*Nicki Minaj and Ellen DeGeneres may seem to have a good relationship, but could things have gotten out of hand with a recent parody on the rapstress that aired on DeGeneres’ show.
According to The Huffington Post, the answer appears to be “yes.”
The parody, which aired Monday (Oct. 12) on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” pokes fun at Minaj’s recently announced ABC Family sitcom based on her life.
Set up as a “sneak peek” of the upcoming show, the skit was “styled as a kitschy ’90s sitcom” with its only punchline being that the Minaj family — Nicki, mother, father, and even pet dog — all have gigantic backsides.
“Har, har, har.
“There are so many questions that the parody brings up,” the Post observed. “How much money were these poor actors paid in a display for which minstrel show would be the only fitting description? Who wrote the sketch, and did they think it was actually funny? Who, in their right mind, would actually clear this to be aired on television? How much longer will black women’s bodies be mocked and disrespected for entertainment?
“While Nicki Minaj is known for proudly showing off her large, round bum, she does so on her terms.” the publication continued. “She isn’t perfect, but she has a certain kind of agency in her videos and performances that the sketch completely strips away, deconstructing Minaj into merely an ass than an actual human being.”
The Post goes on to points out that “Being objectified and sexualized while simultaneously being told we are undesirable based on society’s standards is something most black women must face before they even hit puberty” while labeling the sight of “a young black girl bending over to reveal a huge, padded butt” is “not only unfunny, it’s also just plain sad.”
Although Minaj has been a guest on DeGeneres’ show many times and the two look to have a good relationship with each other, the daytime talk show host loses points with the Post for making a point of “adding some bit in which she gets to once again zero in on the apparently fascinating subject of Minaj’s ass through ridiculous skits or by donning her own Minaj costume.”
The fascination with Minaj’s backside goes beyond DeGeneres’ show as “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen seemed to subscribe to it with recently asking the Young Money entertainer if he could take a “selfie” with her butt.
“This kind of fascination subtly recalls that of the carnival goers who attended Saartije Baartman’s “human zoo” exhibits way back when,” according to the Post, which ended its commentary with bringing in how “pretty evident” it is that “’The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s” producers and writers think a sketch based around making fun of a black women’s ass (be it real or “fake”) is just some good-natured ribbing. The end result, though, is something more like complete and utter disrespect.”
To see the Nicki Minaj skit, check out the video below and sound off with your thoughts:
Ellen/Nicki Minaj SKitYesterday, Ellen DeGeneres aired a skit about an upcoming sitcom around Nicki Minaj’s childhood. It featured a little black girl, a black woman and man with extremely large butts. Watch below, and you tell us whether you think sexualizing little black girls is okay. #SOUNDOFF
Posted by Colorlines on Tuesday, October 13, 2015
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