Many people are not buying the actress and activist's apology after she sparks backlash for calling herself a transgender, a person of color, the disabled and a gay man among others.
- March 12, 2019
AceShowbiz - Alyssa Milano is a supporter of the LBGTQ community, people of color and more, but her way to express her support has irked many people on the internet. The actress and activist recently landed in hot water after she dubbed herself a transgender, a person of color and the disabled among others while she was celebrating the International Women's Day.
This all started after Milano tweeted her support for her "transgender sisters" on the special day, prompting one follower to ask whether she was a transgender. Answering the question, the "Charmed" alum said, "I'm trans. I'm a person of color. I'm an immigrant. I'm a lesbian. I'm a gay man. I'm the disabled. I'm everything. And do are you, Kirk."
She continued, "Don't be afraid of what you don't know or understand. No one wants to hurt you. We are all just looking for our happily ever after."
I’m trans. I’m a person of color. I’m an immigrant. I’m a lesbian. I’m a gay man. I’m the disabled.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) 9 Maret 2019
I’m everything. And so are you, Kirk.
Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know or understand. No one wants to hurt you. We are all just looking for our happily ever after. https://t.co/znkQizV37k
The criticism was swift, as people pointed out that Milano is a straight, cisgender, well-to-do woman who has yet to experience the suffering that people with different background had. One even pointed out that her approach is "oppression and erasure," adding, "You can't just fake an experience you don't have. You don't navigate any space like these groups."
No. You are an advocate. Be ok with that. This isn’t the way to say you are with us.
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) 9 Maret 2019
You can’t just fake an experience you don’t have. You don’t navigate any space like these groups.
This is the “I don’t see color†approach which is oppression and erasure.
Milano has since apologized for the tweet as saying, "I'm glad this tweet invoked conversation. I'm so sorry it offended some. I see you and hear you. But just a reminder, empathy is not a bad thing. Nuance is important and literal interpretation is not always intended. And I can identify with and not identify as. Both are powerful."
I’m glad this tweet invoked conversation. I’m so sorry it offended some. I see you and hear you. But just a reminder, empathy is not a bad thing. Nuance is important and literal interpretation is not always intended. And I can identify with and not identify as. Both are powerful.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) 9 Maret 2019
However, many didn't buy her apology and slammed her even more. Some pointed out that including "but" in her statement made it look like she tried to justify the controversial tweet. "When you apologize and then add a 'but...' you negate what came before. Every time. Just apologize and say you learned a new perspective and understand it. That's all," one said.
When you apologize and then add a “but. . . ,†you negate what came before. Every time.
— Susan Brown (@SacTownGrandma) 11 Maret 2019
Just apologize and say you learned a new perspective and understand it.
That’s all.
No “buts†about it.
"When 'but' is included in an apology, the apology is void. It's sad & tiresome to see a person so desperate for approval that you'll fall all over yourself to get a [clap emoji]. Understandable from a 13 yo, but repulsive from an adult," one other noted as someone else simply blasted, "Wait what? You used BUT in an apology? Girl grow up."
When “but†is included in an apology, the apology is void. It’s sad & tiresome to see a person so desperate for approval that you’ll fall all over yourself to get a ðŸ‘ðŸ». Understandable from a 13 yo, but repulsive from an adult.
— Mrs.French🇺🇸 (@KendrafromVA) 11 Maret 2019
Wait what? You used BUT in an apology? Girl grow up.
— Shelly (@shelly4192000) 11 Maret 2019
Milano has yet to respond to the second backlash.
