Celebrity Twitchy follower Ellen Barkin has apologized for a comment made on last night’s episode of Bravo’s talk show “Watch What Happens Live” which struck many viewers as offensive and racist.
After host Andy Cohen showed clips from “Real Housewives of Miami,” Barkin, who was appearing with “New Normal” co-star and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member NeNe Leakes, asked about a maid’s “slave hair” in the clip.
https://twitter.com/asouthernflair/status/251522714240688128
Um, no, you certainly weren’t the only one.
@BravoAndy she said slave hair!!! #WWHL
— NOV 6th 2018 !! (@QVO_LOCO) September 28, 2012
Ummm that "slave hair" comment was not okay at all @BravoAndy
— Joan Clayton (@APofftheChaney) September 28, 2012
https://twitter.com/afreshface2go/status/251518457168928769
https://twitter.com/LovelleEbonie/status/251518679299264514
#wwhl did Ellen just call braids "slave hair "? I am officially offended!?
— me (@MartiniRosssi) September 28, 2012
So natural hair is slave hair to @ellenbarkin @bravoandy ???
— Josie (@Chiyon4Lyfe) September 28, 2012
Ellen barkin just said a woman had "slave hair" on #WWHL .. That's live tv for you.. @BravoAndy
— Kelsey Liss (@KelseyLiss) September 28, 2012
Watching "watch what happens live" & very upset that the caucasian guest called natural hair "slave hair" . How offensive?!?!
— AllMadeUpExpressions (@AMUExpressions) September 28, 2012
https://twitter.com/ArtistIAm86/status/251519617846099970
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https://twitter.com/simplydarling05/status/251519690072014848
https://twitter.com/Nik_Gets_It/status/251519944175529984
Umm, Ellen Barkin just referred to someone as having "slave hair" on @BravoTV's #WWHL. Time to put the drink down.
— Jocelyn M. Zeitzoff (@jocemiller) September 28, 2012
https://twitter.com/hautemakeup19/status/251520335751569408
@EllenBarkin it is very ignorant of you & very offensive to call the hair of an African American in its most natural state, "slave hair"
— AllMadeUpExpressions (@AMUExpressions) September 28, 2012
@BravoAndy @NeNeLeakes Freda may not have looked glamorous, but please tell @EllenBarkin that natural hair doesn't equal SLAVE hair. Thanks.
— pHil ©hill ツ ?? ?? ?️? ?? (@ghettowisdom) September 28, 2012
https://twitter.com/mzanthropy/status/251554428505710592
RT @vevster: .@EllenBarkin your SLAVE HAIR comment on #WWHL was noted and not appreciated. @bravoandy
— vevster (@vevster) September 28, 2012
https://twitter.com/problemwthat/status/251696423479951361
Ellen Barkin- saying someone has "slave hair" is ignorant, racist, and messed up. #notcool #racist #stoptalking
— Leighbee (@aleighbee84) September 28, 2012
https://twitter.com/JoSarahB/status/251750498842075136
https://twitter.com/SpiritChanger85/statuses/251790176232304640
http://twitter.com/SpiritChanger85/statuses/251790504977645568
“That Caucasian woman” tweeted an apology and explained that she was referring to old-school “Hollywood” racism, where African-American actors were given a stereotypical hairstyle. No racism in Hollywood today, though.
A stereotypical style given 2 African American actors playing"slaves"in Hollywood movies.I am sorry if you found it offensive.I do apologize
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) September 28, 2012
Kudos to Barkin for not claiming she was speaking “in-character” as her “conservative” grandmother on “The New Normal.” We imagine this racist gaffe will pass quickly, though. See, only conservatives have to abide by the ever-expanding Handbook of Racial Code Words, with entries like “kitchen cabinet,” “angry,” “chair” and “peanut butter and jelly.” “Slave hair” from a liberal? No big deal.
Update: Barkin seems to be creating her own shovel-ready job by digging the hole a little deeper.
I would have had a similar reaction if the only Jew represented on a TV show happened to have a giant nose, & was running a ponzi scheme.
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) September 29, 2012
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