“Phil Robertson should look African American and gay people in the eyes and hear about the hurtful impact of praising Jim Crow laws and comparing gay people to terrorists.” That’s what the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said in response to A&E’s decision to bring Robertson back to the show “Duck Dynasty.” The story was first reported by ABC News.
Earlier this month the cable network suspended the 67 year old for making what some considered to be inflammatory remarks towards the gay community, and right away many people came to his defense, including a few politicians like Sarah Palin and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.
Additionally, Robertson said that he never saw black people unhappy before the civil rights movement, which GLAAD said was equally offensive. “If dialogue with Phil is not part of next steps then A&E has chosen profits over African American and gay people, especially its employees and viewers,” GLAAD said.
It’s been a month of back-and-fourths between Robertson supporters, A&E and GLAAD, and during that dialogue it seems that neither side has budged from their position at all. In fact, the “Duck Dynasty” family threatened to stop filming the show and said they couldn’t see going forward without their beloved patriarch.
And after the controversial remarks were first released GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz called Robertson vile and out of touch.
“He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans and Americans who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families,” Cruz stated.
However, there was very little response from GLADD in the way of defending African Americans until now, and some might believe the organization is only mentioning the black community at this point to rally as many people as it can. If there’s one thing that’s for sure, It doesn’t seem like this debate will be going away anytime soon, and it’s bound to spill over into the new year.
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