It was more than a roast on CNN last night when two black panel members insulted Kanye West for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday and his unflinching support for Trump as a black man.
The “roast party” was hosted by Don Lemon who laughed while the only white guy, former Bush aide Scott Jennings, was visibly uncomfortable as Trump critics Tara Setmayer and former Congressman Bakari Sellers went hard at Kanye West.
“Kanye because he’s put on a MAGA hat, and he’s an attention whore like the president, he’s all of a sudden now the model spokesperson, he’s the token negro of the Trump administration,” says Trump critic Tara Setmeyer.
She further attacked his state of mind: “This is ridiculous and no one should be taking Kanye West seriously. He clearly has issues. He’s already been hospitalized … Not to trivialize mental health issues, [but] obviously Kanye has taken a turn in a very strange way.”
For former Congressman Bakari Sellers, “Kanye West is what happens when negroes don’t read … And we have this now and now Donald Trump is gonna use it and pervert it, and he’s gonna have somebody who can stand with him and take pictures.”
They received some backlash from Trump supporters who called them racists while other black people thought they had gone too far especially with the “Kanye West is what happens when negroes don’t read” statement that attacks the entire race.
How can any honest person not call this CNN segment racist?
– “Kanye is what happens when negroes don’t read”
– Kanye is “token negro of the Trump administration”
– “Black folks are about to trade Kanye West in the racial draft”
– “Kanye’s an attention whore, like the president” pic.twitter.com/rT6bQZwKmc— Benny (@bennyjohnson) October 10, 2018
The latter sentiment was shared by controversial African American actress and Republican Stacey Dash who has backed Trump and has expressed interest in running for Congress.
“Bakari Sellers calls Kanye a “Negro” who can’t read. CNN’s Don LEMON breaks out into hysterics. Why’s it funny Don? So are you saying people who support Trump can’t read or just black people who support him? Dems got a rope around your neck Don. Your about to hang yourself,” she tweeted.
Bakari Sellers calls Kanye a “Negro” who can’t read. CNN’s Don LEMON breaks out into hysterics. Why’s it funny Don? So are you saying people who support Trump can’t read or just black people who support him? Dems got a rope around your neck Don. Your about to hang yourself.
— Stacey Dash (@staceydash) October 11, 2018
Many black people expressed disconcern about the statements and never forgot when Kanye said “slavery was a choice”.
How about he not manipulate folks and try to drive traffic for his new album and products? He is a token, a clown and a con artist just like Trump. He also said slavery was a choice.
— My Beautiful Life (@MyBeautifulMag) October 10, 2018
I said the same thing. @AishaStaggers doesn’t seem to think so. I completely disagree. pic.twitter.com/re6esDH3HS
— Brent McMurray (@brentmcmurray) October 11, 2018
What is your take on this?