By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Miley Cyrus’ new image has caused plenty of debate and weeks later, people are still talking about her performance on the MTV Video Music Awards with Robin Thicke. Although Paula Patton says she didn’t have a problem with the singer twerking on her husband, there are many people who feel Miley is just using black culture to stay in the headlines. Miley denies the accusations and says her new image is who she really is, but there’s still a growing number of people calling her out and accusing her of using black culture to make her way to the top of the music business. Solange Knowles recently appeared to call Miley out on Twitter the other day and now it appears Wendy Williams now has some words for Miley as well.
During her Hot Topics section, Wendy touched on the question of if Miley was misappropriating black culture. Wendy says:
“Some say Miley tries to appropriate black culture and use black background dancers like props. Um, I would agree. I mean, it doesn’t bother me because I’m just so used to it on account of the world around us.
“White people, take this in the best way. Some of you have been appropriating my people’s culture longer than many of us have been alive. Why back in the day, there was Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Their styles were stolen and given to, say it with me, Elvis. Elvis is the one who went on and made all the money and became like the king of the world. The other two? Not as big. It happens. It happened with rap music, it’s happened when Justin Timberlake came out–I think black people gave Justin Timberlake a pass because Justin Timberlake wasn’t trying so hard. It was just the soulful way that he was. It wasn’t like an affectation of silliness. The thing is, when young white people do the “black thing,” these same young white people grow up to be middle-aged white people, they take off the whole black accessory thing and they become white again. You understand what I’m saying? And I watch this happen, I grew up in a very mixed community, I watch my son now with his friends, and you know, white girls loving up little black Kev [laughs], and his white friends sagging lower than my son could ever sag and yo-yo yo-ing and stuff. Yeah Miley, I see it. You can’t pick up black and put it down. Black is something that you are and it is. That’s all.”
Interestingly enough, Miley seems to think those that have a problem with her new image and fondness of twerking are racist. She tells Rolling Stone:
“Me and [producer] Mike WiLL were talking about it. He said, ‘For me, my biggest achievement has been working with a white girl—but for a white girl to work and associate with black producers, you’re being ratchet.’ He’s like, ‘Why am I on the come-up if I work with you, but if you work with me, it’s like you’re trying to be hood?’ It’s a double-standard. I didn’t really realize it, but people are still racist.
“If I had come out [at the VMAs] with all white-girl dancers, and done the f*cking “Cha Cha Slide”— same outfit, same everything — it wouldn’t have been bad. But because of who I came out with, people got upset. Because they were girls from the club. They had thick as*es. They were twerking.”
Check out Wendy giving her thoughts in the video below:
Miley Cyrus has gone bonkers over black men. Its quite sad really.
Miley Cyrus lost a fan when she pulled this stunt at the VMA’s. And its ironic SHE is calling her critics racist when she just pulled off a 21st Century Minstrel Show in front of millions.
Agree 100%
Sigh. When are Miley’s 15 minutes up? She needs to go.
Go where? Miley is growing her fan base. She is going no where.
I agree with Wendy. And it annoys me when white folks pull the racism card. They are the inventors of racism. In a few years, she won’t even be trying to be “urban.” She’s lame.
Somebody should start a petition to stop this trainereck.
Mike Will sounds like a color struck idiot.
Miley is just doing what most of the kid stars do when they are desperate to make it. They turn black! Miley thinks being edgy will make her relevant but after a while the shock tactics stop working. Look at Lady Gaga.
Wendy needs to cut it out with this “holier than thou” fake attitude she has and sweep around her front door. If anything she is appropriating white culture with that tacky weave and pedaling of a cheap talk show to white people.
Racist? Miley, please. You are faker than a $3 dollar bill!
Majority of the time I can’t stand Wendy Williams but she 100% CORRECT about Miley Cyrus and others misappropriating black culture. Elvis use to hang out in black clubs and study black performers that is a FACT. Wendy is right Miley ain’t the first and is not the last. With Miley her whole persona is so stereotypical and offensive and she doesn’t even look comfortable its like a facade to sell records. One thing I give JT I think he is honestly being himself he has soul in him and he always pays homage to not only black but all performers. Only thing Wendy left out was these rapers and producers and everybody else that are exploiting Miley for their own are just as much to blame. Because at the end of the day she won’t get blamed for all this the black folk around her will ultimately get the blame that’s what makes people like Mike Will, and Juicy J so stupid.
Well said boo.
If Miley was black, there would be no blacklash for what she was doing. All she was doing was just the same stuff we have been seeing with R&B and rap for almost 25 years now. Sex sells and she is selling it with her own twist.
Hun, you know you and I are close but you are way off base with this one. Miley is wrong and she is not going to last with this shtick.
I have a question for you if Miley’s intent is just to copy what has been done in the past and you say sex sells why didn’t she copy Britney Spears, Madonna, Lady Gaga or the Pussycat dolls. Hell Lady Gaga whole style is Madonna reincarnated for this generation look how successful she is. I understand your point but I just disagree because she didn’t have to do this foolishness to sell records she was already a known name and could have sold records on her name alone. And truth be told everyone of the women I named have sold millions of records and more then most rap and r&b artist. It’s not so much her music as it is the visuals she looks uncomfortable with w/ her tongue out and gyrating she could do the music she wants and have a better presentation that is sexy and with her twist.
I’d just like to know why young females like Miley and Rihanna feel being oversexed and naked is what it takes to make it in 2013? What was the whole point of the feminist movement if this is what we feel we still have to do to succeed? I have yet to see a man get on stage naked and twerk for attention during a performance. These ladies are just puppets.
Yes Wendy!!!!
Wendy is about to start making me like her punk a-s. LOL.
Wendy is 100% correct. Miley is acting like she’s breaking ground but so many pop stars have pulled the same stunt. Don’t use our culture to stretch out your 15 minutes. Talent should do that for you.
I expected to see the day where Wendy and I would agree on anything. Miley’s desperate move to remain relevant in the industry will backfire. Twerking was always something that was never looked upon positively in the black community.
Wow Mike WilLL really? That’s been his greatest achievement? SMH.
I feel ppl are taking this too seriously. Why does everything have to be about race. Yes Black ppl created twerking but who are we too say no other race can twerk. Miley is a young famous celebrity. She is going to have fun and live her life. I don’t think she is being offensive or making fun of is at all. Everybody twerks, its an international thing. If she wants to work with a black producer whats the problem ? Jay-Z worked with Justin Timberlake but nobody says anything. Ppl just need to rant about something. Stop pulling the race card. Im TeamMiley. Do your thing Boo
what you fail o understand is the people who write History always write it from their point of view. This is why most of the kids now don’t even know that blacks were the one who invented Jazz and rock and roll.
because we’re almost written out. kids now thinks rock and roll started with Elvis and its white music. when they here are see any history of Jazz on TV, its white Jazz band . most kids don’t even know who Charlie Parker or Miles Davies is
Madonna did also she stole the vogue dance and the media act like she created it when it was black and Hispanic gays and drag queens in Harlem see the movie “Paris is Burning” clips are on youtube
I wish she would put her nasty tongue back in her mouth. Ugh.