Anyone with a name that even remotely speaks to their African roots has probably wondered at one time or another if hiring managers toss their resumes based solely on the fact that they’re Black. Unfortunately, a recent study published in the Journal of Evolution and Human Behavior found that many Americans do make racist assumptions based on people’s names. On Thursday, the women of “The View” shared their opinions on the study, and of course, the show’s resident troll Raven-Symoné had the most to say on the subject.
ABC “View” co-host Raven-Symoné sent Twitter aflutter with her comments on Friday’s show. The former Disney star said she would not hire someone based on their name. It’s a stance that many people on Twitter found hypocritical, especially since she shares a name with a bird and sported a red mohawk when she made her outrageous comments.
The women of, “The View” discussed the topic, “Are You Judged By Your Name?” When the topic of racism based on someone’s name arose, Raven, 29, said she thought it would be better to call it “discriminatory.” She said: “I think that’s a better word.”
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg agreed with her, and said, “It’s a much better word.” But the comedian was shocked where the ,“That’s So Raven” star went next.
“I’m very discriminatory against the words like the ones they were saying in those names,” she said. “I’m not going to hire you if your name is Watermelon-Andrea,” she said. Then Raven giggled loudly, shrugged her shoulders and almost stood out of her seat. “It’s just not going to happen,” she said. “I’m not going to hire you.”
Goldberg, 59, didn’t say a word-- but she looked dumbfounded. The comedian put her hands on her chest and looked away from Raven. One of the women at the round table tried to reason with Raven, and explained that a woman’s name is not something she chose.
The controversial host was later roasted on social media. Some pointed out how she shouldn’t judge anyone, considering her own name. Others made fun of her unique hair. Raven-Symoné memes soon took flight.
In other words, if your mom decided to name you Shaniqua or DaQuan, you don’t deserve to be gainfully employed because a decision that your parents likely made before you even took your first breath tells employers everything that they need to know about your work ethic and capabilities.
Thankfully, someone on the panel had enough sense to point out that there’s probably not a single person walking this earth who had control over what their parents decided to name them. But of course, it went right over Raven’s head.
“Is that mean?” she asked as if she found the entire conversation to be hilarious.
I’m sorry, what?
Raven, let me remind you as you’re perched at ABC’s round table week after week that had God not blessed you with a successful career in entertainment, there’s a good chance that you would be out here applying to nine-to-five gigs like the rest of us. And let me assure you that if a hiring manager as biased as yourself came across your resume with Raven-Symoné Pearman plastered across the top of it, there’s a good chance that you wouldn’t be hired, or even called in to interview, either.
SHOULD RAVEN SYMONE BE REPLACED OR IS THAT WHAT THE SHOW NEEDs TO KEEP GETTING RATINGS?
