Ellen Pompeo: Why can't I help a victory for black people because I'm white?

Ellen Pompeo's interview on Red Table Talk featured on trends lists all over social media as she shared her views on relationships between white and black people.

The actress is best known for her role as Dr Meredith Grey in popular television series Grey's Anatomy.

Pompeo has three biracial children with music producer husband Chris Ivery.

The show is hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith, her mom Adrienne and daughter Willow.

Pompeo spoke very candidly about a topic that easily ruffles feathers, and the following are six quotes from the discussion. 

Don't "tip-toe" around race issues

As soon as the interview started, Pompeo wanted to make it clear that she was prepared for a no-holds-barred conversation.

"Don't feel like you have to tip-toe. I'm not afraid to talk about race. A lot of people get very nervous when you bring it up and I understand why they do but I'm not afraid," she told the hosts.

"These are important conversations to have and if you're afraid to talk about it, then that's the problem right there and you need to talk about it more." 

Using black emojis

Pompeo was recently behind stopping a broadcast about the KKK because she thought it was "provocative" and "sensational". She was appalled that the KKK would be given "money for burning crosses."

When the documentary was pulled, Pompeo celebrated the victory by using black emojis, which didn't sit well with some in the African American community.

She asked: "Why can't I help a victory for black people because I'm white? If someone is offended by me using a black emoji, I'm sorry. It's not my intention to provoke you or try to offend you but I still stand by what I did because it's a win for people of colour."

Bridging the gap 

"I don't see my white girlfriends have black people in their lives, from what I can see," said Pompeo.

"One thing that I do think that would be productive for everybody to do is just try to make different friends. It's not like you have to form these deep friendships."

Introspection

The actress thinks "the black world that is presented to white people is sport and entertainment."

Addressing white people, Pompeo said: "How many non-entertainment people of colour are in your life? Who's coming over to your house for dinner? Who are you going out with after work?"

Black people are 'magical'

Pompeo told the hosts that some white people are intimidated by the greatness of black people. 

"People of colour are magical and mystical and powerful and beautiful and spiritual and strong and excellent at what they do. There's just so much power and talent."

Raising biracial children

She acknowledged that, regardless of their mixed-race origins, her children are identified as African American.

"They will be discriminated against and they will be judged and they will be spoken to and they will be treated like they are brown because their skin is brown."

She added: "Me sticking up or celebrating brown people does not mean I'm anti-white."