A writer at Vox apologized for criticizing the recent push to “abolish the police” after receiving backlash online.
Zack Beauchamp, a senior Vox correspondent, was initially critical of the push to defund or abolish the police following the death of George Floyd, but later backed off that position.
“I’m sorry, but ‘abolish the police’ seems like a poorly-thought out idea that’s gotten popular with shocking speed,” Beauchamp tweeted Thursday morning.
I’m sorry, but “abolish the police” seems like a poorly-thought out idea that’s gotten popular with shocking speed
— Zack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp) June 4, 2020
After posting two articles about defunding the police and pointing out that he is receiving responses from many people, Beauchamp tweeted that he heard “lots of good arguments” but that those criticizing him were “annoying.”
I really appreciate the good faith replies here making the case for police abolition. Lots of good arguments! But the condescending assumption that I had never heard of the idea before today nor read about it before — because I think it’s “poorly thought out” — is annoying.
— Zack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp) June 4, 2020
Roughly an hour after the original post, Beauchamp apologized for his “bad tweet.”
“Talked to a number of people I respect about the framing of the original tweet and I do feel like it was a mistake. It was far too dismissive and then I — ironically — complained about condescending replies,” Beauchamp tweeted. “We all send bad tweets sometimes. This was one of mine.”
Talked to a number of people I respect about the framing of the original tweet and I do feel like it was a mistake. It was far too dismissive and then I — ironically — complained about condescending replies.
We all send bad tweets sometimes. This was one of mine.
— Zack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp) June 4, 2020
The effort to defund police departments gained traction after Floyd died last week in police custody in Minneapolis. Celebrities such as Lizzo, John Legend, and Megan Rapinoe signed a letter demanding “divestment from police.”
The Los Angeles City Council introduced a bill drastically slashing the police budget by as much as $150 million and redirecting that money to organizations that help disenfranchised communities in a move that earned the support of Mayor Eric Garcetti.
