RNC clarifies tweet that suggests racism is over
(CNN) - As the Republican National Committee has been working to expand its outreach to African-Americans, it now finds itself playing defense after a well-intentioned but unpolished tweet honoring the legacy of Rosa Parks seemed to ignite some backlash.
The RNC on Sunday, commemorating the day Parks was arrested in 1955, sent out a tweet to recognize the civil rights activist.
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"Today we remember Rosa Parks' bold stand and her role in ending racism," its Twitter page read. Attached was a photo of a young Parks.
A few hours after the original tweet, the RNC tweeted a clarification on the latter end of the statement.
"Previous tweet should have read "Today we remember Rosa Parks' bold stand and her role in fighting to end racism," the tweet stated.
But the initial tweet had already sparked reactions from people who took issue with the phrase suggesting that racism has ended. Some people on Twitter started using the hash tag "#RacismEndedWhen," with many taking a sarcastic tone.
Also on Sunday, roughly around the same time as the original tweet, the RNC sent out an email with a message celebrating Parks. The statement included a similar line as the original tweet, but more accurately stated Parks played a role in "fighting racism and ending segregation."
"We remember and honor Rosa Parks today for the role she played in fighting racism and ending segregation. At the same time we rededicate ourselves to the causes of justice and equal opportunity," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said.
"Rosa Parks was a hero of the civil rights movement," he also said. "On this day 58 years ago, the 42-year-old seamstress took a bold stand-by staying seated. Her arrest ignited a bus boycott that challenged the injustice of segregation and in turn helped to change this nation for the better."
After GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney won only 6% of the African-American vote last year, the RNC has actively worked to change its tone and message to appeal to more African-Americans this year.
Just last month, it launched an African-American Engagement effort in Michigan, after starting similar outreach campaigns in other states, including New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia.
Racism will never be over because liberals will always keep it alive.
The old white boy network is trying so hard to act as if they really care about anything but the corporate profits they can swindle out of the middle class 'regular' people....please!
how could the GOP be so stupid to make these statements when they continue to disrespect the President because of his race.
I'm sure there are some non racist GOP members but as a whole the the GOP is racist!
"Mission Accomplished!" - sound familiar?
New GOP slogan, "We Haven't A Clue! Do You?".
Meanwhile, in Rochester NY, 3 black boys are arrested for waiting quietly for a school bus. White cops insist they aren't racist because, you know, Rosa Parks, so it must be true.
The Republicans have always been the Angry White Mans Party. Picked up a lot of voters when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights legislation.
White peoples party makes outreach to minorities, They were very successful making outreach to voters after President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Typical GOP
Limbaugh attacking the pope, GOP stating racism has ended.It truelly is the end of days.
Well, geeez, it isn't like they called someone a bad name. It was meant as a way to honor. people get over yourselves.
The GOP is the gift that just keeps giving. If they just keep talking the Democrats won't have to spend a dime on the 2016 elections. T;hey are so far out of touch with most americans on almost every issue, racism, immigration, guns,health care plans,womens rights, wars etc. that Ican't see a Republican in the White House for twenty years
If anyone thinks that racism is over in the USA, just read the CNN message boards any day of the week.
Please. The GOP deliberately built its base with racists. If you have any doubt, Google "The Southern Strategy"
backfires? not to the GOP base of racists (most of them)
Funny that the party of exclusion and "let's demonize anyone different than us" deems it necessary to even mention Rosa Parks. If the GOP/TP truly wanted to follow Parks' example of simple equality for all ... an even playing field ... they could start by following IDIC ... "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".
Funny how liberals have decks of race cards and people who want to be known for more than skin pigmentation scream racism every chance they get
No one, and certainly not African-Americans will be fooled by such a blatant attempt to pander to them. If I were black I'd find this insulting. As a white, I'm just glad I left the Republican party during Bush's second term.
It's a common phrase people. Commercials for charities come on all the time telling you that you can do your part in "ending _____". Could it have been worded better. Probably. But I think most of you know what they were trying to say, it just fits better with your "republicans are evil racists" mentality to ignore what they actually meant.
Discrimination is over, SCOTUS says, so evidently racism is gone too.
Racism cannot ever be allowed to end, or else a lot of people would be out of jobs and careers.
It's so painful to be a semi-reasonable conservative and see this utter incompetence.