Why Black Celebrities Are Being Accused of "Selling Out"

"As a scholar of racial identity, I have been fascinated with studying the complexities of Black identity. This fascination led me to create a class called The Politics of Black Identity, which examines the idea of a common bond assumed among Black people and critically analyzes the idea that behaviors of Black celebrities and leaders undermine or advance Black progress."

"Black culture has been very critical of individuals who are perceived as advancing their personal and professional interests at the expense of the Black community, with various derogatory terms being used to characterize these individuals (e.g., "selling out" or "Uncle Tom"). Because of the history of racism and the value placed on unity in resisting it, Black communities hold strong disdain for those perceived as engaging in racial betrayal."

"Concerns about racial betrayal can be seen in the backlash against Black celebrities who are perceived as violating the norms of acceptable Black behavior. This policing of Black behavior is intended to maintain a sense of community and racial solidarity which historically has often served to advance the interests of Black people. This explains the negative reactions to several notable Black public figures such as Nicki Manaj, Snoop Dogg, and Stephen A. Smith."

Policing Black behavior serves to preserve community cohesion and racial solidarity, often shaping expectations for public figures. Perceived racial betrayal occurs when actions appear indifferent to impacts on Black people, prompting predictable backlash. Notions of an authentic Black identity have influenced popular culture because of fears that success requires appeasing White audiences. Black communities deploy derogatory labels such as 'selling out' or Uncle Tom against those seen as prioritizing personal or professional gain over collective interests. Historical racism and the strategic value of unity reinforce strong disdain for perceived betrayals, producing tensions with individual autonomy.

Read at Psychology Today