Columbus Short Apologizes For Remarks About Black Women: ‘I Should’ve Been Smarter’

Columbus Short Apologizes For Remarks About Black Women: ‘I Should’ve Been Smarter’

Update (July 4, 2024): Columbus Short has had a change of heart.

After being blasted online for the remarks he made about Black women, the Scandal alum took to Instagram to apologize. In a video posted on Wednesday (July 3), Columbus Short said he woke up to criticism after comments went viral.

“I realize that I seriously offended my Black women in a way that was not intended. That clip was taken out of context. I know that was clickbait.”

He said he was asked about Black men dating and marrying non-Black women and gave a much lengthier answer than what was shown in the clip.

“I should’ve been smarter and not fall into those traps. I was talking about the new generation and social media and the entitlement and how being raised by a single Black woman, as millions of others were, having an absentee father…forced Black moms to teach their young women ‘Be independent, you don’t need a man, you can do it on your own.’ Us being grown now, Black men, only knowing how to provide and protect … it was deeper than that answer and I am truly sorry if that offended anybody. I wish it was taken in context, but my opinion isn’t always necessary.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Columbus Short (@officialcshort)

He shared a follow-up video about “buck breaking” a term he described as Black fathers and husbands being “sodomized” in front of their families during slavery. In response, Columbus Short said Black women and wives would often doubt the husbands’ ability to protect them and their children. He said it’s still “happening now,” however, the division of Black families began back then.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Columbus Short (@officialcshort)

Original Story (July 3, 2024): Actor Columbus Short, 41, known for his role as Harrison Wright in Scandal, has sparked controversy following his appearance on the Unqualified AF Podcast.

During the interview, host Azar Farideh asked Columbus Short about the differences in his experiences with romantic relationships involving Black women versus non-Black women.

Columbus Short (Unqualified AF Podcast)

Columbus Short wasted no time in his response, stating,

“There’s no respect of the man, the Black man, by a Black woman.”

Seemingly trying to get ahead of any backlash, Short added,

“Black women, do not be mad at me!”

However, he then went on to describe women of other races and how, according to him, they treat their significant other better, stating,

“That Mexican side, that Asian—Korean, Japanese—that other side… Culturally, those women were taught to hold down. It’s more than subservient. Don’t get it twisted; they’ll cuss a man out thoroughly, but you’re still making dinner, you’re still washing his clothes, you’re still cleaning the house.”

Short continued, appearing to depict hypothetical scenarios where black women are portrayed as non-submissive or combative toward men. During the chat, he also claimed,

“You don’t even know how to cook, I’m not saying that’s all Black women.” 

https://www.tiktok.com/@azarfaridehh/video/7386727524547710254?refer=embed

Social media users swiftly responded in the comment section of the clip, expressing their disappointment and frustration with Short’s comments:

One TikTok user remarked,

“This is so disgusting. Find something else interesting to talk about besides bashing Black women; it’s tired.”

Another TikTok user criticized the podcast host, stating,

“Why would she even ask that question knowing how Black women are already hated by our own men? And then sitting there with a smile on her face.”

See more reactions below:

The full-length interview has since been deleted from YouTube, but clips remain circulating on TikTok and other social platforms, fueling further discussions and criticisms.

Columbus Short isn’t new to controversy. In 2014, he left the hit TV series Scandal amid domestic abuse allegations from his then-wife Tuere McCall. The two divorced in 2013, and shortly after, Short married Aida Abramyan in 2016.

Columbus Short & Aida Abramyan

What are your thoughts on Columbus Short’s controversial remarks? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.