A writer for The Root blog made headlines this week when she accused civil rights icon Jesse Jackson and famed movie director John Singleton of sexual harassment.
In a lengthy post titled “Don’t Let the Smile Fool You. I’m Cringing on the Inside,” The Root writer Danielle Young claims she was groped by the Rev. Jesse Jackson following his keynote speech at the American Black Film Festival.
“I walked toward Jackson, smiling, and he smiled back at me. His eyes scanned my entire body. All of a sudden, I felt naked in my sweater and jeans. As I walked within arm’s reach of him, Jackson reached out a hand and grabbed my thigh, saying, “I like all of that right there!” and gave my thigh a tight squeeze.”
Young also published photos that shows her laughing and apparently enjoying the attention she received from Jackson. Which is why she titled her post, “Don’t let the smile fool you…”
She also accused Singleton of inappropriately grabbing her by the waist and pulling her toward him, saying, “Oooh, I’m gonna grab on tight to you.”
In both instances, Young is seen in photos laughing and she does not appear distressed or upset in any way by their behavior.
Young explains her contradictory body language, saying, “I laughed, because that’s what I do when I am uncomfortable, and snapped the photo.”
But critics called her out for playing the victim card after the fact.
One blogger who was in the room with Young and Singleton called her out for “exaggerating” and making up lies about the encounter for attention.
Wtf?!, in regards to only John, I was at ABFF. & I remember this instance as I was with the entire cast of Snowfall & John the entire day. And during this particular segment, I was in arms length of you both when the photo was taken. You’re exaggerating and piecing little lies together to gas your article.
The blogger accused Young of interrupting a group discussion to take a picture with Singleton.
Many can vouch that he has always been respectful to women privately & professionally, which was probably why YOU were thrilled to get a picture after the interview and even interrupted our groups conversation to ask for said picture. You were laughing with everyone around you, carefree & loud [with] a huge smile plastered across your face, taking your time while the rest of us waited to leave.
The blogger seemed to imply that Young got caught up in the current environment of victimhood mentality and is “reaching beyond belief” for a storyline “when there are actually women who do get taken advantage of daily and don’t actually want it.”
“This day & age women are so off-put by a man simply complimenting them, they believe it must be a sexual innuendo or have a hidden agenda. As a woman, also against sexual harassment, I saw no sign of discomfort when you were begging for a picture and continuing your playful banter as we exited the main area. If his behavior is shameful then yours in return is equally as, if not even more, shameful; especially for portraying it as a creepy, one sided turn of events on his part.
What do you think? Should men stop complimenting women on their looks? And do women like Danielle Young make it harder for real sex abuse victims to come forward?
I’ve been around her on a few press trips, I’m stunned at these accusations wow!
It’s always the ugly ones who lie about sexual harassment. Danielle is dead wrong and should be fired from all the publications she writes for.
SMH
What do you think? Should men stop complimenting women on their looks? No. Compliment them and keep it moving. There might be instances where there is mutual attraction, and it’s that the case, cool. I guess life is risky sometimes.
And do women like Danielle Young make it harder for real sex abuse victims to come forward? ? I don’t know.
If this indeed happen,why would you be skinnin&grinnin in the photos with them…I just don’t see a black woman this age LETTIN this happen without saying something soon as it happen.
There’s nothing wrong with men giving compliments…it’s the grabbing and groping and saying inappropriate things that gets them in trouble. Men do it allll the time and they get away with it. Every go the the club or even a gas station in the hood? LBVS
If someone makes me uncomfortable I avoid them whether I call them out on it or not…I’m not still going to go for the photo op but this lady may have because it’s part of her job to be around famous people.
“This day & age women are so off-put by a man simply complimenting them,
________
I do agree a little with this above statement. Some take a compliment from a man, or him simply being a gentleman, as something else.
One time I tried to hold the door for this lady who had an arm full of shyt. I stepped back so she could enter and she told me to go ahead cause I was just holding the door just so I could look at her ass. I laughed and said, “Since you brought it to my attention, what ass?” as I kindly pulled that heavy ass door closed behind me.
I was just trying to be nice to her old…….. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/22e96ceff865cf765a867faa2f4b63269d3477347ff3712e90245567fc0ca478.png
Thank you for elaborating on this. Yep, sure have, even when I was a teenager. Then they have the nerve to get an attitude when you reject them.
