Tuesday at Salon.com, Sarah Burris claimed that Stephen Colbert gave a "bombshell endorsement" to Black Lives Matter, when he talked about the “excessive force by police departments across the country.” In reality, Colbert gave a moderate response to the recent controversy. Salon evoked imagery and a message that Colbert never addressed in the segment. Colbert offered only comedic pandering on the topic, rather than what Salon badly abbreviated to an “endorsement.”
Colbert said: "These days there are a lot of people out there talking about the use of excessive force by police. And without courting any controversy, I want to say the police have a very hard job putting their lives on the line. And the vast majority are good people. On the other hand, black people aren't imagining this stuff. So both sides have good points. And as a host of a late night show it's my responsibility to take a side. So let me just take a moment here -- to say that I agree with how you feel. You know who you are. I feel strongly about that. And those people on the other side? Wrong."
Colbert would go on to address the recent event between a DC police officer and a black teenager. Rather than having the situation turn violent, the situation broke out into a dance contest, which Colbert played on the show. “When one of the teens marched up and started to “nae-nae” at the officer-- the officer didn't bust a perp, she busted a move.”
Colbert would make light of the dancing, and move to the more serious topic of nunchakus and police. Colbert showed a clip of from a local report where police discussed the transition to less injurious weapons. “As one Anderson police officer demonstrated nunchakus can be used to restrain the subject by wrist, by elbow, or even by ankle.” While Colbert took note that a nunchaku is “two batons connected by a little string,” he made light of it by playing a montage of people failing to use nunchakus and hurting themselves (in the groin), noting that people hurt themselves more than their target when using nunchakus.
See the relevant transcript below.
STEPHEN COLBERT: Welcome back everybody. These days there are a lot of people out there talking about the use of excessive force by police. And without courting any controversy, I want to say the police have a very hard job putting their lives on the line. And the vast majority are good people. On the other hand, black people aren't imagining this stuff. So both sides have good points. And as a host of a late night show it's my responsibility to take a side. So let me just take a moment here -- to say that I agree with how you feel. You know who you are. I feel strongly about that. And those people on the other side? Wrong. But the point is, what do you do to reduce the possibility of abuse while still maintaining public order? I'm happy to say that some police have begun finding positive ways to de-escalate tensions in their communities. Like one cop in Washington D.C., who after responding to a reported street fight, tried to disperse the remaining crowd of teens. When one of the teens marched up and started to “nae-nae” at the officer-- the officer didn't bust a perp, she busted a move.
[Clip of Cop and Girl dancing]
COLBERT: That's right. That's right. A police officer ended a tense situation with a dance off. No one was arrested. But somebody did get served. This is a great example for all law enforcement. Before resorting to violence, first just try to “twerk” things out. Although, this is true, I was surprised to learn the song “Watch Me Whip, Nae-Nae” was playing on the girl's iPhone. I mean when a dancing cop comes to my apartment, they always bring their own boombox. Dancing-- thank you for your service. Now folks, dancing is great but not every cop on the beat can move to the beat. So in an effort to use less force one California police department has come up with a brand new centuries-old law enforcement tool.
[Clip on Anderson Police]
Reporter: The Anderson police department is swinging in nunchakus as their latest defense tool.
Sergeant Casey: Poly carbonate, it’s hard plastic.
Reporter: Sergeant Casey day says it is a ways for officers to restrain a suspect using less force.
Sergeant Casey: We can use them for joint manipulation, wrist control, pain compliance, that type of thing.
[Clip ends]
COLBERT: Yes, nunchakus, a crime-fighting tool already proven effective by our nation's ninja turtles. As one Anderson police officer demonstrated nunchakus can be used to restrain the subject by wrist, by elbow, or even by ankle. Yes, by ankle, which is great in case they have to arrest Mrs. Robinson.) Now-- Robinson, Mrs. Robinson. Now batons have been used to beat suspects for many years. And nunchakus are really just two batons connected by a little string. So the only new thing here really is the string. So if they want to reduce the chance of police brutality, maybe just give the cops the string. Tie them up, tie their thumbs together. Now already the police have used the nunchakus to target one minority, unarmed female reporters. But the Anderson California police department insists there won't be any abuse because any officer who wants to use them must pass a 16 hour training program. Wow. 16 hours. To put that in perspective, a California massage therapist has to take 500 hours of training. And 516 hours if you want to massage somebody with nunchakus. Here is my real concern. Obviously giving all police nunchakus at a weekend seminar, it’s great idea. But there is a small possibility that the police abuse might end up being against themselves. Because even with proper training, things can get out of hand.
[Clip of guy hitting himself with nunchakus]
COLBERT: When it comes, he’s fine, he’s fine. When it comes to nunchaku failures, that’s all you really need to see. But it was pretty fun, so let's see more.
[Clip of multiple men hurting themselves with nunchakus]
COLBERT: Please, please, don't try any of that at home. But if you do, please upload it to YouTube. We'll be right back with Allison Janney.
