Gabrielle Union: “Don’t Be The Happy Negro”

After her firing from “America’s Got Talent” Gabrielle Union has remained relatively quiet but she seemed to allude to the controversy and address NBC during a female empowerment and inclusivity panel at the launch of her holiday collection with New York & Company.

“Don’t be the happy negro that does the bidding of the status quo because you’re afraid,” she said. “Don’t allow them to call you angry when someone else is called passionate. It’s terrifying. There’s a solid chance you’ll lose your job…I speak from experience.”

“Do your best because corporations want global dollars,” she added. “Do your best to try to hold the door open and hold people responsible. Yeah, I’m asking you to do the impossible… I’m fully aware that job loss is on the table… but if you’re not doing it, nobody is.”

Union was fired from the show after speaking up about racial incidents she had witnessed on set, including complaints about racist jokes from comedian Jay Leno who was a guest on the show, according to reports. Union was upset after the offensive jokes were edited out of the episode.

Union thanked supporters on social media shortly after the controversy emerged.

“So many tears, so much gratitude. Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone…you got me up off the ground,” she tweeted. “Humbled and thankful, forever.”