The controversy over the ShxtsnGigs podcast reveals the normalization of attacks on black women

JAmes Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu, two of the most popular black Brits on TikTok and hosts of the podcast ShxtsnGigs, are now under criticism for their behavior in a podcast with US comedian Andrew Shulz.

The duo is known for their witty discussions about young people's everyday lives, their coverage of viral online anecdotes, and their infectious laughter. Although they have little sense of political correctness, they are loved by many millennials and Gen Z-ers on TikTok.

But they themselves admitted that they did not respond appropriately to Schulz's jokes at the expense of black women.

Excerpts from the July podcast have been circulating in which the hosts talk about the “Black Girlfriend Effect” – the phenomenon in which white men who date black women supposedly learn to dress and groom themselves better.

At one point during the decision-making process, Schulz interjects that black women are more likely than white women to “complain about shit all the damn time” and “slap” their boyfriends. “They grow beards because they need a cushion when they get slapped,” Schulz says. “I think the black girlfriend effect might be a protective instinct.”

His comments not only perpetuate tired sexist stereotypes about nagging wives, but also the racist stereotype that black people are aggressive. This intersection of sexism and racism against black women is known as misogynoir, and much of James and Fuhad's black female audience hoped they would push back against it.

Instead, they laughed along. In their defense, they eventually tried to steer the conversation back to the original topic. It's also worth noting that on these panels and podcasts, especially as a black person, there's a lot of pressure to go with the flow lest you be seen as “militant.”

On Monday, after a stormy weekend for their comment sections, they apologized. They acknowledged that Andrew Schulz's comments were racist and that they had mistakenly tried to laugh their way to the next topic. But is that enough?

Their apology mentioned racism, but did not specifically address black women, the group that was targeted. Unfortunately, that's exactly what they failed to do: They failed to stand up for black women. This is especially disappointing considering that black women face a terrible combination of two of the most pervasive forms of bigotry.

Schulz has not yet commented on the controversy.

Many of us who have been long-time fans of the ShxtsnGigs podcast have been nervous about something like this happening for some time. Their language on topics like obesity, sexuality, and women has often crossed lines in a way that shows they aren't clear about where the lines are. So without a clear sense of political right and wrong, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.

But do we expect too much from podcasters? Male podcasters have set the bar pretty low, but even the infamous “dark” comedian Shane Gillis made fun of him on the same podcast a few months earlier. Andrew Schulz used images of people with Down syndrome to mock Gillis, and the comedian defended her, saying it was “not funny” to “use them as an insult.” This small compassionate gesture earned him a lot of sympathy from progressive listeners, who can now listen to his dark jokes safe in the knowledge that there is a heart behind the sarcastic remarks.

Young viewers today expect their idols and influencers to stand up for something. We don't need them all to be political activists, but for two black men who constantly talk about women – especially with a large number of black female followers – the least we should expect is for them to stand up for black women when they see people attacking them.

I hope that James and Fuhad step up and act as a force for good at least occasionally. They are hilarious and talented, and I hope they can learn to do better. But I am also very aware that at the end of the day, I am not a black woman myself and I do not have to accept their apology.