Raven-Symoné Confronts Past Statement on Race that Continues to Impact Her

Raven-Symone addresses 'I'm Not black' comments

Raven-Symone David Livingston/Getty Images

Raven-Symoné has recently addressed the backlash she faced due to her controversial comments about race. She is now clarifying that her statement about not being African American was misunderstood and taken out of context.

The actress, who is 38 years old, recently discussed the issue on a new episode of the Tea Time With Raven and Miranda podcast with her wife, Miranda Maday, on Tuesday, April 2.

During the episode titled “We need to talk…,” the Cosby show star mentioned a 2014 interview with Oprah Winfrey where she expressed feeling like the entire internet exploded and threw her name in the garbage.

She revisited the topic because a clip became popular after a recent segment of Real Time With Bill Maher mentioned Idris Elba discussing how people are fixated on race.

During the show, Maher referenced Symone’s statement from her interview on another talk show. The Disney channel actress revealed that the remark had been bothering her since 2014.

"He [Mahr] is talking about a comment I made to Oprah in 2014," she said. Later on her podcast episode on Tuesday, a clip of the well-known interview was shown.

Raven was asked if she didn't want to be labeled gay. She shook her head and said she didn't want to be labeled gay. She preferred to be seen as a human who loves other humans. She expressed her frustration with labels, stating that she identified as American, not African American.

The interviewer warned Raven not to stir up controversy on Twitter, appearing surprised by her response.

After the video ended, the Tea Time podcast came back on.

Raven confessed, "When that happened, it felt like the whole internet blew up and trashed my name. My community and others misunderstood or didn't hear exactly what I said, which led to a lot of backlash."

"I specifically mentioned that I identify as American, not African American. Many misunderstood my statement to mean that I do not consider myself Black, which is not the case."

"I want to clarify that when I express that the term African American does not fully represent me, it does not diminish my Black identity. It simply reflects the fact that I am a product of this country. I was born here, as were my ancestors. That's the essence of what I meant."

She mentioned that she has a deep respect for her history and the challenges her ancestors faced.

"I appreciate the sacrifices they made to build the America that I am fortunate to live in today - a land of freedom, happiness, and where I proudly pay my taxes as a citizen," she stated.

Last December, Raven celebrated her 38th birthday without her younger brother, Blaize Pearman, by her side.

In a video posted on Instagram on Monday, December 11, Raven expressed her gratitude for the birthday wishes she received. She shared, "I want to thank everybody for the amazing birthday wishes yesterday. Truly, I love you guys." However, she also mentioned feeling a mix of emotions, stating, "It was a little bittersweet for me, to be honest, because last month, I lost my brother, Blaize."

Raven revealed that Blaize had been battling colon cancer for about two years before passing away. She reflected, "He was battling colon cancer for about two years, and he is in a better place now."

Raven’s parents, Lydia Gaulden and Christopher Pearman, welcomed Blaize in 1991, six years after the Disney star was born. He was 31 years old when he lost his battle with cancer.

Editor's P/S:

Raven-Symoné's recent clarification of her controversial 2014 comments highlights the complexities of racial identity and the ongoing debate surrounding labels and self-identification. Her statement that she identifies as American rather than African American has been met with both criticism and understanding.

It is important to recognize that racial identity is fluid and subjective, and individuals may have varying experiences and perspectives on their own identity. Raven-Symoné's clarification that she does not reject her Black heritage but simply feels a stronger connection to her American identity is a valid and personal perspective. However, it is also crucial to acknowledge the historical and social significance of the term "African American" and its importance in recognizing the shared experiences and struggles of the Black community. The ongoing discussion surrounding racial identity serves as a reminder of the need for open and respectful dialogue, where different perspectives can be understood and appreciated.