I want to be very clear about what I'm going to say on this uncomfortable subject (of Camilla Cabello’s racist tumblr account and tweets) and figured it would be best to write out my thoughts to avoid being misconstrued, as I have been in the past.

I struggled with talking about this because I didn't want it to be a part of my narrative, but I am a black woman, who is a part of an entire generation that has a similar story. I face senseless attacks daily, as does the rest of my community. This represents a day in the life for us. I have been tolerating discrimination far before I could even comprehend what exactly was happening. Direct and subliminal hatred has been geared towards me for many years solely because of the color of my skin.

It would be dishonest if I said that this particular scenario (onslaught of online racism by Camilla Cabello fans) didn't hurt me. It was devastating that this came from a place that was supposed to be a safe haven and a sisterhood, because I knew that if the tables were turned I would defend each of them in a single heartbeat. It took days for her to acknowledge what I was dealing with online and then years for her to take responsibility for the offensive tweets that recently resurfaced. Whether or not it was her intention, this made me feel like I was second to the relationship that she had with her fans.

I really hope that an important lesson was learned in this. I hope there is genuine understanding about why this was absolutely unacceptable. I have spoken what is in my heart and pray this is transparent enough that I never have to speak on it again.

-Normani, Digital Rolling Stone, February 2020

Normani expressed herself in email to the magazine because her verbal statements had been misconstrued in the past. I can relate to feeling like communicating with other women is an impossible feat because of lies, gossip, interruption, and turning their literal backs to me.

So many ‘people of color’ are anti-Black and change their skin to fit in depending on their surroundings and what serves them best at the moment. Every Black woman has a Camilla in their past, present, and future and there is no justice. We have to pick up the pieces and heal ourselves like we have been doing for centuries.

Have a Pleasant Day
-Rae Pleasant