What We Can Learn From Jojo Siwa’s Clap Back to Candance Owens
By Judy Bokao
Candace Owens is not a new name in the controversial world. The conservative talk show host has been facing criticism from many people for what she says on her podcast show. Unfortunately, Jojo Siwa is the latest person who has found herself on Owens’ radar following her recent podcast episode earlier this month.
Candace Owens for no particular reason whatsoever decided to come for Jojo Siwa’s sexuality and boy did she have a lot to say! She started by saying that she believes that Jojo Siwa is part of a lost group of people who seek attention and want to identify with the LGBTQ+ community so they can be a part of something bigger than themselves. She called this phenomenon a social contagion factor pertaining to the LGBTQ+ and even named Demi Lovato as another example.
She went on to say that she doesn’t believe that Jojo Siwa is another prime example. According to Owens, Jojo was not allowed to mature mentally because she has been in the public limelight since she was young. Owens believes that Jojo was constantly being pushed to pursue the limelight and in order to stay relevant she came out as a queer.
Candace feels that because Jojo got positive feedback from the queer community, she was left with no choice but to continue to “throw herself further into the queer community.” Candace believes that Jojo is putting up an act and has curated her life to be only about her sexuality.
Of course, Jojo Siwa saw the video circulating on Twitter and said, “I haven’t watched the video yet…but if it has anything to do with your caption, respectfully back off.” She also shared a video responding to Owens’ unhinged attack on how she chooses to celebrate her sexuality. Owens didn’t back off but continued to come for Jojo saying that she is inspiring little girls in the wrong way but what does Owens know about good inspiration?
Jojo Siwa talking about her sexuality and being open about who she loves is something most of us didn’t have the courage to do as kids. I wished I had someone my age going through the same thing and they could have told me that it will be okay. I think it would have spared me a lot of heartaches and tearful nights spent wondering if I am normal.
I look at Jojo Siwa and I see an icon in the making, I see someone who reminds me that even though I am young, I am allowed to be my authentic queer self. There is always this question when adults try to diminish who we are and what we are feeling because they deem us too young to know what we want. However, we all know that time doesn’t change our sexual orientation and no matter how long we try to hide it, it still is real. Would people like Candace Owens prefer that we ignore who we are until turn 30? What is wrong with coming out at a young age and celebrating our queer selves?
Jojo Siwa broke barriers when she came out in January 2021. She showed many young teens going through the same thing that it is okay to be themselves. It was not easy for her to come out especially given that she had a lot to lose. In a past interview, she shared how hard it was for her the first three days after she came out. She faced a lot of heavy backlash but thankfully it was soon droned out by the amazing, welcoming response from the LGBTQ+ community.
I am not sure what Candace Owens is on about but how dare she try to minimize Jojo Siwa’s journey by referring to it as “ seeking attention.” She fails to understand that for most people coming out is not a joke. It is not a matter of attention but life and death. It is about finally being free to be who they are and it is not easy. Being queer is not something people do to get attention. It is a long journey of acceptance and there is always the fear of rejection, discrimination and many other things. No one wakes up one morning and decides to be queer for fun.
Candace Owens was way overboard with her recent rant and she needs to stop. Antagonizers like her don’t deserve a platform. She is simply a bully with a platform and it is sad to see so many people believe in these so-called beliefs she shares. Who is she to decide if someone is queer or not? Why should Jojo Siwa live to her version of what being queer entails? If Jojo wants to wear rainbow attire and scream out that she is queer every day of her life, what is wrong with that? Let her be and let her celebrate her queerness as she wishes- she has every right to be her authentic self.
About the Author:
Judy Bokao was born in Ethiopia but relocated to Nairobi two years ago. She is passionate about everyone having equal rights and is also big on conservation and speaking up for our planet. Judy loves reading and photography and is just a free-spirited young lady trying to grow into a woman her mom can be proud of.
