U.S : It’s time for shows that allow bigotry to lose their platform.

"America's Got Talent" has a 

bigotry problem. 

Tell advertisers to drop 

"America's Got Talent !"

  

TAKE ACTION

Dear friend,

“America’s Got Talent” fired Gabrielle Union for being ‘too black.’ In a recent update, news was released that Gabrielle Union was not only fired from NBC’s competition show “America’s Got Talent” for speaking out against bigoted content, but was subjected to criticism because “her rotating hairstyles were ‘too black’ for the audience.”^1,2 This kind of behavior is dehumanizing to Union, Black viewers, and Black people everywhere, and America’s Got Talent must be held accountable.

Demand that advertisers who sponsor “America’s Got Talent” immediately drop the show. 

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“America’s Got Talent” must be held accountable. Recently, Gabrielle Union supposedly left her role at reality competition show “America’s Got Talent” because she was “busy.” Since then, it has come to light that Union was fired from the program for speaking out against the show’s racism and sexism. “America’s Got Talent” is a show that reaches millions of people. And Gabrielle Union is reported to have increased the show’s viewership.³ It is not only unacceptable that this show has a bigotry problem, but that they fired their wildly popular Black host for speaking out against it.

It’s 2019 and we believe it is about time for shows that permit bigotry to lose their platform — and their funding. Tell advertisers to drop “America’s Got Talent.” 

This is not the first time “America’s Got Talent” has had problems. In 2017, Nick Cannon left the show because of their attempts to “silence and control [his] outspoken voice.”4 And, it’s been reported that the show “replace[s]...women and blacks at Simon [Cowell]’s whim.”⁵ This history of sexism and racism problems at the show demonstrate a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of the Black entertainers they hire, and shows a level of carelessness towards viewers that must change.

One of the most effective ways to change behavior of TV executives and decision-makers behind-the-scenes is to eliminate a show’s funding source. Join us in calling on advertisers to drop “America’s Got Talent.” 

But it is not only bigotry behind-the-scenes that’s a problem here. The decision to remove Gabrielle Union from “America’s Got Talent” sets a precedent that Black women — and our voices — don’t matter. Black women work tirelessly, today and throughout history, to make invaluable contributions to activism, politics, art, entertainment, and culture. Our successes come with great sacrifice, and are the result of perseverance, resilience, and hard work. America’s Got Talent’s decision to remove Gabrielle Union from the show sends the message that Black women are disposable. At a time when Black women are too often abused, ignored, or disregarded, this decision is not just wrong, it’s dangerous.⁶

Tell advertisers to take a stand against America’s Got Talent’s bigotry and drop the show for good.

Until justice is real, 

Jade, Rashad, Arisha, Johnny, Future, Amanda, Evan, Imani, Samantha, Eesha, Marcus, FolaSade, and the rest of the Color Of Change team.

References : 

1. “Inside ‘America’s Got Talent’: Ousted Judges Had Complained of Toxic Culture (EXCLUSIVE),” Variety, November 26, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215818?t=8&akid=39361%2E1942551%2EUIZV4s
2. Twitter, November 27, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215819?t=11&akid=39361%2E1942551%2EUIZV4s
3. “[Exclusive] Gabrielle Union Fired From 'America's Got Talent' After Speaking Out Against 'Problematic' Racism, Sexism and More : 'They Replace Women and Blacks at Simon's Whim,'” LOVEBSCOTT, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215646?t=13&akid=39361%2E1942551%2EUIZV4s
4. “Nick Cannon Quits ‘America’s Got Talent’ After Flap About N-Word Joke,” TheWrap, February 13, 2017, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215647?t=15&akid=39361%2E1942551%2EUIZV4s
5. “[Exclusive] Gabrielle Union Fired From 'America's Got Talent' After Speaking Out Against 'Problematic' Racism, Sexism and More : 'They Replace Women and Blacks at Simon's Whim,'” LOVEBSCOTT, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215646?t=17&akid=39361%2E1942551%2EUIZV4s
6. “Black Women Are Disappeared & Vilified In Mainstream Media & News,” Black Women Too/Color Of Change, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/215648?t=19&akid=39361%2E1942551%2EUIZV4s

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Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.