D.L. Hughley: "Taking Dick and Picking Cotton" Not the Same Struggles

For a country that seems hell bent on keeping gays second-class citizens, it's hard for me to turn on the television and not hear or see something related to gays.  From films, to the news, Oprah, to CNN, America is obsessed with gays.  Tonight was no different.

As I snuggled into bed and turned on the television to HBO, what do I see, comedian D.L. Hughley comparing the Black civil rights movement to the gay civil rights movement and using the analogy that “taking dick and picking cotton” are two very different struggles.

I was even more disappointed to later learn this was the Comedy Relief benefit show for victims of Hurricane Katrina.  I’m sorry, scratch that, I meant the straight victims of Hurricane Katrina, because there couldn’t have been any gay victims, let alone Black gay victims they way Hughley was talking.

Now I could be late on this, I admit that.  My television watching consists of the morning news, CNN,  Fox News, and yes, Law & Order on any channel I can get it.  But nevertheless, I saw it and heard it for myself last night and was deeply disappointed, yet again.

But I guess if there are people that could laugh at Michael Richard’s nigga tirade, and yes, if you listen to the tape closely, people were laughing before they understood it wasn’t part of a punch line, then I shouldn’t be surprised at D.L. Hughley being able to garner laughs at his dick vs. cotton conundrum.

Comments

[TODD AND JOEY BENNETT-DALLMAN]

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The reason behind the discrimination is irrelevant. Discrimination is discrimination. So comparisons of racism, sexism and homophobia really mean nothing. The point is that everyone needs to be treated equally under the law... END OF STORY. No exceptions... No provisos... Just equality.

Having said that I recognize DL Hughley's right to express how he feels on the subject of gay rights. That is his first amendment right. I don't agree with his views on this issue. Especially since I am gay but he has a right to express how he feels. I have the right to turn the channel ;p

[Debbieisanidiot]

Debbie is an idiot, simple and plain. But the sad thing is that too many people think the way she does. So fucking ignorant, just like all the white racist pigs out there. Disgusting.

[debbie]

I'm tired of gays always comparing their problems and fight to the black civil problems. It is not even in the same league. Your children have never been taken or family members sold off like animals...or lynched because of skin color. Or just plain treated rudely because of skin color. So what if people make jokes about your orientation??? If that's who you are then do you and don't worry about it. The gays and lesbians do think they are owed some special rights and you're not owed nothing... you are just like every other person out there.

[marlon]

Solution: Simply, individually, boycott their products – it’s easy. You don’t need a national boycott. As of 1996, I don’t purchase N word products –absolutely none, nor purchase homophobic/hate speech products – absolutely none. It’s that easy. Therefore, I’m forced to research how I spend my few dollars. It’s a great feeling!

[SNA]

Apparently, only men are homosexuals as well. How do lesbians feel about his comment? Speaking of dicks he needs one in his mouth so we don't have to hear his aggravating voice, let alone what comes out of it.

[j. brotherlove]

Who listens to DL Hughley, anyway. He has always laughed harder at his jokes than anyone else. He knows it's easy to get a laugh with a gay joke. That's why he (and every weak black comedian) uses them.

The black civil rights vs. gay civil rights argument is an old sentiment and not one that many push any more. Come into the new millenium with the humor.

Fact is, opression is opression and the sooner people understand that the better off we will all be; instead of trying to compare woes.

As for "izza's" comments:

"I have known a ton of gay folks, and not one of them has been able to articulate why I even need to have any knowledge about what goes on in ther bedroom."

Um, what gay people do you know? I don't want you in my bedroom (literally or figuratively). If anything, I want you and the government OUT of my bedroom and personal life.

[allen843]

You know what? I have never like this guy! He has always been anti gay since his days on BET Comic View. Of course he has the right to his opinion but when people are being denied there rights,black,gay, or straight it is wrong.

[Stuffed Animal]

This comment is too ignorant and trifling for me to waste the time it would take to address it. DL Hughley is an embarrassment.

[the izza]

Gay Issues have become the new "Negro Problem" of the 60s and 70s: the ugly thing (to some) that must be dealt with for us to move forward as a society. Sadly, as with the Negro Problem, no one knows where to begin the conversation or how to end it, and anyone on either side that speaks too loudly in harsh language is labeled the enemy. I have known a ton of gay folks, and not one of them has been able to articulate why I even need to have any knowledge about what goes on in ther bedroom, sexuality being a largely personal, private thing.
So I think as a soceity, there is broad acceptance but the question of why should I care? looms heavily and largely unanswered, still. Until the gay community has a coherent answer (aside from the fact that we all have gays and lesbians in our families and circle of freinds, which admittedly should be good enough) for that question, there will be no understanding, no dialog. Just jokes.

token straight commenter