Following a viral debate about white people being accused of “digital blackface,” by sharing Black memes, viral Black personality Antoine Dodson, famous for his phrase, “hide your kids, hide your wife,” is speaking out.
Antoine Dodson, Star From ‘Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife’ Clip, Addresses Claims Of White People Using ‘Digital Blackface’ — ‘They Pay Top Dollar!’
A few days ago we shared an CNN article, where one of its writers, an analyst named John Blake, sparked a huge debate online about white people using Black memes.
Blake suggested that the action could be deemed as “digital blackface,” further calling it an “insidious form of contemporary racism.”
Since the viral post, one viral Black personality, Antoine Dodson has reacted.
Dodson went viral back in 2010 when he spoke with WAFF news, reacting to an incident where his sister, Kelly, woke up to a strange man in bed with her. The man broke into the home and tried to sexually assault her.
Speaking with WAFF, Dodson shared how scary the incident was and warned others to “hide their kids, and hide their wives” from other offenders lurking. While Dodson’s warning was sincere, his delivery came off a bit comedic, and he ended up going viral.
Years later, Speaking with TMZ about “digital blackface,” Dodson recalled his viral moment, but also admitted that he didn’t agree with CNN’s article about white people using “digital blackface” when sharing his viral newscast and memes made from it.
He said, “Personally, I don’t agree with that because, I look at it as like, if it wasn’t for white people, I wouldn’t have been as big as I was, and still is. And, they pay a lot of money also, if they’re considered to be memes.”
RELATED: Chris Brown Called Out By Group Of Black Women Alleging They Were Banned From His London VIP
Dodson continued, “I can say that when I’m hired to go on different gigs, white people usually pay top dollar and it is super comfortable, and I get … it’s more of like … ‘Oh, Antoine, I was going through something and during the time your video came out, it put a smile on my face.’
And this is coming from white people, as to my own skinned people, when it’s a joke to them. And I rarely go to Black events, let’s clearly be honest. Even when I sell products, it’s mainly the white race that supports me.”
Dodson added, “If white people wanted to make a joke about it, or about me specifically, they could have. But, when I go on these events and these different places to host and stuff, I don’t get that they’re making …
First of all, I’m not going to put you in a first class hotel, if I’m finna make a joke out of you, let’s be for real. I’m not finna put you on a first class flight, the best hotels, eating at the best restaurants. I’m not finna gift you and wine you down, and pay top dollar to have you here, if I’m finna make you a joke. It doesn’t sound right.
I get everybody trying to be on this ‘I’m so woke train,’ and this, that and the other as far as the Black people. ‘Cause let’s be real, Black people are rising, and everybody just gotta know when it’s genuine and when it’s not. I just don’t believe that that … that may have been one experience for somebody. And CNN reached out to me about that. But, I just don’t agree.”
Antoine also addresses how hurt he and his family was during the incident, which lead to him speaking with reporters and going viral, but also admits that the way he came off was funny, even though he didn’t intend to make light of the situation.
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!
View this post on Instagram