About What Raven-Symoné Said
I, like many others watched Oprah’s Where Are They Now interview with Raven-Symoné. Many of you may remember her as adorable Olivia on the hit show The Cosby Show from way back when. On Sunday’s episode, she made one statement that I knew would cause a stir on social media. She stated:
I’m tired of being labeled, I’m an American. I’m not an African-American. I’m an American.”
“I connect with Caucasian. I connect with Asian. I connect with Black. I connect with Indian. I connect with each culture.”
As I expected, it caused some to go on a social media rant because this chick didn’t want to be labeled African-American. People mentioned Dr. Martin Luther King, his fight for civil rights, and her ungratefulness. Others mention Bill Cosby and how he paved the way for her to become who she is. Am I wrong, or do people have the right to see themselves however they want? Dr. Martin Luther King fought for our rights in the 1960’s, and I’m sure it had nothing to do with Raven-Symoné. The Cosby Show has been off for 20+ years now, and that has nothing to do with it. I do think that others are entitled to their opinion, but I also feel like people give meaning and speak out on the stupidest issues. Speak up on something important that means something or does somebody some good. As long as you’re secure with your identity; who cares?
However, I do notice that there seems to be a problem within the African-American community with labels and how African-Americans stereotypical are supposed to act. I’ve noticed that when we do things or participate in activities that don’t necessarily show our blackness. Our African-American brothers and sisters label us as Oreo’s (black on the outside, white on the inside). I listen to all types of music, I speak with proper English, I have friends from all backgrounds & cultures, and I do things outside the box that interest me. But some will say “I’m trying to be white” whatever the hell that means! Like Raven, I connect with a lot of people. I do identify as African-American, but some of us got a problem with labels and how everything should fit nicely in a box to make sense. I say kudos to her for being herself and not aligning herself with society’s perception on whom she should be.
What I found interesting is that very few people mentioned anything about her not identifying as Lesbian or Bi-Sexual. But not identifying as African-American almost gave some of ya’ll a heart attack.
What do you think?
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