My new heroine

[SassyLady]

A woman who is not afraid to say "don't label me" and says she's just an American!!!




Actress and singer Raven-Symone left Oprah Winfrey visibly surprised during an interview when she explained that she’s “tired of being labeled” and considers herself “American,” not “African-American.”
Raven, who is best known for her roles on “The Cosby Show” and “That’s So Raven,” said she doesn’t want to be labeled as “gay” either, because she is just a “human who loves humans.”
“I’m tired of being labeled. I’m an American. I’m not an African-American; I’m an American,” she said.
“Oh, girl, don’t set up Twitter on fire,” Winfrey responded. “Oh, my lord. What did you just say?”


Raven continued: “I mean, I don’t know where my roots go to. I don’t know how far back they go…I don’t know what country in Africa I’m from, but I do know that my roots are in Louisiana. I’m an American. And that’s a colorless person.”
Winfrey then warned the entertainer that she would “get a lot of flak for saying you’re not African-American.”
“I want you to say what you really mean by that,” the host pressed.
“What I really mean by that is I’m an American. That’s what I really mean,” Raven replied. “I have darker skin. I have a nice, interesting grade of hair. I connect with caucasian. I connect with Asian. I connect with black. I connect with Indian. I connect with each culture.”

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/10/06/just-watch-oprahs-reaction-after-actress-rejects-labels-and-declares-herself-not-african-american/

[Gaffer]

Good for her and shame on winfrey. I find the term african american offensive. winfrey is trying to tell Raven to get back in line and say what your told. The black overseers tend to be even harsher than the white ones.

[Noir]

Labels are always an odd conversation... Like saying 'i don't like to be labeled, i'm an american' is clearly contradictory. What she is saying is she doesn't like some labels, which is fair enough, but thats not the same point i think she thinks she's making.

[DLT]

A woman who is not afraid to say "don't label me" and says she's just an American!!!

Good for her. BUT....this will not go over well with the race-baiting ahole leftists in America. She just put herself on their S-list. I hope she's prepared for the s-storm that her personal opinion will be creating. You are no longer allowed to voice, much less have, alternative opinions that differ from the radical left and our new elitist masters.

[DLT]

Labels are always an odd conversation... Like saying 'i don't like to be labeled, i'm an american' is clearly contradictory. What she is saying is she doesn't like some labels, which is fair enough, but thats not the same point i think she thinks she's making.

She is basically taking a stand against political correctness and the PC labels that the left insists on using. For instance, if you were not born IN Africa, you are NOT an African-American.

[Gunny]

Labels are always an odd conversation... Like saying 'i don't like to be labeled, i'm an american' is clearly contradictory. What she is saying is she doesn't like some labels, which is fair enough, but thats not the same point i think she thinks she's making.

"Person" is a label. "Homo sapien" is a label. The semantics aren't flying on this one. Any self-descriptive/descriptive term is a label.

You're just jealous because you AREN'T an American.

[aboutime]

Labels are always an odd conversation... Like saying 'i don't like to be labeled, i'm an american' is clearly contradictory. What she is saying is she doesn't like some labels, which is fair enough, but thats not the same point i think she thinks she's making.


Noir. Most all of us are very proud to call ourselves non-hyphened Americans. Anything else used with a hyphen is a Label. Like your "Athiest" label posed before your name.

[Noir]

"Person" is a label. "Homo sapien" is a label. The semantics aren't flying on this one. Any self-descriptive/descriptive term is a label.

Thats exactly my point.


You're just jealous because you AREN'T an American.

lul

[Gunny]

Thats exactly my point.



lul

No your point is that no matter what anyone calls him or herself is wrong. You can call descriptions labels, but everyone and everything has one. Word games.

[Noir]

No your point is that no matter what anyone calls him or herself is wrong. You can call descriptions labels, but everyone and everything has one. Word games.

"when she explained that she’s “tired of being labeled” and considers herself “American,”"

I'm not saying the labels are wrong or anything like that, i'm saying as soon as someone says 'i don't like labels' they often follow it up with 'labels' they do like, which is exactly what happened here.

[Thunderknuckles]

I'm not saying the labels are wrong or anything like that, i'm saying as soon as someone says 'i don't like labels' they often follow it up with 'labels' they do like, which is exactly what happened here.
A.K.A. "I'm splitting hairs" :p

Raven-Symone should come out of this just fine. As long as she doesn't announce that she is a Republican, she'll avoid getting a racial dressing down like Stacy Dash did.

