Minneapolis community leaders, activists, and civil rights attorneys have united to condemn a derogatory joke regarding the murder of George Floyd, which aired during a recent Netflix roast hosted by Kevin Hart. The offensive remark, delivered by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, suggested that Floyd was “looking up at us” and “can’t breathe,” sparking immediate and widespread outrage from a community still grappling with the trauma of his 2020 death.
Community Outcry and Demands for Accountability
Nikima Levy Armstrong, a prominent civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network, addressed the impact of the incident during a press conference. “An egregious, disgusting joke was made about George Floyd. Here we are about to memorialize George Floyd for year six after his brutal murder at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department,” Armstrong stated. She emphasized that the community is still processing deep grief, noting that many young people who were children at the time of the tragedy are now teenagers still struggling with the aftermath.
“And instead of allowing our community to grieve in peace, to celebrate George Floyd in peace, we have Netflix comedians making light of the brutal killing of George Floyd. It is unacceptable and it is unconscionable,” Armstrong said.
The coalition, which includes organizations such as Black Lives Matter Minnesota and Communities United Against Police Brutality, is demanding a direct public apology from Hinchcliffe. Furthermore, they are calling on Netflix to remove the offensive segment from the special and are urging Kevin Hart to take responsibility for the content permitted on his platform.
Addressing Double Standards and Historical Context
Monnique Colors Dodie, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, drew sharp parallels between the roast and historical minstrel shows, arguing that the format was used to demean Black individuals. She questioned the decision-making process behind the production, asking why Hart would provide a platform to a comedian with a documented history of making racially insensitive remarks.
The press conference also highlighted a perceived double standard in how the streaming giant manages its content. Speakers pointed out that jokes targeting Melania Trump were reportedly edited out of the roast, while derogatory comments directed at Black women and victims of police violence were allowed to remain. This inconsistency has fueled calls for a boycott of the special until the content is addressed.
John Thompson, a former state legislator and friend of Philando Castile, underscored the gravity of the situation, reminding the public that the murder of George Floyd was a global tragedy, not a punchline. “What happened to George Floyd May 25th, I mean, it wasn’t a joke. It was a human being on the ground crying for mama in front of the entire world,” Thompson said.
As the community continues to stand firm, the message remains clear: the commodification of Black death for entertainment purposes will not be tolerated.
