Filmmaker Spike Lee has apologized for comments that surfaced, Saturday, regarding Woody Allen.
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"I Deeply Apologize. My Words Were WRONG," Lee wrote on Twitter. "I Do Not And Will Not Tolerate Sexual Harassment, Assault Or Violence. Such Treatment Causes Real Damage That Can't Be Minimized. -Truly, Spike Lee."
While promoting his newest Netflix Film, Da 5 Bloods, with Michael Riedel and Len Berman on 710 WOR’s In The Morning, Lee spoke about the controversy surrounding Woody Allen: "I’d just like to say Woody Allen is a great, great filmmaker and this cancel thing is not just Woody," he said. "When we look back on it we are going to see that—short of killing someone—you can’t just erase someone like they never existed. Woody is a friend of mine...and I know he’s going through it right now."
Allen was accused of molesting his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, when she was 7 years old. Allen's most recent film, A Rainy Day in New York, was dropped from distribution by the studio and many of the cast donated their earnings to charity.
Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods is streaming on Netflix now. The film follows four African American Vietnam war veterans.
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George Floyd "I Can’t Breathe Workout" At Anytime Fitness Causes Company To Apologize
Anytime Fitness in Wisconsin shared the George Floyd "I Can't Breathe" kneeling workout and received backlash.
Since George Floyd lost his life at the hands of four police officers on May 25, not only has his death sparked activism across the world, but it's also caused some to mock the way he died. There was a cruel challenge going around social media where people would take photos of themselves kneeling on the necks of friends and family members, and even Crossfit issued an apology after their CEO tweeted "Floyd-19." Now, Anytime Fitness in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin is issuing an apology after they shared the George Floyd-inspired "I Can't Breathe" kneeling workout.
Anytime Fitness corporate tweeted that they are anti-racist and would never approve of such a workout, adding that the specific franchise owner at that Wisconsin location has taken full responsibility. "No matter the intent, we absolutely do not condone the words, illustrations or actions this represents. To our employees, owners and members, we are truly and profoundly sorry that this incident occurred."
They added that the owner and the entire staff would undergo "antiracism training" that the company announced last week. "One of our publicly-stated commitments to antiracism work is to bolster education efforts for our franchise owners to lead with empathy, love and respect. This incident makes it clear that we have work to do in this space; immediately, we are sharing this incident with our franchise owners worldwide as an example of what not to do, why it is offensive, and what locations should be doing instead." Still, some are calling for the franchise to be closed as soon as possible.
J.K. Rowling Comes Under Fire For Tweets Labeled As Transphobic
J.K. Rowling is on the hot seat for tweets being labeled anti-trans.
J.K. Rowling, author of the book-series Harry Potter, is under fire on Twitter for posts that fans have labeled as anti-trans.
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The author posted the link to an article titled "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate," with the caption, "‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"
Many took offensive to condescending tone of the tweet. She has since explained her position on the issue and what she meant with the tweet.
"The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women - ie, to male violence - ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences - is a nonsense.
"I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so," she wrote on Twitter.
"I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so,” she added.
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Drew Brees Apologizes Over Kneeling Comments
Drew Brees takes to Instagram to pen a lengthy apology to anyone offended by his previous comments on kneeling during the National Anthem.
With protests against police brutality ongoing throughout North America, some parties have decided to voice alternative opinions — many of which tend to undermine the cause currently being fought for. Yesterday, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees took it upon himself to offer up a take on Colin Kaepernick‘s peaceful protest — kneeling during the National Anthem — which originally sparked a controversy that led President Donald Trump to utter the infamous “get that son of a bitch off the field.”
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Yesterday, Brees made the statement that “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.” Given the temperament of everything currently going on in the United States, it’s no surprise that Brees’ statement was met with a firestorm of opposition. So much so that Brees took to social media to apologize, maintaining that he was not the enemy.
“I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments,” he begins. “In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused. In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country.”
“They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy,” he continues. “Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character. I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference.”