Her caption on the John pic:
Snapped this selfie with this legend while he gripped my waist and said, “oooh I’m gonna grab on tight to you.” Y’all. #JohnSingleton likes his women BBW. Word to #Drake. #DaniWorks #abff2017
Noirluv, you ask an important question…i am going to go out on a limb and answer by saying “Potentially” ….I also believe as more victims or embellishers come forward with their stories, the attention span of america will waiver, and the shock value watered down…..making victims, hyper sensitive to interactions with alleged abusers or considered less credible by society.
Uglass
HA!!!! I get it UGG-GLASS (ugly azz)
You know you have been in the garden way too long if you know what Ugg+glass equals. Shouts out to @MisTaken for my daily use of uglass. I love you.
Thank you, but I was just asking Sandra’s questions. ? If that happens, it’s sad because there are so many victims out there who’ve experienced unwanted advances, and it’s hard enough for them to come forward as it is. It really pisses me off when people like about instances like that because it is no joke.
Lol! Is that what that meant? I’m so late.
No, men do not stop complimenting. Women need to hear that from time to time…from a man. Regardless of what they say, it makes a women feel good. BUT I do say, men, say what you have to say and keep it moving. With this #metoo mentality going around, it’s going to be very hard to separate the real from the fake.
Too funny!
I am looking at Jesse hands and her thighs and she said he grabbed her thigh with one hand. Gryl stop.
I knew if no one else, YOU would get it. HAHAHAHA!!!!
Snickers
Do be like that ??
Many of these females are im fact lying AND looking for a pay out! They know that they can make any allegation and smear a mans name, however, it is up to him to prove nothing happened X number of years ago.
I am done.
Teeheehee ?
Nothing like some thigh meat.
I didn’t appreaciate everyone saying Usher wouldn’t mess around with taht one chick and giving her a hard time just because she was a a little girthy, but in this case, C’mon man!!! It is too easy for these claims to be made with out any proof nowdays and jus tout of the blue.
She offended but showing all 32 teeth in that overbite/ lisp mouth… It feels like she is hopping aboard the harassment train. Jesse is a dog but I dont believe her at all. The reach is far with this one and she needs a few seats in the mezzanine area…
This is going to end up being one big mess. Men, i guess yall gone have to walk around with your head bowed down, no eye contact, hands at your side, saying yes’sum to the women and ask if you can speak.
I wouldn’t recommend men complimenting females ESPECIALLY in the work environment or if they hold any position of authority. Many females are pigs. I’ve seen them wear low cut ti ddy tops then expect a man not to look at her t its!? Or tight a ss skirts all kind of a ss bubbling around then want to get offended by a man looking ?
Jesse would need a catcher’s mitt to grab that whole thigh…
I couldn’t remember who it was
She was like, touch my thigh, I want something to eat.
“You buying lunch?”
He probably laughed it off.
Ain’t nobody grabbing on and sexually assaulting that male with a wig right there. Someone touching you in a pic doesn’t equate to sexual harassment
I know right. Jesse is already well known for cheating on his wife. He got that baby on the side and everything.
Damn
I was thinking the same thing…and then I remembered the Chuncky, Usher accuser. .
Man some people will do anything and everything for the love of money and recognition
Here’s the thing…I don’t think men need to stop complimenting women. That’s absurd. I think most of these unwanted advances that are now coming out are from women in the workplace, and there is absolutely no place for that in the workplace. Especially when the compliment or advance is coming from a higher up. There are policies for this. But some men (and women,) think that it’s ok to hit on someone that they have the power to fire. That puts everyone in an difficult position, including the company. Noone wants to feel like their job depends on if they have sex or date a person. Furthermore, compliments are harmless, it’s the ither stuff that gets you in trouble.
Ditto. If you’re a man, don’t compliment any woman on her blouse, skirt, pants, lipstick in the workplace. If you want to compliment her shoes, fine. But nothing from the ankles up.
Doug Kristie should hold workshops on how men should behave.
Perfectly said.
This fat cow needs to go sit her ass down somewhere!
Big hammock arms
I’m not surprised by Messy Jessy’s behavior. ??
do women like Danielle Young make it harder for real sex abuse victims to come forward?
———————————————————
YES!!!
I don’t even know if they are looking for a pay out as much as attention, that’s why this “me too” stuff is too much! Yes, any unwanted attention or physical contact is uncomfortable, but is it sexual harassment? Have we become that sensitive? I don’t get it. We have a lot of women crying wolf, making it hard for women who are being forcibly sexually assaulted.
These comments is why black women do not get respect. Y’all know damn well Messy Jesse is a pig! Ask his wife who he had extra daughter on!!!
