In Men Are Trash News...Terry Crews
Before I begin this article, I just want to make one thing abundantly clear: Terry Crews had the right tell his truth about his sexual assault. He deserved to be able to name his accuser and have said accuser face all the consequences that can be bestowed upon him in the court of law. There’s nothing that he or any other survivor could say or do that would change my stance on this particular situation, and that’s just facts.
Fuck Terry Crews. Yes, that’s how I’m opening this article. Fuck Terry Crews. His behavior over the past few days is appalling, and honestly, I’m two seconds away from telling his He-Man looking ass to meet me outside. After all of the love and support that black women, including Gabrielle Union, have given him since he opened up about his sexual assault by Adam Venit, I can’t believe that he would behave in such a tactless and Uncle Tom-like manner. He’s betraying a black woman for a check, and he should be ashamed of himself.
In November 2019, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough were abruptly fired from NBC’s America’s Got Talent for reasons that were unclear. A few days later, it was reported that NBC made the decision after Gabrielle reported the toxic work environment and racist behavior that she experienced while being a panel judge on the show. These allegations included racists jokes by guest judges and criticism by producers for essentially being “too black”. While both NBC and the Hollywood Actor’s Union have launched an investigation into her complaints, no results have been released.
From the moment that the news broke that Gabrielle was fired, people have rallied behind her. Black Women immediately took to social media ready to ride or die for Gabrielle Union, and they were joined shortly after that by a whole slew of celebrities across the world. Ellen Pompeo tried to gather white women by the short hairs by telling them not to take Gabrielle’s job. Time’s [Almost? Maybe? Nahh, Not Really] Up released a petition of support. Past participants such as Nick Cannon and Howard Stern even stepped forward to say, “well, she’s not wrong though.” Everyone is supporting Gabrielle Union because everyone knows that she’s not lying. We’re all on Team Union! We’re in this together, right?
No, we’re not because Terry Crews ole meatball head ass willfully ignored the memo. Over the past few weeks, he has done everything in his power to gaslight Gabrielle Union and invalidate her experiences on America’s Got Talent. While Gabrielle complained about a lack of diversity on and off the screen, Terry, who is currently a host on the show, went on 3rd Hour of Today to say that “[it’s] the most diverse place I’ve been in my 20 years of entertainment.” Gabrielle complained about racially insensitive events. Terry says, “That was never my experience.” He can’t speak about sexism because he’s not a woman, but yeah, he clearly has no idea about what Gabrielle’s speaking about.
The utter betrayal of this black woman by this black man is heartbreaking, especially considering the circumstances. I was on Twitter when men, especially black men, were mocking and harassing Terry for opening up about his sexual assault. Women, Black Women, were in his corner. Gabrielle Union was in his fucking corner. When his back was against the wall, and the wall was against his back, black women were there for him. We applauded him for testifying in front of Congress, and we were ecstatic to see him as one of Time Magazine’s People of the Year. Collectively, we were his strongest and most ardent supporters, and he’s acting like that never even happened.
I understand that everyone has bills to pay, and if he isn’t in a place fiscally where he can jeopardize this job, he should’ve sat there and just ate his fucking food. To keep your mouth shut is one thing, but to publicly dispute and refute Gabrielle’s experience is grounds for getting your ass kicked. You publicly thanked this woman a year ago for her fervent support and now you’re giving her your ass to kiss? How could you, in good conscious, do this? How can you defend this racist ass production? Did Massa promise you some freedom papers if you told the abolitionists that he didn’t beat you? Make it make sense, Terry! Even after Gabrielle tried to keep it cute on Twitter and not call you out on your bullshit, you decide to double down by saying some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard in my life. “There is only one woman one earth I have to please. Her name is Rebecca. Not my mother, my sister, my daughters or co-workers. I will let their husbands/ boyfriends/ partners take care of them. Rebecca gives me WINGS.” Wait here while I go and find a clown mask.
Rebecca gives you wings?! Is she a fucking Redbull or something? You don’t owe your daughters anything? Does he not understand how idiotic he sounds? A woman’s first relationship with a man, is usually with her father. Does he not understand the lesson that he’s teaching them? That it’s okay for a black man to fail and betray you for the sake of lining his own pocket. You want to talk about daddy issues? Look them in the eyes and tell them how you’re failing them by stating that any negative experiences that they have are invalid. Tell them that their voice doesn’t matter. Tell your daughters that you only use black women as a crutch to support you during difficult times and as soon as the good times are rolling again, you’re throwing them away with the trash. Tell them that you’re continuing to improve your life at the expense of another black woman. Tell them that despite all of the shit you’re doing and saying right now, black women are still sticking up for you by stating that your experience with sexual assault was valid. Tell them that shit, and then tell me who you’re responsible to.
As much as I want to be angry about this entire situation, I’m honestly more disappointed than anything. Gabrielle didn’t ask anything of Terry but to do the damn minimum. And he couldn’t even do that. If a black woman can pour that much support and love into a black man only for him to completely disregard and abandon her when it’s convenient, what’s the fucking point? Why do black women even try? Why give of ourselves when it’s clear that others will not do the same? Black women aren’t disposable and we should not be treated as such. We deserve more, Gabrielle deserves more.
