‘SELLOUTS’! Jamilah Lemieux’s supporters seethe after Ebony apologizes for her ‘lack of judgment’

Posted at 3:03 pm on March 28, 2014 by Sarah D.

I #StandWithJamilah because clearly @EBONYMag doesn't.
— Turnstile Introvert (@Artemis_J) March 28, 2014

Earlier today, Reince Priebus wrote a letter to Ebony’s editor in chief, saying that RNC deputy press secretary Raffi Williams “deserves an apology” after Ebony editor Jamilah Lemieux made assumptions about [Williams’] race” and dismissed “black Republicans and the validity of their opinions in public discourse.”

This afternoon, Ebony.com posted a response:

EBONY apologizes to @Raffiwilliams: http://t.co/hLI3lZMNFY
— Brittany (@bccover) March 28, 2014

It concluded with the following:

EBONY acknowledges Senior Editor Jamilah Lemieux’s lack of judgment on her personal Twitter account and apologizes to Raffi Williams and the Black Republican community.

Netroots Nation’s Elon James is pissed off again, of course:

And @EBONYMag apologizes while blaming Jamilah. And I'm done with humans today. #StandWithJamilah pic.twitter.com/os0OdsHxX8
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

I'm so angry I can barely think.
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

Let's be clear folks. @EBONYMag apologizing was less about Jamilah and more about fear of losing ad revenue. They are a Corporation.
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

I would've preferred @EBONYMag stand with her as well. But we all know C.R.E.A.M. They aren't about "US." @BrFleurantin
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

BUT THEY CARE ABOUT US. *blink* RT @jelani9: Listen @EBONYMag, you apology to the GOP when they apologize for gutting the Voting Rights Act.
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

This whole situation is disgusting. I hope the @GOP doesn't think this somehow opened dialogue. It didn't. You proved we were right.
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

Hey @Raffiwilliams – How exactly did the past 24 hours lead us to a more reasonable dialogue? What exactly did you accomplish?
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

Reince Priebus let's absolute madness come out of the GOP. Yet he felt the need to correct Jamilah? And then @ebonymag co-signed it.
— Elon James White (@elonjames) March 28, 2014

As are Lemieux’s other supporters:

Oh, hey, @ebonymag, way to throw @JamilahLemieux under the bus. https://t.co/nULFpR77dK
— Jane Doe, MD (@DrJaneChi) March 28, 2014

https://twitter.com/leilaxhafiz/status/449618506716569600

The message is we have no black owned publications that have any freedom of voice or to defend our brightest. @EBONYMag #StandWithJamilah
— Tim Prolific Jones (@ProJones22) March 28, 2014

SERIOUSLY?!!! RT @IAmRichJones: *kicks trash can* RT @elonjames: And @EBONYMag apologizes while blaming Jamilah. http://t.co/GDigg6S3Eb
— britni danielle (@BritniDWrites) March 28, 2014

Ebony's apology further displays how spineless most longtime black representative organizations have become. NAACP is another.
— araminta's sh0tgun (@LordeBarrington) March 28, 2014

https://twitter.com/Lushology_/status/449617664885800960

SELLOUTS. @EBONYMag
— Anne of Peen Gables (@BougieLa) March 28, 2014

I'm disappointed in you @EBONYMag Sometimes an apology isn't necessary. This was one of those times. Poor judgment on your part.
— Nakia (@GheeGoddess) March 28, 2014

I'm embarrassed to see that @EBONYMag issued an apology — on top of @JamilahLemieux's apology. Your cowardice is a disservice to your legacy
— jelani cobb (@jelani9) March 28, 2014

Wow @EBONYMag. Just… wow. You threw Jamilah under the bus, backed up, rolled over her again and parked. pic.twitter.com/89KXvVDyT6
— April (@ReignOfApril) March 28, 2014

.@EBONYMag's apology is some weak-ass pandering. Where's the backbone? Where's the demand for apology for the mistreatment of 1 of your own?
— Dancehall Queen Bee (@BeeSince83) March 28, 2014

https://twitter.com/KolaBoof/status/449616125806919680

@elonjames Cowardly behavior by @EBONYMag. I was expecting them to stand behind their best writer, but I guess that was too much to ask for.
— Brian Fleurantin (@BrFleurantin) March 28, 2014

@steenfox as someone who works in media i should probably shut up about this now before i end up blacklisted at all the negro functions.
— crissle (@crissles) March 28, 2014

But Williams graciously accepted the apology:

Thank you @EBONYMag & @JamilahLemieux for apologizing. Diversity of thought is important. Thank you again, http://t.co/XiQ8DnBIqE
— Raffi Williams (@Raffiwilliams) March 28, 2014

And other conservatives are applauding Ebony’s move:

Wonderful news! @EBONYMag apologizes to @Raffiwilliams and black conservatives: http://t.co/5qaGBKeGNX
— Ashe Schow (@AsheSchow) March 28, 2014

BREAKING: @EbonyMag issues apology to @RaffiWilliams. Bravo! http://t.co/UHtDiqP8ww
— Ellen L. Carmichael (@ellencarmichael) March 28, 2014

Well done, @EbonyMag. http://t.co/oux8ZypQAq
— RB (@RBPundit) March 28, 2014

Good on Ebony for addressing the ignorant and closed minded views of News Editor Lemieux. http://t.co/VqK9109ZVj
— Aaron Gardner (@Aaron_RS) March 28, 2014

Stand-up stuff right there — Diversity of Thought – News & Views – EBONY http://t.co/FSlM3Uh7H0
— Rick Sheridan (@RickSheridan) March 28, 2014

Glad @EBONYMag got it right here: http://t.co/jImdBAaETw. #DiversityofThought
— Micah Alexi Grant (@alexigrant) March 28, 2014

This is comprehensive, total, and unequivocal apology from Ebony. Much credit to them. http://t.co/8DXPtkYVJQ
— SunnyRight (@sunnyright) March 28, 2014

Kudos, Ebony.