Appearing on her Apple TV+ series, The Oprah Conversation, Oprah discussed white privilege with former NFL star and host of the web series Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Emmanuel Acho.
“There are white people who are not as powerful as the system of white people — the caste system that’s been put in place. But they still, no matter where they are on the rung or ladder of success, they still have their whiteness.
“You still have your whiteness. That’s what the term ‘white privilege’ is. It means that whiteness still gives you an advantage, no matter”
Oprah’s comment set (white) conservative Twitter off. Sen. Ted Cruz, who’s made a career of manipulating the truth and hypocrisy calling the discussion “utter, racist BS.”.
Per Oprah's recent comments about white people, a picture of Oprah's fanbase which made her a billionaire. #oprah #OprahWinfrey pic.twitter.com/JJZF2PiwX5
— Charlie (@CharlieBayer8) August 5, 2020
#Oprah u on billionaire David Geffen boat on her birthday trying to plot to destroy Michael Jackson reputation watching a pro pedophile movie all because David Geffen was upset Michael Jackson and John branca out smarted him to buy the Beatles catolog 🤭And failing miserable pic.twitter.com/3w8vu5fcPP
— joejoe (@Curry03532437) August 5, 2020
JUST to make it CLEAR #Oprah is the biggest racist there is. She Always with her criminal pedo white rich friends and backstab the black community EVERY chance she gets. She tried to cancel Michael Jackson NOT wanting to know the truth. She is a despicable piece of trash. ‼️ pic.twitter.com/FqVeVCqIhT
— MissCamilla (@CamillaMR2) August 5, 2020
While social media commenters were angry, none addressed the question of white privilege and none of their comments negate the privilege of being white in America.
Just because Oprah is a billionaire three times over does not mean that she did not endure the barriers that are in place because of systemic racism and white supremacy. #Oprah pic.twitter.com/h0nRuLsxh3
— Jaderade 😍😜😘 (@jaderade_1) August 5, 2020
Oprah is trending right now because people are mad she won't pretend wealth is a shield for racism and because she won't let people use her as a "model minority" to pretend "working hard" somehow diminishes the existence of privilege and racism. Love to see it. #Oprah
— Leah Thomas (@Leahtommi) August 5, 2020
For others still, Oprah standing up to white privilege does not absolve her of her trespass over the last few years against black men. To some, Oprah appeared to be on a crusade against black celebrity men including Michael Jackson, Russell Simmons, and R. Kelly, using he massive platform to raise accusations — in the case of Jackson and Simmons — with little or no evidence.
Her refusal to own up to her own, deliberate deeds of crucifixion of innocent black men is obvious. Not to mention her trying to disparage the legacy of Michael Jackson. Her blatant avoidance of addressing her connection to Weinstein and ‘John of God’. Doesn’t look good #Oprah.
— Anna Maria (@AnnaMaria290858) August 5, 2020
