Activist Deray McKesson and Katy Perry sat down for an interview and Black Twitter had more than a few questions.
The clip making the rounds shows Deray and Katy informally sitting cross-legged in an all white room. Deray gazes attentively at the singer while she explains learning about cultural appropriation in soft tones.
Admitting to mistakes, including dressing as a geisha and wearing cornrows and baby hair in one video, she acknowledges that she's always willing to learn if people are nice to her.
“Sometimes it takes someone to say out of compassion. Out of Love. Hey — Do you know what the origin is? And not just always a clap back,” Katy explains.
Deray showed that he was willing to show the kind of compassion that Perry is apparently looking for, but Twitter sure wasn't. It watched the interview, and it was not pleased.
1:15pm is still too early on a sunday to see deray sitting kindergarten style on a couch talking to katy perry about how white she is— tanktop black hole (@KasaiREX) June 11, 2017
I just…there's a video of Katy Perry crying cross legged on a sofa asking black people to be nicer to her in front of Deray.— Yemi???? (@unicornyemi) June 11, 2017
I honestly thought Katy Perry, Deray discussion was an #SNL skit! ???? Sittin legs crossed, all white set, giant mics, Perry soundn so stupid!????— ???? Rinnan Lige (@IkilledMyHeroes) June 11, 2017
If you haven't seen the clip and are wondering what could be in it that set people off so, well, here's a sample:
"I love my blackness & yours." – Deray to Katy Perry— Prime Minister (@Al_Patron) June 11, 2017
Some users pointed to feeling upset about how these conversations are being handled as well as the people who are driving the conversation:
Maher and Ice Cube.
Katy Perry and DeRay.
Privilege is choosing who reprimands you.— Jay Dav-O (@ChocnessMonsta) June 11, 2017
For McKesson’s part, he took the criticism in stride and tweeted a detailed and thoughtful response.
I appreciate the people who've pushed me either now/before to be thoughtful about how I engage. We might not always agree, but I hear you.— deray mckesson (@deray) June 11, 2017
I've seen critiques of me taking off my shoes, the timing re: her album, talking w/ artists, link w/ the protests & more. I'm listening.— deray mckesson (@deray) June 11, 2017
With a heightened eye on cultural appropriation and on how black leaders engage the establishment, this is sure to be a conversation that we haven't seen the last of.
