Black Twitter rejoices over surpassing Hulk Hogan, Whitlock’s racism

Hulk Hogan Passes Away Amid Controversies

On July 24th, the iconic professional wrestler Hulk Hogan died after experiencing cardiac arrest. The reactions to his passing vary significantly, with many expressing sorrow for the loss of this American figure, while others, however, reflect on his past statements and find it difficult to mourn him without acknowledging his controversies.

Critics often bring up the 2007 incident involving a leaked sex tape from 2015, where Hogan was overheard making racially charged comments, repeatedly using the n-word, and admitting to being “a small racist.” In one particular claim, he stated he wished Hogan’s daughter Brooke would marry a wealthy Black athlete instead of making derogatory remarks. This leak led to Hogan successfully suing Gawker Media for privacy violations.

His racist comments resulted in the WWE terminating his contract and removing him from their Hall of Fame. However, in 2018, after issuing an apology and undergoing sensitivity training, he was reinstated.

While many seem to have forgiven Hogan, particularly within “Black Twitter,” commentator Jason Whitlock holds a different view. He argues that the backlash against Hogan was overly harsh and that societal expectations around race relations have shifted.

Whitlock said, “They chased Hulk Hogan and abandoned him.” He further emphasized that while Hogan was essentially “cancelled,” this cancellation only highlights a form of reverse racism. He contends that if society were to fully cancel everyone with a history of racism, it would affect people of all backgrounds disproportionately.

“We say that; we use it, and go on national television to declare that white people are never allowed to say such things,” he added, critiquing the double standard that exists.

Following his death, various media outlets have remarked that Hogan’s legacy appears to be overshadowed by these past remarks, which frame him more as a racist instead of a wrestling or pop culture icon. An article from Andscape described him as “a self-promoted racist” whose legacy is forever linked to his use of the n-word.

Jason commented, “If that’s the norm, my father was more than that, and Hulk Hogan was more than that.” He warns that this narrow view of people, especially white figures, contributes to ongoing racial disparities in the U.S.

Having been born in 1967, Whitlock recalls a time when race relations seemed to improve, but he expresses concern that social media, particularly platforms like Twitter, have caused these relations to deteriorate.