Sunday, 5 January 2014

Comedian, Basketmouth, issues ‘apology’ for rape joke


Following an outcry against a ‘rape joke’, he posted on his Facebook wall on Saturday, popular comedian, Basketmouth (Bright Okpocha), on Sunday apologised for any misunderstanding the joke may have caused.
The rape joke which was ‘liked’ by over five thousand people had compared dating white girls to dating African women and appeared to recommend rape for members of the latter group who failed to give into a man’s lustful advances after nine dates, which include dinners and shopping sprees.
The full text of the joke reads:
White girls:
1st date: Coffee
2nd date: Kiss
3rd date: sex
African girls:
1st date: Fast food
2nd date: Hug
3rd date: Chinese restaurant
4th date: kiss
5th date: Attempted sex but failed
6th date: Shopping
7th date: Cinema, new phone, more shopping
8th date: Attempted sex but failed
9th date: RAPE!!
The joke was, however, not received well by several fans of the comedian across the continent.
A Zimbabwean blogger, Barbara Mhangami, in an open letter to the comedian on her blog (http://onbarbsbookswriting.blogspot.com), pointed out that the fact the comedian made a funny joke about rape made him a huge problem that affects half of the world’s population.
“Rape is not funny and if it elicits laughter, which it did in some of your fans,then this is a sign of depravity and a warning to all women that we are not safe among men, even the ones who purport to love us,” Mhangami said.
However, other fans of the comedian, commenting on his Facebook page, deem the joke as harmless, attacking those who criticise it.
In his retraction, also posted on his Facebook wall, Basketmouth, pointing out that he had a daughter, a wife and a mother, insisted that he would never in a thousand lifetimes promote rape.
“I broadcasted a joke that many clearly misunderstood and have found offensive and I sincerely apologise. The intention however was to highlight an unfortunate trend and the ridiculously flawed comparison between money and the worth of a woman,” the comedian explained.
Addressing his “apology” to all women, “the ones that make our lives colorful, the ones we owe our lives literally, our pride, our money choppers, the true stronger vessels,” Basketmouth said, “this is me, Bright Onyekwere Okpocha saying, I no dey crase to promote rape? (sic)”
The joke has since been removed.

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