Hip-Hop Mogul Takes Down 'Harriet Tubman Sex Tape,' Apologizes After Sparking Fury Among Black Americans

The story goes like this:

1. Hip-hop mogul and activist Russell Simmons (uncleRUSH on Twitter) posts his “Harriet Tubman Sex Tape." Why? To show "that 162 years later, there’s still tremendous injustice"...

(Image source: YouTube)

2. Negative reaction from black Americans is swift...

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

3. A chastened Simmons removes the clip from his All Def Digital site, and has this to say...

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

...along with this:

In the whole history of Def Comedy Jam, I’ve never taken down a controversial comedian. When my buddies from the NAACP called and asked me to take down the Harriet Tubman video from the All Def Digital YouTube channel and apologize, I agreed.

I’m a very liberal person with thick skin and it’s hard to offend me. My first impression of the Harriet Tubman piece was that it was about what one of actors said in the video, that 162 years later, there’s still tremendous injustice. And Harriet Tubman outwitting the slave master, I thought it was politically correct. Silly me. I guess I’m older now and instead of fighting for one piece of content, I can understand why so many people are upset.  I have taken down the video. Lastly, I would never condone violence against women in any form, and for all of those I offended, I am sincerely sorry.

~Russell Simmons

4. Not that it dissuades interested parties from further investigating...

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

5. So all is forgiven, right? Well...

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

6. Then the actress who plays Tubman in the video stands up for the intent of her performance...then soon backpedals...

(Image source: Twitter via Twitchy)

7. So, how is Simmons dealing with the fallout? By breathing, leaning on God, and accepting his "imperfections"...

(Image source: Twitter)

(Image source: Twitter)

(Image source: Twitter)

Oh, and here's the video by the way (content warning: explicit language and content ahead):

(H/T: Twitchy)

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