Tiffany “New York” Pollard ain’t ever been nothing to play with and she let her castmate of the tv series, The Next 15, know just that at the reunion show. Former Basketball Wives series alum, Laura Govan made a comment on The Next 15 stating that she wished there were more light-skinned people in the cast which includes Govan, Pollard, Benzino, Jennifer Williams, Claudia Jordan, and Karamo Brown. While she quickly attempted to pass the remark off as a joke, Pollard spoke up and let her know that she wasn’t going to let her off without giving her a teaching moment.

When questioned if she thought she had offended black women, Govan quickly stated that she did not and affirmed her own blackness in saying, “I am black.” Pollard quickly drew on the defense in asking her “If you are black, why bring it up? If you are black why make tone a subject to say?” The mic drop moment came when New York turned to Govan and made a statement about loving all forms of blackness in saying, “If you’re black and you’re standing it it, stand in it in all shades.” She also took the message further in saying she feels liberated in her blackness and all of the features that come with it.

Whether or not we can be sure of exactly how Govan feels, as a black woman she should be more educated on the subject of colorism and how it manifests in the black, and Latina, identity she encompasses. While New York’s message definitely brought the issue to the forefront, it also goes without saying that Govan’s statements weren’t just offensive to black women, it was offensive to black people because all too often we are having the same conversation about lack of representation, white-washing, and inclusiveness. Instead of trying to divide and diminish each other based on tone, Govan could learn to embrace all that blackness is and the many shades that it comes in. Maybe then she would see that this is not a joking matter and maybe think twice about what she says next.

What did you think of Laura Govan’s joke? Did you think it was offensive? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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