By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer
There may finally be a cure for sickle cell disease and folks are talking. Not all the talk is good, says the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation (SCDF), which issued a statement this week in the wake of a sketch on the long-running comedy show “Saturday Night Live.”
A sketch titled “Yankee Swap” aired Dec. 16 featuring “SNL” longtime Black cast member Kenan Thompson and joked about sickle cell disease and new gene therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The setting for the “joke” was a Christmas gift exchange.
“While the comments centered around the potential limited access associated with new gene therapy infusions and the complexities associated with the technology, the comment by Andrew Dismukes’ character, saying ‘Doubt it, my whole family is white’ in response to a comment about using the cure only adds to the historic stigmatization and discrimination experienced by this community. ‘Saturday Night Live’ must do better,” SCDF President and CEO Mary Brown said in a statement.
“Those who believe sickle cell disease is a joking matter do not witness the strength these warriors exhibit every single day. We’re tired of being the butt of distasteful jokes, and we’re tired of educating those who simply do not care to be educated. To the writers for these shows, and those with a large platform, please use your voices and influence wisely and supportively,” Brown continued. “We are providing educational resources to NBC executives, producers, and writers to ensure greater sensitivity to the debilitating impact of sickle cell disease; the discrimination within the health care system; and the importance of these new gene therapies for those living with intense pain, organ damage, and at risk of early death as a result of this disorder. Please heed our words and do better.”
As reported by The OBSERVER in its recent sickle cell series, “Painfully Aware,” the SCDF also called out Black comic and television and radio personality D.L. Hughley for a joke he told about SCD and HBO Max for comments made in its animated series, “Velma.”
“Just months ago, the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation condemned other television shows for making distasteful ‘jokes’ about sickle cell disease. Ignorant and racist jokes make it that much harder to change narratives for the positive or for systemic changes to occur,” Brown said. “We work tirelessly to ensure those living with the oldest and most neglected blood disorder receive the attention and respect they deserve, but moments like those that occurred [on the show] make it that much more difficult.”
The SCDF, incorporated in 1957, is the nation’s first and oldest SCD community-based organization of its kind. As the only organization in California approved to provide hemoglobin-trait counseling services and direct the sickle cell educator/counselor certification training course, SCDF provides life-enhancing education, services and programs for individuals living with sickle cell disease. SCDF broadens public awareness, delivers effective advocacy initiatives, and promotes innovative therapies to ultimately find a cure. Learn more at scdfc.org.
View the sketch on YouTube.