Color television isn’t color television until there is integration of all people behind the camera. When I came on the show, we shot to No. 1 and stayed there. The audience is predominantly African-American women. Twenty-five million people watch the show domestically, and that’s not counting the 22 foreign countries in which we air, including those on the continent of Africa. Those stats are not lost on me. While it was wonderful to hear the accolades from so many blacks and non-blacks who said, “Wow, you represent,” I said, “Thank you, but I don’t feel represented behind the camera.” There were no people of color doing our hair and makeup; no writers of colors on the show in 37 years. If that’s controversy, fine. I think it’s controversial that that hasn’t changed in so many decades. When you’re in a position of power, you can’t just sit there and gloat and collect your paycheck. You’re not put in that position by accident; you’re put there by the design of a higher power, and you’d better make a difference. I give that message everywhere I go.
Time Out New York Kids
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