“Grey’s Anatomy” actress Ellen Pompeo was called “racist” for making negative comments about 2020 presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
During the second Democratic debate this week, the actress described Harris as “overconfident” and she “believes he is her only competition,” referring to former Vice President Joe Biden, Harris’s opponent.
Pompeo was responding to a Bloomberg News tweet that pointed out Harris “very clearly only wants to debate Joe Biden,” noting that “every time she’s been challenged” by a lower-polling candidate, Harris focused on Biden.
Because she’s overconfident and believes he is her only competition https://t.co/HYPRXtoLIr
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) August 1, 2019
On Twitter, a number of users accused her of making a racist comment.
“Black women are allowed only a certain amount of confidence. must always yield something to whatever white man is around,” said one user, Petty Shabazz, a reference to Betty Shabazz, the wife of Malcolm X.
Another claimed, “I know you didn’t just call a black woman running for president overconfident” before cursing at her.
“Let me be very clear this was racist,” said a third person. And one said that it’s an “awful” comment to make about a “strong black woman.”
Several of the critical tweets had several thousand “likes” and reactions.
First I don’t have to tip toe around when I’m talking about a performance on a stage by a candidate… to me that’s what she is first in this context.. race has nothing to do with her ideas or plans as a candidate… it informs her plans but I only care about their ideas https://t.co/kzGQDTJkLh
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) August 1, 2019
Pompeo then said that the accusation that her comment was racist was a “weak” argument.
“Not sure why my comment is now a racial comment ..so weak.. two people on a stage with a bunch of others they all came off a certain way and they are up there for intreptation,” she wrote. “Stop looking for [expletive] to get mad about.”
She added: “First I don’t have to tip toe around when I’m talking about a performance on a stage by a candidate… to me that’s what she is first in this context.. race has nothing to do with her ideas or plans as a candidate… it informs her plans but I only care about their ideas.”
Goodnight everybody …love you all no matter what … you can feel anyway you want ….but so can I …and have love for everyone ❤️💋💯
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) August 1, 2019
After several more tweets, Pompeo said “good night.”
“Goodnight everybody …love you all no matter what … you can feel anyway you want ….but so can I …and have love for everyone,” the actress tweeted.
