The entire Internet is shaking their heads at comedian Michael Che.
After a video of a woman being catcalled in New York went viral, the SNL star posted a sarcastic “apology” on Facebook directed at all women who feel harassed by being catcalled on the street. In the now-deleted post, Che wrote:
“i wanna apologize to all of the women ive harrassed with statements like “hi” or “have a nice day” or “youre beautiful”. i cant imagine what that must feel like. the closest thing I’ve experienced is maybe when a girl recognizes me from tv and they say things like “AHHHH!! OH MY GOD!! SNL SNL SNL!! TAKE A PICTURE!! TAKE A PICTURE!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! WHATS YOUR NAME AGAIN?! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! WAIT SAY SOMETHING FUNNY!!” but even that is nothing like the harassment of having a complete stranger tell me to “smile.”
He then gave an actual apology for this apology, saying that he should considered what he was saying before posting it and that his thoughts need to be “filtered through” his audience. This genuine apology did not stop the critics. Che’s comments have gone as viral as the video he’s referencing with people and blogs calling him “lame” and “foolish.”
man @CheThinks looks like a fool right now for his commentary on the catcalling vid YIIIIIIKES
— Irrelevin (@aurosan) October 29, 2014The street harassment video in question hasn’t been free of controversy. Slate published an article condemning the video editing for only showing Black and Latino men catcalling and harassing the White actress. Since the video surfaced, some people have been leaving comments saying that the video doesn’t actually show any real street harassment.
Che attemtpted to justify his remarks again via Twitter in the following Tweet:
i think some of u are misunderstanding that post. im simply just making fun of something that is important to a lot of people.
— Michael Che (@CheThinks) October 29, 2014