Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews was criticized on Twitter over the weekend for a series of tweets in which he argued that children need a mother and a father, saying children of same-sex parents grow up “severely malnourished” when it comes to love.
The kerfuffle erupted when Crews openly criticized a New York Times opinion piece that a woman had written about young black men.
Another thing that bothers me is that this OP-ED was written by a WOMAN about how how boys should be taught to grow into successful young men.
How would she know?
MEN NEED TO HOLD OTHER MEN ACCOUNTABLE.
— terry crews (@terrycrews) February 24, 2019
In addition to the op-ed in general, the America's Got Talent host was put off that a woman would weigh in on how “boys should be taught to grow into successful young men.”
On Saturday, Crews returned to the subject writing, “I’ve reiterated many times that same sex couples and single parents can successfully raise a child. But I believe paternal AND maternal love are like vitamins and minerals to humanity. No matter where you get that paternal and maternal love. MY purpose is to give paternal love.”
“Love is not gendered,” replied another Twitter user. “A child will not starve with only one gender loving them.”
“But they will be severely malnourished,” Crews answered back.
And thus, the tweet storm began with several Twitter folks accusing Crews of trafficking in misogyny and homophobia, while others defended the actor.
Crews quickly apologized writing, “I apologize to anyone who was hurt by my ‘severely malnourished’ tweet. It was in response to someone who said kids wouldn’t ‘starve.’ It was poorly worded so I deleted it.”
I apologize to anyone who was hurt by my “severely malnourished” tweet. It was in response to someone who said kids wouldn’t “starve”.
It was poorly worded so I deleted it.
— terry crews (@terrycrews) March 1, 2019
At one point a user asked, “What the F**K is wrong with you dude. We all trusted you, only for you to turn out to be a misogynist, homophobic a**hole.”
Crews replied, “You apparently thought I was your puppet. But I have a mind of my own, and can see and think very clearly.”
You apparently thought I was your puppet. But I have a mind of my own, and can see and think very clearly.
The “phobic” tag is the most feared public tag next to racist.
I don’t fear it because I am neither.
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. https://t.co/wuBRM2SdEo
— terry crews (@terrycrews) March 2, 2019
You may recall Crews came forward in October 2017 with his own #MeToo story when he shared how a Hollywood talent agent had groped him at a party in 2016.
Rereading his initial
Rereading his initial statement, he says "I believe" and "No matter where you get that paternal and maternal love". He seems willing to talk about his own views. He's not attacking anyone unlike everyone else just attacking him. Let the man talk. He has always seemed sincere and genuine in his dealings with his LGBTQ fan base. It's so hard to say anything these days without someone getting upset about it.
I think he’s mostly mistaken
I think he's mostly mistaken in his views on this subject, but he does sound like a decent person who is willing to discuss and debate it.