House star accuses David Cross of racism
Update: In a follow-up and unfortunately unwoke Twitter post, David Cross has attempted to justify his first encounter with Charlyne Yi by claiming that he did a bit playing an "asshole redneck racist character".
"Charlyne did not understand I was doing my 'Welcome to Shreveport' greeting," he said. "As well, I had NO IDEA she was upset or I would've apologised to both her and Michael [Cera, her boyfriend at the time]."
- )))David Cross((( (@davidcrosss) October 18, 2017
- )))David Cross((( (@davidcrosss) October 18, 2017
Cross's post received criticism from some users.
"Sorry excuse for an apology or explanation," said one person. "If you make a 'joke' & the people around you could confuse you as being a racist, you're being a racist. You didn't burn a cross, but you further added to the racist stereotyping of already marginalized communities. Do better."
Meanwhile, Cross's wife Amber Tamblyn – who coincidentally starred alongside Yi on House – said that she has reached out to Yi and said that she believes her.
"I spoke to Charlyne. I believe her," she wrote, responding to one Twitter user. "I'm about HER feelings/emotional health right now, not Twitter's."
I spoke to @charlyne_yi and her feelings/safety are all that matter to me. We’re good. I owe you nothing, Twitter. You’re lucky to have me.
- Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) October 20, 2017
I’ll say it again. I spoke to Charlyne. I believe her. I’m about HER feelings/emotional health right now, not Twitter’s. That okay with you? https://t.co/aQU5dGqKuY
- Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) October 20, 2017
I will say this for the last time. Do not hold women accountable for the actions, decisions or words of their partners. Don’t. Do it.
- Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) October 20, 2017
Original story: Charlyne Yi has accused Arrested Development's David Cross of racism, as she recounted an encounter the pair shared on social media.
House actress Yi, whose mother is part-Filipino and whose father is part-Korean, said that years ago, Cross made racist Asian jokes aimed at her, including mockingly saying "ching-chong-ching-chong" and asking if she was going to fight him with karate.
"I think about the first time I met David Cross ten years ago & he made fun of my pants (that were tattered because I was poor)," she wrote.
"Dumbfounded I stared at him speechless and he said to me, 'What's a matter? You don't speak English?? Ching-chong-ching-chong'.
"Then after he saw I was offended he asked me if I was going to fight with him karate in a Southern accent."
I think about the first time I met David Cross ten years ago & he made fun of my pants (that were tattered because I was poor). Dumbfounded I stared at him speechless and he said to me "what's a matter? You don't speak English?? Ching-chong-ching-chong".
- Charlyne Yi (@charlyne_yi) October 16, 2017
Then after he saw I was offended he asked me if I was going to fight with him karate in a southern accent. Then a few years later he was re-introduced to me after my comedy show with his girlfriend at the time & he said "Hi nice to meet you".
- Charlyne Yi (@charlyne_yi) October 16, 2017
Yi added that Cross either pretended to or had no recollection of their first meeting the next time that they met.
"A few years later he was re-introduced to me after my comedy show with his girlfriend at the time & he said 'Hi nice to meet you'."
I will say this:
-I can tell the difference between this man making a joke vs condescending me.
-This happened 10 years ago and I sure as hell hope he's changed (or at the very least, he's scared enough to not be his racist self).- Charlyne Yi (@charlyne_yi) October 16, 2017
HOWEVER it is very uncool that a 40+ man was being racist towards me, being a young 20 year old woman who was clearly on the verge of tears from his first racist comment.
- Charlyne Yi (@charlyne_yi) October 16, 2017
Obviously this behaviour is completely unacceptable.
The post was brought to Cross's attention, and he had his say, replying that he doesn't remember the encounter. (He also misspelt her name.)
Charlene, i dont remember this at all! It's bonkers to me and WAY, way out of character. DM me so I can understand all of this.
- )))David Cross((( (@davidcrosss) October 17, 2017
He later posted a full statement, arguing that he "[does] not remember it like she remembers it" and insisting that he is "not a racist nor a bully", before ending his message hashtagging #Rashomon – alluding to a Japanese movie in which several characters have differing versions of the same event.
You can read his full response in the tweet below:
Adressing the Charlyne Yi tweet below. pic.twitter.com/WMHxH6lZco
- )))David Cross((( (@davidcrosss) October 18, 2017
Yi opening up about her experience comes as women are sharing stories of sexual harassment and assault through the hashtag #MeToo, with many others using the hashtag #IBelieveYou to show their support.
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