[Gunny]

"when she explained that she’s “tired of being labeled” and considers herself “American,”"

I'm not saying the labels are wrong or anything like that, i'm saying as soon as someone says 'i don't like labels' they often follow it up with 'labels' they do like, which is exactly what happened here.

I read what you posted. You want to minimize her point to make your own.

I've made the same argument as she for years. So if you're waiting on me to disagree with it, ain't happening. BUT, since you insist ...

look at the intent of the labeling. She's stating she is an American. That's a positive label and accurate description where her nationality is concerned.

Negative: (pick your race) - American. Homosexual American. Muslim American. Pro Choice American. All victims and using their delusional victimization as a political tool that the media and left buys right off on.

I applaud her for saying something non-PC.

[aboutime]

A.K.A. "I'm splitting hairs" :p

Raven-Symone should come out of this just fine. As long as she doesn't announce that she is a Republican, she'll avoid getting a racial dressing down like Stacy Dash did.


We all know now. How that young lady is (pardon the intentional pun)....On Oprah's Black list.

[Drummond]

"Person" is a label. "Homo sapien" is a label. The semantics aren't flying on this one. Any self-descriptive/descriptive term is a label.

You're just jealous because you AREN'T an American.

... You know what ?

I, as a Brit, don't mind identifying with this comment.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't say I'm 'jealous' ... that's pushing it. But I do acknowledge that America (Obama's vandalism notwithstanding) is a mightier, more moral-centred country, altogether more identifiable a nation of worth and substance, than is true of modern Britain ... we are a pale shadow of what we once were. America is a world leader and has every conceivable right to be such.

That's not to say I feel less than loyalty to my own country. But still, America has an enormous amount to recommend itself to the world. I acknowledge that. Noir, in all honesty, should do the same.

[Thunderknuckles]

... You know what ?

I, as a Brit, don't mind identifying with this comment.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't say I'm 'jealous' ... that's pushing it. But I do acknowledge that America (Obama's vandalism notwithstanding) is a mightier, more moral-centred country, altogether more identifiable a nation of worth and substance, than is true of modern Britain ... we are a pale shadow of what we once were. America is a world leader and has every conceivable right to be such.

That's not to say I feel less than loyalty to my own country. But still, America has an enormous amount to recommend itself to the world. I acknowledge that. Noir, in all honesty, should do the same.
Well said, Drummond.

[Drummond]

Labels are always an odd conversation... Like saying 'i don't like to be labeled, i'm an american' is clearly contradictory. What she is saying is she doesn't like some labels, which is fair enough, but thats not the same point i think she thinks she's making.

I think I'm just rehashing a point already made. But, I'd put it this way ...

You and I are both British. That is a fact of nationality. It's what we are. We were born British, we remain British.

Labelling comes in when you qualify that very basic fact .. with something you choose to identify with. 'African American' is an attempt at self-invented labelling, because, UNLESS a description of dual nationality is involved, then the conscious choice is being made to label with a chosen characteristic.

So for the person this thread is discussing to just say 'American' rather than choose the label 'African American' is an act of factual honesty .. and not just pretension indulged in for effect.

[Gunny]

I think I'm just rehashing a point already made. But, I'd put it this way ...

You and I are both British. That is a fact of nationality. It's what we are. We were born British, we remain British.

Labelling comes in when you qualify that very basic fact .. with something you choose to identify with. 'African American' is an attempt at self-invented labelling, because, UNLESS a description of dual nationality is involved, then the conscious choice is being made to label with a chosen characteristic.

So for the person this thread is discussing to just say 'American' rather than choose the label 'African American' is an act of factual honesty .. and not just pretension indulged in for effect.

Guess what ... we're ALL British. We just had a disagreement. :)

Actually, my family is Scottish.

[Drummond]

Guess what ... we're ALL British. We just had a disagreement. :)

I appreciate this gesture !

Arguably, we British are a disagreeable lot !!

Summing up differences between the British and Americans, though .. and in simplistic terms .. I'd liken the whole thing to a 'before' and 'after' comparison.

Britain is the 'after' comparison.

We have reached a point AFTER several decades of Socialism - some of it quite extreme - has left its mark. We have the most extreme form of socialised healthcare anywhere on the planet (with our NHS sponging medical resources from much of the planet just to keep going, not to mention its being a massive drain on our economy). It works, but it's second rate, and many horror stories can be dug up to show how diabolical a system it CAN be.

