Black Women in Politics
Omarosa Tells NABJ Convention She ‘Fights On Front Lines Every Day’ To Laughs, Groans
No one seemed pleased to have the reality TV star-turned-Trump aide at this year’s gathering of black journalists.
Omarosa Manigault-Newman, the reality TV star who has become an aide to President Donald Trump, received a chilly reception Friday at this year’s National Association of Black Journalists convention in New Orleans.
As prominent black journalists and public relations professionals watched, Manigault-Newman, on a panel about police violence, was asked about her role in the Trump administration, and what she has done for the black community.
“I fight on the front lines every day,” Manigault-Newman said, provoking laughter and groans from the audience. Some in the crowd, including journalist Jamilah Lemieux and activist Britanny Packnett, reportedly turned their backs in protest as Manigault-Newman spoke.
Attendees are standing and turning their backs to Omarosa Manigault's #NABJ17 panel participation. Others are walking out. pic.twitter.com/5nlB62HZ88
— Suzette Hackney (@suzyscribe) August 11, 2017
Panel moderator Ed Gordon, host of BET’s “Weekly,” asked Manigault-Newman how Trump’s recent comments supporting police brutality fit with police violence in the black community, including the police killing of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.
Manigault-Newman, a former star on “The Apprentice” who’s now director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, said she disagreed with Trump’s comments. “I don’t think a black boy should be treated the way Freddie Gray was,” she added.
“First of all,” began fellow panelist Arthur Reed, an author, “Freddie Gray was a black man, not a boy. You see that type of mentality, and that’s what’s wrong with this whole situation right now ― too many of y’all looking at us as boys. We grown-ass men. And when you see this type of thing, you have to stand up and let them know, like I understand perfectly that there’s just some black people that’s just not black. I understand that.”
Other panelists now questioning Omarosa themselves. Sniping on stage getting nasty. #nabj17
— Sam Sanders (@samsanders) August 11, 2017
“Is she engaged in policy-level discussions, not just with President Trump, but with Jeff Sessions?” panelist Joel Anderson of BuzzFeed asked. “Because that’s where a lot of directives come from, where a lot of law enforcement … That’s where the tone is set across the country.”
Instead of answering, Manigault-Newman urged the audience to get out their phones.
“Google ‘Omarosa and Eric Garner,’” she said. “You’ll see my recent work with the Department of Justice.”
“Well you’re right here, why don’t you tell us?” Gordon shot back.
Garner was placed in a fatal chokehold by a New York City police officer for selling individual cigarettes. Video shows him gasping “I can’t breathe,” 11 times. The Google …
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