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Eboni K. Williams has a crystal-clear message for people critiquing her recent commentary about “the bigotry of low expectations” amongst Black men: “I said what I said!”
On Thursday, the commentator and Real Housewives of New York City alum appeared on The Breakfast Club to address the situation.
After explaining her commentary and engaging in a back-and-forth with DJ Envy about the impact of her statements, Williams dished on how she prioritizes facts over feelings.
“More than I care about hurt feelings, I care about providing my people with facts and information that say that the current way of life for the majority of Black Americans is not serving us.”
After reiterating that she’s “going off of the data and the facts,” she spoke on “the current positioning of Black America.”
“If y’all are okay with the current positioning of Black America, that we [have] the lowest income, the lowest home ownership, the lowest-educated group, then so be it.”
She added, “I’m not okay with it, so that is why I said what I said about addressing the bigotry of low expectations.”
Williams proclaimed that, while she understands people’s anger, “somebody has got to start telling the truth.”
“I am naming it…I’m acknowledging the pain, but somebody has got to start telling the truth to our people.”
After this interview, Williams kept the conversation going on Instagram.
Beneath an upload, Williams acknowledged that — regardless of people’s stances — she knows “our culture NEEDS this conversation.”
“Baby, what I know for sure is that our culture NEEDS this conversation. No matter your position or how this convo makes you feel we have GOT to reckon with the strata of these issues within the Black community now…or deal with consequences later.”
She wrapped up by adding, “Please keep the convo going in the comments.”
The conversation initially started during a sit-down between Williams and Iyanla Vanzant on TheGrio.
After Williams mentioned how successful Black women can feel as though available men are “not earning” or “showing up in the leadership” enough, Vanzant asked if she would “date a bus driver.”
In turn, Williams proclaimed that she would only do so “if he owns the bus.”
Upon receiving some online backlash over her statements, Williams tapped in and clarified that — rather than putting down working-class people — she’s actually “pouring into the ascension of Black men.”
“I am actually speaking and pouring into the ascension of Black men when I said what I said. But no, some of y’all were too busy naming and shaming me personally, and Black women in general, as undesirable golddiggers.”
The commentator unapologetically noted that, while many may be used to their “mediocrity” being praised, she personally doesn’t support “the bigotry of low expectations.”
“Average is not and will never be good enough for me. And the gag is, I don’t think it’s good enough for you, either.”
Roommates, what do you think of Eboni K. William’s stance?
