Abbot's tweet as it appears on Twitter
Shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott has apologised for any offence caused by comments she made on Twitter, after claims they were racist.She said she had not meant to generalise when she wrote: ''White people love playing 'divide & rule'".
It was a response to criticism of media use of "black community leaders" after the Stephen Lawrence murder trial. Labour's Chuka Umunna said party leader Ed Miliband had told Ms Abbott her remarks were "unacceptable".
In a statement, Ms Abbott said: "I apologise for any offence caused. I understand people have interpreted my comments as making generalisations about white people. I do not believe in doing that."
'Out of context'
Ms Abbott, the first black woman to be elected as an MP, had earlier tweeted that her remark had been "taken out of context".
Shadow Business Secretary Mr Umunna told the BBC: "Ed Miliband has spoken to her this morning and made it very clear in no uncertain terms that the contents of the tweet were unacceptable. If Diane believed the words as they were expressed and she had not apologised then Ed Miliband would obviously have taken the requisite action. For us as politicians, Twitter is a very useful tool to communicate with people, but it has its perils."
The original remark from Ms Abbott was a reaction to a conversation on Twitter about media coverage in the wake of the Stephen Lawrence murder trial. It was a response to journalist Bim Adewunmi, who complained about the use of the terms "the black community" and "black community leaders" in the media.
Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Ms Abbott, who stood for Labour leader in the 2010 contest, remarked: "White people love playing 'divide & rule'. We should not play their game" followed by "#tacticasoldascolonialism" - a way Twitter users flag up keywords and topics.
She added: "Ethnic communities that show more public solidarity & unity than black people do much better."
The comments sparked much criticism from other Twitter users and she updated her page later to say: "Tweet taken out of context. Refers to nature of 19th Century European colonialism. Bit much to get into 140 characters." The original remark was later removed.
In a statement, the Labour Party said: "We disagree with Diane's tweet. It is wrong to make sweeping generalisations about any race, creed, or culture. The Labour Party has always campaigned against such behaviour - and so has Diane Abbott."
'Great history'
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Ms Abbott's comments on twitter were a "stupid and crass generalisation" and that she should apologise and explain her remarks.
Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi told BBC Radio 5 live: "This is racism. If this was a white member of Parliament saying that all black people want to do bad things to us he would have resigned within the hour or be sacked. For a shadow minister to hold these sort of views is intolerable, it is wrong, she needs to go."
Another Conservative MP, Rehman Chishti, told BBC Radio 4's World at One the comments were "completely unacceptable" and amounted to "a racist comment".
"If there was a strong leader in the Labour Party he would have taken further action against that."
However another Conservative MP, Robert Halfon wrote on Twitter: "The Right should know better than to get all PC re @HackneyAbbott - disagree strongly, but let voters decide. Freedom of speech & all that."
But she was supported by the senior Labour MP Keith Vaz, who told the BBC she was doing an "excellent job" as shadow public health minister and had a "great history of supporting the anti-racism struggle".
"She's done the right thing in withdrawing her statement and apologising for the offence that's been caused."
BBC
Thanks to Zaahid for the heads-up
8 comments:
Racism is racism. Black brown or white MPs should be uniting everyone as 'BRITISH'and ignoring colour. If we actually do start to ignore colour perhaps it would no longer be an issue?
Diane Abbott should resign she has made a comment which is generalising a race and therefore is racist!
She has made racist comments, everyone must be treated equally, she should resign
Abbott has done a lot for Left and Progressive causes but it was a shame that all this occured right after the Lawrence verdicts. It gave the Right an opportunity to hit back which they seized.
I am white and did not take offence at Diane's comment. She was obviously referring to the many white people who have in fact discriminated against blacks in the past.
Racism is racism.
The sometimes silly and bigotted views that some Black and Brown many have about White People cannot compare to the deep legacy of highly political racism that has existed for centuries and continues to exist.
The two don't compare.
I am white and did not take offence at Diane's comment. She was obviously referring to the many white people who have in fact discriminated against blacks in the past.
Me too and anybody with experience in Left politics knew what she was getting at. However, it was clumsily worded and goes to show that Twitter ain't a useful vehicle for making complex political points.
I am white and did not take offence at Diane's comment. She was obviously referring to the many white people who have in fact discriminated against blacks in the past
Well i was offended as many were, it isn't the first time this racist bigot as shown her true colours. Remember the comment about black parents being better than white. The woman is vile.
In response to11:04 PM, January 07, 2012
You talk of bigoted views that the white' establishment has held for century's. So are you saying that all whites should carry that shame around there necks ?
Lets use the example of Africa. Sadly it has lots of despotic sadistic rulers. Shall we therefore think that black people are prone to barbarity and violence ? NO of course not. Your generalising of a race is insulting and racist.
You talk of bigoted views that the white' establishment has held for century's. So are you saying that all whites should carry that shame around there necks ?
Calm down Anon at 10.01am.
Racism wouldn't have been so effective. from a ruling class POV, if it was only held by themselves. Their ability to divide the poor along racial lines has led to a weakening of resistance historically.
Your arguments are starting to come close to the BNP's "Racism Cuts Both Ways" Propaganda.
I would always argue against Black bigotry but to say its somehow equivalent and equal politically to Western racism and fascism is the politics of simpletons.
Maybe you should quit the Daily Mail style "politics of outrage", Anon, and delve a bit deeper into the subject.
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