After quickly deleting a tweet in which he called Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas “Uncle Thomas,” Minn. state Rep. Ryan Winkler skipped quickly through the standard steps of issuing a politician’s apology. First, he pleaded ignorance of the offense, and then apologized if people were offended. Trust us, they were.
After some reflection, Winkler moved on to step 3, issuing a statement apologizing for distracting from the real issue: other people’s racism.
I was very disappointed today in the Supreme Court decision to roll back key provisions of the Voting Rights Act because I believe the Voting Rights Act is one of the most important steps our nation has taken to eliminate racial discrimination.
In expressing that disappointment on twitter, I hastily used a loaded term that is offensive to many. My words were inappropriate and I apologize. The implications of this Supreme Court decision are serious for our state and country and I regret that my comments have distracted from the serious dialogue we must have going forward to ensure racial discrimination has no place in our election system.
Former Rep. Allen West isn’t the only one not quite ready to move on to that “serious dialogue” just yet; at least, not until this “loaded term” business is cleared up with some serious dialogue about Winkler and racism.
.@RepRyanWinkler "Loaded term?" Uncle Tom is a "loaded term?" How far did you have to reach to pull that out of your butt?
— Jerome Hudson (@JeromeEHudson) June 25, 2013
For those who don't know: there are people who will never abandon the belief that only white people can be racist. Sad. But true.
— Jerome Hudson (@JeromeEHudson) June 25, 2013
Some people are their race/gender first and foremost and will believe until their dying day, regardless of success, that they are victims.
— Jerome Hudson (@JeromeEHudson) June 25, 2013
If you believe that because Justice Thomas is black and therefor he should think a certain way, isn’t racist, you can’t be taken seriously.
— Jerome Hudson (@JeromeEHudson) June 25, 2013
https://twitter.com/DavidWebbShow/status/349612239751364608
https://twitter.com/KiraAynDavis/status/349604428736774144
.@RepRyanWinkler You didn't realize a white man calling a black man a slur synonymous with being servile and a race-traitor was racist? Oh.
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) June 25, 2013
Irony: Takes a white guy from a state with a 5% black population not to know that "Uncle Tom" is a racist term.
@RepRyanWinkler— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) June 25, 2013
True story: Few years back, on panel in Boulder, CO (black pop. >1%), white panelist (from Boulder) referred to "Justice Uncle Thomas." 1/2
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) June 25, 2013
I told panelist it was offensive. He "explained" term was OK since Jocelyn Elders had referred to Thomas that way. I politely disagreed. 2/2
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) June 25, 2013
Pro-tip: Calling a black man "Uncle Tom" is probably racist — UNLESS he's the brother of your black mom or dad. That's OK.
@RepRyanWinkler— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) June 25, 2013
@RBPundit @DawnRiseth @RepRyanWinkler Hey Ryan, Black people like me say YES WE CAN get photo ID's and vote. We IS free now. #DjiangoFriend
— HumanNature (@S3CURITYBR3ACH) June 25, 2013
We minority conservatives are way past anger over "Uncle Tom"/Auntie Tomasina smears by bigot libs. It's a badge of honor.
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 25, 2013
There’s no word that Winkler will resign, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any fallout from his “accidental racism.” Here’s one sign of progress:
@RepRyanWinkler In the context of today's tweet, it must be asked if you're still considering a Sec. of State run?
— Brian Bakst (@Stowydad) June 25, 2013
@Stowydad No.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
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