Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called on the writers and editors of Ebony magazine to apologize for senior editor Jamilah Lemieux’s racist comments Thursday toward RNC spokesman Raffi Williams and black conservatives in general.
“Attacking someone for his or her race, heritage or political views is the very thing Ebony has worked to discourage, and actions like those of Ms. Lemieux are far below the basic standards of journalism,” Priebus said. “She did not even attempt to show journalistic objectivity. And I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it’s unacceptable to refer to those who disagree with you as ?roaches.’”
Meanwhile, Lemieux believes she did nothing wrong.
@KatMcKinley And the only error I made, aside from engaging this when it first appeared in my mentions, is not looking at Raffi’s avi.
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) March 27, 2014
Because shutting out diversity of opinion and calling people you disagree with “roaches” is absolutely acceptable. Oh, and let’s not forget what Lemieux Tweeted Thursday morning, before all the drama:
Post racial Negroids (yeah, you can’t be Negroes, I’m kicking you out) are a cancer.
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) March 27, 2014
Yet somehow everyone offended by her remarks “lack reading comprehension.” Lemieux’s above tweet was in reference to NBA star Kobe Bryant’s comments that he won’t rush to someone’s defense just because they’re black. Lemieux took severe issue with Bryant’s stance.
Apparently, it’s not racist to defend someone just because of their race.
During the Williams dust-up, Lemieux began using racist terms to attack those who were offended by her remarks.
.@ellencarmichael I didn’t say anything unkind. I’m not your mammy, I owe you nothing. Exit.
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) March 27, 2014
“Raffi deserves an apology from Ms. Lemieux and from Ebony — not just for making assumptions about his race but more importantly for dismissing black Republicans and the validity of their opinions in public discourse,” Priebus added. Lemieux truly believes her comments were not offensive.
Let’s hope, as Priebus believes, her remarks do not reflect the beliefs of the entire magazine.
