Diddy and 50 Cent are calling out Comcast for discrimination.
50 Cent has been vocal about having issues that involve his hit show Power, the network STARZ and the cable provider Comcast. Comcast has decided to no longer provide all of STARZ’s channels to their customers, and that directly affects the viewership for the final series of Power. Now interestingly enough, Diddy is also speaking out against Comcast, and he said the cable company is trying to use his network REVOLT as a factor in a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.
On Thursday, Diddy called out Comcast for mentioning REVOLT networks in its response to a $20 billion lawsuit from Byron Allen Entertainment Studio, a black owned company. According to a press release from Revolt, Byron Allen claimed that Comcast refused to do business with him due to race and has taken the case to the Supreme Court.
In response, Comcast argued that the decision to not do business with Allen had nothing to do with race, and mentioned that they do indeed do deals with black owned networks including REVOLT TV owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs. But Diddy does not want his name being used as a weapon on behalf of Comcast. Thursday morning, he took to Twitter to make his stance clear.
“My name and my network, REVOLT, have been mentioned recently by Comcast in reference to the Comcast/Byron Allen US Supreme Court case as an example of Comcast’s inclusive practices with respect to African American owned cable networks,” he wrote. “While it is true that we are in business with Comcast, it is not accurate to use my name or my network as an example of inclusion. I do not want my name to be used inaccurately so I must speak my truth. I also want to make clear that this case is now about much more than cable distribution. It’s about the civil rights of millions of African Americans and other minorities.”
Diddy later issued a press release furthering his argument, which prompted support from none other than 50 Cent. The executive producer posted Diddy’s statement to his own Instagram with the caption, “I’m with Diddy on this one Comcast bugging out they are racist.” There is undoubtedly more to come from this case, and Urban Islandz will continue to keep you updated.
My name and my network, REVOLT, have been mentioned recently by Comcast in reference to the Comcast/Byron Allen US Supreme Court case as an example of Comcast’s inclusive practices with respect to African American owned cable networks.
— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019
It's important to understand what is at stake, this is about Civil Rights for all.
Read @Diddy's full statement about Byron Allen VS. Comcast here: https://t.co/KwzYJpGYR6 pic.twitter.com/P42AqSZU9R
— REVOLT TV (@revolttv) November 21, 2019
Comcast is arguing that this law only applies if racial discrimination is the only factor that leads to a refusal to do business, which would be extremely hard to prove. If they are successful, it will become much harder for any victim of discrimination to seek justice in court.
— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 section 1981 was designed to ensure Black people are able to do business in this country and not be denied because of race.
— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019
First, it’s important that people really understand what’s at stake. In its efforts to get the lawsuit filed by Byron Allen dismissed, Comcast has taken a legal approach that could weaken fundamental civil rights protections. I have a problem with this.
— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019
I also want to make clear that this case is now about much more than cable distribution. It’s about the civil rights of millions of African Americans and other minorities.
— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019
While it is true that we are in business with Comcast, it is not accurate to use my name or my network as an example of inclusion. I do not want my name to be used inaccurately so I must speak my truth.
— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019
