Comedian Ralphie May's tour is no longer welcome in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Photo from Facebook
Comedian Ralphie May has been forced to postpone or cancel additional shows amid outcry over an offensive routine that employed stereotypes of Indian people. May won't be appearing in Fargo, North Dakota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; or Burnsville, Minnesota, this week after Indian activists and their supporters criticized him for the expletive-laden joke. He has apologized for the routine, which was recorded more than a decade ago, and has offered to meet with his detractors. "A video that surfaced on YouTube hurt and offended many people and I am truly sorry," May said on Tuesday in a statement quoted by The Grand Forks Herald. I thought I was a well-read, educated man. I know nothing. I’m a product of mass media and the U.S. public school system. I have learned so much this week and I want to learn more. My eyes are open and I hope to be a conduit for things that we are not taught.” May, who has denied being a racist, already lost a show in Bemidji, Minnesota, due to the controversy. In that situation, the city council took action by canceling his appearance at a city-subsidized venue. In his statement on Tuesday, May said he asked for the other upcoming shows in the region to be postponed "out of respect for the Native American community and safety for all parties." His tour schedule still has him appearing in other venues across the country. Get the Story:
Comedian Ralphie May postpones Fargo show after American Indian joke controversy (The Grand Forks Herald 4/12)
Ralphie May postpones Sioux Falls show (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/12)
Outcry from American Indians prompts comic to call off Burnsville show, 2 others (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 4/12)
Native American activists pressure more venues to dump comedian (Minnesota Public Radio 4/12)
City Hall ducks Ralphie May controversy (KELO 4/11) An Opinion:
Editorial: A simple, yet complex, decision (The Bemidji Pioneer 4/12)
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