All About Laughs
13-year-old Zaya Wade is getting more public support from some “Queens”. The ladies of Fox Soul’s Cocktails with Queens joined together recently for an episode where they discussed the controversy surrounding comments made by B2K member J-Boog about Wade.
Zaya Wade had the honor of speaking with forever First Lady Michelle Obama, whom she calls her “idol”. Within their conversation, Obama hailed the trans teen for being an “amazing role model” that’s embracing her truth.
Obama’s praise to Wade drew criticism from some social media users that viewed the clip. J-Boog of B2k fame hopped into the Hollywood Unlocked Instagram comment section to chime in and say that he views Wade’s being placed on a pedestal as “demonic”.
He added, “Using this child for their new agenda. Take away the man, make the women the new man. And no more reproduction. This child shouldn’t be the front runner of the movement. Sad but true.” Boog further admonishes people to “wake up” and to pay attention to the intertwining of “norms” for specific genders.
Speaking on Boog’s comments on the Fox Soul episode, Claudia Jordan offered some of her own. “I think two things can be possible at the same time. I think the fact that — what Michelle Obama was doing was encouraging to a child,” said Jordan. “She was looking out for someone — an individual — and other kids that are like that.”
Jordan continued, “On the other hand — I think some people are not properly articulating how uncomfortable they may feel about a child being pushed. They may think that child is being pushed to the front of the agenda — pushed to be the face of this. Now if Zaya is 1000% okay with that, then I’m all for it. It’s really none of my business, but I feel like it’s our job to talk about these things.”
Noting the pressures that could potentially be placed on the young teenager, Claudia added: “I just hope that there are no regrets later on. I just want Zaya at the end of it to not feel and pressure. Like if Zaya ever felt like, ‘You know what? I don’t feel this way anymore.’ Does Zaya feel this uncomfortable, ridiculous amount of pressure to not be able to go back? Not saying that she wants to,” the cohost clarified, “but I just feel like [it’s] such a young age to have so much pressure on her shoulders.”
Co-host Vivica A. Fox also chimed in that the public should “let that child live.” She then shared her thoughts on the negative comments directed toward the teenager. “To come out with such a harsh statement — when here is the first lady showing an example to other African American women [that] if your child is different, look at them, accept them, and love them.”
The full clip is available below.
