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.
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.
Not LaKeith Stanfield saying he don’t like Kamala’s hair. Men been in women’s business all week.
— k a r y. (@itsKARY_) October 8, 2020
Lakeith Stanfield comments on the vice presidential debate…. 😬 pic.twitter.com/QMW3j3mWM3
— tiffany (@jonestiff314) October 8, 2020
Lakeith didn’t defame her character or what she stood for. He did what we all do in the house everyday to somebody on TV or social media. Only difference is he posted about it 😭
— Ja’Ron 🎞 (@hwy_96) October 8, 2020
Lakeith Stanfield is zooted. Nigga has no idea what he’s saying and will delete everything when he sobers up tomorrow like clockwork.
— plant jawn. (@shesbadass) October 8, 2020
Instagram so corny ppl really mad that lakeith said he didn’t like Kamala hair. “He’s canceled”
— Cold Chillin🥶 (@ShatanXXIX) October 8, 2020
What the fuck is wrong with LaKeith? First black woman VP and you think the salient point to mention is her hair? pic.twitter.com/vVEGyON1ed
— kf (@MadameFowler) October 8, 2020
Lakeith is canceled after this foolishness. pic.twitter.com/s8jXF8XkjG
— Shamira Howell (@JuicyThickSkin) October 8, 2020
Lakeith nooo not you, pls don’t do this to me 😭😭😭😭🥴🥴are you a coon too babe? pic.twitter.com/AXOyT7SsbA
— S T A S I A 🇭🇹🧚🏾♀️ (@1__axg) October 8, 2020