Howard Stern’s Blackface Video: A Painful Reminder and an Opportunity for Growth

A comedy skit featuring Howard Stern wearing blackface and using racist language has resurfaced, sparking discomfort and outrage.

The video clip, believed to be from a 1993 New Year's Eve pay-per-view special, forces America to confront its painful history of racism while offering a lesson that should not be ignored.

In the video, Stern is joined by Sherman Hemsley as they parody Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg's controversial 1993 performance, which also involved Danson in blackface.

Stern's skit satirically references the Danson/Goldberg performance, but the most shocking aspect is Stern himself donning blackface and repeatedly using racist and offensive language.

This video gained attention online after activist filmmaker Tariq Rasheed posted it on social media.

It quickly spread among right-leaning Twitter users, including Donald Trump Jr., reflecting the political divide.

Stern has faced criticism from President Trump's supporters due to his recent comments critical of the president and his policies.

Furthermore, Stern is being accused of hypocrisy as the circulating video contrasts the 1993 skit with his more recent appearance on The View, where he denied using racist language during an episode featuring a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

During his early days as a “shock jock,” Stern revolutionized radio by blending outrageous commentary with substantive conversation, attracting large audiences.

He even encountered controversy with the FCC over his programming.

In many ways, Stern foreshadowed today's entertainment landscape, where the boundaries between entertainment and news commentary blur.

Late-night TV shows like The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Real Time With Bill Maher, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert have become popular platforms for political figures and celebrities to discuss political themes.

Similarly, podcasters like Joe Rogan gain popularity by hosting engaging conversations on current events, often delving into unproven conspiracy theories.

However, this approach carries its own risks.

Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's The Tonight Show, faced backlash for a skit from 2000 when he appeared in blackface impersonating Chris Rock on Saturday Night Live.

Fallon apologized for his lack of judgment, acknowledging the offensiveness of his actions.

Comedians and entertainers have frequently crossed the line when attempting to humorously address race, often facing swift condemnation in today's hyper-connected, social media-driven environment.

This is why Stern's old video remains relevant.

Despite his controversial past, Stern maintains a devoted following through his SiriusXM talk show.

His recent political commentary has thrust him into the spotlight, with left-leaning activists embracing him as an advocate for voting President Trump out of office.

Given the circumstances, Stern must offer a sincere and complete apology for the skit, including any other offensive incidents that may come to light.

Moreover, he should utilize his celebrity status and privilege to set an example for emerging entertainers, comedians, and podcasters.

By explaining why his actions were wrong, Stern can seize this moment to educate others on what not to do.

Perhaps he may even invest his relationships and wealth in programs that provide sensitivity training to public figures whose words possess the power to both entertain and offend.

There is no excuse for blackface and racist language, and Howard Stern should not attempt to make one.

However, he can transform the painful mistakes of his past into valuable lessons for the present and future.

Stern has a history of learning from his outrageous errors, and now is the time for him to do so again.

But before anything else, he must engage in the least surprising action of all — a genuine apology.