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Social media users are sharing their reactions after ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’ cast members weighed in on Erica Mena’s comments toward Spice. As The Shade Room previously reported, the cast members participated in a roundtable discussion about racism and colorism, which aired Tuesday evening.
Previously, Mena referred to the Dancehall artist as a “blue monkey” during an episode of the show that premiered in August. Since then, the mother of three has received backlash for her words. Additionally, the MTV network and ‘LHHATL’ series have announced that Mena will no longer “appear” in the show’s “next season.” Despite Mena since apologizing for her words, the mother of three has most recently alleged that the show only recorded the discussion to quell backlash.
The Shade Room shared a clip of the “roundtable” episode following its premiere on Tuesday evening. In the clip, ‘Love and Hip Hop’ producers ask the cast, who appear to be taking part in individual confessions, for their feelings in response to Mena’s comment.
“You know, seeing it live, seeing the scenes, hearing the sounds, it was like you felt it,” Kirk Frost explained.
Then, Karlie Redd shared her thoughts.
“Watching that, it was really upsetting to me,” Redd explained.
The clip then cuts to Rasheeda Frost.
“To me, it turned from like a one-on-one to like a one on the culture.”
Castmate Yandy then added her reaction.
“My first go-to, in anger or in outrage, is not a racial slur,” she explained.
At this point, the clip cuts to Spice, who weighs in on her thoughts regarding Mena’s insult. The Dancehall singer begins by explaining that she didn’t want to get emotional while sharing her reaction.
“I didn’t want to get emotional — why did I have to do this?” Spice said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “It’s a lot…”
In the following slide of the clip, Spice explains that Mena’s insult was not just about her. Instead, “Erica came for an entire race [of people.].”
“This racial slur is over a hundred years older than me. It’s deeply rooted into Black history of they used to dehumanize us — how they used to sell us and consider us animals,” Spice explained.
Spice then added it was okay for the public to call her out for chastising Mena about her eldest son allegedly disliking her.
“But it’s a whole different thing when someone’s response is to be a racist or someone’s response is to come for a Black woman and dehumanize them,” the artist continued.
The clip then cut to Frost, who reiterated a social media comment that “Spice went low” and Erica Mena went lower. Frost summarized his thoughts by explaining that Mena should research the slur’s context more. Meanwhile, Karlie Redd added that there is “no difference between using a racial slur and being racist.”
As the clip continued, Yandy Smith revealed that she spoke to Mena about her comments toward Spice at Bambi’s divorce party in July.
However, Smith explained that Mena “was not very receptive” to her perspective.
Ultimately, Mena explained to Smith that she “would do it all over again” because Spice “violated her son.”
After the clip was shared on The Shade Room, Instagram users quickly stepped into the post’s comment section to share their reactions to the show’s roundtable. Many appeared to feel that the clip was “dramatic.”
“They’re so dern dramatic 😂😂😂”
“Love and Hip Hop please . Y’all doing the most”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @theerealburnell wrote.
“Listen I Am Not The Biggest Erica Fan But This Is So Dramatic😒”
Instagram user @triceyl__ added.
“Y’all giving this “THIS TOPIC” a lil too much..”
“Yeah I don’t like this they doing too much atp. Cuz they’re the ones who aired it”
“Nah, the fake outrage is crazy”
“The entire show should be canceled if they’re gonna be real about it and with ‘friends’ like this who needs an enemy”
“Y’all dragging it! Y’all taped it and had nothing to say until we were outraged! At this point y’all looking for views bye! Y’all fired her what else ?”
One user, @chythegreatest, even went so far as to add that ‘Love and Hip Hop’ has been “degrading” Black culture for years. Additionally, the user said that the series should stop “exploiting” Black families.
“Love & Hip Hop been degrading black culture since I was in middle school and a racial slur is where y’all draw the line? How bout discontinue the whole show and stop exploiting black families for tea.”
Roomies, what do you think about this?
