Jana Black Criticized After Comment to Bishop Talbert Sparks Public Exchange Over ICE

Jana Black was publicly called out by Bishop Talbert following a comment she made regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE, prompting a sharp response that has since circulated widely on social media.

In a post addressing Black directly, Bishop Talbert accused her of selectively engaging in social justice issues and only speaking out when incidents involve white victims. He argued that she does not support or participate in advocacy efforts when Black and Brown people are harmed by police, ICE, or vigilante violence.

“You don’t follow my work. You don’t support my advocacy. You don’t show up when Black folks are murdered by police, ICE, or vigilantes,” Talbert wrote. “But the one time a white woman is harmed, here you come.”

Talbert rejected the implication that he had been silent on issues involving violence or injustice, stating that he has spoken out for years against brutality, detention, deportation, and killings affecting Black and Brown communities. He emphasized that ICE enforcement disproportionately impacts those communities and said criticism suggesting otherwise ignores established data.

Addressing Black’s reference to him as a “Black Christian man of God,” Talbert said his faith compels him to speak out where harm is most concentrated, adding that “silence” is often defined by critics as a failure to center their own concerns.

He further accused Black of seeking attention rather than justice and framed her comment as an attempt to police Black voices rather than engage in genuine solidarity.

The exchange has fueled broader discussion online about activism, race, and how public figures respond to ICE enforcement and police violence. As of now, Jana Black has not publicly responded to Talbert’s remarks.