Chris Rock's July 4 Tweet Stirs Controversy

Comedian Chris Rock, 47, has sparked controversy once again, this time with a July 4 tweet that was deemed unpatriotic by its critics. “Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren’t free but I’m sure they enjoyed fireworks,” Rock tweeted on the national holiday.

The ironic remark was accused of being racist and caustic by many, including the managing editor of the conservative blog America’s Right, Jeff Schreiber. “I'm not saying we're blameless for that horrid practice, but for @chrisrock to indict the US as he did is inappropriate at best,” Schreiber responded.

While some publicly vowed to boycott his films in protest, there were also outspoken supporters who came out in Rock’s defense. Actor Don Cheadle took to his own Twitter to profess the tweet’s humor. “Chris Rock was making a joke,” Cheadle tweeted in one of the several lengthy and heated online exchanges that ensued. “I thought it was funny.” Rock’s contentious comment was re-tweeted over 11,000 times, no doubt by fans and critics alike.

Never one to apologize, Rock has remained moot on the subject since, instead tweeting about the recent release of his latest comedy 2 Days in New York with Julie Delpy, out now on iTunes and On Demand.