Raven Symone Breaks Silence On ‘Ghetto Names’ Controversy: ‘My Comment Was In Poor Taste’

Published: Sunday 11th Oct 2015 by Rashad
raven symone ghetto names discrimination tgj

Friday saw Raven Symone add yet another controversial statement to her yearlong list of “smh-worthy” moments when she informed ‘The View’ viewers that she would not hire someone if they had a “ghetto name.”  The statement set off a firestorm of articles, video responses, and other commentary on social media, even to the point the singer/actress/talk show host’s very own father got in on the action.

Weary of the criticism, Symone finally took to Facebook tonight to break her silence on the hot topic and clarify her stance.

Some say it’s too late and the damage has been done.  What say ye? Read her words below and tell us:

raven symone ghetto names discrimination tgj2

Your thoughts?

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  1. WH&MC October 11, 2015

    This b****.

    • Meka October 12, 2015

      This big DUMMY, got Hollyweird.

      Because she got put on, has some money in the bank — of course shes NOT black anymore.

      Listen koon, because you SOW BLONDE WEAVE in your head and your lightskin does NOT MEAN your white.

      SHES 100% stupid, and a horrible role model for young girls. She looks a MESS, cant speak properly and is NOT EDUCATED.

      Another DUMMY with money that should feel BLESSED.

  2. #JACKIE October 11, 2015

    Oh girl people are still claiming they were hacked in 2015? Kii.

    • Jay October 11, 2015

      Hacking isn’t a “time frame” attack on someone. It’s probably more difficult to do nowadays, but people still do get hacked.

      • #JACKIE October 11, 2015

        Girl these celebrities always claim to be hacked whenever they relieve a backlash. Ain’t no way.

      • King Mark111 /.\ October 11, 2015

        People get hacked and more than likely, have their information stolen or is spammed. A hacker isn’t going to reply to or about a comment you said on your morning show.

    • Queen Molly October 11, 2015

      Kiii she coulda kept that lie…

  3. Queen Molly October 11, 2015

    She’s a legend…. I love her.

    • Queen Molly October 11, 2015

      Kiii she coulda kept that lie.

  4. DIABETES UNBOTHERED October 11, 2015

    Everytime I hear WATERMELONADREA I get instant sugar cravings. *SHOOTS INSULIN*

  5. DIABETES UNBOTHERED October 11, 2015

    I BEEN DRINKING…

    I BEEN DRINKING…

    I BEEN EATING WAAAATERMELON!

  6. Queen Molly October 11, 2015

    WATERMELONADREA=RihNavy/Rihslave

  7. Chile, leave my weave at the door and don’t steal it like those broke ass barb stans October 11, 2015

    Bye, Raven! Since you wanna be “dark white”, I’ll let you have that! Your black card has been revoked and you won’t be missed. Good luck getting hired with the name “Raven-Simone” and those scary eyebrows!

  8. KingMe October 11, 2015

    I feel as though she was basically just trying to get a laugh but it backfired in the worst way.I didn’t take no offence to it because we ALL have flaws about our character, otherwise there wouldn’t be any discrimination to begin with. Everyone’s so sensitive now I would’ve respected her more if she would’ve never responded.

  9. King Mark111 /.\ October 11, 2015

    Please, save the s**, race, body size and the rest of the detractions to take away from the point. It’s not about your past rejections nor anyone else. It’s the comment you, the “equal employer” said.

  10. KeyLoLo October 11, 2015

    I’m white and my name is Keshia. My sisters name is Karelle(mixed) and I’ve always gotten the strangest looks when I come in for interviews lmao

  11. Gee October 11, 2015

    Raven can keep her tired ass apology she meant everything she said and being the fact that she has received a negative response she was to say sorry and use the I have been discriminated against card. Honestly her trying to be the controversial person on the panel is making her look ignorant and very stupid and if that is worth a few coins to her so let it be but for me I am and have been done with Raven.

  12. Cough Cough October 11, 2015

    No shade but what she said is what most people think. I do give EVERY person opportunity but when you meet a girl named Shawnteebla, it’s just the reality that you cringe. No hate, just truth. It’s not a block thinng(half black here) it’s just a “ghetto as phuck” thing, I mean who looks at a baby and says “omg you look like a Bonquisha”? I was never mad at Raven for what she said because it’s what ALOT us have said to ourselves, our friends and family, even if in a joking matter. But I do know some very respectable Shaniquas so my stigma was broken a while back

  13. What If She Were Paula Dean October 12, 2015

    Is Raven-Symone an employer? If so, we need to see the names of her employees and the names of applicants to determine if she has discriminated. If so, bring on the class action suits. We would do it if she was Paula Dean. We need to see if Raven has permitted discriminatory hiring practices.

  14. Yoncè October 12, 2015

    One thing about black people is they crying and are upset about being “left out” and there community is not being heard. You do something blacks don’t agree with they shut you out and turn you down!

  15. shakira stan October 12, 2015

    Who is she and why is she famous?

  16. MusicLife October 12, 2015

    Bird name with a bird brain.

  17. dydy972 October 12, 2015

    I think her comment is a reflection of where she is now : she’s back into the spotlight thanks to the view, rich, young and does not care!
    she doesn’t care plus she has a lack of knowledge of how people struggle in their everyday life to live and just be.

  18. Truth October 12, 2015

    Honestly my friends and I had this discussion but it’s the truth I would not hire someone named shanasiadrika to work at my front desk. It isn’t about being racist it’s distracting. Personally had my mom named me that I would go by shanasia but some things are just overboard. It sucks that we have to conform but it must be done right now. I know people with outlandish names that are very amazing people but they also go by a different name for professional purposes. They did not want their name to define them and unfortunately in the world we live in first impressions are literally everything. I think we as a people are too hard on people who are just being honest and saying the things we all think but would never say in mixed company. We have all laughed at someone’s name or said ‘that’s ghetto’ its the fact that she said this on a forum that white people were able to laugh with us that’s why people are upset in all honesty.

    • MusicLife October 12, 2015

      The fact remains you don’t say that on national tv. You think that or only speak that to close friends and business associates. Let alone being of multiple minority groups saying that is stupid for her as a black lesbian who dresses and wears hair like she does.

      • Truth October 12, 2015

        That’s the problem why are uncomfortable with hearing what we say behind closed doors on national television? If you’re bold enough to say it where no one can hear be bold enough to say it out loud or don’t ever say it at all. If it’s wrong ok n national television it is wrong in the privacy of your own home. Let’s not be hypocrites.

      • MusicLife October 12, 2015

        It’s called. Wing PC aka politically correct. It’s like would you say you look fat or not dressed to your best on live television to someone… No.

      • MusicLife October 12, 2015

        Being*

  19. Aloys234 October 12, 2015

    Due to political and race issues u can’t express personal opinion on subjects like this (you’ll look stupid) But in all honesty said names have gaping eyes when companies r hiring, I mean seriously what was the mum and dad of Sharkisha thinking when they named her? It’s unfortunate that these ppl have to be victimised by their peers, teachers and boss’s because of the parents state of mind.. Without a doubt it is no reason to discriminate and all businesses should stick to guidelines when it comes to hiring.

  20. October 12, 2015

    she new what she was doing when she said what she did,she di it to get a rise out of people in the first place, now she is apologizing,naa she can keep that fact apology she did this as a pub stunt she can f-ckoff.how can you not hire someone because off there government name, they didn’t choose it there parents gave it to them, i don’t see why a person should get sh!t on because of there f-cking government name.

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