March 2, 2008

Charles Knipp is a Roach ... Time To Turn On The Lights

Drumbeats from Invisible Woman tell us that we need to gather our spears and begin hunting for the big white roach that is using a horrific characterization to attack Black women! This roach, Charles Knipp, is a self-described 45-year-old, fat, gay white man and his alter ego character Shirley Q. Liquor is described as “a welfare mother with nineteen kids (Cheeto, Orangello, Chlamydia, and Kmartina...) who guzzles malt liquor, and drives a Caddy.”

There were Knipp-Roach sightings in 2002 and again in 2005.

However, recently, this particular roach attacked activist blogger, Jasmyne Cannick (BBR #53) by calling her the B-word, H-word and N-word. Even worse, this big white roach published Cannick's personal phone number on the Internet subjecting her to death threats from other roaches. The Knipp-roach even had nerve to superimpose Sis. Cannick's face onto the body of porn star Norma Stitz, and then post it on his website.

Villagers, we need a powerful hunting party. The devious Knipp-Roach disguises himself in full blackface in order to perform at various clubs around the nation. At least this once, it is not Black folks spending our own money to denigrate and degrade our community by selling out his shows from city to city. This time it is white America that keeps Shirley Q. Liquor alive.

From nightclubs to pride celebrations, this roach and his booking agent survive because the white community continues to take pleasure in the degradation of the Black female, further proving that race is still an issue in America. The Knipp-Roach likes to justify his routine by saying that his character is a tribute to the good Southern women he grew up around.

Somebody remind this roach that proud Black women do not name their kids after venereal diseases. Somebody remind this roach that it is simply wrong to make a living by mocking poverty in the Black community. Somebody remind this roach that our community no longer tolerates abuse of our Black women for the sake of entertainment.

Villagers, the Knipp-Roach is supported by his booking agents at Diva Central (7510 W. Sunset Blvd, Suite 1445; Los Angeles CA 90046). You can reach out directly to Diva Central by phone (323.864-1933) or email (divasanddjs@aol.com) if you want to join us in expressing our disgust and protest over the racist Charles Knipp show.

In addition, I encourage you to reach out to other clients of Diva Central to express your disgust and disappointment in their silence. The agency lists other clients such as: Thelma Houston, Sweet Baby Jai, Freda Payne, Kimberly Locke, Paris Bennett, Frenchie Davis, Cee Cee Penniston, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Ultra Nate, Crystal Waters and Jody Watley.

Any thoughts on how to reach these clients to get them to publically rebuke Diva Central and Charles 'White Roach' Knipp?

The strategy for our hunting party is simple. Shine the light on roaches and they scatter to the four corners of the earth. Charles 'White Roach' Knipp has been operating in the dark.

It is time for the online community to come out in force to express our displeasure at his disrespect of our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and nieces.

We've done it before. Time to rise up together again. What say u?

24 comments:

Invisible Woman said...

I say that I am beyond tired of being on the bottom of the totem pole and being constantly portrayed in a way to keep me there.

Thank you for posting this.

Woozie said...

DDOS attacks, spam them with RickRolls and Goatses, publish his home address and phone number, etc.

This is how you win internet duels IRL.

Unknown said...

IW or Woozie - Do we know where he is scheduled to perform in March 2008 or April 2008 ? If so, it might be effective to reach out to the venue owner to let them know we are not happy with their decision. Cut off his revenue flow is usually a good strategy...

Chari said...

This is sad.

Invisible Woman said...

Hi Villager.

You can click on this link for his appearances:

http://www.shirleyqliquor.com/405748.html

SheCodes said...

I only learned about this yesterday from the Aunt Jemima's Revenge website. I am SHOCKED and ready to mobilize.

There will be a post and an email campaign coming from me in the upcoming weeks. Thank you for exposing this jerk.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, that is totally degrading to black women and women in general. I am so tired of black women being treated like crap. This is totally unacceptable. My jaws literally dropped shut when I saw this.

