Stacey Dash on Fox’s “Outnumbered”
During a recent episode of Fox’s “Outnumbered,” actress and commentator Stacey Dash said, “There is no need for a BET or a BET Awards or an Image Awards or NAACP for that matter. We don’t need it anymore.” Sure, these programs and Black media in general have been supportive of her past career, but according to Dash we’re not necessary anymore. One BlackDoctor.org reader shares her food for thought.
Dear Stacey Dash,
As a young Black woman, I thought your decision to be on the cover of Playboy at 40 years old was a powerful move for women who are constantly discriminated against due to their age and race. That image was ruined when you victim-blamed rape victims on “Outnumbered.” You referred to them as “bad girls who like to be naughty.” How could these words come from the same woman who spoke openly about having sex on the first date?
I find it interesting that you now call yourself an “independent-thinking black woman” who’s calling BET on their bluff. Not long ago, you were telling Wendy Williams and Jamie Foxx that you needed approval from a man to know that you were beautiful.
Is Fox News telling you that you’re smart?
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In your recent essay on Patheos, “How BET Lies to Black People,” you joke about no one being able to name a show on BET. But, if it weren’t for BET playing reruns of “The Game” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” most people wouldn’t know who you are. How about you try asking your colleagues at Fox News to name something you’ve been in other than “Clueless.”
My turn. I’ll wait…
Your commentary on “Outnumbered” is constantly offensive and insensitive. We don’t need BET to tell us that the rest of America is racist when we have a Black woman on Fox News denouncing her own people on national television.
Your name is being blasted all over the media as “the Clueless star,” a film from 1995. I hope you know that’s not a compliment. It’s the grandest form of shade because that’s exactly what you are if you think we’d be better off without Black spaces.
If it weren’t for Black spaces, there would be no Smooth cover, no Heart & Soul cover, no “money hungry hoe” in “Mo Money”. It seems that it was ok to have a Black space when you needed a job.
These Black spaces have supported your career for over three decades. Perhaps we gave too much praise to your European features on the cover of King magazine when they debuted your big comeback. Because, instead of coming back, you came for the Black community. You chose to be a correspondent (read pawn) on the one network that is notorious for perpetuating negative stereotypes of Black America.
Your entire career is a contradiction.
You said we either need to have segregation or integration. But, what’s so integrated about an #AllWhiteOscars? Should we be content that we are no longer the help?
Have a seat, Stacey. Don’t forget to thank Black spaces for fighting for your right to do so.
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Black spaces are created to include those who are often overlooked and excluded from opportunities of advancement. Though they are for Black people, they are not limited to Black people. This is a common and dangerous misconception. The aim of Black spaces is to discuss Black issues (health, education, finance, environment, entertainment, etc.) that are still missing in mainstream media. Black media produces a proper representation of black people because black people are included in the creative process.
We did not choose to be segregated.
Black History Month was created because our history wasn’t included in history classes. We were reminded that we were slaves, but we weren’t told how significant our role was in building this nation. How do you not see a direct correlation between that and the Black actors and actresses who are invited to the Oscars solely to watch their white counterparts be awarded for their work?
Black History Month gives us a few days to celebrate who we are with a little less criticism from non-POC. Let us have that.
“If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”- Carter G. Woodson
Iesha Pompey is a writer and founder of Platform Queens.
[OPINION]: “Have A Seat, Stacey. Don’t Forget To Thank Black Spaces For Your Right To Do So.” was originally published on blackdoctor.org