Evan Peters Apologizes For Post Advocating Violence Against Protesters
Evan Peters retweeted a Twitter user calling for BLM protesters to be attacked by police, but the actor later apologized.
He's been celebrated for years because of his contributions to American Horror Story, but Evan Peters found himself in the hot seat after supporting a controversial tweet. Peters, like many other Hollywood entertainers, remained silent about George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, or the global protests that have taken place worldwide, but he did retweet a Twitter user who criticized people taking to the streets.
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"I can watch these piece of sh*t looters get tackled all day!!" the person wrote in the caption of a news story that showed protesters being chased down by police. The person recording is yelling, "Don't let them get away!" It didn't take long for people to call out the actor and the following day, Evan Peters shared a black square in support of #BlackOutTuesday. He followed that up with an apology claiming that he backs Black Lives Matter efforts.
"I don’t condone the guy watching the news at all in the video which I have deleted. I unknowingly retweeted it," he wrote. "I’m deeply upset it got on my newsfeed. I sincerely apologize if anyone was offended. I support black lives matter wholeheartedly." Of course, Cancel Culture is calling for a boycott of Peters and all of his shows and films, and Halsey has been mentioned in the dialogue, as well. There have been rumors that the couple split earlier this year.
Tokyo Jetz Shares Teary-Eyed Apology For George Floyd Death Joke
Tokyo Jetz apologizes for the joke she made about George Floyd's death.
Tokyo Jetz knows she messed up and she's holding herself accountable for it.
Earlier today, the rapper was trending on social media because of an insensitive joke she made about George Floyd's death. Hanging out with her hairstylist, she put her arms around his neck in a chokehold and said: "I'ma George Floyd your muthafuckin’ ass."
Since the video started circulating, Tokyo Jetz deleted all of the content on her Instagram page and replaced it with a single apology, addressing her fans and anybody that was offended by her tasteless joke.
"I’m sorry, I messed up big time," she wrote on the post, realizing that she made a big mistake. "Nothing excuses what I’ve said and done, but I do really want everyone to know I’m not proud of it and sincerely apologize."
In the video, the Grand Hustle artist says that herself, her son, or anybody in her family could have been the victim of such a hate crime, speaking through tears and explaining that she does not expect anybody to justify her message. She also says that she is not releasing the video to make excuses for her behavior.
Watch Tokyo Jetz apologize below and let us know if you accept her words or if she's effectively canceled to you.
View this post on InstagramHannah Brown Issues Another Apology For Saying N-Word On IG Live
Hannah Brown has released another full-fledged apology for saying the n-word on Instagram Live.
The Bachelorette Star Hannah Brown made a lengthy apology on Instagram Live, Saturday, after posting a video of her saying the n-word in mid-May.
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“I am thankful for you guys who will give me the chance, and for those of you who won’t just yet, I understand that, too. You have to grow trust for people, especially when someone has hurt you…I’ll be better,” Brown said on Instagram Live.
Brown said the N-word while singing the lyrics to DaBaby’s song “Rockstar,” and was immediately met with backlash.
“I didn’t want it to be the wrong time,” she said, continuing her apology. “I’ve been so concerned with not wanting to be disrespectful in taking up space when the events that are going on and the death of George Floyd is happening and there is so much suffering and anger. I didn’t want to offend anybody. And I may be offending people right now, but I realize that it’s not about the right time. It’s about the right thing. I’m so lucky to have the platform that I have, and I know a lot of people are asking for white people to use their platform and to take accountability.”
Brown released a short apology quickly after the post went viral, which you can read here.
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Jimmy Fallon Issues Apology Over "Blackface" SNL Sketch From 20 Years Ago
Jimmy Fallon caught heat over a "Saturday Night Live" sketch from 2000 where he wears blackface as he impersonates Chris Rock.
Cancel Culture has had quite the week. After chopping down Lana Del Rey's tree following her open letter, Doja Cat began to trend over allegations that she was anti-black. Now, The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has found himself in trouble with the public after a Saturday Night Live skit that he participated in back in 2000 went viral. In it, Jimmy Fallon wears blackface to impersonate fellow SNL alum Chris Rock.
