Comedian George Lopez has spurred backlash after a video of his racist joke — and harsh response to an audience member — went viral.
The former sitcom star performed at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., as part of his “Together Live” tour with D.L. Hugley Saturday, Feb. 4. In a video captured by TMZ, an anti-Black joke rubbed a woman in the crowd the wrong way, leading Lopez to curse her out.
“There’s still two rules in the fucking Latino family,” Lopez said. “Don’t marry somebody Black and don’t park in front of our house.”
Many guests are heard laughing as one woman in the front row flipped the comic off.
“Sit your f—— a– down,” Lopez responds. “I’m talking, b—-. Sit your f—— a– down. You paid to see a show, sit your a– down. [If] you can’t take a joke you’re at the wrong m—– f—— place. Sit your f—— a– down or get the f— out of here.”
Lopez had the woman and her party removed by security and seemed to stand by his remarks on Twitter Tuesday, Feb. 7.
You have 2 choices , have a good day or get the fuck out #gacho
— George Lopez (@georgelopez) February 7, 2017
The incident left many upset, not only for Lopez’s reaction but for his racially insensitive joke as well.
Y'all comparing George Lopez to black comics who can be funny while attacking a heckler. What he did wasn't funny
— ant (@ant_sheppard) February 8, 2017
The problem with the George Lopez jokes about Latinos hating Blacks, is you have "Latinos" like George Zimmerman who ACT on that hate
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/OhioAtriox1/status/829327119515791360
"if you can't take a joke, you're in the wrong place." -george lopez, while not telling jokes for a full minute.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) February 8, 2017
here's the part where you remind us how much you hate women generally and black ones particularly. so you can ride for george lopez. ok.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) February 8, 2017
was the fact that her berated her for so long knowing fully well why the crowd would support him. And I like George Lopez, but that was way
— Neale (@AbeFroman) February 8, 2017
Black women challenged the notion that they are un-datable.
@BigFrikkinTs George Lopez motivation was hate for Black Women..end of story.
— Arminta (@Armintakamille) February 8, 2017
Meanwhile Black women drive the social media hits so..keep trying us. His tour will have the same attention as that sad shitty show…
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) February 8, 2017
Several Black people questioned the outrage since they said some hip-hop lyrics degrade women.
https://twitter.com/Qweeez/status/829314518559911937
https://twitter.com/TheyHateRique/status/829333279862116352
Some of y'all favorite lyrics (that you sing out loud) call Black women "bitches" and "hoes", but y'all trying to off George Lopez? 🤔
— YaeTuve 💜🧡 (@601_Yae) February 8, 2017
At least one person found the defense unacceptable.
https://twitter.com/rodimusprime/status/829317218936745984
Some thought the idea that Latinos don’t date Black people was a well-known fact.
https://twitter.com/DealMethToKids/status/829304666760560641
https://twitter.com/wholesomeaf/status/829319482623537152
Others didn’t see the joke as a big deal.
I see today we're fake outraged over George Lopez. You do realize comedians run on racial jokes right? Chris Rock, Martin, all done em…
— RidingWithCoachKelsey (@SouthernCard) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/RunDemHansDen/status/829291438483578883
George Lopez has been making black jokes for the longest. He is NOT anti black. 🗣 shut y'all sensitive asses up
— . (@MJB_30) February 8, 2017
George Lopez trending for an offensive joke. George Lopez the comedian? pic.twitter.com/ImCgnmaLj7
— Mo (@B_Mobee) February 8, 2017
ncG1vNJzZmiZpKGur8DAm6Oam5uowaK%2BjZympmdiZX54e49rZmlwX5uur7%2BMnaCvoZSasW6zxKipoJ1dobyxsdmsZJqmpJ56o7jAnKJmop%2Bgsm7CxKuZmqRdlsG1rcKkZLCnnZa7cA%3D%3D