DL Hughley and Debbie Reynolds (Wikimedia Commons)
Comedian D.L. Hughley ignited a Twitter firestorm after tweeting in praise of Black mothers’ strength after their children die following Debbie Reynolds’ death.
The 84-year-old actress died Wednesday, Dec. 28, just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, died at 60 of heart failure. In reaction to the news, Hughley proclaimed Black mothers survive their children’s deaths and although they grieve, the women accept their kids’ fate.
Debbie Reynolds died a day after her daughter did! Black Mama's don't die cuz they kids do!They cry and say God don't make no mistakes!
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) December 29, 2016
Approximately 30 minutes after the radio host shared his thoughts in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 29, Twitter users hit back at the remarks.
Erick Fernandez attempted to inject humor in his response with this photo.
@RealDLHughley what are you doing? pic.twitter.com/JOBg2rejcB
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) December 29, 2016
@DancesWidLesbos criticized what he felt was a belittling of the deaths of the “Singin’ In The Rain” star and the “Star Wars” icon.
you think it's a good thing for blk mothers to bottle their pain and pretend it's a good thing God let their kids die?
— Chekhov's Murder Hornets (@DancesWidLesbos) December 29, 2016
Jenny Han simply shared this GIF.
@RealDLHughley pic.twitter.com/FdX50sshkh
— Jenny Han (@jennyhan) December 29, 2016
@T_dot_Lee_PhD thought Hughley’s message was vile.
Ignoring the insensitivity of this tweet, the sheer ignorance is mind-blowing. This is disgusting. @RealDLHughley https://t.co/znSNhKGNGn
— Cheddar Baè Biscuit (@T_dot_Lee_PhD) December 29, 2016
User RussiaPersuadedKitty thought Hughley’s tweet could have been meant to degrade white women.
@_TheOpinion @RealDLHughley Think his intention was to insult white women for not being as strong? Maybe? No matter how he meant it- #NOTOK
— RussiaPersuadedKitty (@YeaThatsTrueOk) December 29, 2016
Linda Mitchell shared she was tired of such a stereotypical portrayal of Black women.
@ErickFernandez I’m sick of this strong black woman trope. We suffer great pain over a loss, too.
— Linda Mitchell (@lindaemitchell) December 29, 2016
Jäkë deadpanned that Reynolds’ age likely influenced her death more than her race.
@RealDLHughley she was 84, that might have played a bigger role than her being a white mother…..but I’m no doctor
— jäkë (@KillJakeKill) December 29, 2016
Meanwhile, @Suite_Tea took the time to diss D.L.’s comedy skills.
@RealDLHughley as if we needed more proof that you aren’t funny.
— Rhythm & Bewbs (@Suite_Tea) December 29, 2016
Jamie Freeman expressed her hurt over the comic’s tweet.
@RealDLHughley I know my opinions don't matter, but the comment you made about Debbie Reynolds was so cruel it put a lump in my throat. 😢
— Jamie Freeman (@jmefreeman) December 29, 2016
Regardless of the backlash, Hughley stood by his statement and defended himself against naysayers.
Nah!! As a comedian I should say what I see
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) December 29, 2016
Do u I actually I care what u think of what I said?
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) December 29, 2016
Would they have heard me if I did,
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) December 29, 2016
Plus, he had at least one supporter.
@GayPrizon declared Hughley could say whatever he pleased.
@JudithBenezra @RealDLHughley regardless of what he said you don’t have the right to tell him he can’t say it
— STOP WHITE PEOPLE (@GayPrizon) December 29, 2016