Theo Wargo / Staff / Getty ImagesFallon didn't waste any time with issuing a formal apology on Twitter. "In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There is no excuse for this," he wrote. "I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable." The response to Fallon's apology has been overwhelmingly supportive as many people have stated that a 20-year-old comedy sketch shouldn't be used against the talk show host.
According to Deadline, the full skit was removed from NBC platforms immediately following the cancelation of Megyn Kelly Today after she was booted for her controversial remarks defending blackface Halloween costumes. A portion of Jimmy Fallon's SNL skit was reposted on YouTube last year, and for some reason picked up steam in the last few days on Twitter. Check it out below.
Doja Cat Responds To Anti-Black Racism Accusations
Doja Cat apologizes for a series of videos that allegedly showed her in racist chatrooms.
Doja Cat is on the heels of her first-ever #1 single with “Say So” but it apparently did not take long for her to get brutally canceled by the internet after a series of old videos resurfaced online.
The first rule for any artist after they make it big should be to erase your entire social presence from the years prior. Anything can come back to bite you in the ass. Some of it is warranted and, other times, it’s a reach. Fans were appalled when they found multiple videos of Doja Cat on a video chatroom, allegedly speaking with racist alt-right white men and contributing to the rampant hared in the world.
A familiar hashtag, #DojaCatIsOverParty, trended promptly after the topic was explored on Twitter and now, the recording artist is breaking her silence to address the accusations of anti-Black racism.
“I want to address what’s been happening on Twitter,” she wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram. “I’ve used public chat rooms to socialise since I was a child. I shouldn’t have been on some of those chat room sites, but I personally have never been involved in any racist conversations. I’m sorry to everyone I offended.
I’m a black woman. Half of my family is black from South Africa and I’m very proud of where I come from.
As for the old song that’s resurfaced, it was in no way tied to anything outside of my own personal experience,” she said about the track called “Dindu Nuffin” that popped up on the internet this week. “It was written in response to people who often used that term to hurt me. I made an attempt to flip its meaning, but recognise that it was a bad decision to use the term in my music,” she added.
“I understand my influence and impact and I’m taking this all very seriously. I love you all and I’m sorry for upsetting or hurting any of you. That’s not my character, and I’m determined to show that to everyone moving forward. Thank you.”
Do you accept Doja Cat’s apology or has she exhausted all of her nine lives?
Joe Biden Retracts Black Voter Comment: "I Shouldn’t Have Been Such A Wise Guy"
Joe Biden showed some remorse for his remarks about how black folks considering voting for Trump over him "ain't black," after he received major backlash.
Joe Biden is backtracking on his comments about black voters that garnered him a ton of backlash this week, in which he told Charlamagne Tha God during an interview on The Breakfast Club that black voters who would choose Trump over him "ain't black." On Friday (May 22nd), the Democratic presidential candidate finally agreed to make a virtual appearance on the radio show after turning down numerous requests for an interview. At one point during their chat, the host invited Biden to return to the show before the election in November in order to answer any more questions that voters might have. However, Biden insisted that nobody should be experiencing any uncertainty about who to vote for at this point.
“You got more questions?” he asked Charlamagne, before declaring, "I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
The comments were subject to major scrutiny, as folks pointed out how his remarks that a black voter "ain't black" simply because they might be hesitant to elect him into office proved how much some Democrats take support from the Black community for granted.
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Biden later expressed his regret for what he said during a conference call with the Black Chamber of Commerce. "I should not have been so cavalier. I’ve never, never, ever taken the African-American community for granted,” he said. “I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy.” Biden's campaign senior adviser, Symone Sanders, also made a statement regarding the "ain't black" remark. "Vice President Biden spent his career fighting alongside and for the African American community," she tweeted. "He won his party's nomination by earning every vote and meeting people where they are and that's exactly what he intends to do this November."