Podcaster duo “did not ask for racist jokes to be removed”

A Mobo Award-winning duo who were criticised for laughing at “racist jokes” on a US podcast could have asked for them to be edited out, their host claimed.

James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu, better known as Shxtsngigs, have apologized after facing heavy criticism for an episode of Andrew Schulz’s series Flagrant.

The couple said it was a “mistake” not to confront the presenter about his comments about black women and gave a “Fight or flight” response

In the latest episode of his podcast, Schulz said they could have asked for the material to be cut out, but did not do so.

BBC Newsbeat has contacted representatives for James and Fuhad for comment.

Listeners took offense at Schulz’s comments during a discussion about the “Black Girlfriend Effect” – the inspiration for a TikTok trend in which mixed-race couples share how their relationships have changed them.

James and Fuhad agreed that black women “make the other culture shine,” but Schulz argued that white men change their appearance out of a “protective instinct.”

He added: “They shave their hair because they’re starting to lose it because it stresses him out so much being around this black girl who complains all the time.”

“They grow beards because they need cushioning when they get slapped.”

James and Fuhad, who have millions of followers and won a Mobo Award in Februaryapologized after a clip was widely shared and accused of promoting racist stereotypes about black women.

They said they were “in shock” during the recording session in July and there was “no excuse” for their behavior.

In his own podcast, which appeared on Wednesday, Schulz said he could empathize with James and Fuhad’s situation.

He said her producer had asked for other parts of the show to be cut that he felt were inappropriate.

“But the joke about black women is nothing,” he says.

“The fight or flight thing wasn’t really there anymore after that.”

Schulz also said that James and Fuhad had only now spoken out because of the criticism.

“There were no negative reactions after it came out,” he says.

“For me, this is a sign that there is someone here who just likes to cancel or cause chaos on the Internet and try to lure people.”

Schulz said the guests’ apology was wrong and had “exacerbated” the situation.

“You gave power to the people who tried to depose you,” he said.

Fans of the Shxtsngigs podcast have said they are disappointed by the clip as it infringes on racist Cliché of the “angry black woman”.

One of them, Jorden Berkeley, had previously told Newsbeat that she had expected “even the slightest resistance” to Schulz’s comments.

James and Fuhad have not publicly responded to Schulz’s recent comments or responded to Newsbeat’s request for comment.

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