The Conversation (0)
Sophia Ankel
May 31, 2019
PICTURE:
CNN
CNN presenter Don Lemon just couldn't keep it together after examining a Republican senator's latest racist comments.
Lemon, who is the host of "CNN Tonight", burst out laughing on air because he couldn't believe a racist comment made by Iowa congressman Steve King, who has a long history of such remarks.
In a video, the congressman is seen responding to a constituent who said that his history of racist words was "dehumanising". The 77-year-old fires back, saying:
If we presume that every culture is equal and has an equal amount to contribute to our civilization, then we’re devaluing the contributions of the people who laid the foundation for America and that’s our Founding Fathers. We need to hang onto those principles and restore them and refurbish the pillars of American Exceptionalism.
Lemon, who had comedian W Kamau Bell as a guest on the show, said that King "don't know he's being racist". Cracking up, Bell said he appreciates that the congressman is "giving us a working definition of white supremacy".
Both continue to laugh hysterically to the idea that King had no idea he was being so racist, saying:
It’s like, yep, that’s exactly what it is, being afraid of other cultures, yep, and feeling like you have to be better no matter what.
That’s the working definition of white supremacy.
He’s saying that’s not racist, he’s saying it’s not racist when he’s actually saying something racist coming out of his mouth.
Watch the full clip below.
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