Amanda Seales regularly drops hot takes on Instagram and Twitter. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Amanda Seales has issued a statement about her controversial tweets, standing firm on the fact that people should focus on travel and financial stability over material things like Air Jordans.
“I make it very clear in my following tweets that the point was to say that if you can afford a surplus of material things and value them more than gaining economic growth and security — i.e. attaining a passport, credit, a practical living space for wellness, etc. — you’re being short-sighted in what you consider to be success/maturity,” she said. “Per usual, people added contexts that weren’t intended or implied and the spirit of love intended was misinterpreted as elitist, bourghie [sic], classist, etc. Three things I only play on TV. Nonetheless, I stand by my comments and those that get it, got it, and those that don’t, don’t. All love. I’m not for everyone but I am for everyone winning.”
On Monday, Oct. 9, the comedian claimed people who own Jordans without owning a passport for international travel are “losing.”
If you're buying Jordans and Nike Suits but you don't have a PASSPORT, YOU'RE LOSING.
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 (@amandaseales) October 9, 2017
Immediately, claims of classism followed.
Shaming Black folks for purchasing Nikes/Jordans over passports IS classist and I thought we were over this. It gets us no where.
— Rachael the Lord (@RachaeltheLord) October 9, 2017
She’s saying if ppl have no interest in travel, they’re losing. It’s lowkey classist but meh 🤷🏾♀️ I get the point.
— The Divine Lioness (@divinelioness) October 9, 2017
Anyone that wonders why someone has Jordans but not a passport needs to check how classist that is.
— 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐢’𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞 (@venusselenite) October 9, 2017
Writer and sociologist Eve L. Ewing denounced putting the blame on Jordan purchases and cited data from the Federal Reserve, which noted the gap between Black and Hispanic Americans and their white counterparts has widened.
Suffice it to say, Jordans are not driving the wealth gap and passports ain't gon fix it https://t.co/lRUICREoZZ
— wikipedia brown wants a refund on the police plz (@eveewing) October 9, 2017
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Others felt Seales was talking down to her community.
https://twitter.com/youngsinick/status/917333756633116672
However, some got her point. With passport books for adult first-time applicants costing $110 and adult Jordans ranging from $100 to nearly $400, many felt Black people need to use their funds to travel the world.
. @amandaseales hey I was reading your tweets and I could not find a lie, not near a one.
Priorities. pic.twitter.com/MZvFf7fX3i
— Davon Magwood (@davonmagwood) October 9, 2017
That ur more focused on obtaining material things to maintain a status, & not investing in experiences that expand your mindset/perspective
— 🧸 St. Gemini 🧸 (@Juicelessjerome) October 9, 2017
No she saying if you aren’t building the necessary tools: credit and passports. You’re Jordan out all day then you’re losing. She’s right!
— #Twozsidetothestory (@TwozTMOT) October 9, 2017
B/c you haven't taken that $200 from not buying Jordans and started a business yet. https://t.co/NvVUBMjTHz
— Reid (@RVAReid) October 9, 2017
Soon, Seales caught wind of the criticism and fired back.
EVERYBODY needs to travel. Some may not be able to, but if they CAN, they SHOULD. Period. https://t.co/dOUalVCyF3
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 (@amandaseales) October 9, 2017
and I HATE when ppl misconstrue a statement 2 apply their own context due 2 lack of comprehension. https://t.co/xMPvQVq3Iz
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 (@amandaseales) October 9, 2017
It's called a necessary road of economic awareness and self-knowledge. Get into it! https://t.co/ctvR7qbvb2
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 (@amandaseales) October 9, 2017
She also called out Twitter users for hypocritically applauding Jay-Z’s financial advice on “The Story of O.J.”
“I bought every V12 engine / Wish I could take it back to the beginnin’/ I coulda bought a place in Dumbo before it was Dumbo For like 2 million / That same building today is worth 25 million Guess how I’m feelin’? Dumbo,” he rapped.
It’s funny how when Jay-Z said all of this ya’ll kneeled at the alter but when I say it it’s (insert hurt feelings & fuckshit here) LOL
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩 (@amandaseales) October 9, 2017
Then, Seales reiterated her point.
Balance yall. That's the point. Frivolity has its place but not in place of practicality. Lesson I hv learned. Feel free 2 take it or pass✊🏾
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 (@amandaseales) October 9, 2017
Again, my overall point was that folks b flossin bullshit but ignoring real shit and there are no wins in that game.
— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 (@amandaseales) October 9, 2017
