Popular television host, Wendy Williams, sparked outrage after her comments about Jesse Williams, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and the NAACP, went viral.
The conversation started when the host spoke on the recent petition circulating to get Jesse Williams fired from Grey’s Anatomy after his speech at the 2016 BET Awards. The talk show host went on to say that she sees both sides of the story and how his words were appropriate for the occasion and network, but can understand how certain pro-black institutions may be considered offensive. Let the outrage begin.
Williams then made a statement that set proud products of HBCUs off. “I must say to you, he was on BET. His speech was very poignant,” she said. “On the other hand, I would be really offended if there was a school that was known as a historically white college. We have historically black colleges. What if there was the National Organization for White People, only? There’s the NAACP.”
The comments didn’t stop there. Williams then pin-pointed HBCUs even more by saying:
“National speeches like this will always rub people the wrong way just like white people will be offended because Spelman College is a historically black college for women. You might feel funny about that. I know I’d feel funny, like I just told you. If there was a white college or whatever.”
To make matters worse, her usually cheerful audience was painfully silent when the remarks were made. So silent that Williams had to address the dead air:
“Look, everybody’s quiet. You’re leaving me out here to dry by myself? One wrong word — I’m choosing my words carefully, but what I am saying is racism sucks and we can all do better in our household, educating ourselves and teaching our children to make it better.”
Wendy Williams is catching hell for comments she made about HBCUs & race. pic.twitter.com/wktsAleCjV
— theJasmineBRAND.com (@thejasminebrand) July 6, 2016
Many viewers went to Twitter to fire back and defend their institutions.
@WendyWilliams if you don’t like the idea of HBCUs why were you the Grand Marshal at an HBCU football game? #MagicCityClassic
— Plane Jain (@missy1e23) July 7, 2016
I use to like @WendyWilliams but watering racism down and shuckin’ & jivin’ ain’t my thing. Some times you have to pick a side. #Honest
— Poet Mz. Jae (@PoetMzJae) July 7, 2016
@WendyWilliams I think you grossly have misunderstood the relevance of a HBCU and the NAACP and should educate yourself on the matter first.
— Alexis Nicole White (@IamMsAlexis) July 7, 2016
Wendy Williams is dumb as hell for that last video on Jesse Williams and BET needs to fire her
— Dar’ (@Purple_Pastry) July 7, 2016
Bottom line @WendyWilliams you shouldREALLY think before you speak.Get clarification from your producers or somebody #hbcu‘s #JesseWilliams
— JAQUITTA WILLIAMS (@jaquittaw) July 7, 2016
THIS, FATHA GAWD. RT @Hoosyourdaddy99 for every jesse williams in the fields, there’s a wendy williams in the house
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) July 6, 2016