Oprah says she doesn’t know a black man who hasn’t been profiled—including Stedman

Oprah Winfrey may have intended for her Life in Focus: A Vision Forward virtual tour to lend hope to people in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean the former queen of daytime is getting any less candid about the topics of conversation. Case in point? The third “tour stop” she made this week, in which she and her bestie Gayle King tackled the theme of “adapting” and had an honest dialogue on the subject of race and racism in the United States.

At the top of the Facebook Live chat, in which motivational speaker Jay Shetty also joined in, Winfrey promised to touch on how everyone is adapting during the pandemic. But first she used her platform to address the push for social justice and reform happening across North America right now. And in particular she wanted to speak on behalf of the black community following the death of George Floyd at the hands of white police officers in Minneapolis late last month.

“There is a lot of unrest, and rightful unrest, based upon what we all saw this week. We literally witnessed—on camera—a man's life being snuffed out before our very eyes," Oprah said. "It's an image that I cannot get out of my consciousness, and I just think that this is a wake-up call for all of us, particularly in our country. Ralph Ellison once wrote that when people feel invisible long enough, they will lash out at the world to remind them that they exist."Winfrey went on to add that it isn’t just enough to be outraged when someone sees injustice, and that further action is required. “It's not enough to just say 'It's so terrible.' We can't tolerate hate crimes perpetrated by authorities in this country,” she continued. “We need to speak up and say 'That will not happen on my watch.' We're going to do the work that it takes to dismantle in our own way... all of the constructs of injustice. So I have a heavy heart, but I am happy to be here.”[video_embed id='1968221']RELATED: CNN correspondent arrested as George Floyd protests continue[/video_embed]Later on in the conversation, when King joined in to chat, the pair addressed the experience of black people in America and the relationship between the black community and police. “A lot of white people don’t understand what they’re seeing… but when you feel invisible and unheard, it sends the message that you don’t matter,” Winfrey said. “I do not know a black man period who has not been profiled, including Stedman Graham.”“Thank God for the video tape,” King added. “Racism isn’t better. It still exists, it’s just now on video.”

Winfrey’s Vision Forward tour wraps next week with the fourth and final instalment, “Commit,” in which she promises to tackle habits, health and happiness. There are no current plans to expand the tour beyond June 6, but given the way 2020 has shaped up so far, no one should be surprised if O does decide to keep the hope train going a little longer. 

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