Lakeith Stanfield Faces Backlash After Making Remark About Kamala Harris's Hair

BY Erika Marie 12.1K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
The actor was quickly accused of hating Black women, something that he fiercely denied.

Hundreds of thousands of people have shared their takeaways from the first vice presidential debate of the 2020 Election season, but Lakeith Stanfield has captured attention. The accomplished actor voiced his thoughts over on his Instagram page and one post included a split-screen photo of Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence. "I don’t like her hair, but other than that this is better than the last one but still sad," Stanfield captioned the image. Quickly, some people commented that he was being disrespectful. "You have a powerful voice, use it wisely," one person stated.

Dia Dipasupil / Staff / Getty Images

The actor took a moment to respond. "I say what i want on my page," he wrote. "Where are all you warriors of power when i post about the things that i believe in and support? You won't pressure me into speaking how YOU think i should speak." The Shade Room shared screenshots of the exchange, and soon, Lakeith Stanfield was inundated with Instagram users who accused him of hating black women.

Stanfield returned with a video where he speaks directly to the camera and vocalizes his adoration and support of Black women. He wrote in the caption, "Welcome everyone from shaderoom lol. This is from years ago but let me happen to not favor Kamalas hair and suddenly i hate black women. Y’all know that isn’t true." Those who defended the actor pointed out the absurdity of the allegations, so check out bits from the controversy below along with a few mixed reactions.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.