Reality Star Laura Govan has come under fire for statements she made during the taping of The Next 15 reunion show. Govan, who has a Black father and identifies as Black, told fellow cast member Jennifer Williams that she wishes there were more light skinned cast members. Govan alleges that the statement was a joke, but given how deeply colorism affects the black community, it’s surprising that a black woman would make such a joke, on national TV no less.
Unfortunately this isn’t the first time Govan has made racially charged statements. In 2011 she told fellow Basketball Wives alum Jackie Christie that she would never return to dating black men, stating, “Once you go black you don’t ever want to go back.” While Mrs. Christie may not have jumped to the defense of the brothers, Tiffany Pollard wasn’t having any of Govan’s foolishness during the reunion taping of The Next 15.
Pollard, formerly known as Miss New York from the Flavor of Love show, spoke openly about how Govan’s comments made her feel. When confronted, Govan quickly defended herself by stating,” I am Black.” to which Pollard replied, “If you are Black and you’re standing in it, stand in it in all shades.”
Watch the full scene here:
Do you think Govan was joking? Share your thoughts below.
Tiffany Pollard needs a round of applause for that!
She was only half joking. She thought of it to make the joke so she meant it if even a little bit. I agree with Tiffany. Govan was carting out her blackness to get the heat off of her. This is the same way people who are called out on things like racism, sexism, homophobia, try to make a case for themselves by saying they have friends, are married to, or deal with that group in some capacity. I also noticed that everyone on the other side of the couches seemed to be dismissive of it. This speaks to the… Read more »
Joke or not the entire statement shows her blindness to her own light privilege. She should know that light had been glorified more than those of a darker complexion.
I think this about sums up how I feel about the situation:
If you have to follow a “joke” with the question “Is that racist?” . . you are already aware of the likelihood of it offending someone — especially when being viewed by thousands, if not millions, of people.
Plus, whether joking or not, once someone says they are offended, be mature and apologize. I never understood why people think the world should have the same sense of humor as them.
Laura Goven, just grow up.
So what did she say that was so wrong??
Ugh, why did other cast mbrs have to make excuses for her?! Ms. Pollard DID tell it like it is though!!! “If you stand in it, stand in it in allll shades!” and “yes I’m Black and beautiful and I got naps!” I love it!!!
I don’t even like New York that much.I give it to her she is right.Black people come in all shades
“She’s not even black”
Thank you New York. She’s not even black. She’s a half-breed. She’s just as much white as she is black, and you don’t see white folks claiming her. Half-breeds are not black people. I don’t understand why blacks want to claim half-breeds so bad. Some of y’all out here claiming Halle Berry’s daughter as black and the girl is 75% WHITE!
Wow, I never thought I would be quoting Pollard. “If you are Black and you’re standing in it, stand in it in all shades.“
Tiffany is not as dumb as she comes across. I wish she would show more of the intellectual side of her personality.
Well she is Mexican and black not white this is not white peoples problem lol not claiming her lol.
Mexican, white, whatever. The point I was trying to make is that her other half ain’t claiming her as hard as you blacks are. No one watched this show lol so I didn’t even know who this half-breed was until I read this article.
“The point I was trying to make is that her other half ain’t claiming her as hard as ->you blacks<- are.”
“African from Africa.”
For everyone doubting this is the sockpuppet of a racist.
Because I said “African” and not a specific country you think I’m a white racist? LOL
I’m from Ghana. Are you happy now? Also, in Ghana, we don’t claim people who are half-white. We call them “half-cast”. I personally just like the way “half-breed” rolls off the tongue.
thank u . biracial are not black
New York usually makes me cringe but she has a point. I can see where this can be joking because I have black friends as well as friends of other races who we say all kinds of non-PC mess to each other and laugh. But we know each other like that. If you don’t know me like that it’s not cool. The dude says he and chick are cool like that but obviously not her and New York. I think she meant it as total shade that she didn’t want certain particular people on the show but she was too… Read more »
Also people keep in mind this whole thing could be orchestrated and fake for the sake of creating drama. NY is like a train wreck because of her attitude and because she strikes me as someone who is so insecure it’s hard to watch. I have a friend who works in production for a few reality tv shows that feature mostly blacks. He told me how the crew will make up lies about things that were said by other cast to get them mad at each other. BGLH, I think you should have an asterisk about every reality tv controversy… Read more »
Yeah the darker complexion male should have voiced concern on that view. Not only does it weaken the argument but it makes that black female (I don’t know her name) just look like another typical ‘angry’ black woman. If the biracial female started saying we need more light skinned men, I’m pretty sure he would have said something so why not make the same input when it comes to darker shade of women.