Unknown said...

Mystery - Agreed. Any thoughts on how this should be protested?

Invisible Woman - Asante sana for the link to his future engagements...

SheCodes & Janet - I just learned of it today from Invisible Woman. Time for us to mount up...

SjP said...

Sojourner's Place is on board and I'm encouraging my visitors to join in the protest! I think Diva Central is anticipating the protest because their email doesn't work. Do you have an updated email another way to reach them via cyberspace?

SjP

DuRob said...

Okay so first of all i'm a Black Male who is also gay. I happen to be a fan of the character Shirley Q Liquor, Yes the character. Taking away the black from it, Charles Knipp is portraying a character. He completely the extreme, I don't know anyone personally who really believes that this is how black women truly behave or operate.

Also I'd like to point out that no one is taking offense to his white character; Betty Butterfield. Try looking her up on YouTube. No one care about that, but the fact that she's taking the stereotypes to the extreme for black people is too much.

I'm not saying people don't have the right to be upset or have their own opinions, but come on people, did we all jump on Flip Wilson for being Geraldine, with her neck swinging and finger snaps?

Unknown said...

Sojourner - First, thank you for sharing information on this roach with your blog readers. I don't have updated email address. Perhaps Sis. Jasmyne or Invisible Woman may have more updated info...

Unknown said...

Robert - First, thank you for sharing your village voice with us. I respect your right to have your opinion. Hopefully, you will respect that many of us disagree with you.

Do you think that your Mom, sister or niece would enjoy the vile way that this white man is mocking our Black women?

Do you think it is acceptable for him to superimpose the face of a Black blogger on the nude body of a porn star and post that fake photo on his blog?

Do you think it is acceptable for him to publish the personal phone number of a Black blogger on the Internet, subjecting her to death threats?

I don't think it is appropriate in 2008 for a white man to make $90k per year on the misery of people in poverty or on our Black sisters.

I don't think the comparison to Flip Wilson is valid. Geraldine never denigrated her people as this white man does with his character. Also, what was acceptable in the mid-1970s ain't acceptable in 2008...

msladyDeborah said...

Thanks for the 411 on this topic.

I am up for a good fight.

Unknown said...

Lady D - Shine the light sista! Roaches always scatter when the lights get turned on them. Share this information with your blog readers...

DuRob said...

Villiger,

I do respect others opinions. I want to thank you for partially respecting my opinion, I feel like you also disrespected me by calling my opinion "Village Voice". I can only take this as a attack on my sexuality. In no way shape or form is my sexual orientation the subject of this blog. I merely mentioned as giving you a background on who I am and how I might relate to the topic.

I feel that there are a lot of people making money on giving people extremes of stereotypes. Yes Geraldine may not have been the best example, but I don't see you all attacking personalities like "New York" of Flavor of Love or I Love New York fame. I've heard more negative things about her portrayal (yes portrayal, she's a bit of a life actress) first hand than I have EVER hear of about Mr. Knipp/Ms. Liquor.

As I said I do respect the opinions of others and was always taught to do so. I will not generalize the situation by saying all, but I have witnessed a lot of black people who do nothing but perpetuate the stereotype by acting that way. There are a lot of well educated fine upstanding black people in this country. There are also a lot of people who are "ghetto" in mentality and unfortunately that is what more people see. People who "made it" are the exception to the rule. Being poor isn't what Miss Liquor is making fun of, there are many poor people with class, goals, and high self esteem, but the "ghetto mentality" is something different. Maybe I'm at a loss cause I grew up witnessing it, not being a part of it, but I see many who over come and do more with themselves.

The last thing I will say is, you asked about women in my family. I have played Chuck's comedy for my family some like it some don't. They didn't take it as personally attacking, for some it just wasn't their brand of comedy. This is the land of the free & home of the brave and I do believe that we all still have to right to freedom of speech. Unless his words translate into actions that physically harm individuals, I don't think there is much any of us can do about it. If we can't stop KKK marches (which still happen in parts of the country), I doubt you're gonna stop a middle aged white man from making some jokes.

