On his Wednesday installment of The Late Show on CBS, host Stephen Colbert demonstrated that he does not understand various GOP-passed laws banning Critical Race Theory in schools. After a long-winded diatribe that portrayed these laws as banning any mention of racism, Colbert played a vile and unfunny sketch that was a satirical ad for the fictional game Taboo: White Fragility Edition.
Introducing the sketch, Colbert summed up his previous monologue: "It all raises the question: how are we supposed to discuss black history if you can't talk about the parts that make some white people uncomfortable? Well, happily, there's a new product that just might help."
The ad consisted of a white man and woman trying to talk about race with a black man. After the woman suggested treating people as equals, the black man started to reply when he was interrupted by a buzzing sound: "Sure, but that doesn't account for systemic racism or-- ( buzzer ) What was that?"
The two white characters then explained that the word "racism" made them feel uncomfortable, which led to a narrator asking if the trio was having trouble talking about race without offending people. After they answered yes, the narrator introduced, "Taboo: White Fragility Edition. The game that lets you discuss black history without making white people uncomfortable! Here's how it works: Try to get your white friends to guess your black history word. But be careful: don't use any of the words or phrases that make them uncomfortable!"
The sketch then showed the black man trying to describe Frederick Douglass:
BLACK MALE: Okay, um, this person was born into slavery. ( Buzzer ) Oops, all right, no problem. Okay, no problem, they were a famous abolitionist. ( Buzzer ) Seriously?
WHITE MALE: Yeah! It's on the card.
BLACK MALE: Okay. How about they fought against injustice? ( Buzzer )
WHITE FEMALE: Sorry! Saying "Injustice" implies that there was injustice.
He was also buzzed for saying "black" and for getting "angry while black."
Not only does The Late Show butcher the classic game of Taboo -- the whole point of the taboo words is to make it harder to guess -- it also butchers the laws it claims to be critiquing. Earlier, Colbert cited Florida as one of the most "dumb" of all the states passing such laws, but Florida requires slavery be taught in class. It should be expected that the fact-checkers that continue to demean The Babylon Bee will not be go after Colbert for this one.
This segment was sponsored by Toyota.
Here is a transcript for the February 17 show:
CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2/16/2022
11:53 PM ET
STEPHEN COLBERT: It all raises the question: how are we supposed to discuss black history if you can't talk about the parts that make some white people uncomfortable? Well, happily, there's a new product that just might help.
WHITE MALE: I say we should just stop focusing on the color of people's skin.
WHITE FEMALE: Totally agree. Just treat everyone like equals. Problem solved!
BLACK MALE: Sure, but that doesn't account for systemic racism or-- ( buzzer ) What was that?
WHITE FEMALE: You used the word "Racism."
WHITE MALE: And that made us uncomfortable!
NARRATOR: Do you find it difficult to talk about race?
ALL THREE: Yeah!
NARRATOR: Unsure what words might offend others?
ALL THREE: Definitely!
NARRATOR: Great news! We've turned discussing black history into a fun party game!
WHITE MALE AND FEMALE: Awesome!
BLACK MALE: Wait-- what?
NARRATOR: Introducing, Taboo: White Fragility Edition. The game that lets you discuss black history without making white people uncomfortable! Here's how it works: Try to get your white friends to guess your black history word. But be careful: don't use any of the words or phrases that make them uncomfortable!
BLACK MALE: Okay, um, this person was born into slavery. ( Buzzer ) Oops, all right, no problem. Okay, no problem, they were a famous abolitionist. ( Buzzer ) Seriously?
WHITE MALE: Yeah! It's on the card.
BLACK MALE: Okay. How about they fought against injustice? ( Buzzer )
WHITE FEMALE: Sorry! Saying "Injustice" implies that there was injustice.
BLACK MALE: There was! I feel like this game makes you know less about black history ( Buzzer )
WHITE MALE: Can't say black.
BLACK MALE: What do you mean? I can’t say “black” ( Buzzer ) I'm black ( buzzer )( buzzer)( buzzer )
WHITE FEMALE: oh, you were angry while black. It's in the rules
BLACK MALE: ( extended buzzer ) White wine, (extended buzzer) turtleneck (extended buzzer)
NARRATOR: Taboo: White Fragility Edition from the makers of “We’re Not Sorry.”
WHITE MALE: Okay, my turn!
WHITE FEMALE: Great guy?
WHITE MALE: Martin Luther King!
WHITE FEMALE: Yes!
BLACK MALE: Mother ( Buzzer )
