“My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground rule that families are off limits. For that I am sorry.” — MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry.
So, she is off the hook with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, ACLU and the rest of the “Let’s get Dan Zimmerman” crew? Can you imagine if one of the FOXNEWS conservatives, such as Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter or Glenn Beck, said the following on their TV shows?
Let’s pretend the headlines would read “Rush Limbaugh in his creative wisdom was only (only, to minimize his actions) joking about a Romney family photo, which included their adopted African American grandson, Kieran James Romney. Limbaugh joked saying he would like to see Romney’s grandchild get married to North West, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s son.
“My goal is that in 2040 the biggest thing of the year will be the wedding between Kieran Romney and North West,” said Limbaugh. “Could you imagine Mitt Romney and Kanye West as in-laws?” Now, place Melissa Harris-Perry’s name in the above-paragraph where Limbaugh’s name is substituted.
On a recent show MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry came under heavy criticism for joking about a Romney family photo, which included their adopted African American grandson, Kieran James Romney. Later, only after criticism from conservatives calling on Melissa to apologize, she offered the following: ”I am sorry, without reservation or qualification. I apologize to the Romney family. As a Black child born into large White Mormon family I feel familiarity with the Romney family [picture] and never meant to suggest otherwise,” she added. “I apologize to all families built on loving trans-racial adoptions who feel I degraded their lives or choices.”
Are Blacks to remain silent when liberals on the liberal drive-by media television programs make such racist comments? Where was Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the ACLU and others that attack and call for the end to conservative talk shows for what they interpret as racist comments?
We saw Black tolerance at the sight of Democrat Robert Byrd, a national-elected senator who led a filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Byrd, a Democrat, used the “N” word several times on Fox News Sunday with Tony Snow on March 5, 2001. What did Jesse Jackson say about this hateful Democrat act? Please Mr. Democrat Massa, will you avoid making such bigoted remarks. There was no protests, no rallies.
On July 19, 2001, Dan Rather appeared on the Don Imus show using the term “Buckwheat.” Rather did so because he was forced by CBS to cover a scandal and not a more popular story regarding a Black scandal. Rather said on the show “they got the Buckwheats.” Remember the use of the term was once condemned by the NAACP, Al Sharpton and other Civil Rights leaders by demanding others (conservatives) be fired for using similar epithets.
Black America, we must hold the liberal media — just like the conservative media — accountable when hateful, racist or degrading remarks are made about Black people. I want to hear from any reader that disagrees with my opinion.
I am referring to anyone that believes a liberal should be able to make racist remarks and we should only attack White conservatives for doing so. I do not believe anyone is entitled to make such racist comments as Melissa Harris-Perry did and not be challenged by Jackson, Sharpton, ACLU, NAACP or others. Do you?
Next month, what my teachers didn’t tell me about Democrats.
Lucky Rosenbloom welcomes reader responses to 651-917-1720, or email him at l.rosenbloom@yahoo.com.
Support Black local news
Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.
That’s why I don’t give a damn about what anybody calls me; they’re not going to shut me up.