An apology from Raven-Symoné is deemed not enough by the black community. Miss Symoné is under fire after claiming on The View that she would never hire a person with a “ghetto-sounding name” like Watermelondrea.
Another day, another controversy from Raven-Symoné. After defending a reporter, who compared Michelle Obama to a monkey, announcing to the world that she was not African-American, but only American. Raven-Symoné is back at it.
Last Thursday, while talking about how some people are discriminated against because of their names, the former Disney star made a shocking revelation. The singer and actress explained that she would never employ a person with a black or “ghetto” name.
Moreover, if the statement was not disturbing enough, the TV star gave the racist and strange made-up name Watermelondrea as an example. Miss Raven-Symoné claimed:
“Just to bring it back, can we take back ‘racist’ and say ‘discriminatory,’ because I think that’s a better word. And I am very discriminatory against words like the ones that they were saying in the video. I’m not about to hire you if your name is ‘Watermelondrea.’ It’s just not going to happen. I’m not going to hire you.”
Needless to say, the comments went viral with thousands of people asking how can a black woman with a strange name like Raven-Symoné be slamming other black females with non-traditional Christian/white names. Ashamed by the remark, Symoné’s own father and former manager, Christopher B. Pearman, was forced to share a lengthy post on Facebook where he explained that while he loves and supports his daughter, he is no longer responsible for her actions or her stupid views.
He revealed that she is an almost 30-year-old woman, who sometimes says absurd things or “dumb shit,” but deep down inside she is a wonderful human being. Feeling the wrath of black Twitter, (some of the comments geared towards Raven-Symoné are downright nasty and despicable), on Monday, she issued a half-apology. The star wrote:
My comments about discrimination have spun out of control.
I’d like to begin by saying that I was not attacking a specific race, but repeating a name that was said in a viral video which has received over 2 million likes.
I have been denied many jobs because of my skin color, body size, and age. Each time I was rejected, my self esteem was negatively effected, so i empathize with those who feel victimized by what I said. We would hope that when it comes to hiring, our names, physical appearance, sexual orientation, and age would never outweigh our qualifications, but often times, they do, thats the truth and it sucks. But I should not be part of the problem, I should be part of the solution.
As an equal opportunity employer, I have never discriminated against a name….even though I said I would, it’s not true. My comment was in poor taste. My lack of empathy towards name discrimination was uncalled for. I would also like to say that on Friday my account was hacked, those are not my words.
Below are few of the comments posted on social media about the Raven-Symoné drama.
You’re black and you don’t support black people. You’re a lesbian but do nothing for gay people. You have a platform that allows you the incredible opportunity to positively influence and inspire so many and you’ve brought nothing but shame. You might be collecting pay checks but the cost was your soul. What a waste you’ve turned out to be.
dumb thot.
You ignorant bitch. Your name doesn’t define you.
it still would of been a big deal, because her name is ghetto. It would of been a big deal because she’s discriminating against her own.
What are your thoughts on Raven-Symoné’s apology?
To My Dear Friends,There has been much talk today about my daughters comments on her show The View. People have been…
Posted by Christopher B. Pearman on Friday, October 9, 2015
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When your own name is hyphenated,has/had alternate spellings,also its makes UNECESSARY use of a accent mark all of which would be classified under “shit u need for a ghetto name lets not forget about the BAPS inspired peacock hair shes be sportin lately….can the spokesperson or white america please take her off her hands no trades involved
Why are they giving this person Raven so much attention? Who is she anyway?
If it was a white person who said that they would have been fired whats the problem here////
Raven, the nerve of you making a stupid remark like that. Who are you to be making a ignorant statement. Your name is not normal, you are named after a bird and you look like a parrot with your hairstyle. But did people discriminate you because you look crazy with that hairstyle.
How can a name say what your abilities are??????????????
White people make those comments behind doors of black applicants. You now open the door and make fun of ethnics names in front of everyone.
So it don’t matter how black women named their child, its their perogitive. You always make silly comments on the view, personally I think you are (IMMATURE) you don’t need to be on this show, you are too silly. You don’t have any class about yourself. I hope you read all these comments about yourself. If you don’t have any (PRIDE) in yourself don’t knock down the sista with an unusual name.
Look at Obama, his name is not the norm but he’s the PRESIDENT & he’s very INTELLIGENT!!!!!! You need to be gone, don’t care what happens to you. As a black woman I’m ashamed of your comment, u think putting down the black race will give you brownie points with white america. NOT!!!! They look at u crazy and I’m sure they have made negative comments about you behind your back!!!!!! I hope you look in the mirror, you are not so hot after all! Black america will be watching you and we will NOT stand behind you when you make negative comments. Why are you apologizing that’s how you felt? Now you want sympathy, not going to happen. New host on the VIEW, You do not represent my ideas as a black woman. As Martin Lawrence use to say: STEP TO THE DOOR & GET OUT!! WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOU ANYMORE.I Will not support you in anything you do. You need a makeover on your face, hairstyle, wardrobe. You need GOD! We don’t want your apology, u said what u wanted to say: Now people are saying what they want to say to you:
LEAVE THE VIEW
The opinion Raven expressed is the same many of you have said privately. Given the fact she is a celebrity, she should have said something of a positive nature because of the negative publicity she has received since she made her statement.
Raven Symone is obviously a very mixed up, delusional human being. Seems ever since she came out of the so-called closet as a homosexual, she’s become more and more controversial, arrogant, outlandish, and completely weird. Imagine, it wasn’t long ago that many women considered her as the kind of daughter they’d want to have; she was once regarded as a positive role model, but no longer. I never realized how ignorant she was until she started opening her mouth to utter frequent foolishness. What she has become is simply unbelievable! And, yes, what’s up with that accent mark over the “e” in her hyphenated name? Hey Raven, can you and your potty-mouthed father please explain that to all of America?
Fee, I agree with you, in part Just let me add that some names are pretty far out there. That’s not to say anyone with a complicated, hard to pronounce and spell name should be discriminated against. Blame the parent who just made things more complicated for the child who had no choice in the matter.
Just so you know, real African names are beautiful and meanings attached to them.