She just won’t stop. I didn’t write about the Watermelondrea incident, thinking and hoping Raven understood how much she offended people with her statements by all the “clap back” she recieved…but I guess not. So I’m basically writing the same commentary that I decided not to post previously.

“Theres trouble in the Huxtable house tonight since Rudy and Olivia had a fight.”
Man, I think I loved Raven Symone, that is after the Cosby show ended. The role of cute little Olivia made me sick every time I saw her steal Rudy’s shine who was now entering into her awkward pre- teen years. Corny or not I loved Raven’s rap songs, and I have been waiting for her to drop an album that would put all the great mc’s to shame…..sike.

For the last month she has experienced back lash from the public, and has even been reprimanded by her dad regarding her statements on The View (who obviously isn’t trying to loose his “black card” because of her) about  not hiring anyone with a name like Watermelondrea. Raven has since issued an apology, basically saying she would never actually practice name discrimination, even though she said she would. But most recently, it is her opinion of the high school female that was flung around like a rag doll by a Police Officer that has her critics talking again.

Here’s my advice to Raven Symone, stay away from the black people references and issues involving black people for a while. I get that you don’t identify with being black, it’s evident in your insensitivity when you speak about the black culture. With that in mind, it is obvious that you are incapable of handling a lot of freedom to talk about us, because when you speak of us we are not handled with respect. It is best that you speak of black folk like a politician would; being cautious, empathetic, and politically correct.

Raven, your rich. Your circle coupled with your generation is probably full of people who don’t really care about color, as one of your songs openly declares (yes I really was a fan). Any references about race are probably minimal or laughed off, because lack of food, shelter, safety, and money isn’t a factor. So, I really don’t blame you for your attitude about these subject matters. You may not be aware of this, but because you were able to leave the black issues alone and not be forced to deal with them, like a lot of us have, not only is there insensitivity from you but complete misunderstanding. Heck, you may not have even known when you came up with the name Watermelondrea, that watermelons are often used as a negative stereotype with black people because we are suppose to love them so much. Not quite sure where that came from because I’m black, and watermelon is like my fifth favorite fruit.

Just like other ethnicities, black people are complicated, and we vary in so many ways. We vary in how we view the government, how we view money, how we view racism, how we view each other, and that’s just the beginning of it. The majority of our issues are a result from slavery, Jim Crow, the Brown paper bag rule, poverty, etc. Although we may be aware of them as a society, no one has ever seriously addressed these wrongs, and the problems it has caused us to have with our country and with each other.

See, it wasn’t the Watermelondrea reference, it was the fact that you said you wouldn’t hire her without knowing anything about her.  It’s the fact that she didn’t name herself. And, the fact that you implied that you would dismiss her without giving her a chance, even if you were joking. It wasn’t your recent “follow the rules” comment about a high school girl that has everyone upset. It’s the fact that it’s beyond obvious that you are not moved by seeing the attack that happened to this young black girl. Your reaction is disconnected, cold, and scary because you are apart of a circle that does not quite get the damage that is caused when incidents like these occur.

I’m sorry Raven, I know you are “over” working towards the race relations stuff, but the reality is for most of us it never got started. And, just incase you didn’t know it…you don’t need the pay check from The View and it’s not adding to your likeability. Please go back to building your empire with goofy tv shows and novelty items as you were before.

I’m done.

Rachel Bryant Lundy