Black Twitter Goes Off on Dr. Umar Johnson After He Said This About Vanessa Bryant
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For many, the legacy of Kobe Bryant is cemented: He was an excellent basketball player who changed the game and will be remembered long after his tragic death in 2020 alongside his daughter Gianna.
But some still carry misplaced criticisms about Bryant’s cultural significance—and now they are being directed at his widow, Vanessa Bryant.
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Dr. Umar accuses Vanessa Bryant of not using Kobe Bryant's money to do good in the black community.
(🎥 @JoeBuddenPod ) pic.twitter.com/Rqfz8rpigQ— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) December 26, 2023
As Dr. Umar’s comments began to circulate around Black Twitter (X), many did not let him get away with trying to count Vanessa’s money.
One social user wrote, “Vanessa Bryant woke up one morning and never saw her husband and daughter again, and she is still (seemingly) functioning.”
They continued, “If that woman puts all of Kobe’s money in a f***in tissue box and wipes her tears with it every day, she deserves to do that.”
Many piled on support for Vanessa, disparaging Dr. Umar for his comments and bucking the idea that she is somehow responsible for saving Black people.
“PSA: It is not Vanessa Bryant’s job to save black folks,” wrote another social media user.
What Dr. Umar said about Vanessa Bryant was so out of line. She lost half her family to a tragedy and somehow she's at fault because Kobe left her and his BLACK kids his fortune? As far as I'm concerned she ain't gotta do nothing but take care of them kids.
— nacole 🤍 (@__nnapshayilaj) December 27, 2023
Others argued that Vanessa is already doing what she is supposed to do by “keeping his deals going,” showing up to basketball games and keeping her late husband’s legacy and name alive.
One user posted, “Vanessa Bryant has broken her back to make sure Kobe’s legacy stays alive, showing up to basketball games, honoring him, keeping his name alive, keeping his deals going, etc all while grieving losing Kobe and her daughter and still having to be a mother to the other 3... keep her name out your f****ing mouths omg.”
Some went straight for Dr. Umar’s neck, saying he is worried about the wrong thing when he has a murky relationship with the Black community.
So hypocritical of Dr Umar Johnson trying to say Vanessa Bryant hasn’t done anything for the Black folks. But he scammed Black folks out of $500,000+ for his imaginary Hotepery School Of Ashiness. All of that money with nothing to show for. Lmao.
— Bella Goth 🇵🇸 (@WickedNFine) December 27, 2023
It’s sad that it took Dr Umar Johnson upsetting BM who date non Black women & also disrespecting Vanessa Bryant for people to see how terrible he is as a human being. Been violent af to Black women, queer folks, disabled folks, etc for YEARS.
— Bella Goth 🇵🇸 (@WickedNFine) December 27, 2023
Speaking of Umar Johnson, how he worried about Vanessa Bryant but been scamming black people for years cause I ain't seen a brick laid for them schools yet
— 💙 Negrodamus Is Back 💙 (@wordplay_kid26) December 27, 2023
What do you think? Was Dr. Umar out of line with his comments about Vanessa?
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