As if that isn't bad enough, Socialism over generations has ingrained political correctness in us. Are we dissatisfied with the NHS ? It's too politically incorrect to ever abandon it, or to radically change it. Our BRITISH, CONSERVATIVE Prime Minister wins votes for saying he 'loves' our NHS.

Political correctness stifles expression and freedom to object to anything. Under Labour, it was politically incorrect to object to open border immigration .. actually branded as 'racist' at one point. Ditto the assimilation of other cultures, to the detriment and even destruction of our own.

Under political correctness, to fly the Union Jack (more correctly, the Union Flag) was ITSELF racist !!! Yes, to feel proud in one's own national or cultural identity was (is) a very big 'NO NO'.

Say goodbye to national self-worth, and for why ? Because SOCIALIST SOCIAL ENGINEERING SAID SO.

America has had a small taste of some of this, under Obama in particular. But it is, as yet, only a small taste. You still have pride. You have a strong sense of self-worth. To you, 'greatness' is NOT a dirty word ! Self-identity still exists.

So, Gunny, I'd suggest you not be particularly keen to see yourself as 'British'. The Britain of old was a noble institution, steeped in tradition and national character. Socialism has had generations to poison all that.

Your future lies in avoiding our mistakes for all you're worth. Socialism is pure poison. It robs you of all that is worthwhile, and replaces it with a bland, enslaving tyranny under which you can't ever know your potential as an individual.

[Gunny]

I appreciate this gesture !

Arguably, we British are a disagreeable lot !!

Summing up differences between the British and Americans, though .. and in simplistic terms .. I'd liken the whole thing to a 'before' and 'after' comparison.

Britain is the 'after' comparison.

We have reached a point AFTER several decades of Socialism - some of it quite extreme - has left its mark. We have the most extreme form of socialised healthcare anywhere on the planet (with our NHS sponging medical resources from much of the planet just to keep going, not to mention its being a massive drain on our economy). It works, but it's second rate, and many horror stories can be dug up to show how diabolical a system it CAN be.

As if that isn't bad enough, Socialism over generations has ingrained political correctness in us. Are we dissatisfied with the NHS ? It's too politically incorrect to ever abandon it, or to radically change it. Our BRITISH, CONSERVATIVE Prime Minister wins votes for saying he 'loves' our NHS.

Political correctness stifles expression and freedom to object to anything. Under Labour, it was politically incorrect to object to open border immigration .. actually branded as 'racist' at one point. Ditto the assimilation of other cultures, to the detriment and even destruction of our own.

Under political correctness, to fly the Union Jack (more correctly, the Union Flag) was ITSELF racist !!! Yes, to feel proud in one's own national or cultural identity was (is) a very big 'NO NO'.

Say goodbye to national self-worth, and for why ? Because SOCIALIST SOCIAL ENGINEERING SAID SO.

America has had a small taste of some of this, under Obama in particular. But it is, as yet, only a small taste. You still have pride. You have a strong sense of self-worth. To you, 'greatness' is NOT a dirty word ! Self-identity still exists.

So, Gunny, I'd suggest you not be particularly keen to see yourself as 'British'. The Britain of old was a noble institution, steeped in tradition and national character. Socialism has had generations to poison all that.

Your future lies in avoiding our mistakes for all you're worth. Socialism is pure poison. It robs you of all that is worthwhile, and replaces it with a bland, enslaving tyranny under which you can't ever know your potential as an individual.

Why not? My family is half Brit half Scot. Now add Texan/Alabaman and Marine to that. Sounds like a resume you can't beat to me. :)

[Noir]

You and I are both British. That is a fact of nationality.

Unless i decide my Nationality is Irish...or Northern Irish, right?
ALL these labels are chosen, 'fact of nationality' is a poor phrase.

[Gunny]

Unless i decide my Nationality is Irish...or Northern Irish, right?
ALL these labels are chosen, 'fact of nationality' is a poor phrase.

Let's see ... Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Island, Great Britain .....

I didn't see Dork in there ... hmmm ....

[Thunderknuckles]

Why not? My family is half Brit half Scot. Now add Texan/Alabaman and Marine to that. Sounds like a resume you can't beat to me. :)
That's Nephilim shit right there!
:salute: