The Republican National Convention got underway July 18, and even before it officially started, Stephen Colbert stole the stage to announce the commencement of the “Republican National Hungry for Power Games” while imitating a character from the dystopian novels and movies, The Hunger Games.
The festivities took an ugly turn, however, when Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) sat down on a panel for MSNBC. When Charles Pierce of Esquire noted that the convention and the Republican Party generally were dominated by “old white people,” King struck back.
"This 'old white people' business does get a little tired, Charlie," King said. "I'd ask you to go back through history and figure out, where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you're talking about, where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization?"
Essentially, King is arguing that non-white people haven’t made any important contributions to the world. While he later “clarified” that he was referring to the contributions of “Western civilization,” and not those solely of white people (which hardly makes it any better), he was unapologetic.
“What we have is people who are trying to parse something, to hyperventilate about that,” King said. “I’m OK if they do that because it starts the dialogue so we can open up more minds so people can think about what’s right for America.”
Whether he was successful in actually starting a “dialogue,” King can judge for himself. But he did provoke some epic reactions. Here are ten of the best.
Some people used the opportunity to suggest some reading material.
Dear Steve King: Here are some things not invented by white people https://t.co/ziSX9TXXqI #bpulse #tech
— Buzz Pulse (@bpulsetech) July 19, 2016
That thing with @SteveKingIA has me reading this morning Thomas Merton's "Letters to a White Liberal". Still Fresh.
— ProfB (@AntheaButler) July 19, 2016
FYI Steve King represents Sioux City. Maybe he oughta investigate the heritage of that city..
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) July 18, 2016
Others noted King's disturbing word choice.
the fact that steve king referred to everything outside of western civilization as a "sub-group" pretty much says it all.
— Sarah A. Harvard (@amyharvard_) July 19, 2016
So one of many questions for @SteveKingIA - what is a "sub group"? And what science tells you non-"European" people are such a group?
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 18, 2016
The delightful irony of King's comments being followed not long after by Melania Trump's speech — which appeared to plagiarize parts of Michelle Obama's 2008 speech — was not lost on many commentators.
Wonder how Steve King will react to the "contributions" an African-American woman made to the GOP convention on night one.
— David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) July 19, 2016
Steve King asked for examples of nonwhite contributions to civilization; Melania Trump provided an answer
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) July 19, 2016
Perhaps Steve King is himself guilty of plagiarism...
melania trump plagiarizing michelle obama was bad, but steve king lifting from mein kampf really takes the cake for scandal of the day
— sean. (@SeanMcElwee) July 19, 2016
Joy Reid of MSNBC interviewed Christopher Hayes and April D. Ryan, who were on the panel with King, about his comments.
Here it is a new video watch https://t.co/dNGi6KXFXa
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) July 19, 2016
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the face Ryan made while King was talking speaks louder than any number of tweets.
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