Janet Jackson sparks backlash over comment Kamala Harris is ‘not Black’

FILE PHOTO – Janet Jackson poses in the press room during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Janet Jackson sparked controversy by misrepresenting the racial background of the US Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, leading to a wave of criticism online. 

Amid the fallout, an apology that seemed to come from Jackson began circulating. However, Jackson’s team said it was not authorized by the singer, raising questions about the legitimacy of the apology issued to BuzzFeed by someone named Mo Elmasri.

The issue came after Jackson was interviewed by The Guardian about the potential for a Black woman to be elected President of the United States. 

Jackson commented during the viral interview, “She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian,” reflecting a misunderstanding of Harris’ dual heritage. 

She mentioned having heard that it was revealed Harris’ father was white, adding to the confusion in the discussion while also conveying her lack of recent engagement with current events. Jackson admitted she hadn’t watched the news in several days.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

For the uninformed, Harris, born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, has identified as a Black woman throughout her life. She has openly spoken about her upbringing and how she and her sister were raised as “two Black women.” 

Social media users quickly took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and understanding the complexities of racial identity, especially in a time when discussions about race are more pertinent than ever.

When posed with the question of whether the US is prepared to elect a woman like Harris to the presidency, Janet hesitated and expressed uncertainty, indicating that she was reluctant to provide an answer. She suggested that regardless of the outcome, it could lead to chaos.

Her vague response, coupled with the previous mischaracterization, raises questions about the responsibility of public figures in discussing critical societal issues.

On “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg asked the public to go easy on Jackson and show her some grace.

“Sometimes people get it wrong and they’re wrong! They made a mistake, they were wrong. It happens,” Goldberg said. “Anybody who says it doesn’t happen to every one of us, multiracial or not, we all do it. So okay, a little grace for the girl. A little grace for the girl.”