Lance Gross Tells Colorism Critics To "Miss Me With The Self Hate"

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When Lance Gross shared an image of his newborn son, Lennon, telling followers on Instagram that “little man’s color is comin’ in nicely!” and he was “hyped” about it, most thought it was sweet that he would want his son to be of a darker complexion, like him.

However, others criticized him. They mentioned his wife, her complexion, asked if he wanted the same dark skin for his daughter, and were of the opinion that he and other celeb men “pretend” to be pro-Black while exclusively dating light-skinned or racially ambiguous women. Things escalated from tame family photo to a whole lot of negativity pretty fast.

But the actor wasn’t going to let it all go by without saying something. He shared a message on Instagram letting people know that they’ve “got it twisted.”

“Let me address this misconception. I absolutely LOVE who Lorin and Alice Gross created,” he wrote. “One thing I’ve never desired to be was anyone else! Two things I’m proud of is the ability to smile through any situation and the rich melanin that layers my body! For my daughter or son to share that blessing makes me overjoyed. Miss me with the self hate cause those opinions and assumptions are invalid. I love me more than anyone else ever could. I won’t argue with fools but I’m down to inform the misinformed to a certain extent before I stop giving a sh-t.”

“I am a proud BLACK man that loves my African American wife and that will remain,” he continued. “The simple minds of others don’t hold me when I need to be held, assist in raising my kids, and maintain a loving relationship and household etc etc etc. While I owe no explanation I do feel the need to say this colorism topic is setting us back more than you realize. (Especially on social media.) Colorism exists, yes but y’all not about to just label every dark skin Black man who is in a relationship with someone lighter complexion under that bus. I chose love not skin tone. That’s never been on my dating check list. Be well, I hope you heal, find counsel/therapy for the bitter/triggered ignorant mindsets.”

Despite his attempts though, we doubt it will do much to curb the way people look at his relationship with his wife, and the relationships of many notable Black men with women who don’t look like them. Honestly, such declarations often make things worse. But the man said what he said, so let’s continue to focus on baby Lennon. How adorable is this kid?!