A few days ago I told you about Raven Symone, an intrepid young actress who shocked Oprah with her statement: “I’m tired of being labeled. I’m an American; I’m not an African-American. I’m an American.” To Oprah’s credit, she did warn Ms. Symone that persecution would follow such a remark and naturally it came from an expected corner. Roxanne Jones, founding editor of “ESPN: The Magazine” and a former vice president at ESPN, took strong exception to Ms. Symone’s remark and in an article for CNN Opinion, wrote: “I get it. Raven-Symone doesnt 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.” Apparently, Miss Jones does not get it. Raven Symone did not say she isn’t black. In fact, the color of her skin was never the point of her assertion that she is not African American. She was referring to her national allegiance, which lies solely with America I might add, and that, my friends, is an extraordinary statement. Roxanne Jones continued her subtle attack: “For me, rejecting your blackness is downright un-American. The two words are inseparable. Being black equals being American.” Rejecting her blackness, Miss Jones? And what of being brown, olive, white, or red? If being black equals being American, what does not being black equal? We live in a nation of diversity, a nation that empowers the individual regardless of their skin color yet you seem idealistically bound to your own. In fact, where Raven Symone dreams of a nation colored in red, white, and blue you seem only to dream in black. Raven Symone has stood up for national allegiance to which I say bravo. It is my fervent wish that her entire generation will follow suit. I cannot imagine a place where the color of your own skin defines who you are. Not to sound harsh but it is a narrow world where self-imposed constraints will always nag at your sense of self-worth regardless of your accomplishments. Miss Symone chooses to live as an American, and a true American is colorless just as she has said. That’s so Raven…
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 02:01:35 +0000
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