http://twitter.com/#!/marclamonthill/status/367869856990769153

Hip hop tycoon Russell Simmons showed his true character when his new endeavor “All Def Digital” published a despicable video entitled “Harriet Tubman Sex Tape,” which insulted the memory of an American hero, and enraged many on Twitter. Both “Harriet Tubman” and “Russell Simmons” were trending on Twitter Wednesday night as thousands of people discovered the disgustingly insulting video.

Russell Simmons tweeted his approval, then deleted the message late in the evening. But by then a screenshot of his tweet was already circulating:

http://twitter.com/#!/TheMoxieSophic/status/367872032035176448

Twitter users, including many on the Left, gasped:

http://twitter.com/#!/marclamonthill/status/367874512919879680
http://twitter.com/#!/SpiffyTiffyH/status/367794147979063296

Some detected a double standard:

http://twitter.com/#!/AG_Conservative/status/367872005930254337

One of the actors involved responded to her detractors:

http://twitter.com/#!/shannamalcolm/status/367881579827167232

Really? Only after seeing the final product did she see that it was insulting?

Just before midnight last night, Russell Simmons posted this apology:

http://twitter.com/#!/UncleRUSH/status/367887222264971264

In the whole history of Def Comedy Jam, I’ve never taken down a controversial comedian. When my buddies from the NAACP called and asked me to take down the Harriet Tubman video from the All Def Digital YouTube channel and apologize, I agreed.

I’m a very liberal person with thick skin and it’s hard to offend me. My first impression of the Harriet Tubman piece was that it was about what one of actors said in the video, that 162 years later, there’s still tremendous injustice. And Harriet Tubman outwitting the slave master, I thought it was politically correct. Silly me.  I guess I’m older now and instead of fighting for one piece of content, I can understand why so many people are upset.  I have taken down the video. Lastly, I would never condone violence against women in any form, and for all of those I offended, I am sincerely sorry.

~Russell Simmons

He also tweeted this:

http://twitter.com/#!/UncleRUSH/status/367915149274787840

LOL?

The response was mixed:

http://twitter.com/#!/Kleidysz/status/367889493770403840
http://twitter.com/#!/theater_geek13/status/367891905008644096

There was also this tweet, which Simmons had the incredible arrogance to retweet:

http://twitter.com/#!/sandsmoms/status/367887843915354112

Finally, if you’re so inclined, you can view a repost of the offensive video here. Obviously not safe for work. Or anything else really.

Editor’s note: An offensive tweet was inadvertently included in this post. It has been removed by the managing editors.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/08/15/twitter-furor-erupts-over-russell-simmons-disgraceful-harriet-tubman-sex-tape-video/