Raven-Symone clarifies her controversial comments that she doesn’t want to be labeled “African-American”
Raven-Symone is now clarifying her recent controversial comments to Oprah Winfrey, in which she said that she didn’t want to be labeled “gay” or “African-American.”
“I’m tired of being labeled,” the former child star said during her episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?, which aired on Sunday. “I’m an American. I’m not an African-American — I’m American.”
“I don’t know where my roots go to,” she explained. “I don’t know how far back they go. … I don’t know what country in Africa I’m from, but I do know that my roots are in Louisiana. I’m American. And that’s a colorless person.”
VIDEO: Raven-Symone — Don’t Label Me ‘Gay’ or ‘African-American’
Not surprisingly, the comment sparked outrage on social media, with Oprah even predicting it during the interview.
“Girl, don’t set Twitter on fire,” a shocked Oprah said.
But in a new statement to theGrio.com, Raven stresses that she never said she “wasn’t black.”
“I never said I wasn’t black … I want to make that very clear,” the statement reads. “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.”
On Sunday, Raven asked her fans to “keep your judgments at the door” when it came to her expressing her personal opinions.
(#RepostWhiz app) honestly, that’s all I’m asking for tonight. My opinions are my own, made by experiences in my life. Love yall! 8 hours to go….. #wherearetheynow #oprah #unicorn #judgmentsatthedoor
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“Honestly, that’s all I’m asking for tonight. My opinions are my own, made by experiences in my life. Love yall! 8 hours to go….. #wherearetheynow #oprah #unicorn #judgmentsatthedoor,” she wrote.
