Raven-Symoné Revisits Controversial ‘I’m Not African American’ Comment
Raven-Symoné is setting the record straight—again—about comments she made over a decade ago that continue to follow her.
During a recent appearance on “The Jason Lee Show” this week, the former child star revisited her controversial 2014 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she drew backlash and confusion for saying she didn’t identify as African American.
“I am not an African American. I'm an American. I am a Black American. I am definitely Black. And yes, my ancestors come from Africa," the actress shared before asking, “How long does a bloodline have to live in one land before they are considered a pure species of that land?”
She continued, “A true African American is someone that is from Africa and moved here, either first generation or second generation, and has a tie to that country that I do not have.”
The former “The Cosby Show” star emphasized that while she respects those who choose to identify as African American, her own identity was rooted in her family's deep generational ties to the United States.
“I think there comes a point where, when you build a country, when you fight for freedom, make money and pay taxes and generationally live in a country, you have the privilege to call yourself pure American,” she added, sharing that her family was listed in the first Virginia census that allowed Black people to be named.
Raven also opened up about the backlash she had faced. During an episode of the “Tea Time With Raven & Miranda” podcast with her partner Miranda Maday, she shared feeling immediately “judged” and misunderstood. The Hollywood veteran even recalled walking off stage feeling like she had “said something that’s bad—which contradicts who I am as a human.”
Supporters almost immediately rallied behind that actress in the comment section online, including one Instagram user who wrote, “Loved how she articulated her point. I can’t say I disagree. I mean we don’t call white people European Americans.”
Another person admitted, “I was completely closed-minded to how she said it at first, but as she explained her perspective, I totally understood what she was communicating.”
Check out the conversation with Jason Lee below.
