Hulu removed a 1988 episode of “The Golden Girls” in which actresses Betty White and Rue McClanahan wear black clay on their faces, according to various reports on Monday, and the decision sparked a backlash on social media.
In the episode in question, titled “Mixed Blessing,” Beaothy’s son Dorothy plans to marry an older black woman played by Rosalind Cash.
“This is mud on our faces,” says White in the season 3 episode when Cash’s family arrives. “We are not really black.”
The broadcast company’s decision follows similar movements after the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis last month that sparked protests across the country against police brutality and racial injustice.
Last week, Tina Fey requested that four episodes of “30 Rock” be removed from NBCUniversal’s streaming service for her use of blackface.
Days later, Hulu removed three episodes of the television comedy “Scrubs” from its platform because they included blackface.
And night host Jimmy Kimmel
James (Jimmy) Christian Kimmel YouTuber Jenna Marbles Leaves Platform After Blackface Videos Resurface The Hill’s Morning Report – Featured By Facebook – Attracting Voters, Trump Autographs Arizona Border Wall Jimmy Kimmel Apologizes For Offensive Impressions From Celebrities black MORE He recently apologized for his use of the black face on his Comedy Central show “The Man Show,” which ran from 1999 to 2004.
However, Hulu’s latest decision was criticized as an example of overreaction by social media users, including African-Americans.
That Golden Girls episode is not blackface. What the hell ?
– roxane gay (@rgay) June 28, 2020
Deleting this episode is weird, counterproductive, and stupid. The effort to really end racism decreases. It is so silly.
– roxane gay (@rgay) June 28, 2020
The Golden Girls are now racist. Wake me up when 2020 ends. Https://t.co/VMqm1CmahP
– Mark Dice (@MarkDice) June 28, 2020
I have not heard a person, or one, say ‘Delete the episode of The Golden Girls, in which the characters wear clay masks’
as a demand
They are doing everything else except change! https://t.co/bd9RRSrmKE
– Anthony V. Clark (@ anthonyvclark20) June 29, 2020
I refuse to believe that blacks asked for the deletion of an episode of Golden Girls due to some mud masks. DENY.
– Mikelle Street (@MikelleStreet) June 28, 2020
“The Golden Girls” aired on NBC from 1985 to 1992.
.
