We are not even a full week into 2017 and I've managed to collect enough white tears to get me through Donald Trump's inauguration. Not just any white tears, though. This is a special edition, a collector's item of some sort. They belong to former American Idol finalist, Bo Bice.
Photo: GIPHY
Considering the fact that American Idol was hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and Seacrest also produces Keeping Up with the Kardashians, does this mean that, through seven degrees of separation, I also collect the white tears of a Kardashian? Hate me if you will, but Blacc Chyna took care of that in 2016, coming straight out of the chocolate city.
Back to Bo Bice, though.
Bice, the 41-year-old former Idol runner-up was traveling through Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta last Friday when he stopped by Popeyes. He claims one of the employees referred to him as a "white boy" to determine his order. Bice, who then became butt hurt at the mere mention of being called "white boy", immediately requested an apology. He didn't get it and took to social media to express his outrage over the incident.
There's no word on whether he ate the chicken.
Of course, mainstream ate it up because reverse racism is apparently a thing, especially when you refer to a white man as a "white boy". In an emotional sit down with FOX 5 news in Atlanta, Bice recounted the devastating moment.
“The three ladies behind the counter asked whose food it was,” Bice told FOX 5 exclusively. “Just when I turned around, one of them said ‘that white boy.’”
As expected, his first argument was the most obvious.
“If tables had been turned and I used something as insensitive like that… I would be boycotted, people wouldn’t buy my albums,” Bice said in the interview.
To further substantiate his claims of racism, Bice made a call to action signaling the Civil Rights era.
“It’s time for us to wake up and start having some dialogue,” Bice said. “It’s not 1960, it’s 2017 and we are all adults here.”
You know what would have happened had she called him a "white boy" in 1960, but let's stay on topic here.
Then it gets better.
Bice tells the world in his devastating interview as tears streamed down his face, "The fact that I got to sit on tv and come down a notch and look like a petty little brat tweeting and Facebooking this just to open up dialogue about this, so we can have an adult conversation is really ridiculous. And America you should be ashamed of yourself."
Someone please hold my mule. Come down a notch? Open up a dialogue about this? What is this? Reverse racism? In case you missed all of 2016 ('15 and '14), Bo, black men and women were diminished to mere target holes and hashtags. Facebook became the new police dash cam where officers freely shot citizens and held men to the ground for selling CD's or loose cigarettes.
Were you concerned about racism then?
Photo: Giphy
On Facebook, Bice mentioned involving his lawyers.
Popeyes went on to release this statement to FOX 5:
“Mack II Inc. is very sorry that the incident occurred and for any pain or embarrassment that Mr. Bice experienced. The company does not condone the behavior of one of our associates and we took corrective action as soon as we were made aware of the incident. Also, we will require re-training of our associates to ensure this isolated incident does not occur again. In addition, Mr. Bice has been issued an apology by the General Manager. We value all of our customers regardless of race, religion, age, disability, gender, etc.”
Bo, for the life of me, I'm trying to figure out if she had called you a white man would you be less offended. Sir, you are indeed a white male. And if her comment were to be put into the context of trying to describe to her coworker what you look like, a white boy may be a good fit. Maybe she should have described you by your clothing, hairstyle, your loss on American Idol or low album sales? All up for debate. But her accurate depiction of you doesn't give rise to any level of racism or injustice. Did she refuse your service? Did she post a sign that said: " No Whites Welcome Here"?
No. What this story boils down to is that these employees did not apologize or bow down to your whiteness. Your entitlement is bruised and nothing more.
America, should be ashamed? Shame, beloved, is knowing that you wasted a good three minutes showing the world how out of touch with reality you are. Enjoy your liberties provided by the Constitution because in today's society there are plenty of individuals who can rightfully say they've been robbed of such.
You know, like shopping while black, driving while black, living while black.
In the words of Cam Newton, "Too bad they don't make band-aids for feelings," because you need one. But there's more of you out there. Bo Bice's of the world who think we need to coddle you when you experience so-called reverse racism. But I refuse. We refuse. Instead, we will collect your white tears as restitution for not being able to claim privilege as freely as you can.
One can only imagine how many tears Bo shed losing an exclusive record contract to a woman on live TV who then went on to become one of the best-selling Country artists of all-time. America did that to you.
Bo, you're in my prayers boo.
Photo: Tumblr
Hear more sobs from Bo in the full interview.
Sound off. Does Bo carry any validity in his claims? Let us know below in the comments.
