Lena Waithe Addresses Aziz Ansari Sexual Misconduct Story: 'It's Not Always Black-and-White'

Lena Waithe, who won an Emmy alongside "Master of None" star Aziz Ansari for writing Season 2's acclaimed "Thanksgiving" episode, is weighing in on the allegation of sexual misconduct against Ansari made a few weeks ago.

"Here's the truth — in every situation, it's not always black and white," Waithe said in an interview with radio station KPCC.

"And I know that's simple for people, and it's easy for people to [ask], 'Whose side are you on?' There are no sides, really, in some of these scenarios. I'm not on Harvey Weinstein's side, I'm not on Kevin Spacey's side. But I think you have take each situation [individually]. You can't just say, 'Well, I'm on this person's team' or 'I'm on that person's team.' It doesn't work that way."

Waithe has been an outspoken advocate for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, and her Emmy acceptance speech highlighting inclusiveness received a standing ovation. In that speech, she called Ansari her "chosen family."

The allegations against Ansari were made in a Babe.net article in which a photographer alleged that the star had coerced her into sex, despite her verbal and non-verbal attempts to withdraw consent.

"I think a big thing is, we have to have a dialogue. And I think if we're unwilling to have a dialogue we're gonna continue to keep hitting our heads against the wall," Waithe said.

"We have to start reeducating ourselves about what consent is, what's appropriate behavior at the workplace."

For the latter, Waithe — who co-created Showtime's "The Chi" — believes the industry should create codes of conduct.

As she explained, "Even though some people may assume, 'Well, of course we all know what appropriate behavior is,' but some people may not know."

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