Phil Robertson: Duck Dynasty star, who said black people were 'happy' before civil rights, wins freedom of speech award
The right-wing activist will be awarded the “Andrew Breitbart Defender of the First Amendment Award” at the Conservative Political Action Conference
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Phil Robertson, who made his name for making outlandish homophobic and racist statements, has been awarded a freedom-of-speech prize.
Robertson is best known for appearing on reality programme Duck Dynasty and will be given the prize by Citizens United, an organisation that aims to "reassert traditional American values".
The Louisiana native has made a number of remarks believed by many to be racist and homophobic.
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there,”Robertson said. “Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men. Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers - they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
His opinions about civil rights aren't much better.
“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field… They’re singing and happy," he said.
“I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’ - not a word!… Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: 'Were they happy?' They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”
He was suspended from the TV programme in 2013 but was reinstated.
The CPAC will take place from February 25 in Washington DC. Nigel Farage is set to attend the event.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments