“I ain’t been laughing that much over the past few days,” Harvey said. “They’re kinda beating me up on the internet right now for no reason. But, you know, that’s life, ain’t it?” Steve Harvey 

It’s interesting that Steve Harvey is dealing with the current backlash in both instances that have to do with racism towards the Asian community and the other questioning his commitment to the black community. Ironically, most of the people who are pissed at him have no idea about the company that handles his show at Premiere Networks as we do. We have never had a problem with Steve per say as we have never considered him radio brethren. He’s a comedian with a successful radio show. In addition, he should be commended for helping young black men at risk via some of his community efforts.  His show is not promoted by anyone of color from Premiere Networks to Urban Radio and we have been made aware of it by urban programmers, even though we already knew. Our only gripe with Harvey, after displacing dozens of black men and women from their jobs when The Steve Harvey Morning show took the airwaves, was not even ONE of those displaced black men or women worthy of promoting your show per your recommendation for Premiere Networks? 

We have the greatest respect for Shirley Strawberry and Carla Ferrell but we were insulted when Julie Talbot, President of Premiere Networks, didn’t return our calls or emails for a quote or support for them when we were considering honoring them for the Women of Color in radio issue this past Sept. I’ve been in the industry for 32 years. Am I not worthy of a phone call or a returned email? Does Premiere have a problem with the industry (except for making money)? Does Premiere Networks have ANY black men or women or Asian men or women promoting radio shows to radio formats? For a network that promotes Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity it’s really no surprise. 

Steve is not making a lot of friends in the Asian community and the backlash continues across the media and online even after his apology. Author Eddie Huang Responds to Steve Harvey’s “Upsetting” Jokes About Asian Men in The Hollywood Reporter

“The one joke that still hurts, the sore spot that even my closest friends will press, the one stereotype that I still mistakenly believe at the most inopportune bedroom moments … is that women don’t want Asian men,” he writes in an essay for The New York Times.

Harvey is also still taking heat for his meeting with Donald Trump a move several black people saw as a photo op or as an opportunity for Harvey to expand his own business ventures according to social media posts but in all fairness, the greater concern is why Trump invited him in the first place. More experienced organizations like the Congressional Caucus are available.  Everyone from Harvey’s former Kings of Comedy partner DL Hughely to T.I. have expressed dismay over Harvey’s visit.  Finally, a petition to remove Harvey’s radio show has started let’s hope the organizers don’t find out what we know about Premiere Networks.