Candace Owens is one of the few voices supporting Janet Jackson’s controversial statements regarding U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s ethnic identity. In a September 21 interview with The Guardian, Jackson claimed that Harris was not Black, stating that she was informed that Harris’s father was white.
“She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian. Her father’s white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days,” Jackson said.
On September 23, Owens echoed Janet Jackson’s sentiments, asserting that Kamala Harris is not Black and that her father is Indian and was raised in Jamaica.
“Good for Janet. Kamala Harris is literally not black. Her dad is Indian, but grew up in Jamaica. Kamala now avoids the question of her ethnicity altogether,”Owens tweeted.
These assertions are reminiscent of remarks made by Donald Trump during the NABJ convention in July, wherein he suggested that Harris “happened to turn Black”in recent times after previously identifying as Indian.
However, these claims have been contradicted by numerous individuals, including Harris herself, who has publicly identified as both Black and Indian American. Her father is an economist from Jamaica, and her mother was a biomedical scientist from India.
In her 2019 memoir, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, Harris expressed her mother’s determination to raise her and her sister, Maya, as “confident, proud Black women.”Following their parents’ divorce when Harris was five, she and her sister primarily lived with their mother.
The Controversy Surrounding Janet Jackson’s ‘Apology’ Explored
Janet Jackson’s remarks regarding Kamala Harris’s ethnicity faced significant backlash across social media platforms, leading many to label the singer as ignorant and irresponsible. In response, Mo Elmasri, who claimed to be Jackson’s manager, issued an apology statement on her behalf on September 22.
“Janet Jackson would like to clarify her recent comments. She recognizes that her statements regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity were based on misinformation,”the apology, first reported by Buzzfeed, read.
“Janet respects Harris’ dual heritage as both Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused. She values the diversity Harris represents and understands the importance of celebrating that in today’s society. Janet remains committed to promoting unity and understanding,” it continued.
Shortly after this statement was issued, Jackson’s representative clarified that Elmasri did not have the authority to speak on behalf of the singer. According to Variety, insider sources indicated that Elmasri had no professional affiliation with Jackson, while other reports stated that he had never collaborated with her.
In a separate email statement, Elmasri disclosed to Variety that he and Jackson’s brother Randy had terminated his employment.
“I no longer work for her. I was fired by Janet and Randy, after attempts to improve her image in front of public opinion and her fans, and this is something I do not deserve,” Elmasri stated.
During her interview with The Guardian, Janet Jackson mentioned that chaos could ensue regardless of which candidate wins the presidential election on November 5. Neither Janet Jackson nor her brother Randy has made any statements regarding this controversy.
Meanwhile, the Jackson family is mourning the loss of their brother Tito Jackson, who passed away due to a heart attack on September 15, 2024.
In other news, Janet Jackson is gearing up for her ‘Together Again’ world tour, with dates across Europe and the UK from September 25 to October 13, featuring performances in cities like Paris, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Glasgow.
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