Hysterical Right Wing Misinterprets Melissa Harris-Perry’s Comments About Romney’s Adopted Grandchild

Hysterical Right Wing Misinterprets Melissa Harris-Perry’s Comments About Romney’s Adopted Grandchild (Video)

by Bob Cull

Melissa Harris-Perry's Show on Sunday included a segment during which the panel discussed some of the most ridiculous moments of 2013.  One of the moments discussed revolved around a Romney family photograph in which Mitt holds his adopted black grandchild on his knee.

The remarks on the part of the panelists were predictable. They joked that the photo was a graphic illustration of the diversity within the Republican party, due to the fact that the black child stood out amongst Romney's white family.  Perry went on to joke that “my goal is that in 2040, the biggest thing of the year will be the marriage between Kieran Romney and North West. Can you imagine Mitt Romney and Kanye West as in-laws?”

To the ears of those on the right, these comments sounded like jokes being made at the expense of the innocent child, they did not hear jokes made at the expense of Mitt Romney and the Republican party.

Howard Kurtz of Fox News explained in an article about the transgression:

[box type="shadow"]"Yes, Harris-Perry kept cooing about how the baby was cute. The real target, for her and the guests, was Mitt.

As in, isn't it funny that this white Mormon with a white family would find among his clan a black baby.

Maybe it was supposed to be okay because the host is African-American. But I think the segment took a horribly wrong turn."[/box]

Shortly after Republican National Chairman, Reince Priebus demanded an apology for her "disgusting" remarks Harris-Perry did, in fact, offer an apology posting on Twitter:

[box type="shadow"]"I apologize to all families built on loving transracial adoptions who feel I degraded their lives or choices," she wrote.

As a black child born into large white Mormon family I feel familiarity w/ Romney family pic & never meant to suggest otherwise.

Therefore, while I meant no offense, I want to immediately apologize to the Romney family for hurting them."[/box]

You can judge for yourself if the comments in the video below were in any way directed at the child or at Mitt and the nearly pure white Republican party.

Bob Cull