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UPDATE: In case you’ve had your head in the sand (or in the clouds) over the last 24 hours or so, skip this update and catch up first, by reading and watching what comes underneath it, otherwise this update won’t make any sense.
So here’s the update in brief: it didn’t take long after I posted the video for it to spread, leading to strong critical reactions to it (I don’t understand how Simmons and company didn’t see that coming) across social networking sites, and the black blogosphere. It was immediate, swift and unrelenting. The video was eventually pulled – but not before others downloaded it and re-uploaded to their video sharing site accounts, expecting that it would be pulled. You can see it below if you haven’t. Simmons then issued an official apology on his Global Grind website. Although many want more than just a few words. For example, I read a few tweets suggesting that Simmons should finance a film on the life of Harriet Tubman, written and directed by a black woman. While that would certainly be nice, I won’t hold my breath on that though.
But here’s his official apology, verbatim:
In the whole history of Def Comedy Jam, I’ve never taken down a controversial comedian. When my buddies from the NAACP called and asked me to take down the Harriet Tubman video from the All Def Digital YouTube channel and apologize, I agreed.
I’m a very liberal person with thick skin. 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 with Harriet Tubman outwitting the slave master? I thought it was politically correct. Silly me. I can now understand why so many people are upset. I have taken down the video. Lastly, I would never condone violence against women in any form, and for all of those I offended, I am sincerely sorry.
~Russell Simmons
And here’s the original post that started it all:
Russell Simmons and Awesomeness TV CEO Brian Robbins have launched a collaborative YouTube network called All Def Digital, which Simmons says will be molded into a multimedia content production empire.
Amongst its projected offerings is a web series titled B-Rock, which is described as an outrageous and irreverent spin on the Obama White House, chronicling the adventures of our 44th President’s super-alter ego.
“Outrageous” and “irreverent” are key words here for the All Def Digital network, because, as you’ll see in its latest offering, titled Harriet Tubman Sex Tape, which is embedded below, it appears absolutely nothing is off limits! So you’re either with it, or you’re not apparently.
The clip is described by the network as “the off-record account of how Harriet Tubman blackmailed her master into letting her run the Underground Railroad.”
It stars YouTube sensations DeStorm Power, Shanna Malcolm, and Jason Horton.
If you were one of those who was offended by Django Unchained, let’s see what you think of this one.
By the way, earlier this year, DreamWorks Animation acquired AwesomenessTV, in a deal worth up to $117 million: