*Laverne Cox has been itching for a do-over regarding her answer to “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen’s question about cultural appropriation.
She appeared on the show Sunday with fashionista Andre Leon Talley. Both were asked about the topic in relation to Amandla Stenberg’s comments about Kylie Jenner’s cornrows. After Andy labeled Stenberg’s response as “beef,” and his “Jackhole of the Day,” he asked, “White girls in cornrows…is it ok or nay Laverne and Andre?”
“To me, it’s fine,” Talley replied.
“Umm … Bo Derek,” Cox stated.
Black Twitter let it be known that it didn’t appreciate Cox and Talley letting Andy’s mocking of the 16-year-old slide.
Cox has since taken to her Tumblr page to clarify her initial non-response. She explained that she was not familiar with Stenberg, and did not want to get involved in a “celebrity feud.” The “Orange Is the New Black” star revealed she has since researched the young actress, watched her thoughtful video on cultural appropriation (“Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows“), and was very impressed with her knowledge on the issue.
Cox wrote, “I was most moved by the question she poses at the end of her video, a question I, too, have asked from lecture stages. ‘What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we love black culture?'”
The actress concluded her essay by asking for a continuing dialogue about the issue, while posing a question of her own: “How do we lovingly make people aware of [cultural] history and the potential affects of cultural appropriation that further marginalize and stigmatize those already the most adversely affected by systems that disadvantage certain experiences, bodies and identities over others?”
Read Laverne’s entire essay here.
Since the Sunday night “Watch What Happens Live” show aired, a #BoycottBravo tag emerged on Twitter, and Andy Cohen has tweeted out an apology to Stenberg for his comments.
I want to apologize to Amandla. I didn’t understand the larger context of this cultural discussion and TRULY (cont) https://t.co/zRSOm2rxtN
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 14, 2015
To clarify, I gave the jackhole to an online feud & certainly not to the topic or to any individual. I ironically hate online feuds. — Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 14, 2015
But Black Twitter isn’t buying it:
@Andy you shouldn’t have said ANYTHING regarding that issue unless you were bringing awareness to it. There was no “feud”, there were facts
— #BlackLivesMatter ♊️ (@AmbitiousLadyRN) July 14, 2015
@Andy an online feud that involved tow people… Yet you didn’t call out Kylie. I’m really disappointed you can’t see how this is wrong.
— Mrs. Macon (@_MissBre) July 14, 2015
@Andy What kind of non-apology is this?!?#RHOA made you so comfyt you think your opinion on BLACK women´ issues is welcomed? #boycottbravo
— Ahotsfashion (@Ahotsfashion) July 15, 2015
@Andy you’re pathetic. Calling an intelligent & culturally aware teen a jackhole for having a voice, shame on you. #boycottbravo
— Modern (@modernlychic) July 14, 2015
@Andy To clarify, you’re deflecting & need to apologize for going after a teenager who has more sense than you. #boycottbravo
— OutstndngWrldCitizen (@OutstandingWC) July 14, 2015
@Andy understood, but it wasn’t a “feud” like most celebrity dramas. @amandlastenberg passionately articulated a real social issue POC face.
— Rabbi Lisa Levenberg (@RabbiLevenberg) July 14, 2015
@Andy I love WWHL, but what Amandla said was factual. The fact that you nor your guests realized this makes all of you the real jackholes.
— Sarah Washington (@Spiano29) July 14, 2015
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