Tammy Rivera, Amanda Seales, and Tamika D. Mallory are pushing back after Nicki Minaj’s appearance before the United Nations, where the rapper spoke about alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Minaj addressed a UN meeting in New York on Nov. 18, thanking officials for the opportunity “to shine a spotlight on the deadly threats faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria,” according to CNN.
Her remarks came days after former President Donald Trump suggested he was considering military intervention in Nigeria over what he called the “mass slaughter” of Christians by “Islamist insurgents.”
Trump also threatened to halt U.S. aid — comments that quickly caught Minaj’s attention.
But several prominent Black women are urging caution, saying Minaj’s platform is being used to advance something far more political.
Tammy Rivera jumped into The Shade Room’s comment section with a warning about U.S. foreign policy motivations.
“Please y’all don’t be blinded and misguided SMDH!
“The U.S. rarely ‘intervenes’ unless there’s strategic or financial benefit… Oil, mineral access… political influence,” she wrote, adding that African nations reclaiming resources often threatens Western interests. “That’s why suddenly framing involvement as ‘protecting Christians’ or ‘humanitarian help’ can sound convenient. WAKE TF UP.”
Amanda Seales echoed similar concerns on Instagram, saying Minaj may be ill-informed and inadvertently aiding in a larger “ploy.”
Meanwhile, Tamika D. Mallory delivered a more extensive critique, arguing that Trump is “exploiting” Nigeria — and that Minaj may be unintentionally helping fuel it.
In a nearly three-minute video, Mallory said the consequences could be deadly:
“There are consequences to aligning yourself with Donald Trump and his policies and his evil ways… As he turns his attention to Nigeria, there will absolutely be exploitation, theft of resources… They will invade Nigeria and exploit the people for their own benefit. And they will throw Nicki Minaj to the wolves.”
Mallory warned that the moment will “forever be a stain” and that Minaj “will 100% see bloodshed because innocent Nigerians will be harmed.”
She added that Trump “often uses Black people and Black culture to harm Black people here and abroad,” calling the situation “a pretty sad day.”
Minaj has not publicly responded to the criticism.
