Minnesota state Rep. Ryan Winkler is about to learn a hard lesson: Twitchy is forever.
Upon hearing that the Supreme Court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act, the Democrat took to Twitter to attack Justice Clarence Thomas as an Uncle Tom. “#SCOTUS VRA majority is four accomplices to race discrimination and one Uncle Thomas. Marriage decision may blur Court’s backsliding,” he tweeted. He quickly deleted the tweet, but it was archived by Topsy.
Winkler’s account is not verified by Twitter, but it is linked from news articles and NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota’s website. Here’s what followed Winkler’s “Uncle Thomas” tweet:
And if Virginia wants a battle flag back from their war to defend slavery, they can march to Minnesota and take it.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
@Shabbosgoy Protecting Sourthern states' rights over African-American voting rights is diverse thought. Also reprehensible.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
The VRA is maybe the most important step our nation has taken to eliminate racial discrimination. It gives meaning to the 15th Amendment.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
The #SCOTUS decision today is the progeny of Nixon's use of race to win political majorities and the states' rights doctrines of Rehnquist.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
I didn't think it was offensive to suggest that Justice Thomas should be even more concerned about racial discrimination than colleagues.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
But if such a suggestion is offensive, I apologize.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
Deleted Tweet causing offense regarding Justice Thomas. I apologize for it, but believe VRA decision does abet racism.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
He’s not sure if it’s offensive?
White guy who doesn't think Clarence Thomas is black enough. —> @RepRyanWinkler
— jon gabriel (@exjon) June 25, 2013
http://twitter.com/BecketAdams/statuses/349573943696424961
http://twitter.com/matthewhurtt/statuses/349576279235903489
This white congressmen wants be the arbiter of how our only black supreme court justice thinks -> @RepRyanWinkler
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) June 25, 2013
Maybe you can tell us some of your best friends are black. The right kind of black. @RepRyanWinkler
— Dr Hugo Hackenbush (@MangyLover) June 25, 2013
I didn't know who @RepRyanWinkler was before today. I refuse to believe he didn't know who Uncle Tom was. #IcallBS pic.twitter.com/9Z36tSydPG
— Fred the Great (@fredontwittur) June 25, 2013
.@RepRyanWinkler You didn't realize calling Clarence Thomas an "Uncle Thomas" was offensive? Are you serious?
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) June 25, 2013
That was actually his excuse — that he didn’t know better.
@atrupar I did not understand "Uncle Tom" as a racist term, and there seems to be some debate about it. I do apologize for it, however.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 25, 2013
Really? What exactly is the “debate”?
Tell us, @RepRyanWinkler what makes it "debatable" to call a black justice an "Uncle Tom?"
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) June 25, 2013
Judging by the context of the tweet, he knew exactly what it meant. He’s just sorry he got caught.
Could it be that @RepRyanWinkler is making an argument for literacy standards in voting?
— Rick Sheridan (@RickSheridan) June 25, 2013
Hey, @RepRyanWinkler you know who else doesn't think "Uncle Tom" is a racist term? Racists. @baseballcrank
— Jeremy Wood (@SoonerCubby) June 25, 2013
http://twitter.com/jrsalzman/statuses/349586517750054913
Pasty-white @RepRyanWinkler called Clarence Thomas an Uncle Tom? Let me guess… Winkler is a Democrat. Right?
— RBe (@RBPundit) June 25, 2013
You see, @RepRyanWinkler is such an expert on racism he didn't know Uncle Tom was a racist term. See how that works?
— RBe (@RBPundit) June 25, 2013
Also hilarious, 37 year old State Rep @RepRyanWinkler thinking he knows more about racism than 65 yr old black Supreme Court Justice.
— RBe (@RBPundit) June 25, 2013
.@mckaycoppins @RepRyanWinkler If he was unaware of the racial connotation why say "Uncle" at all?
— Alex Parker (@AlexParkerDC) June 25, 2013
Of course @RepRyanWinkler knows what "Uncle Tom" means but assume he's not lying. What did he think he was calling Clarence Thomas?
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) June 25, 2013
Free advice for Winkler:
Hey @RepRyanWinkler, If you are so ignorant about racial terms, you prolly shouldn't snap to race baiting. https://t.co/nKHEmdr17s
— cosmoscon (@gdthomp01) June 25, 2013
it's offensive @RepRyanWinkler
— ComfyPaws™ (@ComfyPaws) June 25, 2013
Related reading for Ryan Winkler:
‘Uncle Tom,’ ‘token’: Justice Thomas pens concurrence; Tolerance brigade hurls racial slurs
New tone death wishes? On Justice Thomas’ birthday, Touré further exposes his moral bankruptcy
Justice Thomas dissents, Left hurls vile racial slurs ‘house nigga,’ ‘Uncle Tom’
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.
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