My Response to Raven Hyphen Symone *inserts diacritical mark over e* Comments on The View

Shortened my name in the 8th grade for those who thought that 4 syllabus and 10 letters were too hard to pronounce. Shortened my name, because I didn't want people to stereotype me and judge me as "ghetto". Because of this I feel as if I have betrayed myself and my mother. I feel as if I have conformed. Words cannot express how disgusted I am by Raven-Symone's (an interesting ethnic name) comments... Because of her, children who have no control over what their parents have named them, believe that they have no chance in this world. I want to tell her she's wrong. It's 2015 and it's time to stop judging books by the titles and start reading the stories. My first name is Shantesica and I've had well over 5 jobs, a practicum experience and internship offers in the public health field. I will forever proudly print my 10 lettered name in 14 font on the top of my Resume'. I want little girls with beautiful ethnic names to stand proud, look people like Raven-Symone' in the eyes and proudly say your names... tell them to read it, say it, spell it, sound it out until they get it right. Self-hating black folk aka Raven... it's time to shut up.





link to video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y3JmJhQa7k

*update*
Raven hyphen symone *inserts diacritical mark* has apologized for her statement

"My comments about discrimination have spun out of control.

I'd like to begin by saying that I was not attacking a specific race, but repeating a name that was said in a viral video which has received over 2 million likes.

I have been denied many jobs because of my skin color, body size, and age. Each time I was rejected, my self esteem was negatively effected, so i empathize with those who feel victimized by what I said. We would hope that when it comes to hiring, our names, physical appearance, sexual orientation, and age would never outweigh our qualifications, but often times, they do, thats the truth and it sucks. But I should not be part of the problem, I should be part of the solution.

As an equal opportunity employer, I have never discriminated against a name....even though I said I would, it's not true. My comment was in poor taste. My lack of empathy towards name discrimination was uncalled for. I would also like to say that on Friday my account was hacked, those are not my words."

- Raven Symone'