Rebel Wilson has been slammed by black activists for joking about police injustice while presenting a gong for best hip-hop video at the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday.
The Australian comedian was accused of trivialising the Black Lives Matter campaign after she complained about police while wearing a T-shirt that read "f--k tha stripper police".
The T-shirt was presumably intended to refer to both the 1988 song F--- tha Police, from gangsta rap pioneers NWA, and to ongoing accusations of police brutality towards African-Americans.
"A lot of people have problems with the police," the 35-year-old actress said in reference to the deaths of black Americans at the hands of police.
The Pitch Perfect star then used the opportunity to segue into a joke about police strippers.
"You guys know what I'm talking about. They come to your house, you think you're getting arrested, and you just get a lap dance that is usually uninspired.
"I hired a police stripper for my grandmother's 80th, and he wouldn't even feel her up. I paid an extra $100 for her to get an erotic back massage, but it only lasted one song. I hate this injustice. Hence the shirt."
Wilson came under fire on social media for the routine, which some said "poked fun at the disgusting reality of police brutality".
"I bet you wouldn't make a joke about white boys who shoot up movie theatre or schools to introduce the best Country video," one angry fan said.
.@RebelWilson/@MTV, police violence isn't a joke, as the deaths of #TamirRice, #RekiaBoyd, #FreddieGray, #MikeBrown, & #MyaHall remind us.
— deray mckesson (@deray) August 31, 2015
Cracking up at the VMA's!!! @NICKIMINAJ = queen x pic.twitter.com/3xeW18dOfF
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) August 31, 2015
Wilson's skit divided opinion, with some people accusing activists of being too politically correct.
"Rebel Wilson's joke/skit at the VMAs was funny, all the sensitive politically correct folks need to lighten up," wrote Sydneysider Limuel Martine.
Upset black activists hit back, calling the bad joke an example of ongoing oppression.
"'I hate political correctness' sounds like 'I'm nostalgic for a time when I could be publicly, vehemently racist'," wrote Andre Harrison Jr.
"Please know that the downplaying of oppression for the sake of laughter perpetuates said oppression," said activist Brittany Packnett.
Some found it particularly offensive the comedian made the joke before presenting Nicki Minaj with the best hip-hop video award.
Wilson is yet to comment on the backlash.
Downplay police brutality tonight. Apologize for the bit tomorrow. Like clockwork, right MTV? #VMAs
— zellie (@zellieimani) August 31, 2015
I love Rebel Wilson but the whole poking fun at the disgusting reality of police brutality thing wasn't cute or funny it was inappropriate.
— Lily Lane (@LilyLaneMusic) August 31, 2015
I seriously fail to see any comedy in police violence, what-so-ever @RebelWilson.
— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) August 31, 2015
Mock the Black Lives Matter Movement before presenting Best Rap Video. I see you white supremacy. I see you. #VMAs
— zellie (@zellieimani) August 31, 2015
I bet you @MTV wouldn't make a joke about white boys who shoot up movie theater or schools to introduce the best Country video.
— #ArmedNAware (@SankofaBrown) August 31, 2015
"Just have a sense of humor." Please know that the downplaying of oppression for the sake of laughter perpetuates said oppression. #VMAs
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) August 31, 2015
"I hate political correctness" sounds like "I'm nostalgic for a time when I could be publicly, vehemently racist". https://t.co/gjvzisMAaD
— Andre Harrison Jr. (@AndreHarrisonJr) August 31, 2015
When's the last time you heard a Holocaust, Sandy Hook, or Columbine joke at an awards show? Exactly. https://t.co/mBnjbra3QP
— deray mckesson (@deray) August 31, 2015
the fact that some people are more mad about Kanye's #VMAs speech than Rebel Wilson's jokes about police brutality is astounding
— diyana ♛ (@real_table) August 31, 2015