Wow at these comments. All that blackgirlmagic goes out the door in 5,4,3,21….so someone can’t smile and be uncomfortable at the same time? A person can’t speak on their experience that made them feel a type of way. Then you all go in on her looks? Yall talk all that talk about black women and your the main ones going in just like every other race. She has interviewed many other male celebrities why waste her time speaking on two irrelevant celebs? You know why BECAUSE THEY DID THAT ISH?
First of all the term sexual harassment is being used too broadly. Sexual harassment occurs when someone threatens you or has control over your job and does unwanted things to do, and you comply to keep your job.
These women weren’t sexually harassed. They were touched “inappropriately”….so the loose term is wrong. And just because someone squeezes your thigh and calls you juicey — you want to destroy them for that? She didn’t stress about it for a year; right? Did she seek psych help? Did she seek counseling? See….this is what I don’t understand…all these women coming forward NOT ONE CAN SAY I WENT TO SEEK COUNSELING BECAUSE IT WAS SO TRAUMATIZING.
I don’t believe she was “traumatized”….I think she wanted to write a blog and overdid it. So what someone squeezed your thigh and called you juicey.
What harm did that do? Did she seek counseling? Did she tell someone?
Totally agree!! People are on a mission these days for an instant payday or publicity!! It’s disgusting.. I’m afraid to bring kids into this world
It’s not anyone’s place to tell someone so what harm did that do…you can’t tell someone what is or isn’t offensive????? Nor does that fact that someone didn’t seek counseling or told someone disregard their feeling of being violated and offended?
Does she tend to over exaggerate things? Does she like being the center of attention? I’m asking for a friend.
Y’all see that this lady is “seasoned”. More than likely she just got excited that they even made eye contact with her, TBH.
This is the woman accusing them of sexual harassment? She’s the big jolly girl that men laugh with. She’s a funny lady…a buddy if you will. I bet laying her never crossed their minds.
Thank you, not to mention the gay male assistant who sued Jesse for sexual harassment.
White women (and white gay men) can make complaints and the public listens. But let an overweight black woman complain and OTHER BLACKS drag and ridicule her for dear life. Once again, we are our own worst enemies.
I meet Jesse at an event in Chicago. My friend and I were there together. Jesse grabbed her hand and wouldn’t let go. She kept trying to walk away and he kept following, clutching her hand. She finally got away from him. I asked her “what’s wrong with Jesse?” She is a heavy set black woman! I witnessed it with my own eyes. It was very uncomfortable.
I’m glad she got away! Men don’t care if you’re small or big, some of them think they’re entitled!
I will I could upvote this a million times!
I asked her “what’s wrong with Jesse?”
??
Same sh it, diff day.
These fools are trying to get rid of all the good television programs.. He created “Snowfall”. SpikeTV better not cancel the show because of this allegation.
But when are people going to come out against Lee Daniels? I know he probably sexually harassed alot of men lol
This woman is giving me ‘Quantasia’ kinda vibes ??? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f15c4ffe9f2bc1931be71c5db30e55d1c2729d6914a5b3aa495c94faa0930775.jpg
This vegetarian chick had other issues going on. She just lonely and wanted to be famous for all the wrong reason.
Sit down fat ass
Is that her?
#MeToo.
I’ve heard some stories about brother Jesse, This is new a day where the least of things will get you accused…..IDK.
Like the henpecked, purse carrying, cardholding, flaming down low brotha that he is? ?? I beg to differ???
But didn’t it come out that he never touched her, she was lying?
I agree. Some of these comments are horrible and ignorant. I guess only women of a certain size experience unwanted touching.
I will call yah! LOL!
I suggest you read the comments on any sexual harassment story concerning Harvey Weinstein or Bill O’Reilly. That will hopefully help you get rid of your white superiority complex.
Do they HAVE TO TOUCH YOU to compliment you? The young writer’s complaint wasn’t about what they SAID.
Well stated!
Interesting that we don’t focus more on the men’s behavior. We live in a “boys will be boy’s culture”.Maybe we should try holding men responsible for their own behavior.
It was really creepy and uncomfortable and there was a room full of people.
Nope. That never came out.
lol at the “tight a ss skirt all kind of a ss bubbling around” comment ?!
i think that is currently attempting to happen, don’t you?
That when men feel like they can take advantage of their victims because they the woman will be too embarrassed to say anything. Let your friend know it wasn’t her fault and give her my best wishes and stay strong. And that there are other black women who believes other black women when this happens.
Damn…he’s not my favorite person, but why you gotta want him grouped into this category? Because he’s gay?
I don’t talk to women unless I have to and I keep it short. Only safe way unfortunately.