Karen Hunter had plenty to say about actor Da’Vinchi’s controversial comments about Black Americans, and she made it clear that Cam Newton deserved criticism, too.
During a recent episode of her SiriusXM Urban View show, Hunter slammed the actor, whose real name is Abraham Juste, after he suggested that Americans lack discipline and have poor work ethic during an appearance on Newton’s podcast.
“But in America, no shade to you guys, the way the culture have like moved majority of its citizens, it’s like you’re just incompetent for a really long time,” said Da’Vinchi. “But the work ethic is very lazy and poor.”
The Haitian American actor also agreed when Newton brought up the perception that some people from the Caribbean, Africa and other parts of the diaspora believe they are superior to Black Americans.
“I think you should have some depth when you have people on saying reckless and ridiculous things as this gentleman has said and you don’t check and challenge them,” Hunter said in response to Da’Vinchi’s comments. “You should catch some heat, too, Cam Newton. You should.”
Hunter then questioned how Da’Vinchi could make sweeping accusations about Black Americans when his own acting career has benefited from opportunities created by Black American entertainers.
“What’s interesting to me is this Abraham Juste has a platform because of Black Americans,” said Hunter, before referncing Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Kenya Barris and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, whose television empire helped provide Da’Vinchi with a major acting opportunity.
“Are these people lazy?” Hunter asked. “You only have a career because it seems like Black America has built something.”
The radio host also challenged the actor’s understanding of American history, particularly the generations of unpaid labor that helped build the country.
“He’s 30 years old, which means he’s too old to be this ignorant,” she said. “What is he reading? What are you reading?”
Hunter then played a response from Haitian American commentator Sunset Monae, who condemned Da’Vinchi’s remarks and apologized to Black Americans.
“To even associate Black Americans with the term lazy is not only doing a disservice to Black Americans, but doing a disservice to any immigrant in this country,” Monae declared.
Hunter appreciated her response but rejected the idea that Monae needed to apologize for another Haitian American.
“He doesn’t speak for all Haitian Americans. He doesn’t speak for all immigrants. He doesn’t speak for all of anyone. He speaks for himself,” Hunter said, going on to discuss how racist propaganda, entertainment and historical misinformation have shaped perceptions of Black Americans worldwide. Hunter argued that personal experiences should never replace historical understanding or factual evidence.
“Your lived experience or your anecdotal experience is not the fact. It’s not a fact,” she explained.
Returning to Newton, Hunter criticized his failure to adequately challenge Da’Vinchi during their conversation.
“Your silence in the face, Cam Newton, of something that is ignorant that you knew in your spirit was wrong,” she accused, adding that the former NFL quarterback lacked the knowledge needed to confront his guest.
“Pay attention, take notes, get your stats and facts together,” she concluded. “You can’t let them get away with saying stuff.”
Listen to Hunter’s entire response in the clip below.
