Critics of Stephen Colbert have called him a lot of things over the years, but racist?
That’s the accusation being thrown at the host of Comedy Central’s Colbert Report after a mocking tweet created a firestorm of criticism on Twitter, with a new hashtag calling for the network to #CancelColbert.
Here’s how it went down:
On last night’s Colbert Report, Stephen goofed on Washington Redskins’ owner Dan Snyder launching the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation, given that the team’s name continues to be slammed for being offensive to Native Americans.
Stephen made a ridiculous comment that, in context of that report, was clearly an over-the-top joke. Yet when that same remark was tweeted, out of context, it was immediately criticized as being racist. Here’s the original tweet (which has since been deleted):
Twitter users immediately criticized the tweet, creating the #CancelColbert hashtag. However, the @ColbertReport quickly tried to distance the star from the fracas, maintaining that Stephen himself has no involvement with the Twitter account:
For the record @ColbertReport is not controlled by Stephen Colbert or his show. He is @StephenAtHome Sorry for the confusion #CancelColbert
— The Colbert Report (@ColbertReport) March 28, 2014
Following that tweet, @ColbertReport clarified that the account had “no oversight”; from the star, and then presented the original video (which is unfortunately unavailable to view in Canada) that presented the remarks in context.
This is a Comedy Central account, with no oversight from Stephen/show. Here is quoted line in context http://t.co/UFnaFfOSpn #cancelcolbert
— The Colbert Report (@ColbertReport) March 28, 2014
Finally, Stephen Colbert himself weighed in from his personal Twitter account; as you’d expect, he made fun of the whole situation:
#CancelColbert – I agree! Just saw @ColbertReport tweet. I share your rage. Who is that, though? I’m @StephenAtHome http://t.co/e0Pqz7U7i9
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) March 28, 2014
