Michael Arceneaux, Guest Columnist

Blaming Diddy’s Legal Troubles on Race Is Absurd

The hip-hop mogul’s supporters say the federal indictment against him is an attempt to take a Black man down. That’s an offensive spin.

September 20, 2024 at 12:00 PM UTC

By Michael Arceneaux

Michael Arceneaux writes about pop culture, politics, race, sexuality, religion, class and gender. He is the author of "I Don’t Want To Die Poor" and "I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé."

Sean Combs doesn't get a pass.
Photographer: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

After Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested on federal charges that include sex trafficking, kidnapping and bribery, his legal team put out a statement.

It had all the things you’d expect attorneys to say to defend their client: He’s an “innocent man with nothing to hide,” and “he looks forward to clearing his name in court.” Then somewhere in there, Combs’ lawyers (I think we can safely assume with his urging) decided to add that he had “spent the last 30 years … working to uplift the Black community.”