Is racism over? RNC clarifies tweet
The Republican National Committee has clarified a tweet that erroneously declared racism over.
The original message, published on Sunday, was meant to commemorate the 58th anniversary of Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. Instead, it suggested that the civil rights movement Parks was part of ultimately ended racism.
Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism. pic.twitter.com/uxIj1QmtkU
— RNC (@GOP) December 1, 2013
The tweet — which included a quote from Parks — did not sit well with many Twitter users, who responded with a mix of snark and sarcasm.
Hey guys, remember racism? RT @GOP: Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism. pic.twitter.com/M6D8ixRjet
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 1, 2013
Oh racism ended.Thanks for the update! RT @GOP Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism pic.twitter.com/S3QR7NxaKo
— Bianca L. St.Louis (@beLaurie) December 1, 2013
Prob tweeted by someone named "Kyle." RT @GOP: Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism pic.twitter.com/qBrU5DN8HR
— Tyler Jones (@TylerMJones) December 1, 2013
"...ending racism." Not @TheOnion RT @GOP Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism. pic.twitter.com/JG7hGAFhNO
— Filiberto Gonzalez (@gofiliberto) December 1, 2013
Seriously?“@GOP: Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism. pic.twitter.com/as768G73d7”
— Atima Omara (@atima_omara) December 1, 2013
“@GOP: Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism." RACISM IS OVER?! *ENTERS BASS PRO SHOP TO SEE IF IT'S TRUE*
— The Kid Mero (@THEKIDMERO) December 1, 2013
.@GOP Why is this upsetting people? Racism IS over; I've never suffered from it in my life.
— rob delaney (@robdelaney) December 1, 2013
.@GOP It's ok, we don't need you winning an election anytime soon anyway. Keep up the thoughtful tweets.
— Carly Ryan (@GladiatorCarly) December 1, 2013
"Some things are best left untweeted," the National Journal's Matt Berman wrote.
Indeed, a majority Americans agree racism still exists. A Pew survey conducted earlier this year found 88 percent of African-Americans say they see a lot or some discrimination against blacks, while 57 percent of whites see the same discrimination.
The RNC clarified its tweet several hours later, though it did not delete the original.
Previous tweet should have read "Today we remember Rosa Parks' bold stand and her role in fighting to end racism."
— RNC (@GOP) December 1, 2013
