Raven-Symoné is setting the record straight after making comments about not wanting to be labeled as "gay" or an "African American."
The 28-year-old "That's so Raven" actress made headlines over the weekend after telling Oprah Winfrey during an episode of "Where Are They Now?" that she does not consider herself African American.
"I'm tired of being labeled," the actress told Winfrey. "I'm not an African American; I'm an American."
She clarified her statement, and said, "I don't know where my roots go to. I don't know how far back they go...I don't know what country in Africa I'm from, but I do know that my roots are in Louisiana. I'm an American. And that's a colorless person. I have darker skin. I have a nice, interesting grade of hair. I connect with Caucasian. I connect with Asian. I connect with Black. I connect with Indian. I connect with each culture."
The former child star's comments sparked an outrage on social media, with many users bashing the actress and calling her "ignorant." In a statement to E! News, Raven-Symoné said her comments were taken out of context.
"I never said I wasn't black," the former Disney star said in a statement. "I want to make that very clear. I said, 'I am not African American.' I never expected my personal beliefs and comments to spark such emotion in people. I think it is only positive when we can openly discuss race and being labeled in America."
The actress also told Winfrey that she dislikes the term "gay," and just wants to be known as "a human who loves a human." Last year, Raven-Symoné tweeted her support for same-sex marriage.
"That was my way of saying I'm proud of the country," she said in the interview. "But, I will say that I'm in an amazing, happy relationship with my partner. A woman. People in my family, they've taught me to keep my personal life to myself as much as possible. So, I try my best to hold the fence where I can. But I am proud to be who I am and what I am."
