Alabama’s Antoine Dodson became an Internet phenom when, speaking to news cameras following an attempted rape attack on his sister Kelly , his line “hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband ’cause they’re raping everybody out here” went viral. Now he’s got a Billboard Top 100 track and a merchandising deal.
His YouTube video has been seen more than 4 million times, and the attention scored by Dodson, who is gay, has turned into a lucrative enough T-shirt (and “click to donate”) business that he’s earned “enough to move my family from the projects.”
Of course not everybody is so impressed with Dodson. Apparently he’s too queeny for some.
In a report on Mr. Dodson’s sudden Internet fame, the Huntsville television station that first put him before the public reported that some African-American viewers had called to complain that “interviews with people like Antoine reflects poorly on the community.” Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post wrote that he understood that reaction, since “Dodson’s cringe-inducing performance was something I — and whole bunch of other folks — thought only existed in the comedic minds of Eddie Murphy and Tyler Perry.”
We’re all aware that this is also a story about a woman almost being raped, right?
How about we take this to the next level?
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puck247
“We’re all aware that this is also a story about a woman almost being raped, right?”
Or better yet: There’s a serial rapist on the loose. FOR REALZ !!!!
Nick
OMG! I *never* would have guessed Antoine is gay. I’m so serious. Oh, and the remixes are awesome, too.
Luxury
I’m so glad I decided to click the link, because I was about to rip Jonathan Capehart a new one. But Queerty conveniently cut out the portion immediately following.
Jonathan also wrote,”[W]e must put aside our judgments and remember that we don’t know Dodson, his family or their story. Like millions of families across this country, the Dodsons appear to be proud people who are making their way the best they can. They crave security and comfort. And no matter where you live, when that sense of safety is shattered, you lash out. Fo’ real.”
Mr. Enemabag Jones
“We gon’ find you!”
Goddamn brillaint!
I feel like shit for laughing at tragedy and rape, but that is funny.
And screw the haters. I’m sick of the femme-phobia that pervades society–both gay and straight.
Luxury
… and I must add that if anyone at Queerty had bothered to read the full story, they would know that the criticism of Dodson was not about him being to “queeny” as Queerty suggests. The complaints were of him being too “ghetto”, which doesn’t make it any better, but we can at least try to get the facts right before the usual attacks on blacks start flooding this post.
Ryan
Sweet baby Jesus, I want an Antoine for myself!
What a hoot! He’d be like my Furby! Oh, it’d be so much fun.
I could teach him phrases and he’d say them with that tood’ he’s
got himself and oh, what a blast we’d have…! : )
Black Pegasus
I read on another site that the Remix Song was number 2 on itunes most downloaded, and number 89 on billboard. According to the site, Antoine earned enough money to move his family out of the hood.
BTW- the royalties from the song are being split 50/50 with Antoine and the guys who made the video remix.
Swedish Fish
This never gets old.
whatever
Hope they catch the rapist. That’s scary.
Jack E. Jett
He is an original and far more entertaining than Chris (already forgot his last name) and his Britany rant.
Ogre Magi
Boy that family had some messed up looking teeth!
Queer Supremacist
@Nick: Oh please. I don’t have the best gaydar in the world but even I could tell he was gay. My gaydar reading wasn’t that high since the last time I was in the Castro.
And I’d much rather this guy become an internet sensation than that whiny philistine Chris Crocker. This guy’s got attitude.
And you can run and tell that.
Alex
I don’t think the complaints about him were necessarily directed at his homosexuality. When I first heard about them I assumed the negative stereotype was that of a poorly educated black man (with a dew rag) living in the projects.