“I Never Said I Wasn’t Black…I Am Not African-American” Raven Symone Pens Open Letter

A few weeks ago a video went viral online of former child actress Raven Symone talking to Oprah Winfrey during the show ‘Oprah Where Are They Now?’

In the interview, the actress told Oprah she didn’t want to be labeled as gay, but simply as a person who loves humans. She also said she was tired of being labeled as an African-American. She stated she’s an American, not an African-American.

Even as she said it Oprah stated, “Oh girl, you just set Twitter on fire”, and that is what the internet did with several people attacking Raven Symone on social media for saying that she is not ‘African-American’ which a lot of people interpreted to her saying that she is not black.

Now, Raven Symone is speaking out against the Internet bullying she has had to endure since her controversial comments about wanting to be labeled as an American…and not an African-American.

After the backlash started, Raven released a statement saying “I never said I wasn’t black… I want to make that very clear. I said, I am not African-American. I never expected my personal beliefs and comments to spark such emotion in people. I think it is only positive when we can openly discuss race and being labeled in America.”

In an open letter posted to her Facebook account, Raven addresses the disrespectful and hurtful things spewed at her behind her personal views on life. She wrote:

I don’t take offense to those that are mad at my personal opinion of myself. Like before, I’m glad there are conversations happening. Our generation tends to stay comfortable, at times, with issues and topics that need to be addressed.

QUESTION: If we are taught not to repeat history by learning it. Why do we continue to repeat? We must not be learning it correctly.

What does irritate me is the bullying tone towards myself and other opinions in the blog. Keep your disrespectful, mean, hurtful, words in a diary for yourself. Personal attacking is not needed, and no matter what race, nationality, culture, or womb you came out of; strive for respect. Strive to be virtuous, so the conversation can lead to great things, other things.

Our ancestors of all races had the courage to stand up for what they believed in no matter what the fight. Back then I hope the motto wasn’t…”the more haters the better”

We have reached a standstill in our progression as Humans. Let’s have a floor of RESPECT, KINDNESS, OPENMINDED-nESS. Showing your disagreement with my personal comments by using language you were not allowed to use as a child is just.

My momma reads this, and so do others. #bully

Watch Raven’s initial interview below!

Photo Credit: Carrienelson1 | Dreamstime.com