Black Twitter is furious that Rihanna plans to honor Twitter activist Shaun King at her Diamond Ball gala this year. The Diamond Ball gala raises funds for education and emergency response programs in third world and developing countries, according to the foundation’s website.
This year, the Ball will honor Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and “civil rights activist” Shaun King, who is a documented Caucasian but identifies as a Black man.
The honorees will receive the Diamond Ball Award at Rihanna’s fifth annual star-studded gala, featuring performances from Pharrell Williams and DJ Khaled.
Rihanna announced the honorees in a statement on Wednesday – and all hail broke loose.
“I am particularly honored to present Prime Minister Mottley and Shaun King with this year’s Diamond Ball Awards for their groundbreaking work. We are so thankful to them for joining us and making the night better than ever.”
The announcement left Black Twitter scratching their heads and sharpening their knives. What “groundbreaking work” has King done?
Black Twitter reacted to the news with anger and outright indignation. Many said there are other people more deserving of such an esteemed award.
One Twitter user wrote: “@rihanna please have someone look into #ShaunKing’s history of stealing from, threatening, and intimidating Black women, as well as misappropriating funds raised from vulnerable people. There are so many people far more deserving of this honor.”
Dear @Rihanna:
With respect, if you haven't already seen #IStandWithClarissa, you may wish to check it out and –strongly– reconsider the Diamond Ball honoree.Sh–n K-ng needs more vetting and to be accountable for a ton of harm done to the community.https://t.co/EYh7dAl8qN
— Derrick Clifton (@DerrickClifton) August 21, 2019
This legit made my heart sink. @rihanna, please have someone look into #ShaunKing’s history of stealing from, threatening, and intimidating Black women, as well as misappropriating funds raised from vulnerable people.
There are so many people far more deserving of this honor. https://t.co/xgVH56usMZ
— Imani Gandy? (@AngryBlackLady) August 21, 2019
Someone pls send Rihanna a raven telling her that Shaun King is a scammer
— Erika Stallings (@quidditch424) August 21, 2019
So I’m struggling to believe nobody at all, like nobody that works for her told Rihanna why “honoring” Shaun King might be a HORRIBLE idea. Like nobody did a quick Twitter/Google search to help my sis out ? NOBODY ?! pic.twitter.com/rhfmdmudgc
— Ginger $pice ? (@EleniBrandis) August 21, 2019
Shame on you Rihanna! Shame on you for supporting racist Shaun King! pic.twitter.com/1hiOrtMGgn
— Amber ???? (@amber_harris16) August 22, 2019
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