Comedian Bill Burr’s wife has shared a fiery riposte to a Twitter user who suggested the couple’s marriage could be a “sign of racism.”
Burr was sharply criticised for making a number of offensive comments while presenting the Latino categories at the Grammys on Sunday night.
His remarks set him up for a fierce online backlash, with a number of viewers branding him a racist. However, one person pointed out that the comedian’s wife – actor and director Nia Hill – is a Black woman.
They tweeted a photo of the couple with the caption: “GenZ calling Bill Burr a racist... Bill Burr and his beautiful wife Nia.”
GenZ calling Bill Burr a racist... 😬😳 Bill Burr and his beautiful wife Nia. 💕 https://t.co/C9XsPhtIQZ— 𝒜𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 (@𝒜𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇) 1615752332
This didn’t convince fellow user Clayburn Griffin, who responded that “a white man having a non-white wife can sometimes be a sign of racism.”
Griffin, who is a former politician, said he was “not suggesting Bill Burr is a racist”, but added: “You shouldn’t assume someone isn’t racist just because they own a minority sex servant.
“They may very well have one because they’re racist.”
@InNeverland_ While I'm not suggesting Bill Burr is a racist, a white man having a non-white wife can sometimes be… https://t.co/SnLLioDXUh— Clayburn Griffin (@Clayburn Griffin) 1615770854
Hill was evidently unimpressed by the tweet, hitting back with the abrupt response: “B****, shut the f*** up.”
Fellow Twitter users were quick to dismiss or mock Griffin’s comments, with rapper Zuby replying: “Well done. Worst tweet ever. And the competition is tough.
“You won. You can delete your account now.“
@Clayburn @InNeverland_ Well done. Worst tweet ever. And the competition is tough. You won. You can delete your account now.— ZUBY: (@ZUBY:) 1615824328
Even the controversial right-wing pundit Matt Walsh found Griffin’s suggestion offensive, writing: “Right. Bill Burr is a racist for marrying a black woman but you’re totally NOT a racist for referring to a married black woman as a ‘sex servant’ who is ‘owned’ by her husband.
“Got it. Okay. Sure.”
Meanwhile, others observed that “it is possible to marry a black person and make racist jokes. just like you can marry a woman and be sexist.”
@InNeverland_ it is possible to marry a black person and make racist jokes. just like you can marry a woman and be sexist— Ace Spinellius (@Ace Spinellius) 1615752982
Burr presented several awards at Sunday’s glittering ceremony, including best Latin rock or alternative album.
He was widely condemned for his routine which began with him mocking a piano performance as he walked on stage, saying: “Was I the only one who wanted to kill himself during that?”
During his presentation of the Best Regional Mexican Music award, Burr mispronounced winner Natalia Lafourcade’s name.
“I can’t say the name. The Grammy goes to Natalia Lafourcade. I will accept on behalf of her. If I butchered her name, I’m sorry. Natalia, you won,” he said.
Later, as he moved on to the Best Tropical Latin Album category, he said: “The feminists are going nuts. Why is the cis-white male doing all this Latino stuff.”
The comedian has yet to comment on the fall-out.
More: Are we all racists?