Nev Schulman has apologised for suggesting black women “tend to catfish alot” in response to an awards ceremony celebrating and empowering young black girls.
The Catfish presenter sparked fury by posting a comment about black women after the BET Black Girls Rock awards. Black Girls Rock was launched five years ago with the aim of boosting self-esteem, self-worth and challenging the way women of colour are presented in the media. The awards honour high-profile, inspirational women who act as role models to young girls.
Schulman responded to the ceremony with the tweet: “#BlackGirlsRock I totally agree. They also tend to #catfish a lot. Just sayin.” Schulman’s Catfish show exposes people who have begun online relationships using fake profiles.
One woman responded directly to his tweet by outlining the impact media and societal attitudes have on black women, writing: “Maybe we tend to catfish a lot because media and society portrays black women as ugly and unwanted, causing self hate.”
Schulman thanked her for her response and deleted his tweet.
During the ceremony, Rihanna was honoured with the Rock Star Award award, which she accepted by giving an empowering speech.
“It’s a very important moment in my life and my career to be celebrated just because I’m black,” she told the audience. “Thank you so much for honouring us; thank you so much for celebrating us in a world that doesn’t celebrate us enough
“I believe God put us all here for a reason and we all have our purpose and we are here to fulfil our purpose individually,” she went on. ”I think the thing that's kept me sane, the thing that's kept me humble, the thing that's kept me successful is being myself. I only know how to do that. This world is so big and it can be so confusing at times that you tend to forget and you tend to be so indented or tainted by society and the only thing that's kept me going is being myself. And the minute you learn to love yourself you would not want to be anybody else.
“All girls rock. Black girls… we just on another level.”
