How White Inclusion Affects The Perspective of Many Black People, In America

In the wake of these horrific and heart breaking shootings of black men (Alton Sterling and Philando Castile) there has been an outcry for justice and lots of support being directed towards the #BlackLivesMatter movement. However, there are some people who are coming under fire for having an opinion that is not necessarily in line with helping the erasure of injustice. On Monday’s episode of The Wendy Williams Show, Williams spoke about the petition to get Jessie Williams fired by ABC. Well, the very successful Shonda Rhimes said that is not happening. Wendy Williams then went on to “try” and explain how white people could possibly be offended.

Let me start off by saying, I admire Wendy Williams-Hunter, Aunt Wendy in my mind. This article is in no way to bash this successful woman but to create a dialogue. The thing is, when you pay attention to someone you pick up on just about all of his or her actions. When she originally spoke about Jesse Williams’ speech following last week’s 2016 BET Awards show, instead of speaking about his speech, she said, “While he was giving his very moving and intellectual speech, all I heard were panties dropping.” Really, like that is all you could say. Now, the nature of The Wendy Williams show is not deep but Williams has delved into deeper topics before with a more serious tone.

You listen to Williams speak on her show and it is clear she never had to struggle as a child. So let us take a look at why Wendy Williams is this way. She grew up in Ocean Township, New Jersey, where she was one of three black girls in her high school and the community at large. She was raised in a nuclear family with strong middle class values and has stated herself that she knows what it is to be included by white people. Also, in the past she has stated that a member of the hiring team of one of her first radio gigs liked her because she sounded “white.” When being interviewed about the #BlackLivesMatter movement last year, Williams stated that she does not feel the need to go out there and protest and that she believes the conversation and conditioning starts in the four walls of your home.

Do I agree with Wendy, well she addressed the backlash on her show yesterday. Take a look below and we can discuss.

Do I think she came from a terrible place, absolutely not. Do I think she is another Stacey Dash, absolutely not. Was it smart for her to speak about NAAWP or HBWU, definitely not. The reason why Historically Black Colleges and Universities and The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People were even created was because of the lack of opportunities for black people. The truth is, just about every other university in the United States is historically white. So, Ms. Williams, Mrs. Hunter, that argument is invalid.

Right now, in America, this is an extremely sensitive time to speak about race; emotions are heavy and tempers are flaring. Now, what I will say is I will never understand how people feel that because white people are the majority they feel as though white people cannot be offended or should have nothing to say. Yes, there are some disgusting racists who use the “N” word without thinking twice but I believe it has gotten to a point where because there is such racial injustice, people of color have made a lot of white people walk on egg shells when it comes to having an opinion on race. I mean even the white people who have nothing but genuine and good intentions.

Now my only gripe with Williams is that although she claims she is a proud black woman, she has made some silly comments out loud. This would be her comment about “Good brown and bad brown.” Take a look below...

Would Williams really consider herself to be a proud black woman if her skin was not fair, if she spoke like "dis and dat" or if she was not seen as equal by white people? She should know better that this was “kitchen table talk,” a term she uses to refer to certain things you do not say in public.

At the end of the day, Wendy Williams is a smart professional, a business woman, who has experienced white inclusion and to be honest I feel it is a great reason why she is where she is today. This is a woman who appeals to women of all races and although she may see things a bit differently from other black people it is her responsibility as this mainstream persona to be a bit more sensitive. If we are going to say it like we mean it, Wendy Williams-Hunter can go on about Jersey all day but the amount of privilege she has at this point is not much different than Gwyneth Paltrow and those Upper East Side ladies she speaks about as being mean and unrelatable.