Oprah Says #BlackLivesMatter Protests Lack ‘Leadership,’ Black Twitter Responds
Oprah recently ruffled a few feathers with her take on the wave of protests against police brutality across the nation. In an interview with People, the billionaire media mogul remarked that the #BlackLivesMatter movement lacked “leadership.” "I think it's wonderful to march and to protest and it's wonderful to see all across the country, people doing it," she said. "What I'm looking for is some kind of leadership to come out of this to say, 'This is what we want. This is what has to change, and these are the steps that we need to take to make these changes, and this is what we're willing to do to get it.' " Speaking with the publication while promoting her new film Selma, which chronicles Dr. Martin Luther King’s fight to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Winfrey offered her take on what would spark “real change.” "I think what can be gleaned from our film is to take note of the strategic, peaceful intention required when you want real change,” she said. SEE ALSO: Russell Simmons Pens Compelling Op-Ed To NYPD Union President Pat Lynch Much like the result of any news story surrounding the black community these days, the mighty Black Twitter chimed in. Drawing backlash for her comments, a slew of users referred to Winfrey as “out of touch.” Peep their reactions below:
You have been PAINFULLY quiet, @Oprah, until this movie.
— Charles Wade (@akacharleswade) January 2, 2015
. @oprah there are youth orgs set up and ready to roll .. How about some of the black elite sit at the table w/us and discuss our demands ?
— Tef Poe/FootKlan (@TefPoe) January 2, 2015
I can introduce you @Oprah “@PageSix: Oprah waiting for "some kind of leadership" to emerge from recent protests http://t.co/ckWeRPIDY3”
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) January 2, 2015
(As can I) RT @JamilahLemieux: I can introduce you @Oprah “@PageSix: Oprah waiting for "some kind of leadership" http://t.co/yvq5ZSZiEv”
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) January 2, 2015
SEE ALSO: Review: Martin Luther King Jr. Isn't The Man You Thought You Knew In Ava DuVernay's 'Selma'
I love @Oprah. Was an Oprah Scholar @Morehouse. Her quote suggests 1 thing...
All she learned about Ferguson came from the nightly news.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) January 2, 2015
What Oprah missed about #Ferguson is that each & every one of those protesters are leaders. #ICantBreathe
— TruthBeTold (@Big6domino) January 3, 2015
Oprah is looking 'for leadership to come out & say, "this is what we want" as though we don't have a list of demands throughout the country
— Kim Moore (@SoulRevision) January 2, 2015
Oprah thinks Iyanla is a healer and that Dr.Phil was a health professional. Her endorsements of "leadership" are not necessarily valuable
— DarkSkintDostoyevsky (@daniecal) January 2, 2015
Oprah's waiting for Ferguson leadership. I'm waiting for her to use a penny of her Black-generated billions to help Black people in the USA.
— Amadi (@amaditalks) January 2, 2015
