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Sharpton to TMZ: "Roboho" a Big No No

Posted Jul 9th 2007 5:52PM by TMZ Staff

National Action Network President Al Sharpton has set his sights on TMZ.com over the word "Roboho" in a fashion piece that was published two weeks ago:

"Calling any woman a "ho" is demeaning and abusive and it should not be tolerated on any level. It is intolerable to think that TMZ.com would find humor in calling Beyonce -- someone who symbolizes the strength, dignity and uplifting of Black women -- a "Roboho," and they should be denounced by the entire community for glorifying the continued oppression of women with this derogatory term. Racism in America is perpetuated by ignorance and hate and using one's airwaves or media entity to promote it is a blatant setback to civil rights and the advancement of equality.

National Action Network has been in the forefront of protesting the word "ho" and will hold a 20-city tour featuring 100 women in each market on August 7th to protest the use of the word "ho" as well as the "N" and "B" words. We encourage TMZ.com to retract their misogynistic labeling of Beyonce and apologize immediately."

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91. Tell this piece of black trash to go find another cause. Try Tawana Brawley or some other fraud he cooked up. This psuedo reverend is one of the main causes for the "N" word not disappearing. I cannot find another word to describe him and his kind. He and Jesse "shakedown " jackson are the worst possible representatives of a group of people that deserve respect and dignity. Neither of these slimy pieces of human waste could be called a leader of anything other than personal enrichment and fraud. To even recognise his comments is stupid and just feeds into his crooked hands. I guess you understand that I don't like him, except maybe fried or broiled or barbequed.

Posted at 7:42PM on Jul 9th 2007 by joel

92. I think it's amazing that a self important person like Al Sharpton has taken the time to look through and listen to everything white folks say. Get a job Al, a real job, not one you create as the watchdog of white people. Who appointed you anything? This is the trouble, no sense of humor and not educated enough to figure out what context a word is put into. Don Imus made mistake, you saw to it he lost his livilihood, at least he had one, shall I go over the racist remarks and actions you have said and done, I don't have to, everyone knows what they are. Go find something else to do, we don't need some ridiculous bogus reverend sniffing around everything that is said on a Gossip message board looking for something to carry on about, blacks probably laughed at that idiotic outfit too. Beyonce wears beautiful outfits, her mother designs them, that was not one of them. By the way, how many black rappers and actors have you asked for an apology for using the N word or saying "Ho" lately? How come you never apologize for anything? If I were TMZ or any other media reporter I would never mention a black person in my blogs again, this way they avoid this garbage, I'm sure Beyonce would thank you for it. If you knew how transparent, desperate and ridiculous you sound you would never open your mouth again, then again, maybe you would.

Posted at 7:43PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Madeleine

93. Give me a break! I highly doubt that he has contacted every African-American musician that has used "ho" in their lyrics to explain how degrading that is... Funny how he picks and chooses who (or what) is racist and what isn't.

Posted at 12:05PM on Jul 10th 2007 by KS

94. I feel sorry for the black community to have to put up with this guy who consistently harms their cause and creates more hate. He needs to disappear.

Posted at 7:41PM on Jul 9th 2007 by gagirl

95. TMZ should NOT have referred to Ms. Knowles in such a manner.
She is, after all, a Tycoon.

Posted at 7:42PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Ra

96. I don't know what is poorer his response or his picture.... this guy is fug man...body and soul i presume

Posted at 7:45PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Adnan

97. #94 You have a wonderful sense of humor....lol
#96 Noone voted for him.

Posted at 7:43PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Brook

98. Al "THE RACIST" Sharpton. Go chase Imus you parasite!

Posted at 7:45PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Bill

99. IT AMAZES ME tmz, WHEN PEOPLE WRITE RACIST MESSAGES ON YOUR SITE ABOUT WHITES, IT SEEMS TO COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY, BUT WHEN MESSAGES ARE RACISTS TOWARD BLACK ENTERTAINERS, YOUR "SENSORS" SEEM TO LET IT POST FOREVER.

SOME OF THE WORST RACISM THAT I'VE EVER READ, I'VE READ ON TMZ.

I'M WHITE AND MY HUSBAND IS BLACK BUT QUITE HONESTLY I AM EQUALLY OFFENDED

Posted at 7:52PM on Jul 9th 2007 by ERACISM TMZ

100. @ #108, it's not reverse racism, it's RACISM, PERIOD!

Posted at 8:14AM on Jul 10th 2007 by drbinhb

101. What an idiot!! He is sooooooooo seeking attention by any means necessary. I as a black female had no problem with TMZ's story. The outfit was robohoic and atrocious. I think there are better things Al should be concerned about. I for one thinks he should take a close look at himself and ask why is he wearing his hair the way he does? What are his feminine issues?

Posted at 7:49PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Tammy

102. Is Sharpton moonlighting as a pimp?

Posted at 7:48PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Chaz

103. I think he's hott. Especially when his drawers are all bunched up (oh...wait, that's all of the time)....

Posted at 10:24PM on Jul 9th 2007 by me

104. Come on AL- Start with your own people. Most of the words you would like not used, come from your own people. Geez!

Posted at 7:53PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Comeonnow

105. You know, I usually only read the comments, and I just got so disturbed by the blatant racism and hatred of people of African ancestry, that I just had to comment. First of all, since you all are so interested in what Al Sharpton does, you would know that he goes toe to toe with the rap and hip hop artists about their content. He did it before Imus, and he still does. Secondly, African Americans aren't the only ones with award shows or separate broadcasting channels. Hispanic Americans have the Alma Awards AND the Latin Grammys! Let me also bring into factor MTV3, Telemundo, Univision, etc. Why do you all feel so threatened when African Americans have their own things? All we HAVE as far as broadcasting networks is BET! Leave us be!!! And, for all of you who don't know the history of broadcasting in North America, the only reason why BET was established, is because MTV refused to play music videos from artists who weren't White. I believe Michael Jackson's Billie Jean was the first video ever played on MTV by an artist of color. In addition, programming such as the Oscars never had an African American face on it, until Sidney Poitier's win for Best Supporting Actor. Hattie McDaniel wasnt even allowed on the camera for her win on Gone with the Wind, and she had to enter through the back entrance! It's funny that whenever anyone brings these things up, a resounding "Get over it!" is always delivered. Does anyone ever tell a Jew to "get over" the Holocaust? What is so wrong with a Black man defending a Black woman? Beyonce doesnt do the things that Tara Reid, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and Nicole Richie do. I resent some people on here comparing her to them. Those are the people with sex tapes, getting cracked out in public, and showing their privates to all and sundry. I wish the site moderators at TMZ.com would moderate the hate speech on this site. It is unbecoming and more suited to a Klan website.

Posted at 7:53PM on Jul 9th 2007 by racquel

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