You know why he didn’t get mad because he wants a child to look like Laura and he breeding them faster than anyone.Black men have an agenda they call they mixed race children black for a reason because they know they will have benefits in the black community.
Because he probably doesn’t have a clue anymore, what with his own penchant for white partners. I’m willing to bet that.
To society and herself she is black! Everyone is mixed with something. I can guarantee you if you tested your ancestry you’d be mixed a couple times too. So get off your high horse
I doubt it. African from Africa. There probably aren’t any white people hanging off of my family tree.
And if your “mix” happened the generation right before you, you’re not black. Half black is not black.
So do you have a Ph.D. specializing in who’s black and who’s not, or did some unknown or unseen entity give you the authority to be the trusted source on the matter?
She does not need to because she was not brainwashed to take anyone in the black race.AA’s are the last group that should have a say who is black you are brainwashed.
As a Black American, I think you are on a high horse. All of us aren’t dumb. This is one of the few things I can’t stand about non-American Black people. You got to Haiti the same way we got to America.
I am Haitian and I am black black so stop saying everyone is mixed majority of the black race is pure read on that.
Thank you for saying this. I cannot with American blacks. You see people with the kinkiest of kinks claiming to be mixed. How sway??? Having a great great great grand mother who was half Native American does not make you mixed??? Stand in your SHADE. smh. People are a mess.
Asking for more light skinned people on tv is like asking for more sand on a beach, they’re already the prefered format of black on tv as it is.
Half-breed? Seriously? Are we taking talking points from stormfront now, yes? The comments here are getting more and more toxic. And ripe with obvious “black” sockpuppets racists hide behind to spread their disgusting drivel.
“Half ‑breed”… when was the last time I heard anyone refer to someone else the same way you would a horse.
Thank you! I bet if Govan went around saying she’s not black, or didn’t want anyone calling her black, then there’d be a problem.
Majority of blacks around the world are not brainwashed to have left overs from the other race.Let the black race get dumped with the rejects that the whites and asians and others do not want.Its an AA problem not majority of blacks problem we know who is black AA’s are confusing.
I would not have a problem with it. In fact I would prefer it. Mixed people need their own space. Instead of crowding the small space for Black people. We have similar issues, but they aren’t one in the same.
When New York is the voice of reason then you know y’all need major help. And I do not like that shady gay producer who sits there and instigate drama. I just do not like these shows.
DEAD @ half-breed LOL I am out.
She’s just as much white as she is black and she’s just as much black as she is white. IT DOESN’T MATTER! One of her parents are black and that’s all it takes. Half breed? Please, please, please, and I say this from the bottom of my heart with all of the kindness in the world.…PLEASE STOP SPREADING IGNORANCE! This is why people who are mixed feel like they can’t identify with their black/white/mexican/asian whatever side they are mixed with because people who say things like this are making them feel like they are not what they really are. They… Read more »
People can identify with whatever. However, Black people don’t have to claim biracial, multiracial, or mixed people. We aren’t a dumping ground.
That’s the point people are NOT FOR YOU TO CLAIM! That’s what they are, period. “Black people don’t have to claim them” Speak for yourself. They are not fucking taxes. What the hell is wrong with people?!
Basically, they don’t need to be dumped into the Black space.
It was not a joke. Jokes have punch lines. What was the punch line? It amazes me at the number of those that allowed her to think it was a joke. Are people that old really that naive? Please, just ask a five year old child. Laura clearly has issues and it’s not just that hair cut. People always try to act ignorant when someone pulls their punk card. New York was right for a change. Why did the host let her get away with that? The black community is so damaged when it comes to race and colorism that… Read more »
Girl i thinkshe’s half Mexican
I think that Govan was trying to express her desire to see more multiethnic persons on her show. People sometimes relate better to others like themselves. Fairer skin may also be part of Govan’s standard of beauty. I don’t think she was joking just, ineloquent or inarticulate. With all of the diversity in the entertainment world, she’ll want to learn to appreciate the beauty of others and become more comfortable with herself.
