In a recent incident that sparked widespread discussion, actress and comedian Amanda Seales publicly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her comments three years ago regarding America’s stance on racism. The controversy began after Harris appeared on “Good Morning America” and responded to a question about Senator Tim Scott’s assertion that “America is not a racist country.” Harris agreed with Scott, stating, “No, I don’t think America is a racist country, but we also do have to speak truth to the history of racism in our country and its existence today.”
Seales was outspoken then, calling the remarks embarrassing for Harris’ supporters. Her sentiment present-day remains equally harsh as she rehased being “summoned” for a meeting with Harris.“I said to her straight up, you talk out two sides of your neck and we don’t know what you’re talking about,” she claimed, rehashing an alleged meeting she had with the vice president. It is unclear when or where they came face-to-face. Still, Seales says,
“I don’t need politicians to state things. I need politicians to do things.”
Seales, a vocal advocate for social justice, took to Instagram to express her disapproval of Harris’ comments. In a post, she wrote, “That was dumb and embarrassing, and she embarrassed everyone who supported her.” Seales’ frustration stemmed from her belief that Harris’ statement undermined the experiences of Black Americans and failed to address the systemic issues that continue to affect the community.
This is not the first time Seales has been vocal about her political views. During Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, Seales had often supported Harris and urged her followers to vote for her. However, Harris’ recent comments led Seales to call out what she perceived as political pandering, describing it as “tired and insulting.”
Amanda Seales could have simply not said a word…but let’s stay focused this election https://t.co/dzDHEEbdm4 pic.twitter.com/uUesNnQBRE
— Elle Murasaki (@itsellemurasaki) July 29, 2024
The reaction to Seales’ critique was mixed. Some agreed with her and were disappointed by Harris’ statement, while others defended Harris, pointing out her consistent efforts to address racism in America. One Twitter user highlighted Harris’ history of speaking out against racism, arguing that Seales’ criticism was based on a superficial understanding of the Vice President’s record.
This incident underscores the ongoing debate within the Black community about the best approach to addressing racism and the role of political leaders in that fight. While Seales’ comments reflect a frustration shared by many, the diverse reactions also show the complexity of opinions on how to achieve meaningful change.
