Porsha Williams to Appear on WWHL to Explain How We Must "Dismantle the System"
“I understand it’s scary to talk about these things, but we do need to be specific for real change,” the RHOA cast member said in reference to systemic racism.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Porsha Williams and comedian and activist W. Kamau Bell will join Andy Cohen for a special two-part episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen to hold a virtual discussion about the Black Lives Matter movement and the current state of our nation. In a preview of the conversation, which you can watch in the video above, Porsha laid out some actionable steps for change.
“Obviously, there are deep-rooted structural and institutional forces that have served to create and maintain systemic racism in America,” Andy noted. “What is something that we people, my people, can work to change first? Where should we begin?”
Porsha, who has spent much of her time peacefully protesting in Atlanta recently, explained that while it’s great to attend protests, there’s much more to do to create long-term changes.
“Personally I think that, you know, it’s one thing to go out and join in the protests. That is beautiful, because listen, the protests have gained the attention of the media, which is provoking this type of conversation,” she explained. “But I think, as white people who really want to make a change in the understanding around the world, everyone is understanding that there has to be a change. Let’s go to what practical things we can do.”
“Number one, we already know that the system is full of white supremacy. Correct? So what we need to do is dismantle that system,” Porsha said. “And if white people are recognizing that the system has been built by them, and they’re possible the only ones to dismantle it, become a part of that.”
From there, Porsha urged viewers to “bandwagon along” with Black people who are speaking out against police brutality.
“We need to have some type of integrity unit, along with the police system to double check their investigations,” said Porsha. “We also need to start monitoring, and if possible, we need to create a bill that these police people are not in the good ol’ boy days where they feel so protected and have this immunity. They have a true protective veil around them.”
Porsha continued to explain that white people must speak out against systemic racism.
“I can say it all day. Other Black people can say it all day. But it is powerful when white people speak up on the actual things that are happening in the police system that need to be reformed,” she said. “And just be specific. That’s all I ask of my white people. I understand it’s scary to talk about these things, but we do need to be specific for real change.”
The two-part Watch What Happens Live episode kicks off at 11 p.m. Eastern on Monday, June 8, and will continue on Tuesday, June 9 at 10 p.m.
For the latest reporting on the Black Lives Matter protests from NBC News and MSNBC’s worldwide team of correspondents, including a live blog with minute-to-minute updates, visit NBCNews.com and NBCBLK.