Fair skinned blacks tout “black is black” when it allows them to benefit from their color privilege, or when it otherwise benefits them. But if “black is black” and we are standing in solidarity, why are you so comfortable with the erasure of darker blacks? Where are the fair skinned blacks vocally advocating for their visibility? They hardly do, and they won’t, because it doesn’t benefit them. Colorism is working just fine for them. That’s my issue in a nutshell with this “color solidarity” thing; it is a strategic political alliance that primarily benefits the lighter skinned blacks. I admit… Read more »
You make some awfully broad generalizations here, Omalicha Nwa. Receiving privilege for being fair-skinned isn’t something we’ve asked for, or fight to have. I don’t know where you live, but the fair-skinned AWAKE POC in Minneapolis, MN speak up about colorism. We don’t play that.
It does explain the extreme bitchiness and even hatred many light skinned blacks experience at the hands of pre-judging darker skinned blacks (mostly women, but men too) doesn’t it?
You’re right: it is a generalization… based on certain observations. So often when the topic colorism comes up, fair skinned blacks either seem to become defensive and take the very discussion as an affront to their blackness or they talk about how hard they have it too and how “black is black, because xyz…”. The conversation never goes far, and my question is: if there IS this solidarity, why do fair skinned blacks seem so ambivalent about (and often unfazed by) the rampant issue of colorism?
Pet peeve–referring to light skin as fair. So anyone who is not light is unfair?
*Psssst* “Laura, you’re racist views are showing.”
Also.. saying “I’m black” doesn’t give you a pass to say dumb ish about black people. Yes, people will call you out on it whether you like it or not.
I agree with Tiffany on this one… Stand in your blackness in all shades! Ignorance isn’t always bliss
Well AA’s that is why you should stop claiming everything mixed with black.It takes two black parents to have a black child not other and black.That is why I believe mixed race people should be separate.
Well then we would all be considered mixed race or as you call “other” because the black people in this country are all mixed with something. Your comment is just as offensive as the the comments made by Laura. Instead of suggesting insight to erase colorism, you’re spreading a further division. I am multicultural, my sons are multicultural, my daughter is multicultural but we ALL identify as black. My daughters father is black, and I am black and Puerto Rican so by your standards my daughter can not identify as black even though she is surrounded by black family? I… Read more »
No, we’re not all considered mixed race. Having some long ago white ancestor doesn’t make a Black person mixed. Saying we’re all mixed is just not true. Puerto Rican isn’t a race. Is your parent white, Black, Taino, or mixed? Black people don’t have accept every person as Black. We aren’t a dumping ground.
Black men are never offend because colorism benefits them the most.When mixed race men like my son become the standard of what is a black men they will stand up and you will see lol.I cannot wait to see this lol.
Watch your language!
Well, Tiffany told her. Such an ignorant remark by Laura. I guess she’ll be thinking twice before opening her mouth again.
Um, well, good thang you don’t get ta make that decision for all us BLACK women wit a Caucasian parent. I’m Black, baby, whether you like it or not. You ain’t betta than me or blacker than me. She just ignorant. It ain’t got nuthin ta do wit who’s Black.
Well I can see that this black and white thing is escalating by the day. Soon we will be fighting each other, a mean black and white, will we make the color of our skin be our uniform? Because I sure can see we all heading for a race war, I think we all need to slow down, before this thing get out of hand.?
Race war?? And what precisely would that entail? Black people speaking up too much?
Shame she doesn’t feel ‘beautiful’ enough to actually take off the weave then isn’t it? THAT would be another good statement that needed no voice.
I don’t think she was joking. Laura and her sister were filmed previously making a colorism comment about people are jealous of her because she’s mixed when no one mentioned ethnicity at all. I’m not sure why these women are only in black media and black television programs if they believe their non-black heritage is superior. They should seek their 15 minutes via non-black platforms. I never understand why our people continue to support “celebrities”, like the Govan sisters, Draya, Lil’Wayne, etc., who bash them and allow non-blacks to bash them and their features.
she isn’t black lol not in my country
preach!
You have to be pure white to be white,you have to be pure asian to be asian,you can be anything but black and black people will let you sit at the top of the community.We’re all mixed us the biggiest piece of bullsh*t, i’ve ever heard.African-american are mixed from goddamn slaverape,so are afro-carribean but Black Africans are pure black. Black people accept the cast-offs of the white race,white people have never accepted mixed/multiracial people and have placed them only slightly above full blacks.In reality,black people treat mixed people better than white people ever will. Colourism comes from mixed people,who are… Read more »