‘America’s Got Talent’ Host Terry Crews’ Black Lives Matter Tweet Sparks Controversy
The TV host has voiced his concerns regarding the movement and, in response, many supporters have voiced their disappointment in the star.
Amid the ongoing racial justice campaign and anti-police brutality movement, actor Terry Crews has been criticized over his controversial “black supremacy” Tweet. The actor and TV host is facing public backlash after sharing a Tweet on Tuesday, June 30th. In his tweet, he stressed that the Black Lives Matter movement must not “morph into Black Lives Better.” He warns that the zealous championing of Black lives may create “black supremacy.” His Tweet stated: “If you are a child of God, you are my brother and sister. I have a family of every race, creed and ideology. We must ensure #blacklivesmatter doesn’t morph into #blacklivesbetter.”
If you are a child of God, you are my brother and sister. I have family of every race, creed and ideology.
We must ensure #blacklivesmatter doesn’t morph into #blacklivesbetter
— terry crews (@terrycrews) June 30, 2020
His clumsy words seem to belittle and undermine the extremely important movement. Black Americans are long-established victims of abuse, systemic racism and white supremacy, and it is important to dedicate a movement to their struggles and cries for justice. The actor is known for his eloquence and happy-go-lucky nature but his most recent tweets appear poorly measured and ill-timed. Many stars, such as the comedian Amanda Seales, have been quick to voice their disappointment. The outspoken Black Lives Matter activist accused Crews of becoming an “enemy of the people.”
This is unintellectual and irresponsible. You are developing into an enemy of the people. Ignorance will be your downfall.
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 (@amandaseales) June 30, 2020
In response to trend-setting condemnation on social media, Crews maintained his cautionary Black Lives Matter stance. He obstinately tweeted: “Defeating White supremacy without White people creates Black Supremacy. Equality is the truth, like it or not, we are all in this together.”
Defeating White supremacy without White people creates Black supremacy. Equality is the truth.
Like it or not, we are all in this together.
— terry crews (@terrycrews) June 7, 2020
Despite various call-outs, critical rebuttals, and cancelations, Crews refuses to apologize; he adamantly defends his words. After prominent black comedian Godfrey dismissed Crews’ tweet and claimed that the concept of “ black supremacy” was completely fictitious and only existed among “Racist whites.” Crews clarified that his initial tweet was directed at “gatekeepers of Blackness” within the black community. He reassured the public that his goal was to promote unity, amongst all races, in the fight for racial equality and that a fractured country had little hope of creating real, fruitful, and lasting change.
I agree. I’m not discussing white people here. there are “gatekeepers of Blackness” within our own community who decide who’s Black and who’s not. I have often been called out for not being “black enough”. How can that be? https://t.co/Tt9Og866x6
— terry crews (@terrycrews) June 8, 2020
Black Lives Matter allies continue to criticize Crews’ words. The TV host has yet to respond to the latest recoils and we are curious to see whether he intends to apologize for his ill-received words or, at least, further clarify his position. At the end of the day, we firmly maintain that #BlackLivesMatter. Until Black Americans are no longer senselessly killed in cold blood, it is reasonable and fully necessary to dedicate an entire movement to their empowerment.
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