The Damn Fool video from P. Diddy Show

Here it is in all it's glory.



Missing from this video is the stage exit when P. Diddy puts his arm around Fool and tells him how bright his future is.

HBO Consumer Affairs Dept. 1-212-512-1208
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation 1-212-629-3322

Freedom of speech used for hate?

I've spent a good amount of time thinking about the performance of the comedian Damn Fool on the P. Diddy show, check yesterday's post for the specifics. So incensed about this issue I actually phoned HBO and had a conversation with someone from the consumer affairs department. I paused in my righteous anger and listened closely to Rosie O'Donnell talk about freedom of speech. Rosie's assertion is that should we begin to infringe upon this founding principle of our government we may soon be living in an Orwellian society controlled by some shrouded governmental authority. While I understand her point and cannot deny that with the current administration we were moving in that direction I firmly believe that there must be a balance somewhere between the two.

These days it seems that there is such a fine line where free speech becomes abusive or irresponsible. If free speech is used to intentionally or callously hurt groups of people than how protected should it be? Don Imus did this, using words to belittle the Rutger's players. He was irresponsible and was called to task for it. I believe in the final analysis history will remember him for the bigoted things he said. As for the P. Diddy show I can only hope that some national figure will raise the issue and make those responsible for producing, airing and distributing such discriminatory material take notice that they are being watched.

Photo: ©2003-2007 ~shiiizzzam

P. Diddy presents discrimination and promotes hate crimes

On the April 6, 2007 episode of the HBO series P. Diddy Presents The Bad Boys of Comedy a comedian entitled Damn Fool was included. Among the bits Fool did in his routine was one about getting arrested for fighting with two gay men. After insulting the men with various words and ways Damn Fool stopping short (ever so shortly) of calling them "fags" -- this of course done to much laughter and applause by TBBOC audience.

The gist of the comedy bit was that Fool was arrested, taken before a judge and when he discovered the sentence (7 to 8 years) for his hate crime claimed he was gay and received 2 weeks for a domestic crime. The physical depiction of Fool's courtroom behavior to prove his gayness was of course as offensive and stereotypical as possible. Again, the audience reacted to Fool with much laughter, foot stomping and applause. After leaving the stage, Fool was shown with P. Diddy who told him how bright a future he had before him. Who knew hate crimes could be so hilarious perhaps P. Diddy or HBO could help the Shepherd family to find the humor?

There is just so much that could be said about this show ... this comedian ... P. Diddy for allowing such hate discrimination to go unchecked. If Don Imus is going to be held to a standard for his words (and believe me I am not defending him) then shouldn't all media?

HBO Consumer Affairs Dept. 1-212-512-1208

Time Warner 1-212-484-8000

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation 1-212-629-3322