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“Insecure” star Issa Rae published a memoir three years ago that began getting some renewed attention Sunday for a chapter about black women and Asian men dating.
The best-seller, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girls” — which Rae wrote before rocketing to fame on her HBO series — includes a passage that proposes “black women and Asian men join forces in love, marriage, and procreation. Educated black women, what better intellectual match for you than an Asian man?”
For context, here are pictures one fan tweeted of the book’s intro and the section that has fans both attacking and defending Rae on Twitter:
On Issa Rae.
Because context matters. And because I read her book. And because I taught her book.
The first pic is the intro to the book, which I’ll come back to. 2-4 are the whole section that’s been shared. pic.twitter.com/jffPNI5L1W
— Fierce & Feminine (@DrRondreaMathis) April 30, 2018
Also Read: Golden Globes: Clueless E! Host Asks Issa Rae What She'd Call Her Memoir - But She Already Wrote One
The reactions to Rae’s suggestion are mixed, with some members of the black community voicing outrage at the proposal and others pointing to hypocrisy in any criticism of Rae.
“Issa Rae told the educated black women to get them an Asian man,” one user tweeted. “I want to be mad but I see the countless tweets of black men telling black women that they unattractive and undeserving. So…”
“An influential black woman (Issa rae) is telling black women to procreate with Asian men because they will intellectually suit black women in her book…. Christ what have we done as black men to be sh—ed on like this?” another wrote.
Also Read: Sundance Scene and Heard: Black Eyed Peas, Issa Rae, Joaquin Phoenix and More (Photos)
Representatives for Rae did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment Monday about the criticism and support the actress is facing.
See some of the tweets with reactions to Rae’s chapter below.
Issa Rae told the educated black women to get them an Asian man. I want to be mad but I see the countless tweets of black men telling black women that they unattractive and undeserving. So… pic.twitter.com/4aScBMsy7p
— Empty Headed Mary Poppin Knockoff (@PKPhyre85) April 30, 2018
An influential black woman (Issa rae) is telling black women to procreate with Asian men because they will intellectually suit black women in her book…. Christ what have we done as black men to be shitted on like this?
— DreTookHer???????? (@RealBeardedDre) April 29, 2018
If Issa Rae could actually get an Asian man, she would've just done so by now. Truth be told, they ain't fucking with her black ass either lmao…..
— Cis lord problematic™ (@InTheDarkIShine) April 30, 2018
It’s not like black men want black women anyway so why are we mad at Issa Rae???
— Persephone (@persephonevibe) April 30, 2018
I say if a black man said what Issa Rae said y’all would flip. Coming in my mentions telling me that black men do it too is showing how y’all would rather deflect Instead of admitting she was wrong
— Domonique???????????? (@ChefDomonique) April 30, 2018
All these angry black men mad at Issa Rae like they even want or care about black women. That’s the part that’s sending me. Like colorist, stereotypical and demeaning “jokes” about BW don’t make rounds on this hell site every minute. We ain’t cancelling nothing round here pic.twitter.com/XWiGZURfzB
— ???? (@cherryfizzcamo) April 30, 2018
People like Issa Rae are agents. Im really starting to think it's a psychological operation going on to create discourse in the black community.
That's going to sound funny to some people but if you know history this isn't far fetched by any mean.— Cavs 2018 NBA Champs (@216Champ2) April 30, 2018
Are we shocked Issa Rae wrote this? I'm not pic.twitter.com/8F7EtpaWYm
— Fidel Cashflow (@TommyDreamer___) April 29, 2018
I'm NOT canceling Issa Rae. I will still be waiting for season 3 of Insecure. So that's that. pic.twitter.com/0fg6FZAlGq
— ????Porsha???? (@PorshaAMOR) April 30, 2018
Issa Rae said educated black women should date Asian and black twitter is divided. What happened to Wakanda forever? Where did that energy go????? pic.twitter.com/IQhTgADqM0
— Kerv J (@KRVNZ) April 30, 2018
