Jimmy Fallon vows to uproot racism by educating himself and viewers going forward
A Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Jimmy Fallon wearing blackface makeup and impersonating fellow comedian Chris Rock recently re-emerged and many people were quite upset. Despite being advised to remain quiet, Jimmy tweeted, “I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable.” And after being off the air last week, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon returned Monday and Fallon not only doubled down on his apology but also vowed to be a better ally. During his opening monologue, Fallon addressed the blackface incident saying, “I am not a racist.” However, Fallon did admit to being “silent” during past acts of racism and racial injustice. The blackface incident emerged at the same time that the nation is struggling with systemic police brutality. Protests and riots have arisen all over the U.S. following the death of George Floyd “The world is screaming and it is angry and we all need to figure out a way to take the anger, which of course is just sadness and fear, and do something with it,” said Fallon. “This is such a long root in the ground it is so long and deep, but we got to get in there and we have to dig it up.”
Video Transcript
JIMMY FALLON: What I kept getting advised was to just stay quiet and to not say anything. And that's the advice, because we're all afraid. And I realized that I can't not say, I'm horrified, and I'm sorry. And I'm embarrassed, and what that small gesture did for me was break my own silence.
- After a Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Jimmy Fallon wearing blackface makeup in order to impersonate fellow comedian Chris Rock recently reemerged, many people were upset. Despite being advised to remain quiet, Jimmy tweeted an apology writing, "I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable." And when the Tonight Show returned to air Monday, he vowed to continue to be more accountable going forward.
JIMMY FALLON: We need to say something. We need to keep saying something, and we need to stop saying, that's not OK, more than just one day on Twitter.
- Jimmy's message of change and personal accountability comes in the wake of protests and riots over the fatal arrest of George Floyd, and the continued cycle of police brutality. The world is screaming, and it is angry. And we all need to figure out a way to take the anger, which, of course, is just sadness and fear, and do something with it, and try to actually dig this up. This is such a long route in the ground. It is so long and deep, but we got to get in there. And we have to dig it up.
- In order to educate himself and viewers, Jimmy replaced his scheduled guest Lady Gaga with civil rights activist and teacher Jane Elliott, CNN host Don Lemon, and NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who very much approved of Jimmy's message at self reflection.
DERRICK JOHNSON: That was powerful, but most importantly, that's about courage. More people need to speak about where they are with a really authentic voice, and I think you did that with the opening monolog. So thank you for those words.
