“Queen Sugar” star Kofi Siriboe found lots of support for his praise of Black women when a white woman felt he should have given props to all races instead.
On Twitter Tuesday, Feb. 7, the actor, who is set to appear in the upcoming film “Girls Trip,” expressed love for his mother and applauded the devotion of Black women.
https://twitter.com/kofisiriboe/status/829043835930034180
A white Twitter user named Claire Palmer seemed to take offense to Siriboe placing the spotlight on Black women. She responded by pointing out mothers of all races are loving.
@kofisiriboe ! Really !! All good mums do those things no matter creed or colour!
— Claire Palmer (@ClaireP04694087) February 7, 2017
Another woman, who is Black chimed in to defend Siriboe’s tweet…
@ClaireP04694087 @kofisiriboe literally no one said otherwise. Black women shaped him. He can’t celebrate his mother and sisters? Really?
— ShoniLane (@DiaShoni) February 8, 2017
…and Palmer explained herself.
@DiaShoni @kofisiriboe Everyone knows the power of a statement!! It would have been better put if it was just empowerment to women and left
— Claire Palmer (@ClaireP04694087) February 8, 2017
Several others demanded Palmer remove herself from the conversation altogether.
@ClaireP04694087 @kofisiriboe He said Black women, Claire. He wasn’t talking to or about you. pic.twitter.com/qOEE2fcFov
— BitchesLoveLibraries (@aliciafiasco_) February 8, 2017
@ClaireP04694087 Not to get in on @kofisiriboe‘s mentions, but MA’AM…
This ain’t the place for your brand of beckery. Go away. FAR AWAY. pic.twitter.com/7EUMfyahbJ
— Eliza David ♒️ (@elizadwrites) February 8, 2017
@ClaireP04694087 pic.twitter.com/pOXmQh0VHz
— Tammy (@taraebk) February 8, 2017
Many felt exasperated over Black people never being able to have anything for themselves.
@ClaireP04694087 why. Why do white women always do this?! Can we be proud & celebrate ourselves w/o ur input for once?! Jesus.
— Dethorned Rose (@DeannaRose614) February 8, 2017
@ClaireP04694087 @kofisiriboe this is not abt you! Not everything is abt u white ppl!!!! Damn
— laure (@arthemis0609) February 8, 2017
@ClaireP04694087 @kofisiriboe White women always want to be in the middle of everything, don’t they..
— Canubian Jackson (@canubian604) February 8, 2017
@ClaireP04694087 BOTTOM LINE, YOU ARE NOT HIS MOTHER OR SISTERS. STOP TRYING TO INCLUDE YOURSELF IN HIS LIFE. BE GONE YOU TROLL.
— Ernest Priester (@blackasspop) February 8, 2017
@ClaireP04694087 @kofisiriboe can’t have nothing. Not even our own thoughts
— Chioko Grevious (@chiokoj) February 8, 2017
@AwesomestOn3 felt confused about why Palmer was upset.
@ClaireP04694087 @DiaShoni and his statement was intentional. He was talking about HIS mother, a black woman. Why does that upset you
— Halogen??Heffa?? (@AwesomestOn3) February 8, 2017
Palmer responded that Siriboe’s tweet should have been based on “heart and kindness.”
@AwesomestOn3 @DiaShoni I thought it was lovely until ! It’s always about religion or skin colour! Should be about heart and kindness only
— Claire Palmer (@ClaireP04694087) February 8, 2017
That lead @AwesomestOn3 to offer up a conversation about why her statement as a white woman had racial implications.
that is not a space for you to interject your feelings. Do we need to have a conversation about race?
— 🇩🇴Black and Bubbly🇵🇷 (@BubblesNBuns) February 8, 2017
@ClaireP04694087 @DiaShoni because if you’re willing to listen and digest, we can talk about why your statement is problematic
— Halogen??Heffa?? (@AwesomestOn3) February 8, 2017
Siriboe didn’t need his statement to be defended, though. He responded to Palmer himself by including a lengthy message about how he will unapologetically uplift Black women and Black people in general.
https://twitter.com/kofisiriboe/status/829132969944182785
https://twitter.com/kofisiriboe/status/829412466891304960
