*ESPN anchor Sage Steele wrote a lengthy Facebook post this past Thursday (11-17-16) on embracing diversity within the black community. But she also said some curious things about politics and her bi-racial heritage. Reactions to that post came quickly on a different social media platform, Twitter.
“Instead of praising or uplifting each other,” Steele wrote on Facebook, “way too many people of color choose to tear down, mock and spew hatred at other blacks who feel differently, think differently, or make decisions that are different from theirs. That, my friends, is hypocrisy at its best. Or should I say, its hypocrisy at its worst.”
The issue came about when Steele decided to school Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wide receiver Mike Evans for his decision to kneel at the start of the National Anthem to protest Donald Trump’s surprising presidential election win.
Steele wasn’t having it, and decided to post her opinion on Twitter. “Hey @MikeEvans13_ look up definition of the word DEMOCRACY & remember this pic while kneeling/exercising your right to protest #perspective,” she said with a photo of a White man kneeling in a graveyard of soldiers.
Miko Grimes, the wife of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brent Grimes, responded by calling Steele “ignorant,” among other things.
READ RELATED STORY: Black High School Student Teaches White Sub About Racism in Viral Video (Watch)
Hey @MikeEvans13_ look up definition of the word DEMOCRACY & remember this pic while kneeling/exercising your right to protest #perspective pic.twitter.com/kGruy3wEDe
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) November 14, 2016
Some believe that white-minded people of color are a danger to the black community, and it’s a good thing that black twitter reminded Steele of just that. She was roasted on the platform for her comment:
Not surprised by Sage Steele, I mean, she lets white men treat her like a pet dog. pic.twitter.com/swCErhLrVD
— Spiritual Thug (@NelsonEmpowered) November 17, 2016
I don’t even get mad at Black ppl like Sage Steele anymore. My grandfather told me years ago that all your skinfolk ain’t your kinfolk.
— Shuttlesworth (@YourOldScrooge) November 17, 2016
Steele fired back at her critics in a Facebook statement:
As a self-proclaimed, proud bi-racial woman — my father is black and my mother is white — the word “diversity” is fascinating. These days, I call it “the D word”. Why? Because everyone likes to say it. At work, at home, at the podium, at colleges and universities. Diversity. EMBRACE DIVERSITY! Fortunately, millions of Americans of all races, religions and cultures do just that. But, how many of us actually mean it? Specifically, how many people of color actually mean it? Or is it simply a socially acceptable, politically correct term that just sounds good, and feels good to say, or to demand? Unfortunately for way too many African-Americans and people of color, I believe it’s the latter. I’ve actually believed this for years and have spoken publicly about it a few times recently, contemplating when the best time would be to fully “go there”. In light of recent events around the country and personally, I feel the time is now.
Read her full statement below:
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