April 3rd 2024.
Ten years have passed since Raven-Symoné made a controversial statement on Oprah Winfrey's show, declaring that she is not an African American, but rather an American. The former "That's So Raven" star sparked a wave of backlash on social media with her bold remarks, but now, she looks back on the incident with a different perspective.
During an episode of her podcast "Tea Time With Raven & Miranda," Raven-Symoné opened up about how the backlash from her community and others made her feel like her name was thrown in the garbage. She explained that she felt misunderstood and that people didn't hear the exact words she said.
Raven-Symoné clarified that she wasn't trying to dissociate herself from her Black identity, but rather, she was focusing on the logistics of the country she grew up in. She explained that when she said she was "an American, not an African American," she meant that she was born and raised in America, and her ancestry could be traced back to the country. She emphasized that there is a difference between being Black and being African.
When her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday, asked for clarification, Raven-Symoné further elaborated on her rhetoric. She made it clear that her statement was not meant to negate her Blackness, but rather to acknowledge her roots in America. She acknowledged the history of her Black ancestors and the sacrifices they made for her to live freely as an American citizen today.
Raven-Symoné also shared her experience of being identified as "an American" when she travels to other countries, rather than being labeled as "an African American." Looking back on the ordeal, the actress and TV star admitted that she felt attacked and judged, and her voice was not heard.
She also addressed the labels that were put on her during her interview with Oprah in 2014, where she came out about her sexuality. Raven-Symoné stated that she didn't want to be labeled as gay, but rather as a human who loves humans. However, she ended up being labeled in a different way, related to her Blackness.
Raven-Symoné concluded by saying, "Stop mislabeling us," and expressing her frustration with being put into boxes. She hopes that people will see her for who she truly is, without labels or stereotypes. Ten years later, she looks back on that moment with a different perspective and continues to stand by her beliefs.
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