Damon Wayans Jr. set off a different kind of fireworks after he took to Twitter to characterize Independence Day this way: “Happy white people proud of their racist ancestors day.”
Wayans has since said that he meant his tweet as a joke, he has said that “some took [the joke] too personally.”
He faced massive backlash for the joke, with one person telling him that he was “another example of Hollywood talking down to Americans,” to which he responded that “jokes aren’t illegal.”
Just another example of Hollywood talking down to Americans. They hate this country & their fans. #FabricatedRacism sadly returns @wayansjr
— Déplorable Espécial (@ViperNtheTemple) July 4, 2017
“Unbelievable. You just live in the best country in the world. You should thank God that you live in America,” another Twitter user wrote in response to his joke.
Unbelievable. You just live in the best country in the world. You should thank God that you live in America.
— James Dudley (@jamesdudley45) July 4, 2017
They were the ones who captured other tribes and sold them into slavery. Black on black crime isn’t a new thing.
— Archer Myles (@archer_myles) July 4, 2017
Despite the wave of pushback, Wayans has insisted that he meant the comment to be a joke, and has responded to several angry Twitter users to say as much.
Another slammed the actor, whose father is actor-comedian Damon Wayans, for nepotism, writing, “Enjoy what’s left of your already s—ty career that your dad created for you,” to which Wayans replied, “Thanks … will do.”
He later wrote to another poster, “It was a joke. But feel free to be offended by it.”
If you hate it here so much leave. Your ancestors seem to be THRIVING in Africa. You should explore all of the opportunity it has to offer.
— Patriot Drew ??? (@Patriot_Drew) July 4, 2017
