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The Disney Channel starlet mentioned that she comprehends the significance of her origins, acknowledging “just how much blood, sweat and tears theyve soaked into this earth in order to produce the America that I live in today: complimentary, happy, tax-paying, American person.”
Raven, nevertheless, noted that whenever she checks out another nation, she notices that individuals state, ” Theres an American, easy and plain” rather of particularly stating, “Look at that African American there.”
After seeing the outcry her comments triggered in 2014, Raven kept in mind to her partner that she “felt assaulted” by everyone.
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The remark in concern was from Ravens 2014 conversation with Oprah Winfrey. At the time, the Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century star was attempting to come out to the world, but the interview wound up focusing on labels.
” I do not wish to be labeled gay,” Raven said at the time. “I wish to be identified a human who enjoys humans. Im fed up with being labeled. Im an American, Im not an African American. Im an American.”
In reaction, Oprah stated, “Oh girl, dont set Twitter on fire.”
” I will say this,” Raven continued in her discussion with Oprah. “I do not know where my roots go to. I dont understand how far back they go. … I do not understand what country in Africa Im from, however I do understand that my roots remain in Louisiana. Im American. Whichs a colorless person.”
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Raven-Symoné remembers the backlash she dealt with in 2014 after stating she didnt wish to be labeled as “African American.” Throughout the most current episode of her and spouse Miranda Madays “Tea Time With Raven and Miranda podcast,” the Ravens Home star, 38, recalled how the “Internet took off” at her.
” When that aired, I felt like the whole Internet took off and threw my name in the garbage,” she stated. “There was so much reaction from my community and others that misconstrued [or] didnt hear the exact words that I stated. And the specific words that I said is that, Im an American, not an African American. A lot of people thought I said that I wasnt Black, and I never ever said that. … I felt evaluated and not heard.”
The Thats So Raven alum elaborated what she indicated at the time, clarifying that she wasnt “negating [her] Blackness.”
” When I state that African American does not line up with me– that label– it doesnt mean that Im negating my Blackness or Im not Black,” she discussed. My mommy, my dad, my great-great-great-great-great– thats what Im stating.
” When that aired, I felt like the entire Internet blew up and tossed my name in the trash,” she said. A lot of individuals believed I said that I wasnt Black, and I never said that.” When I state that African American does not line up with me– that label– it does not imply that Im negating my Blackness or Im not Black,” she discussed.” I dont want to be identified gay,” Raven said at the time.” I will say this,” Raven continued in her conversation with Oprah.
She stated what she SAID, aint shit change. Black AMERICAN get it threw them difficult ass box heads & #x 1f4af; #ravenSymone pic.twitter.com/7BycM83QWq
— Tarsha & #x 1f525; & #x 1fab6; & #x 1f3f9; & #x 1f41a; & #x 1f343; & #x 1fab4; & #x 2600; & #xfe 0f; & #x 1f31b; & #x 2728; (@TruthSeeker4u2) April 3, 2024
