Scott Adams, the originator of the well-known comic series Dilbert, is facing backlash and cancellation from his syndicator and major newspapers after allegedly making racist comments on his podcast, “Real Coffee with Scott Adams.” The fallout began after Adams referenced a Rasmussen study in which a slim majority of Black individuals agreed with the statement, “It’s okay to be white.” Adams then condemned Black individuals as “a hate group” and advised white people to “stay away” from them.
However, talk show host Chris Stigall said Tuesday that Adams’ comments have been taken out of context and that he is being unfairly accused of going on a racist rant. According to Stigall, after watching the video in question, Adams had a moment of “way too much honesty” and drawing logical conclusions from the Rasmussen study.
Stigall emphasized that it is essential to understand the context of Adams’ comments and that he is known for his monotone and even keel delivery. He also criticized what he deemed “cancel culture” and argued that the constant assumption that Black individuals have been aggrieved and disenfranchised leads to a protected and privileged status.
“I am not convinced that it was a racist rant. A man was frustrated after seeing a Rasmussen poll indicating that a slim majority of Black Americans agreed with the statement ‘it’s okay to be white.’ Adams’ interpretation of this poll was that it revealed a racist outcome. He expressed that this did not sit well with him.”
Despite Stigall’s defense, numerous newspapers, including The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, declared they would no longer publish Adams’ creations. According to NPR, Adams’ distributor, Andrews McMeel Universal, has also ended their relationship with the cartoonist, citing their opposition to any commentary based on prejudice or hate.
In response to the controversy, Adams has maintained his stance and garnered support from individuals who oppose cancel culture, including billionaire Elon Musk. The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding free speech, cancel culture, and the importance of context in understanding controversial comments.
