While Black women are increasingly standing up against harmful stereotypes, James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu of the “ShxtsNGigs” podcast found themselves in hot water after an appearance on comedian Andrew Schulz’s “Flagrant” podcast. The controversy began with their participation in a discussion about the so-called “Black girlfriend effect,” during which racially charged jokes were made at the expense of Black women. However, to many, the podcasters’ reactions were anything but supportive or protective of Black women.
The Episode That Sparked Outrage
In the “Flagrant” episode, Schulz, a white man, made offensive comments about Black women, perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The discussion centered around the “Black girlfriend effect,” a term popularized on social media to describe how Black women supposedly influence the appearance of their non-Black partners. In the conversation Schulz made derogatory jokes that painted Black women as overly demanding and aggressive. He joked that men dating Black women grow beards for “cushion” when they get hit by their partners and lose hair from the stress of being with a Black woman who, according to him, “complains all the time.”
What shocked many was the reaction of Duncan and Dawodu, who, instead of challenging these remarks, laughed along. Their failure to push back against these stereotypes, even subtly, left many Black women feeling betrayed, especially considering that both hosts have often been seen as voices for their community.
The Backlash for ShxtsNGigs
The online reaction was swift. Clips from the podcast spread across social media, and Black women in particular voiced their frustration and disappointment. Many felt that Duncan and Dawodu’s laughter validated Schulz’s racist commentary, which fed into the long-standing “angry Black woman” trope.
Many pointed out that “ShxtsNGigs”, a podcast often celebrated for its authenticity and relatability to the Black community, let its listeners down at such an important moment.
The outrage wasn’t just about the jokes, it was about the broader message the apparent complacency from the hosts sent. Black women have long been the targets of both subtle and overt forms of racism. Their voices are often silenced or ignored which makes seeing two Black men laugh alongside a white comedian feel like a deep betrayal.
The Apology
After facing intense backlash, Duncan and Dawodu addressed the controversy during a later episode of their own podcast. Both men admitted that they should have responded differently.
“There’s literally no excuse,” Duncan said. “Andrew was making a joke, frankly a racist joke, and we were laughing at it… We really hurt people that look to us for support.”
They explained their laughter as a reaction to the uncomfortable situation, likening it to a “fight or flight” response.
“We just wanted to get out of that situation,” Dawodu added.
The pair went on to apologize to their listeners, expressing regret for the hurt they caused.
“You don’t realize you can hurt your own community,” James reflected, acknowledging the damage their inaction did to Black women who rely on their platform for representation and support.
However, for some, the apology fell short. Many felt that the hosts did not directly address Black women specifically in their statement. Their response felt too general and lacked the accountability many had hoped for.
“They apologized to their ‘community,’ but where was the direct apology to the Black women who were hurt by this?” one user commented under the post.
The controversy surrounding “ShxtsNGigs” speaks to a larger issue within the Black community. It further highlights the lack of solidarity that Black women often experience, specifcally from their male counterparts. For many, this situation is just a reminder that even Black men who have platforms and influence can fail to protect Black women from racist and sexist attacks.