Amber Rose, a figure who has captured the public’s attention through her bold persona and outspoken advocacy, has been celebrated for challenging societal norms around female sexuality. However, her relationship with the Black community has been the subject of significant debate. Rose, who identifies as biracial, often presents herself as a symbol of empowerment, but her actions, statements, and affiliations have led some to question her loyalty to the Black community. While Amber Rose’s contributions to feminist dialogue can’t be ignored, her complex identity and behaviors have, at times, created a perception of betrayal among Black audiences.
The Rise of Amber Rose: A Cultural Figure
Amber Rose first gained mainstream visibility through her relationship with rapper Kanye West. However, she quickly transformed from an anonymous background figure to a celebrity in her own right. With her shaved head, tattoos, and unapologetically bold fashion choices, Rose became a symbol of resistance against conventional beauty standards.
Her rise to fame coincided with her public embrace of sex positivity and feminism, culminating in her famous SlutWalk event, which seeks to fight sexual violence, slut-shaming, and body-shaming. For many women, especially those who feel marginalized by traditional gender norms, Amber Rose became an icon of empowerment and liberation. However, her intersection with the Black community remains contentious.
Navigating Biracial Identity
One key aspect of the debate surrounding Amber Rose’s relationship with the Black community is her biracial identity. Rose has a Cape Verdean (African) mother and an Irish-Italian father. While she often claims her Black heritage, she has also been accused of distancing herself from the struggles of Black women, particularly darker-skinned Black women.
In a 2017 interview on the “Drink Champs” podcast, Rose made controversial comments about her upbringing in South Philadelphia. She stated that she was “blessed with beauty” and implied that lighter skin and features contributed to her attractiveness in comparison to others in her community. For many, her remarks felt like an internalized bias that perpetuated colorism—an issue deeply rooted in the Black community.
Critics argue that Rose’s focus on her biracial identity allows her to benefit from proximity to Blackness without fully engaging in or understanding the systemic issues that affect Black people. Her statements about her lighter skin privilege seemed to alienate the very community she claims to support.
SlutWalk: Empowerment or Exploitation?
Amber Rose’s SlutWalk movement is undeniably a significant platform for women to express their sexual autonomy and challenge harmful societal judgments. While this is a commendable cause, some argue that Rose’s version of feminism lacks an intersectional lens, which is vital when advocating for women of color.
Many Black women felt excluded from the mainstream feminist movements due to a lack of recognition for the unique struggles they face. These struggles include not just sexism but also racism, economic marginalization, and a long history of being oversexualized. Critics of Rose’s SlutWalk have pointed out that her form of sex-positive feminism often centers on white or light-skinned women’s experiences, overshadowing the more nuanced realities of Black women, especially those of darker complexions.
While Amber Rose has often stated her intentions to uplift all women, her inability to address these intersectional concerns has left a considerable portion of the Black female population feeling sidelined. Some perceive this as a betrayal, as Rose positions herself as an advocate for women without acknowledging the deep racial divides within that advocacy.
Profiting from Black Culture
Amber Rose’s appropriation of Black culture is another point of contention. From her choice of partners to her engagement with hip-hop culture, Rose has been deeply entrenched in Black cultural spaces. However, accusations have surfaced that she profits from Black culture without giving back to the community.
Her career was initially elevated by her relationships with Black men in the entertainment industry, such as Kanye West and rapper Wiz Khalifa. While personal relationships should not inherently be scrutinized, Rose’s quick rise to fame and subsequent actions have caused some to wonder if she leverages her proximity to Blackness when convenient, only to distance herself from its complexities.
Conclusion: A Complicated Legacy
Amber Rose’s place in the Black community is complicated and layered. As a biracial woman who straddles multiple identities, Rose’s attempts to navigate her role in various spaces have sometimes been clumsy and problematic. Her statements on colorism, the focus of her feminist activism, and her relationship with Black culture have all contributed to a sense of disconnection between Rose and the Black community.
While her SlutWalk and advocacy for sex positivity have created important conversations around women’s rights, they often fail to address the deeper, intersectional struggles that Black women face. For many, this feels like a betrayal, as Rose benefits from Black culture and identity while seemingly avoiding the weight of its challenges.
In the end, Amber Rose’s legacy will likely remain polarizing, viewed through the lenses of both empowerment and exclusion. Whether she will take steps to truly engage with and support the Black community remains to be seen, but the conversation surrounding her actions continues to evolve.
