In a candid reaction on social media, comedian Luenell Campbell, known popularly as Luenell has commented on the recent revelations involving Sean “Diddy” Combs and his ex-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura.
Luenell said on a live social media monologue that Black women face systemic issues when reporting abuse, stating that there is a disparity in societal responses based on race.
“This Diddy sh*t. First of all, y’all need to believe when we say that Black [women] are the most disrespected, underserved, under-believed women in society,” Luenell stated.
She further highlighted the double standards in treatment, saying:
“If Diddy had to smack JLo like that and drag her down the hallway, he’d been in jail eight years ago…if Diddy had to do that to a snow bunny, he’d be abandoned in jail. But men can do anything they want to Black women [and get away with it]…you need to believe [Black] women when they tell you some sh*t the first time. And now you wonder why women don’t report [abuse] and stuff. ‘Cos nobody believes us.”
Luenell’s comments come in the wake of new developments in the 2016 assault case involving Diddy and Cassie.
Recently released CCTV footage from a now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, shows Diddy kicking and pushing Cassie in a hallway.
The video, dated March 5, 2016, was aired by CNN and has sparked a wave of outrage and calls for accountability.
In response to the footage, Diddy posted an apology on his Instagram page, taking full responsibility for his actions.
“I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” Diddy said. “I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry.”
He added that he was “committed to being a better man each and every day.”
However, Cassie’s legal team was quick to dismiss Diddy’s apology as insincere.
Meredith Firetog, a lawyer representing Cassie, told CBS News:
“When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. That he was only compelled to ‘apologise’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”
The disturbing footage shows Diddy pushing Cassie to the floor, kicking her while she is down, and later attempting to drag her by her shirt and throwing an object at her.
This incident, although captured on video, might be too old to prosecute, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
Until the release of this video, Diddy had not commented on the assault. The shocking visual evidence has brought renewed attention to the case and intensified discussions about the treatment of Black women in abusive situations.
Cassie’s lawyers have stated that the video “has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr Combs.”
