Last year Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr gleefully had actress and Fox News Commentator, Stacey Dash, inducted into The Bronx Walk of Fame despite her controversial stances on major issues.
The actress, who ironically is best known for her role in the hit movie, ‘Clueless’, is now calling for the abolishing of Black History Month.
This all came about when she said the call to boycott the Oscars for its lack of nominations of Blacks for a second year in role was “ludicrous”.
Dash went on to say that “We have to make up our minds,” she said. “Either we want to have segregation or integration. And if we don’t want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET and the BET Awards and the (NAACP) Image Awards where you’re only awarded if you’re black.
“If it were the other way around, we would be up in arms. It’s a double standard.”
She then added that, “Just like there shouldn’t be a Black History Month. You know?” she said. “We’re Americans. Period. That’s it.”
WATCH Stacey Dash in yet another ‘Clueless’ moment:
Mark Naison, PhD, professor of African American Studies at Fordham University told Welcome2TheBronx, “Black History Month has been a time of celebration, discussion, and solidarity with those involved in justice struggles ever since I began teaching 45 years ago. And those involved in planning these events do research on Black History 12 months of the year.
“I see nothing to be gained by abolishing Black History Month and much to be lost.” added Dr Naison.
Beverly Rhett, a Bronxite who went to school with Dash’s mother had this to say, “Having attended JHS 136 ( Walter J. Damrosch ) with Stacey’s mom Linda, and seeing Stacey for the first time when she was five-years-old and living around the corner from me on Jesup Place, it dismays me to hear her “pandering” to the conservative, right-wingers, who view FOX NEWS as a source of balanced truth.
Rhett further added, “Having her own opinions is fine, but misrepresenting the truth is not. Stacey should be more thoughtful about the impact her words will have on the community that nurtured her. No one is suggesting that we should all think alike; just be mindful of the hurt your words can create.”
Having Dash on The Bronx Walk of Fame was a mistake in the first place considering her disparaging remarks against women (remember when she said women should work harder to get equal pay as men?) and a host of other guffaws.
It’s an insult to the African American community that is part of our beautiful tapestry here in our borough. African American history should be celebrated all year round but sadly it isn’t in our schools and is relegated to one month making it that much more important for our youth.
Last year Diaz said of Dash’s nomination to the Walk of Fame, “We are excited about inducting the charismatic Stacey Dash into the Bronx Walk of Fame,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Our newest member of The Bronx Walk of Fame is a multi-talented and distinguished Bronxite who represents the fearless spirit of our borough to the fullest, whether it is in movies such as the 1995 classic ‘Clueless,’ or speaking her mind as a television commentator and writer.”
Stacey Dash was quoted in that press release as saying, “I am very grateful to have been chosen to be a part of such an important and significant event in the borough of my birth, a place that left an impact in my life and made me who I am – Bronx Strong,” said Dash. “This borough is very special to me and I truly appreciate being inducted into The Bronx Walk of Fame.”
The borough that is very special to her yet she disparaged not only her own roots but the over 40% who identify as African American in The Bronx.
Dash’s comments coupled with our celebrity obsessed Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, who honors individuals not worthy of being role models for our borough—especially our youth—highlights just out of touch the man is with our borough and our people.
This isn’t the first time he celebrates someone with a dubious history, after all he added Fat Joe who was convicted with tax evasion.
Makes us wonder who truly is Clueless…Stacey Dash or Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
My bet is on Diaz Jr, I mean he attended that tasteless gentrification party and defended it back in October only to cover up his defense of it by having added another statement to The New York Times to save face.
Every Time Stacey Dash Proved She Was Clueless: https://t.co/mto8DSxVhe pic.twitter.com/NBDorO6Jna
— BET (@BET) January 20, 2016
