Oh snap! Raven-Symone joins Giuliana Rancic this year for receiving backlash from the public because of their words. Recently on "The View," the ABC talk show that airs weekdays at 11e/10c, Raven, a co-host, said some things that did not seem like her. Known for embracing individuality by not placing herself under labels, Raven-Symone unfortunately took a page out of the wrong book. The show started off as any other but soon turned sour.
It is true that not everything the ladies say is always agreeable; there are things that you just have to say "oh no, no, no." Everyone has his or her own opinion and the cool thing about opinions is that they're different, but nonetheless what the 29-year-old said was just not expected. Normally standing to end discrimination, her recent remarks unfortunately did nothing but the opposite.
It began with the hot topic "Are you judged by your name?" Initially, the segment only showed the top ten of the following video. However, Raven-Symone afterwards, commented "I'm not about to hire you if your name is Watermelondrea (number 12 on the list). It's just not going to happen."
Oh Raven, no, no, no. Her comments were very contradicting to everything she stands for. Remember when she sat down with Oprah Winfery for "Where are they now?"
Even way back when she was known as Raven Baxter in Disney Channel's "That's So Raven," her character was known for addressing situations that dealt with discrimination, self-esteem and peer pressure. One episode in particular was about discrimination in the workforce. Although "True Colors" did not focus on one's name but on skin color, it still holds the same premise that one should be rightfully considered for a job position that is not biased on discriminating assumptions one makes beforehand.
The episode's storyline was about Raven and her best friend, Chelsea, applying for jobs. After completing several tasks given really well, unlike Chelsea who did not do as great, Raven was not hired for the position. Chelsea, despite her failures, was. In the end, it was learned that Raven did not get the job because of her skin color for Raven had a vision of the employer stating, "I don't hire black people."
Well "I don't hire people because of their name" is just as wrong. Why would someone with a background of not wanting to be labeled say something that does just that. Maybe it was in the heat of the moment, maybe it was said to get laughs, or maybe it was just said. Either way, it did not settle well with viewers--and it should not have to. Discrimination is not something that is or should be taken lightly. It is faced everyday, despite how much we wish it wasn't.
Raven-Symone has since then apologized for her remarks, releasing this statement via Facebook.
Although what she said is not condonable, Raven-Symone did address the situation maturely. And she is correct, we all should not be part of the problem but part of the solution.