Author and self-help guru Iyanla Vanzant decided to join the world of “alternative facts" Saturday with a series of tweets about racism, sexism and homophobia. Things began when Vanzant tweeted, “Racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism have no power over you unless you believe they do.”
The tweets ran contrary to very real societal factors, with just one recent example being President Donald Trump’s calls to defund Planned Parenthood despite the nonprofit organization’s track record of helping advance reproductive rights for women. There was also the matter of one of arguably the largest protests ever in response to increasing governmental encroachment on women’s rights. Trump’s recent executive order restricting travel for refugees from several predominately Muslim countries, police killings of unarmed black citizens, and North Carolina’s controversial HB2 “bathroom bill” were all cited as examples contrary to Vanzant’s claim. Needless to say, Iyanla's mentions were lit.
From the "tell us how you really feel" category
Ignorance is contagious.
In case you were wondering if the woke clapback existed.
Historical context...something Iyanla's tweet lacked.
Ether was "delivert" with this GIF.
Let us fix that for you.
Savagery at its finest.
Facts only.
You know that feeling when your own words are used against you?
Boom.
Riley Freeman for the win.
It appears Vanzant tried to walk back the tweet and provide some further context with an additional tweet a few hours after her mentions were left in tatters. Vanzant wrote, "Your life is a reflection of what you believe. If you really believe something or someone can stop you, it can and it will."
And while a handful of supporters offered her tweets of support, the overwhelming majority of Twitter replies seem to indicate Iyanla lacks the nuance to discuss these matters in a public forum.