Oprah Winfrey Says White Privilege Is Real, Senator Ted Cruz Calls It "Racist BS"

BY Erika Marie 4.0K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Christopher Polk / Staff / Getty Images
Oprah Winfrey, Ted Cruz
People don't believe Oprah Winfrey, a billionaire, has the right to condemn White privilege, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

White privilege is a topic that continues to divide as there are people who argue that it doesn't, while there are others who are adamant that it is a very real issue. Billionaire mogul Oprah Winfrey added her two cents to the conversation during a chat with NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho. According to The Hill, Oprah stated, “There are white people who are not as powerful as the system of white people — the caste system that’s been put in place — but they still, no matter where they are on the rung, or the ladder of success, they still have their whiteness."

Rachel Luna / Stringer / Getty Images

“You still have your whiteness," she continued. "That’s what the term ‘white privilege’ is. It means that whiteness still gives you an advantage, no matter.” Republican Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz retweeted a story about Oprah's remarks with the caption, "What utter, racist BS.”

Cruz wasn't the only person to criticize the mogul's comments. Thousands of people took to social media to say that Oprah is a perfect example of why White privilege doesn't exist. "Oprah is a billionaire, one of half a dozen African-American billionaires & 880,000-plus black millionaires in America," one user wrote. "There is no white privilege or black privilege, there is only American privilege thanks to America's color-blind free-enterprise system!" Check out a few responses below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 26
Page was generated in 2.0277030467987