Unknown said...

Robert - Village voice is a term that I use instead of blog comment. It is part of the theme of my blog and has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are gay.

Knipp has a right to spout his nonsense ... and you are correct to compare him to the Klu Klux Klan. Black folks with a conscience have a right to protest against his vile characterization of our people, our women and our culture by pointing out to the venues and groups that hire him that we will economically boycott them ... and that we will let their other clients and the public know that they are empowering a KKK-like roach to make money on the backs of our Black women ... and that is simply unacceptable.

There is no humor when you mock our Black women. There is nothing funny when you mock our Black children. There is no excuse when you dress in blackface and mock our Black culture.

He can say what he wants. We can protest and share with others the impact on them when they support his vile speech.

Robert, did you condone the treatment that Knipp gives to blogger Jasmyne Cannick?

Anonymous said...

This is ridiculous. I will be blogging about this.

DuRob said...

Viliger,

Thank you for the clarification, and I apologize, I misread your meaning.

In leaving my comment my purpose wasn't to belittle nor invalidate anyones feeling or opinions, more just to give an alternative view of this subject. I in no way condone him posting people personal information nor photoshoping photos. In this technological age these are things that happen daily, not that it being comon place makes it acceptable.

My opinion of how to stop Mr. Knipp is not to attack him but to educate the people who are perpetuating the stereotype. Having a strong educated family helped me develop my sense of self and I see the difference between comedy and reality. i find this no different than rap/hip hop artist and how they treat/speak of women.

In conclusion I did not compare Chuck Knipp to the KKK. Merely the fact that the KKK is widely recognized as a negative, demeaning , and at times dangerous organization by all people of color. If you have more than half the country on your side and they can't be stopped what hope would you have of stopping this comedian. I do commend all of you for your conviction and hope you can achieve the results you desire. Also I like to see you all stand up for all women, not just black women as he has another character of a different ethnic origin. Attack him because he demeaning women, does it have to be a black fight or a fight for people?

Unknown said...

BHC - I look forward to seeing your post...

Robert - Your insights are appreciated. I hope you come back often to our village. For me, my protests are usually in support of Black people. We are usually the ones unprotected by society. I tend to find that white women under attack get plenty of support...

Invisible Woman said...

Hi Villager.

Check it:

http://jasmynecannick.typepad.com/jasmynecannickcom/2008/02/one-show-at-a-t.html

Love your thoughtfulness on this.

Anonymous said...

I have to admit I was up and ready for the fight until I read Robert's comment about this man doing a white character as well. I still don't like the black face and the mockery. I think it's awful but I can't help wondering if it's fair to rip him apart for mocking a Black woman if he's mocking a White woman too. If a comedian is on stage cracking jokes about whites, latinos and blacks do we not take in all in context because he's making fun across the board?
I don't like it, I really don't but I think I've got to do a little research of my own before I say yea or nay. :-(

Unknown said...

Invisible Woman - Thanks for the drumbeats on Jasmyne's call to action. I'll post on it today...

2SweetNSaxy - I encourage you to do your research and become comfortable that this particular character needs to be retired. Whether other characters should also be retired is beyond the scope of my concern. I'm simply tired of Black women being denigrated and degraded as this white man is doing. I invite you to visit Ban Shirley Q. Liquor website for more details...

C Samuels Jr said...

This is not the only blog attacking Black America. See this one at www.detroitiscrap.com and look at the other blogs listed on the site to see the black hate movement on the net. Thanks to William Bowen and his blog at http://youngblackandtechnical.
blogspot.com/
for posting this info.

Unknown said...

Cliff - Thanks for the tip on that bigoted Detroit blog. I've shared the info as a post for my blog readers...