You knew it was coming. You just knew it.
The Obamas’ new Smithsonian portraits have been unveiled and kind of deserve the epic beating they’re getting. But if you’re one of the many people mocking the portraits, you should probably just admit that you’re racist. Just ask science writer Erin Biba:
Dear white people: It is beautiful that the Obama portraits are bringing so much joy to the black community. That is the only opinion you need to have about them.
— Erin Biba (@erinbiba) February 12, 2018
Because nothing says “anti-racist” like assuming people’s opinions are based on their race.
#ItsRacistBecauseTheyreBlack pic.twitter.com/v4fDXDxwkO
— Jim Treacher is a dumb pseudonym (@jtLOL) February 12, 2018
Pssst! Erin! That’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works.
A) I can opine as I wish, B) art is in the eye of the beholder, and C) your condescension of the Black community is duly noted.
— Schadenfreudelish (@aggierican) February 12, 2018
So in your opinion other people's opinions are based on their color.
— Darlene Reilly (@DarleneReilly19) February 12, 2018
Dear white lady, you don't speak for the entire black population of this country, that's stereotyping and quite frankly racist. Stop lumping millions of people together based on their skin color and call them a community. This is group think/tribalism.
— ??Donut?? (@thatruthertz) February 12, 2018
Dear Erin, many black people are tweeting that they don’t like the portraits, why diminish their voices? Stop speaking for all black people, white girl – that is the only opinion you need to have about them. https://t.co/v6xUtJhv9z
— Chris Loesch (@ChrisLoesch) February 12, 2018
As a black person how dare you tell anyone what opinion they are allowed to have, facist.
— Chad L Cole (@SIXXCROWS) February 12, 2018
Wrong. You cannot make me have YOUR opinion.
— GLM (@glmedford) February 12, 2018
Sorry, I don’t really care but don’t tell me what opinion I should have about anything
— Tim (@tntDVM) February 12, 2018
This is silly. The fact that I'm white doesn't mean I can't look at those portraits and wish they were better. https://t.co/jt98DrUHWi
— EricEEE (@EEElverhoy) February 12, 2018
Art criticism isn't dependent on race and doesn't exclusively belong to any race.
— (((Greg Camp))) (@GregCampNC) February 12, 2018
Thanks for "blacksplaining" this to me. Otherwise I might have accidentally had an honest unbiased opinion about something. I'm glad you were here to show me how racist I was. ? pic.twitter.com/6HvQhMvaSe
— The Derp State (@LennyGhoul) February 12, 2018
"You're only allowed to have opinions about certain paintings and movies if your skin is the right color," the tolerant unifying non-racists explained.
— John Hayward (@Doc_0) February 12, 2018
I’m guessing you woke up this morning and thought telling a whole race of people what to think because of their race wouldn’t be racist?
— Michael Hudson (@GalatiansOneTen) February 12, 2018
Don't tell me what opinion I "need" to have. Get back in your lane and stay there.
BTW, white people who start tweets by saying "dear white people" are obnoxious twats. #fact
— Joe (@JoeFL65) February 12, 2018
What opinion should I have about pineapple on pizza? I mean, I know the opinion I have, but since you know which opinions are valid I realize I'm completely useless and need your input.
— T?Frog (@TueborFrog) February 12, 2018
How about I have whatever opinion I want? I don't need you telling me how to think.
— Ron Thomas (@RonnieG53) February 12, 2018
The good thing about living in a free country, is no matter your skin color you can have any fucking opinion about anything you fucking want.
I believe that we can come together as a nation, no matter the color of your skin, and laugh our ass off at these potraits in unison https://t.co/YpQ7fgQss4
— Mujahed Kobbe (@Moj_kobe) February 12, 2018