Nick Cannon has released a long statement about CBS firing him. It shows that he has absolutely no clue or regrets about his bigotry and racism and instead wants to position himself as a victim of anti-Black racism.
I am deeply saddened in a moment so close to reconciliation that the powers that be, misused an important moment for us to all grow closer together and learn more about one another. Instead the moment was stolen and highjacked to make an example of an outspoken black man. I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation. I am disappointed that Viacom does not understand or respect the power of the black community.
You see? His calling Jews and whites “savages” and spouting Rothschild conspiracy theories that have resulted in the deaths of untold numbers of people was really an opportunity for growth! A corporation that doesn’t want to be associated with blind hate is “oppressing” him.
I don’t have to defend myself here, the proof is in the history. I believed that the corporation was becoming more progressive and willing to create helpful spaces and dialogue in these difficult and uncertain times of 2020. Instead they chose to recently ban all advertisement that supported George Floyd and Breonna Taylor who we are all still seeking justice for. I also went as far to reach out to Ms. Shari Redstone, the owner of Viacom, to have a conversation of reconciliation and actually apologize if I said anything that pained or hurt her or her community. Dead Silence! So that’s when I realized they don’t want a conversation or growth, they wanted to put the young negro in his place. They wanted to show me who is boss, hang me out to dry and make an example of anyone who says something they don’t agree with. But like the great Shirley Chisholm, “I am unbossed and unbought and unbothered”. I respectfully stepped away from oppressive corporations in the past. NBC threatened and mistreated me for years, but I was the bigger person and abandoned an 8-figure salary on their number one hit show “Americas Got Talent” and currently stand by my friend and Queen Gabrielle Union in her fight against oppression.
Cannon’s lack of ability to understand the racism and hate he was proudly and laughingly engaged in, and instead to play the victim, is breathtaking. And to say that a corporation that paid him an 8-figure salary (!) and made him into a household name was mistreating him is the definition of tone deaf. (And apparently NBC wasn’t so oppressive because his new E! show is put out by NBCUniversal.)
My hope and original goal was to use this moment to show healing and acceptance and prayed that Viacom would use their powers for good. Instead I am now receiving death threats, hate messages calling me an ungrateful Nigger and beyond. Viacom’s goal to keep me from providing for my family and lineage will be foiled. They can try to kick me while I’m down or force me to kiss the master’s feet in public for shame and ridicule, but instead I stand firm on my square with my fist in the air repeating my mantra, “You can’t fire a Boss!”.
Obviously any abuse he received is unwarranted and wrong. Yet again this is disingenuous – his fans abused the real victims of this episode, the Jews and others who were maligned publicly by Cannon. All over social media, Cannon’s fans asserted that his words were true and that Jews were slave traders, fake Khazars, abusers of blacks, melatonin-deprived savages. Cannon did not say a word to dissuade them – because these are his own deeply held beliefs as well.
In a pleasant turn of events and the best blessing in all of this hurtful attack is the outpouring of love and support from the Jewish community. It has been amazing. I have spoken with many Rabbis, clergy, Professors and coworkers who offer their sincere help. I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right. I have dedicated my daily efforts to continuing conversations to bring the Jewish Community and the African American community closer together, embracing our differences and sharing our commonalities. Through the guidance of my multicultural team which embodies several people from the Jewish Community, specifically Michael Goldman my business partner for 3 decades who discovered me at the Hollywood Improv when I was doing Stand Up as a kid. Through thick and thin he has been by my side. Yelling at me when I talk too much and laughing with me as we’ve always overcome adversity together. I love you my brother, thank you for helping me become the man that I am today. And as we embark on this next “Ncredible” journey together we will bring our two persecuted communities together like we always planned. He and so many gracious people from the Jewish Community are showering me with love and helping to guide me to the Promise land, literally l am excited to announce that I have been invited to Israel which is a lifelong dream where I will receive teachings, lessons and truth about the Jewish history. As someone who is in pursuit for my PHD in Theology and Divinity and just received a degree in Criminal Justice from the Great Howard University, this will be an enriching, enlightening and overall exciting trip!
As for Viacom, who is now on the wrong side of history, I will continue to pray for you. I don’t blame any individual, I blame the oppressive and racist infrastructure. Systemic racism is what this world was built on and was the subject in which I was attempting to highlight in the recent clips that have been circulating from my podcast. If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize.
But now I am the one making demands. I demand full ownership of my billion dollar “Wild ‘N Out” brand that I created, and they will continue to misuse and destroy without my leadership! I demand that the hate and back door bullying cease and while we are at it, now that the truth is out, I demand the Apology!
Cannon claims that he wants to learn, and this is a wonderful message, but his refusal to even acknowledge the pain he directly caused to Jews with his words indicates the opposite. And while he finally issues the standard celebrity non-apology “if I offended anyone I apologize” his immediately following that up with his “demands” indicates that there is nothing heartfelt about this at all.
There is of course a danger in “canceling” him, which is that is can increase antisemitism from the Black community. But Cannon leaves his corporate sponsors no choice. Perhaps he honestly thinks that his call for education can replace a real apology, but in the end he really and truly believes that Jewish people are fakers, white people are savages and that a secret Jewish banking cabal runs the world. He has not made the slightest indication that those opinions have been modified the tiniest bit in the past three days.
In the end, Cannon remains is a racist and an antisemite. And his essay proves that he is a bully on top of it.