Either the world has started paying more attention to ABC’s morning talk show The View since their recent, outrageous screw-ups, or the ladies co-hosting it are under instructions from network bosses to not let a day go by without causing some kind of trouble.
Whichever it is, it turns out that another The View scandal is happening right now, after Raven Symone admitted she was discriminatory against people with “ghetto” names. Outraged viewers are asking for her to be fired right away.
No “ghetto”-named employees for Raven Symone
On the latest episode of The View, the co-hosts were discussing a recent study that found that Americans tended to discriminate based on a person’s name alone. In other words, they made racist assumptions based on how “ghetto” a name was.
The ladies also watched a YouTube video in which kids were saying “ghetto” names like Elephantisha and Fo’Landra, which got Raven Symone to say that she too was discriminatory this way. As you can see in the video below, she asked for the term “racist” to be replaced by this one in this particular context.
“Just to bring it back, can we take back ‘racist’ and say ‘discriminatory,’ because I think that’s a better word,” she said. “That’s a better word. And I’m very discriminatory against words like the ones they were saying in those names. I’m not about to hire you if your name is Watermelondrea. It’s just not going to happen. I’m not going to hire you.”
Twitter, the world is outraged, out for blood
The fact that Raven Symone had previously said that she didn’t consider herself “black” but a mix of races, and many other comments from her on the topic are now being brought up again. These, together with the comment above, show that she is ashamed of her blackness, many Twitter users agree.
As you can imagine, the comment ignited quite a backlash on social media, and not only: as of the time of writing, there are several think-pieces on the hypocrisy of a black actress who spells her name “Raven-Symoné” saying she would never hire someone whose name was “too black.”
Many on Twitter are either voicing their disgust with The View for still keeping her on the show, or flat-out asking that she be fired. You can see some samples of what they’re saying below.
Come Monday, expect a Sorry-I’m-Not-Sorry-I-Was-Misunderstood “apology” from Raven Symone, because that’s how The View handles these types of scandals.
I am at a loss for words after hearing what @ravensymone said today on @TheView about Black names. Tell me she was being sarcastic. PLEASE.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) October 10, 2015
T'Challa and Ororo would like a word with you, @ravensymone. pic.twitter.com/SD91dSkup4
— Superhero Feed (@SuperheroFeed) October 10, 2015
The more you deny your blackness and shame your people, the more you will continue to morph into a mayonnaise sandwich. @ravensymone
— Badussy Biscuits (@Myrtle_Urkel) October 9, 2015
Just heard that Raven Symone made an insensitive joke. That's so craven.
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) October 9, 2015
The same Raven that had a disney show episode where she didn't get hired b/c of her race. Ur confused @ravensymone https://t.co/T6j2ftigTl
— Madison Moore (@moorewithmadi) October 9, 2015
.@ravensymone SPOILER ALERT! a person's name does not determine their work ethic or their capability! you're coon levels are off the chart!
— ˗ˏˋ blige ˎˊ˗ (@THECAROLDANVERS) October 9, 2015
sound familiar? smh @ravensymone pic.twitter.com/kA997VjAWN
— spooky hoe (@x4vierwright) October 9, 2015
How do you, a Black person w/ an ethnic name, justify proudly endorsing discriminatory hiring practices on a nat'l platform, @ravensymone?
— Ron. (@RonnieSnark) October 9, 2015
Raven Symone thinks racist job discrimination is a joke. She literally CACKLES. https://t.co/S3V6NPYRCx
— Nessa. (@curlyheadRED) October 9, 2015
Raven Symone is filled with so much self hate. That why the ancestors snatched her black don't crack juice & she's aging like a banana.
— HoneyBunchesOfNope (@_Amber_Bee) October 9, 2015
How is Raven-Symoné even talking about names, with her hair lookin like a king size piece of shrimp? pic.twitter.com/hGbIlCWILs
— Electric RelaxNation (@mekkanic) October 9, 2015
Raven-Symone hates her blackness and yours.
— Juan N. Tres (@alovelydai) October 9, 2015
So Raven-Symone says she won't hire someone with an "Africanized" name but she sitting there with a red Mohawk? 😏 OK pic.twitter.com/DKioHj7rmG
— Deanna Fry (@DeannaFryTV) October 9, 2015