Al Sharpton upset over TMZ calling Beyonce "Roboho", TMZ responds

[Natee471]

National Action Network President Al Sharpton has set his sights on TMZ.com over the word "Roboho" in a fashion piece that was published two weeks ago:

"Calling any woman a "ho" is demeaning and abusive and it should not be tolerated on any level. It is intolerable to think that TMZ.com would find humor in calling Beyonce -- someone who symbolizes the strength, dignity and uplifting of Black women -- a "Roboho," and they should be denounced by the entire community for glorifying the continued oppression of women with this derogatory term. Racism in America is perpetuated by ignorance and hate and using one's airwaves or media entity to promote it is a blatant setback to civil rights and the advancement of equality.

National Action Network has been in the forefront of protesting the word "ho" and will hold a 20-city tour featuring 100 women in each market on August 7th to protest the use of the word "ho" as well as the "N" and "B" words. We encourage TMZ.com to retract their misogynistic labeling of Beyonce and apologize immediately."

TMZ responds

Thank you Rev. Sharpton. In response to your statement questioning TMZ's use of the term "roboho," first and foremost, please note that we called Beyonce's performance outfit "roboho" not Ms. Knowles herself. There is a difference. One need not know a celebrity personally to have an opinion on their wardrobe. Joan Rivers created an entire industry based on this fact.

As to accusations that our comment was racially motivated, TMZ has humorously called into question many celebs for wearing racy outfits -- regardless of their race. In the past, TMZ referred to Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, as "poshtitute," Hulk Hogan's daughter a "working girl" and called Lindsay Lohan's trashy ensemble a"HO-rror." A tight mini-dress is a tight mini-dress! Even Kid Rock got a humorous "ho" reference in a December 2006 story, and last we checked, he was neither Black nor a woman.

The point of the BET Awards story was to humorously highlight the fashion missteps of celebrity attendees at the show. We were making light of their outfits -- not who they are as people. With everything serious going on in our world, if you can't make fun of something as superficial as awards show clothing, then what can you make fun of? TMZ has done similar fashion stories for the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, CMTs, etc. If nothing else, the wardrobe critique of the BET Awards proved that TMZ is an equal opportunity offender when it comes to the snarky fashion policing of Hollywood.

We ask you should the word "ho" be banned? Or only in reference to Black women? Isn't the context in which a word is used almost as important, if not more so, than the actual word? While others may have used the term with maliciousness -- ours clearly was not. It was a humor piece -- as all of our fashion roundup stories are.

TMZ appreciates your feedback, Rev. Sharpton, and the dialogue it has opened, but it is clear that the only thing more subjective than what is fashionable, is what one finds funny.

http://www.tmz.com

[Grimmlok]

she was dressed skimpily like a robot. Wtf else would you call her?

Wait, Al? I think i hear someone insulting Pamela Anderson!!

Al? You there? Al?

*dialtone*

That's what i thought, you racist shitbag. Fuck off.

[CherryDarling]

Oh dear God...

Al Sharpton, come ON now!

[kingcap72]

It is intolerable to think that TMZ.com would find humor in calling Beyonce -- someone who symbolizes the strength, dignity and uplifting of Black women -- a "Roboho,"

Point one: Anyone who makes a song called Bootylicious DOES NOT symbolize the strength, dignity or uplifting of Black women or women in general.

Point two: Al needs to get a life and stop acting like the voice of Black people.

Point three: Jesse Jackson, the other non-voice of Black people, should be chiming in any second now.

[RevellingInSane]

I knew he would open his press and curl flanked mouth.

Al should realize that he does not say what all black people think. I am officially booting him from the race. Take Jesse and Louis with you, btw tyvm.

Now, this is in no way the same as what happened with the Rutger's team. She came out on stage dressed like the TX in a porn movie version of T3. She is skanky and whorish. She has risen through the ranks as a low rent stripper type. Has everyone forgotten Baby Boy and check on it. Every self respecting black woman writhes against palm trees while Sean Paul spits some lyrics and then dons Pepto Pink and shows their flabby ass to the camera.

She is a ho and she looked like a hooker version of C3PO. Get over it.

[msdeb]

Al Sharpton is an ass clown

[sweetness]

Something about him reminds me of Bookman/Buffalo Butt from Good Times.

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by sweetness

Something about him reminds me of Bookman/Buffalo Butt from Good Times.

You're right. He does! LOL!

Good times, any time you need a favor, good times, any time you need a friend,...

[olivia720]

I think AL is as big a fameho as paris and nicole. he'll jump on any cause (racial) to get in the paps.

[Gum Dumpster]

I really want to hear Al Sharpton saying Roboho.

[sweetness]

Originally Posted by olivia720

I think AL is as big a fameho as paris and nicole. he'll jump on any cause (racial) to get in the paps.

Let's hope he doesn't jump on the bandwagon and start flashing his crotch.

I wish old Al would start his racist rantings against Paris. Now SHE deserves it, it'd be funny as hell!
I'd be "Team Al" for that one.

[darksithbunny]

LOL Roboho. LOL

[Sweetie]

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

she was dressed skimpily like a robot. Wtf else would you call her?

Wait, Al? I think i hear someone insulting Pamela Anderson!!

Al? You there? Al?

*dialtone*

That's what i thought, you racist shitbag. Fuck off.

Thank you, I agree 110%!

And just how is the word "roboho" racist?

[southernbelle]

Al Sharpton cries racism every time that an unfavorable comment is made about someone who happens to be African-American. Honestly, he's one of the most fanatical racists I've ever encountered, so it's actually kind of funny to see him, in fits of hypocrisy, bending over backwards to point fingers at everyone else while screaming "racism." I don't know anyone, including my black friends, who doesn't think he's a total assclown.

[Lily]

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

she was dressed skimpily like a robot. Wtf else would you call her?

Wait, Al? I think i hear someone insulting Pamela Anderson!!

Al? You there? Al?

*dialtone*

That's what i thought, you racist shitbag. Fuck off.

Grimm is awesome.