I get it. Raven-Symone doesn’t like labels. But she is wrong to run away from her blackness, seemingly hoping that no one acknowledges her beautiful brown skin and the history written all over her face. – Roxanne Jones (CNN)
After sparking outrage for remarks all over social media and the blogosphere about not being African-American in an exclusive Oprah interview last weekend, Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman responded to critics who took issue with her stance on racial identity. On Wednesday (October 8), the former Disney Channel star released a statement to The Grio, hoping to clear up her words:
“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.”
During her “Where Are They Now?” interview with Oprah, Raven said she doesn’t like being labeled — whether it’s her race or her sexuality: “I don’t want to be labeled ‘gay,’” the actress said. “I want to be labeled ‘a human who loves humans.’”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXAho8vlmAI&w=853&h=480]
After saying she’s not African-American, Raven, two-months shy of her 29th birthday, clarified by saying she’s from Louisiana, not Africa. “What I really mean by that is I’m an American. That’s what I really mean. I have darker skin. I have a nice, interesting grade of hair. I connect with Caucasian. I connect with Asian. I connect with Black. I connect with Indian. I connect with each culture.”
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