If Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., were a Republican, the networks would be giving the following statement wall-to-wall coverage, and the House minority whip would be forced to go on a weeklong apology tour to convince America he’s not a hugely ignorant racist.

Hoyer made a joke about whipping people — at an event hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus, titled “Dialogue with African CEOs,” and attended by African leaders visiting Washington for a major diplomatic summit.