Political commentator Angela Rye always has some major keys to share when she speaks.
And things were no different Friday when she told the audience at ESSENCE Festival 2017 that not all Black people are allies in the struggles against White supremacy.
“This will be empowering because it is the truth,” she started her point before adding, “But all of our kinfolk ain’t our kinfolk — Omarosa!”
The crowd responded with resounding applause in agreement at the mention of Omarosa Manigault, the former Apprentice contestant who is now a member of the Trump administration. As one of the highest ranking African Americans in the White House, she has been criticized for her problematic relationship and outreach with the Black community. She most recently spearheaded the now heavily panned executive order President Trump signed in February that was meant to benefit historically Black colleges and universities.
Rye, who was on the day’s Woke Panel alongside White House correspondent April Ryan, activist April Reign, and social commentator and author Luvvie Ajayi, also pointed out that even as one of the few Black faces in the predominately White male White House, Manigault’s proximity to power is limited: her office is apparently not even in the White House.
All four women on the panel were recently featured in the May 2017 issue of ESSENCE that honored the #Woke100, women who are blazing trails for equal rights and inclusion for Black people in America.
And the crowd, it appears, was here for all of it!