Judge Mathis responds to Judge Judy: “We built this country through forced labor and enslavement”
TheGrio...
Judge Mathis responds to Judge Judy’s “go somewhere else” comments, arguing that Black Americans helped build the country through forced labor and have a right to challenge government.
Judge Mathis has responded to Judge Judy’s controversial comments about Americans who want to change the country, arguing that Black Americans have a historic claim to the United States and should not be told to leave it.
Mathis addressed Judy Sheindlin’s remarks during a discussion with The Art of Dialogue. Sheindlin recently told USA TODAY, “If you don’t like this country, go somewhere else,” while describing America as “the greatest country in the world.”
Mathis pushed back by pointing to the country’s history of slavery.
“I’m like, ‘No, we built this country through forced labor and enslavement,’” he said. “Our free labor made it the richest country in the world.”
He also questioned whether Judy’s personal success shaped her view of America.
“She got a lot of houses, big mansions. She got two hundred million,” Mathis said, before adding, “So of course you do love this country. And no, you don’t want to leave.”
Mathis then took issue with what he viewed as the broader message behind telling Americans who are unhappy with the country to leave.
“Lead, not hold the country accountable, not have debate,” he said. “That’s why I’m so surprised that Judge Judy would say that as a lawyer and a judge.”
He continued, “We should honor the First Amendment, speaking up, protesting, coming out against our government when we think they should.”
Mathis urged people to challenge institutions rather than simply walk away from the country. “If you don’t like what’s going on, challenge your government leaders,” he said. “Challenge the corporations.”
He also suggested that Judy’s comments aligned with a political movement he views critically, saying, “Quite frankly, it just sounds like she identifies with the MAGA crowd,” before adding that he believes many supporters of the movement are racist.
Despite his criticism, Mathis repeatedly acknowledged the enormous gap between their television careers. “I’ve never been in Judy’s stratosphere,” he said, noting that “Judy’s ratings have always been four times mine.”
Mathis’ response ultimately reframed the dispute around a question bigger than either television personality: whether Americans who want political change should leave the country or use their constitutional rights to challenge its leaders and institutions.