On Friday’s The View show, co-host Raven Symone managed to cause offense once more during a discussion about how prone Americans are to discriminate against potential employees based on their name alone. Basically, she said she wouldn’t hire anyone with a “ghetto” name, as you can see in the video below.
Because the outrage online got so severe that people starting asking for her resignation, Raven Symone went on Facebook to apologize for saying things that, she claims, she did not mean.
Raven Symone is sorry in non-apologetic apology
You can see the former child star’s statement in full below but, in short, she says that she too has been discriminated against her entire life, so she would never make the mistake of doing it to someone else.
However, she stops short of saying “I did something wrong and I’m sorry for it,” apologizing instead for causing offense for saying something she didn’t even mean. Her non-apologetic apology is already the subject of many think pieces online, which consider it a sign of her own identity struggle.
As for the “hacking” incident she refers to, it’s about a post that went online on her Twitter some time after the video from The View started going viral, reading, “I am NOT African American nor Black. It took me time to find myself and I have finally done so. To be honest, I am actually ‘Dark White’.”
Obviously, the tweet in question is no longer available on her feed.
The View digs for ratings in controversy
In case you’re one of the people who still watch The View daily, you might have noticed that it’s becoming a tradition of sorts to say offensive things on the show, almost on purpose, and then to apologize for them halfheartedly the next day, when the pushback becomes extreme.
The ailing ABC show seems to rely more and more on this type of controversy to get ratings, so no wonder people are saying this Raven Symone incident is also part of this strategy.
If it’s not, it’s probably proof (according to many voices in the blogosphere) that she was a poor choice for a co-host and should be replaced with someone who can express her opinion without turning offensive or insensitive.
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