they gone take them kids from us
06:12 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
@Lesdoggg Well shit. Guess we'll just have to make us some new ones! #Romance
@Lesdoggg Well shit. Guess we'll just have to make us some new ones! #Romance
06:14 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
By the end of the night Jones issued an apology, and deleted several tweets.
sorry had a moment, can't when over the haters i am not the jackass whisperer. that is all…
sorry had a moment, can't when over the haters i am not the jackass whisperer. that is all…
09:49 PM - 4 May 14ReplyRetweetFavorite