John Mellencamp was angered by Bill Maher that “1 or 2%” of blacks live better than slaves claim
Liberal comedian Bill Maher got into a tense argument with musician John Mellencamp on Monday after the Pink Houses singer-songwriter claimed only 1% or 2% of black people living in America today have a better life than slaves.
During an appearance on Maher’s Club Random Podcast, Mellencamp revealed that he had written a song titled “From the Cotton Field to the Playing Fields,” which he never recorded because he felt it was “wrong.”
The song’s message was an attempt to show how white people love to have black entertainers and often exploit them.
“I would say the pitches are a lot better than the cotton fields,” Maher said 29 minutes into the interview.
“That’s what I would say about it. Maybe I’m crazy, John, but it seems like there’s no money picking cotton as a slave — it wasn’t as good as playing left field for the Yankees.”
When Maher tried to continue his argument, Mellencamp interjected, saying there is “no doubt” that “1 or 2% of black people” in America “have a better life.”
“Oh stop it you’re thinking that?” Maher replied.
“1 or 2%?”
“OK, let’s say 10%. I just pulled a number out of my A-,” Mellencamp said.
Maher then told Mellencamp that his opinion “belongs there.”
Mellencamp again said he pulled the number out of thin air when Maher said his claim was “just not true.”
The conversation, highlighted by OutKick, Heated arguments erupted again when Mellencamp said the Second Amendment should be amended to remove guns from Americans.
“All I’m saying is that a good place to start is to take those damn guns away from people,” Mellencamp exclaimed.
“Just because it’s the Second Amendment, you change that — and people say, ‘You can’t change the Second Amendment.’ Q – You can, it’s a change. Change it.”
Maher urged Mellencamp to be “realistic,” noting, “That’s never going to happen in America.”
“When they start showing these damn kids lying there dead, that’s what will happen,” Mellencamp said.
Maher disagreed again, saying people who love guns “love them on a level” that some can’t understand, calling it a “primordial” and “personal matter.”
“It’s like marijuana smokers handling marijuana. It’s very personal, and the idea of taking it away – liberals are always at a disadvantage on this issue, because it’s not an emotional thing to say, “Guns are bad.” It’s poignant to say, “The what I like them, they’ll take them away from me.” I don’t think you’ll ever change that. They will not rewrite the Second Amendment,” Maher said.
Mellencamp, who has spoken openly about politics throughout his career, has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
In May, Mellencamp faced criticism from liberal leaders after releasing a song about Portland, Oregon, about the city’s homelessness and drug crises.
In November, the singer-songwriter faced backlash from conservatives after he was pictured tuning in the national anthem during a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles.
