Terry Crews is apologizing to Gabrielle Union on Twitter after receiving backlash for not defending the former America's Got Talent judge, and Union's husband ain't here for it in the least bit.
In a series of Friday tweets, Crews apologized to the actress for saying he never witnessed any of the racism she said took place during the NBC production. The actress was fired from the talent show after one season. Crews' apology began by recalling a past conversation he had with comedian Kevin Hart.
“I told @KevinHart4real a while ago, he needed 2 'acknowledge the pain of other people.' Right now I have to do the same thing. I want to apologize for the comments I made. I realize there are a lot of Black women hurt and let down by what I said and also by what I didn’t say,” Crews wrote seemingly referencing the controversy surrounding old homophobic tweets from the entertainer.
I told @KevinHart4real a while ago, he needed 2 “acknowledge the pain of other people.” Right now I have to do the same thing. I want to apologize for the comments I made. I realize there are a lot of Black women hurt and let down by what I said and also by what I didn’t say.
— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 31, 2020
I hear you, I respect you and understand you. I am sorry and I am here to support you. I spoke from my own personal point of view without first taking into consideration someone else’s experience.
— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 31, 2020
"I hear you, I respect you and understand you. I am sorry and I am here to support you," he said. "I spoke from my own personal point of view without first taking into consideration someone else’s experience."
He then went on to seemingly address the distasteful tweets he made in response to backlash over his lack of allyship. The tweets, one of which implied he only had to please his wife and no one else, confirmed his lack of solidarity with Black women, who were his main champions after he alleged movie executive Adam Venit sexually assaulted him at a party in 2017, as Blavity previously reported.
"I allowed disrespectful comments directed at me and my family to cause me to react angrily instead of responding thoughtfully," the 51-year-old said on Friday. "This certainly caused more harm, and it is my hope that I can amend any pain I have caused to those who were hurt by my words."
I allowed disrespectful comments directed at me and my family to cause me to react angrily instead of responding thoughtfully. This certainly caused more harm, and it is my hope that I can amend any pain I have caused to those who were hurt by my words.
— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 31, 2020
Crews finally directly addressed Union in another tweet saying, “I want you to know it was never my intention to invalidate your experience — but that is what I did. I apologize.”
@itsgabrielleu, I want you to know it was never my intention to invalidate your experience— but that is what I did. I apologize. You have been through a lot in this business, and with that I empathize with the struggle toward fairness and equality in the workplace.
— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 31, 2020
Crew said he wanted to be “professionally neutral" as her co-worker.
@itsgabrielleu You are a role model to the entire black community and In my desire to be professionally neutral as your co-worker, I should have at the very least understood you just needed my support.
Sincerely, Terry Crews
— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 31, 2020
Some perceived Crews' apology to be insincere, including Union’s husband and NBA legend, Dwyane Wade.
Someone please take @terrycrews phone.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 1, 2020
But some white folk felt the need to cape for Crews.
First rule of dealing with woke ideologues. Never apologize. Never.
— The Science Femme, Woman in STEM (@piney_the) February 1, 2020
You are literally the best at heartful apologies and changing your understanding of sensitive topics after being told you were in the wrong. Model human example, thanks!
— Jason Kylo Smith (@jasonkylesmith) February 1, 2020
Now *this* is an apology! Last week I got an apology note that said “I’m sorry for the stuff that you said in your text” ????
— Mimi Lincicome-Wilt (@MimiWilt) January 31, 2020
They were promptly silenced.
A note to my fellow white folx: This isn’t written to us, it’s not about us, and it’s not remotely up to us to decide whether or not to accept an apology for harm that wasn’t done to us. TLDR: ????
— jess (@diaryofamom) February 1, 2020
Not all the white people accepting apologies on behalf of black women…
Even with the intended recipients written in plain sight, you still must make everything about you? pic.twitter.com/57s4aBLix8
— Boyz Eleven Men (@eleven8) January 31, 2020
There's a lot of non black women accepting apologies in these replies that nothing to do with yall lol
— Z (@Kxngofpeace) January 31, 2020
The Black delegation had already spoken.
Nope. Apologies are invalid when they come AFTER you made the statement THEN doubled down on it and basically gave Gabby the middle finger and NOW because of backlash you’re sorry. Yup, you really are! Absolutely disappointing. No one wants your “bacon.”
— Humor Mike (@mikeyllo) February 1, 2020
Is this apology only for Rebecca, too, or…..? pic.twitter.com/2GwouKrJsx
— Victoria™ (@V_ct0r_a) January 31, 2020
Man GTFOH!! pic.twitter.com/l1rkmBmH9O
— Miranda ???????? (@MzNeauxla) January 31, 2020
I just think it’s funny how you apologized after she was announced as the executive producer of a new show. Meanwhile you’re still out here tap dancing for bubblegum and pocket money.
— Kimi Not Your Moms Mabley (@kimikoko73) February 1, 2020
You meant every word you said tho.
This apology was expected but the impression you made and the feelings you hurt in the process might never change.— Chi baby ✨ (@_Lauretta__) January 31, 2020
We're good love, enjoy.