David Cross Says He Was Doing a "Southern Redneck Character" When He Made Racist Comments to Charlyne Yi

As originally seen on Exclaim.ca.

This week, there are plenty of horrible stories on this swirling, trash-filled internet where we choose to spend our days for some reason. Among them are allegations that David Cross made uncomfortably racist "jokes" when he first met comedian, artist, writer and actor Charlyne Yi. Yesterday (October 18), Cross offered an apology while also suggesting Yi was "misremembering" the situation.

Rather than let it go and try to learn from his mistakes, Cross has doubled down on defending himself. In a new statement entitled "A Fruitless Endeavor Part 2," he said he was doing a character when he made racist comments to her.

"I must have done my version of a southern redneck character, one of which I am well acquainted with from growing up in Georgia, which I have made fun of forever (Ronnie Dobbs, stand up etc) and Charlyne did not understand I was doing my 'welcome to Shreveport' greeting," he wrote.

Read David Cross' latest posts about the allegations of racism below, followed by Yi's initial posts.
 

pic.twitter.com/K4CA0v74c9

— )))David Cross((( (@davidcrosss) October 18, 2017

 

pic.twitter.com/EeZZ5sn3lX

— )))David Cross((( (@davidcrosss) October 18, 2017

Here are Charlyne Yi's tweets:
 

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

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