Reply Girl Opinion and Commentary
Cartoonist Scott Adams’ comic strip Dilbert has been removed from newspapers across the United States after making racist comments about Black Americans. Adams, 65, made the remarks during a live stream of his YouTube show in response to a Rasmussen poll that found 53% of Black Americans agreed with the statement, “It’s okay to be White.” He stated that if nearly half of all Black Americans are not okay with White people, then that’s a hate group and advised White people to stay away from Black people. In response to complaints from readers, The Washington Post, USA Today’s chain of papers, the Los Angeles Times, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer have announced that they will no longer be publishing the comic strip. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind the controversy and the impact it has had on Adams’ career.
The Comments that Started it All
During the live stream of his YouTube show, Adams made several comments that have been deemed racist and led to the removal of Dilbert from newspapers nationwide. He suggested that Black Americans were a hate group and advised White people to stay away from them. He also blamed Black people for not focusing on education and expressed frustration with videos of Black Americans beating up non-Black citizens. These comments sparked outrage among readers, leading to complaints to The Washington Post and other newspapers.
Cancellation of Dilbert
The Washington Post and other newspapers announced that they would no longer be publishing Dilbert in response to Adams’ comments. While it was too late to remove the strip from upcoming print issues, including the Sunday edition, they have ceased publication of the comic strip. Adams responded to the cancellation by saying that he hasn’t seen any disagreement yet, at least not from anyone who saw the context. He added that some people questioned the poll data, which he believes is fair.
Impact on Adams’ Career
Adams’ comments have had a significant impact on his career. During the live stream, he recognized that his comments would negatively impact his income and reputation, stating that most of his income will be gone by next week and that his reputation for the rest of his life is destroyed. He acknowledged that there is no way to come back from his comments and attempted to redefine racism as any political activity. Despite his attempt to redefine racism, Adams’ comments have been widely criticized, and he has faced a backlash from readers, fellow cartoonists, and the media.
Controversial Statements
The controversy surrounding Adams’ comments is not the first time he has faced criticism for his statements. In January 2022, he tweeted that he planned to “self-identify as a Black woman,” which was widely criticized. He has also made comments that Americans are being brainwashed to support Ukraine and praised anti-vaxxers last month. In May 2022, he added a new character named Dave the Black Engineer in Dilbert to mock workplace diversity and transgender politics, which also drew criticism.
Conclusion
Scott Adams’ comments about Black Americans have led to the cancellation of his comic strip Dilbert from newspapers across the United States. His comments have been widely criticized, and he has faced a significant backlash from readers, fellow cartoonists, and the media. The controversy surrounding Adams’ comments highlights the importance of being aware of the impact of our words and the need to promote diversity and inclusion in our communities.
