Erin and Ben Napier Explain Why They Stayed Quiet on Social Media as Protests About Racial Injustice Broke Out in America

From House Beautiful

Over the past couple of weeks, as the country has seen protests over racial injustice and police brutality, several HGTV stars have shared their views on social media regarding the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and more. We saw calls to action from Drew and Jonathan Scott, Tarek El Moussa, and Christina Anstead. We also watched as Chip and Joanna Gaines brought their five children on an episode of "Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man" with Emmanuel Acho to further discuss racial injustice in the United States.

One design duo we haven't heard too much from is Erin and Ben Napier. While the Home Town stars say they fully support the Black Lives Matter movement, they didn't feel that posting on social media was the most effective way to incite change. Ben chose to not post at all on his Instagram, while Erin kept her content to a minimum. Some fans were disappointed that the couple had not taken a bigger stand.

Related video: 12 organizations that support Black Lives Matter

After posting a photo of Mister Rogers (from an iconic 1969 scene in which he invites Officer Clemmons, a Black police officer, to cool his feet in his pool) with the caption "Be the light, find the helpers," Erin received a DM from Danielle Smalley, a fan who was disappointed in the HGTV star's actions. Erin took this time to share her views and explain her silence.

"I want you to know that my social media quiet is not a difference of opinion... I think taking a 'bigger' stand lies in the small opportunities we meet everyday as we go to the post office or order food in a restaurant," she wrote to Smalley. The Napier's town of Laurel, Mississippi, is 60% Black.

"I go to church with people who are not my color," Erin says, adding "I've loved these people and I've worshipped with them and I'll teach Helen the same." While a devout follower of Jesus, Erin explains that she's not a follower of what "everybody's doing." She predicts that in "a week from now, most of these same people [who are currently posting] will go back to posting about the best summer sangria recipes and photos of their dogs because they feel they did their part with their post on Monday, and it's sickening to me."

Smalley appreciated Erin's response and agreed with her. "You're so right. I see the love of God in you and Ben." After a few more messages, Erin asked Smalley if she could follow her, as well as share this important conversation with her followers. You can read the messages below.

However, on a recent episode of the podcast Quarantine Creatives with Heath Racela, the topic came up again as Racela asked Erin if she regretted anything about posting that conversation or her attitudes towards speaking out about important issues on social media. Erin had no regrets and Ben firmly took her side. "You’re trying to address something that happened on a city street in America through a social media outlet where people post recipes," Ben told Racela. He shares how some of the couple's friends in the entertainment industry felt obligated to "follow the crowd" and post something to show support. But in the end, these posts were ultimately criticized by fans claiming they were "not doing enough."

"It’s never going to be enough, it’s freaking social media," Ben says. He and Erin reiterate that making a difference doesn't happen on Instagram, but rather through "everyday interactions." Erin says that despite protests breaking out across the country, there is "no acrimony" in her relationships with her close Black friends.

As for how the couple can use their position on HGTV to help, Erin leaves us with this. "The way we can best serve the world and our community is by doing things like helping African Americans find a path to homeownership by partnering with other African American families to do it... rather than just posting something on social media that’s forgotten in two weeks. It’s just noise."

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