Saturday Night Live writer Leslie Jones appeared on the program’s popular “Weekend Update” segment with host Colin Jost, unleashing a joke referencing slavery that upset some viewers. Ebony.com editor Jamilah Lemieux took aim at Jones’ jokes on Twitter, prompting the standup comedienne to lash back on the social media network as well.
Jones, a new writer for the SNL franchise, joined Jost in discussing actress Lupita Nyong’o winning PEOPLE‘s “Most Beautiful” award. Jones took the lead from there and launched into the jokes that raised concerns with Black viewers.
“See, I’m single right now, but back in the slave days, I would have never been single. I’m six feet tall and I’m strong, Colin,” said Jones.
She continued, “I mean, look at me, I’m a mandingo. I’m just saying that back in the slave days, my love life would have been way better. Massah would have hooked me up with the best brotha on the plantation. I would be the No. 1 slave draft pick.”
Lemieux tweeted Saturday, “This Leslie Jones person is an embarrassment @msmarypryor. I’m so appalled right now.”
Lemieux was not alone, as several other Twitter users chimed in with similar thoughts and began flooding Jones’ time line with their concerns. Jones fired back a barrage of tweets and called Black people “sensitive” in her online retort.
“Y’all so busy trying to be self righteous you miss what the joke really is. Very sad I have to defend myself to black people,” tweeted Jones on Sunday. “Now I’m betting if Chris Rock or Dave [Chappelle] did that joke or Jay z or Kanye put in a rap they would be called brilliant. Cause they all do this type of material. Just cause it came from a strong black woman who ain’t afraid to be real y’all mad.”
Jones said that she intends to go “harder and deeper” with her material, stating that Black people are “too f—-ing sensitive” and promptly ended her rant.
Jones never directed any of her tweets at Lemieux, however.
Watch the skit in question in the clip below.
[TMZ]
—
Photo: NBC
