Michael Che has been a “Weekend Update” co-anchor since 2014. (Split Sider))
Michael Che reportedly has personal proof that Boston is a racist city and he brought it up during a recent stand-up routine defending a months-old joke about it.
The “Saturday Night Live” star appeared at Boston University and responded to local outrage in February about a joke regarding Super Bowl LI’s matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. On SNL’s “Weekend Update,” Saturday, Feb. 4, Che remarked he wanted to get away from politics to “watch the Blackest city in America beat the most racist city I’ve ever been to.”
Che explained Thursday, March 23, that he received lots of negative feedback on social media after the remark, according to The Boston Globe. The comedian responded to one especially upset woman by saying, “Talk to your closest Black friend and ask them to explain it to you.” The woman seemed to be receptive, as Che recalled she replied, “Touché.”
Che also took time to tear into President Donald Trump and said he won’t apologize for stirring controversy because, “I’m just trying to be more presidential.”
One attendee, Reddit user Hkepchar who is a student at Boston University, said Che detailed exactly why he declared Boston the most racist city he’s visited.
“He was visiting with his friend years ago and was denied access to a bar because he was wearing ‘new Jordans,’ ” Hkepcha explained. “He said they couldn’t say no sneakers because people inside were wearing sneakers, so he felt that he was denied because of his race.”
Comedian Mike Mulloy, a Boston resident, also shared the story on his Twitter account, Sunday, March 26. He said he was with Che at the time he was denied entry to a bar.
https://twitter.com/fakemikemulloy/status/846026613829451776
https://twitter.com/fakemikemulloy/status/846027013982867456
The explainaton was lost on social media users, who Che said sent him lots of messages condemning his joke. One included a comparison to formerly protesting quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSHubLzB_Sg/?taken-by=chethinks
Che remained unbothered and shared he found it humorous that Boston University students made his comments headline news.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSEqIlzBDax/
He followed up by posting that he still has love for the city, much like he loves his prejudiced grandmother.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSEsfu9BTwX/
