Hush Hush, Black Woman
No Me Digas. Op-Ed: Keith Price
I really wanted to start this like Chris Crocker’s famous Britney video, screaming “LEAVE LESLIE JONES ALONE”, because it seems that the powers that be at NBC Sports are very upset with friend in my head and one of my new comedy sheroes, Leslie Jones. It seems that her rather raw and real enthusiasm is scaring and threatening to the folks at her former home network. It is hard to believe they would be so hostile, because at one time they flew her out to cover the Olympics and wanted her colorful commentary.
Leslie Jones does it stay anywhere I’m not welcomed. #uptoyallnow pic.twitter.com/jark0Joc0N
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) February 7, 2022
However, as one of her fans, anytime she speaks from that real and raw place, I cannot help but laugh. To me, she forever sounds like that favorite aunt who was not married, but you remember meeting several hot uncle candidates along the way. She’s that cool “auntie” that might have given you your first drink and toke on a joint. You would come out to her before you told your mother, her out-of-touch sister. She is the life of every family gathering. Of course, I have never met Ms. Jones, but I cannot help but notice that the shade that has been thrown at her is definitely pointed, but I sense the undertone is more about who and what she represents, rather than her salty tongue. I know that this is all my opinion and supposition, but I digress.
Over the years, Leslie Jones has become a welcome, unique, and jubilant voice in the world of comedy and entertainment in general, after finally breaking through barriers. Her ‘in your face’ reality checks to life make her standup moments so funny because there are so many grains of truth in them. So to watch the insecurity of certain white men seeking to silence her is so infuriating and sad.
She survived a very public dust up with that self proclaimed, internet troll whose name I will not mention. She survived living life as a comedian on the road. She survived the inner workings of Saturday Night Live from additional cast member to full fledged member of that famed club, delivering some of the funniest moments. I dare you to watch her Netflix or Amazon specials and not laugh. She has a wonderful film footprint so far and no one can deny laughing their heads off watching her when she is on screen. Currently, she is helping people make serious groceries and rent money at Supermarket Sweep on ABC. So why the sudden hate?
I think that Leslie Jones is the latest victim of the “HUSH, HUSH BLACK WOMAN” syndrome that seems to be infecting mostly cis, gender, hetero, and sometimes aged, white men, especially ones in authority. It is actually a direct variant of the “ENOUGH OUTTA YOU, BLACK MAN” syndrome that has plagued this country for many, many, many years. The syndrome usually surfaces when someone from a marginalized group makes strides in a positive direction of true freedom of both thought and expression and is met by those afflicted, syndromic souls who do their best to squash others’ dreams and to harsh their mellow.
EGOT winner and Host of ABC’s The View, Whoopi Goldberg, recently was suspended for making seemingly inflammatory remarks about the Holocaust. Remarks for which she later apologized. However, the powers that be at ABC felt that she needed to take time to reflect on her commentary. The president of ABC News Division, Kimberly Godwin, is a black woman, and barring anything personal between her and Whoopi, I find it hard to believe that she wanted to suspend her without pay. That order came down from even higher than her. Meanwhile, the amount of backflips that are being done to keep controversial SPOTIFY podcast golden boy, Joe Rogan, employed after scrubbing more 70 N-word laiden and misinformative episodes from his show roster. Besides the fact that he admitted to not really preparing for his shows, he is allegedly making $100 million dollars for his lack of preparation. How does that make sense?
I will go further out on a limb with this one on my silencing Black women theory. When it was announced that President Biden plans to nominate a Black, female, Supreme Court judge, white conservatives and their admirers lost their ever racist loving minds. Out of the 100+ white male SCOTUS judges over the years, and with 2 Black men, 5 Women (4 white and 1 Latinx woman), I think that there is room. However, it is another attempt to muzzle the voices of black women, and this time before we know who she might be.
We know these Black women are probably on the list of many “HUSH, BLACK WOMAN” Syndrome sufferers, like Rep. Maxine Waters, Vice President Kamala Harris, GA Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams, NY Attorney General Tish James, and recently added GA District Attorney, Fani Willis, who has had to hire private security just so she can keep talking.
Sadly, Leslie Jones has been swept up in this silencing Black women tornado thing, too. We have to end this now, primarily because Black women will not be silenced. Have you ever tried to silence a sister, especially when she is mad AND right? It just doesn’t end well for anybody, especially the cis gender, white men, who think that the “They’re white, and what they say goes” argument is still valid. The future of this country should be in the capable hands of the many no nonsense Black women who want to handle it. The secret to powerful Black women is their absolute lack of fear of everyone, especially when they are armed with intellect and truth. THAT is what really scares those afflicted with “HUSH, BLACK WOMAN” syndrome. So, Ms. Leslie, continue to do you, and let these scared, tired old men sit down somewhere.
