Azealia Banks has extended an olive branch to Sarah Palin after going off on a foul-mouthed tirade about the former vice presidential candidate. But that olive branch has more than a few thorns on it.
After a social-media feud between rapper Banks and Palin grabbed headlines, Banks published an open letter to Palin on Tuesday, offering an apology with a heavy dose of snark on the side.
“I hope this message reaches you in good spirits and in good health. I want to start this letter off by telling you that I actually, really like you,” Banks began her mea culpa. “While many other American people may see you as someone to be ridiculed, I truly believe that you possess a certain ‘je ne sais quoi,’ (a french term which is often interpreted to denote one’s inexplicable charisma. Given a bit of book-reading/media-training/patience, that charisma could become your magic carpet.”
Banks set some time on Sunday to go off on Palin, after reading an article — as it turns out, a satirical letter — in which Palin was quoted as saying that black people willfully accepted slavery.
The misunderstanding led Banks to launch into a tirade — which she deleted, but was preserved by Mediaite — during which the rapper suggested, “Let’s find the biggest burliest black negroes and let them run a train on her.”
She added, “Sarah Palin needs to have her hair shaved off to a buzz cut, get headfucked by a big veiny, ashy black dick then be locked in a cupboard.”
In her letter, Banks insisted that she didn’t suggest that Palin should be gang-raped, as some media outlets had it, but rather be subjected to a group sex act.
“I never said you should be raped. I used the term ‘run a train,’ which is slang for group sex, NOT for ‘rape,’” Banks clarified. “As a woman, I would never trivialize something as lewd and criminal to provide myself any sort of comic relief because it simply … just isn’t funny.”
For good measure, the rapper added: “However, I find great irony in the right-wing media’s attempt to ‘victimize’ you in this situation. Seeking empathy through sensationalism is something left-leaning liberals are frequently ridiculed for by the Right. But American Hypocrisy is nothing new.”
Banks continued, “I sincerely apologize for any emotional distress or reputational scarring i may have caused you. In my honest defense, I was completely kidding.”
In her P.S., Banks worked in a shot at Palin’s daughter.
“If Bristol Palin listened to my music she probably wouldn’t have all those cotdamn [sic] kids!!!! ;-P #sis #iud #stayinschool #causeitsthebest,” Banks signed off.
After catching wind of Banks’ initial tirade, Palin returned fire via her Twitter account, writing, “Hey Female Rapper – listen up, little darling. No one has any idea what you’re wigging out about in these…”
On Tuesday, Palin also threatened to sue the rapper, telling People that she would do so “on behalf of all reasonable women of every age, race and political leaning.”
Palin added, “I’ve had enough of the unanswered threats and attacks against my family and me.”
Hey Female Rapper – listen up, little darling. No one has any idea what you’re wigging out about in these… https://t.co/OAWS9iMCjZ
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) April 5, 2016