Racial Reconciliation Is Hardly Possible With People Like Robert Pittenger

Commenting upon Charlotte events, white Congressman insults Black people ceasing some opportunities for racial reconciliation.

On Thursday, Congressman Robert Pittenger made an absurd statement on live television insulting Black people. The United States Representative, whose district includes fractions of Charlotte, stated that the demonstrators in the district are displeased because they aren’t as successful as white people.

During an interview with BBC’s “Newsnight,” Pittenger said those insensitive words, which sounded absolutely racist. He said, “The grievance in their mind is the animus, the anger. They hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not. I mean, yes, it is, it is a welfare state. We have spent trillions of dollars on welfare, and we’ve put people in bondage so they can’t be all that they are capable of being.”

Pittenger’s comments infuriated lots of people as many used social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to vent and criticize his speech, claiming it is racist. The comments were unruly, to be honest; a United States Representative should know better than to behave like that. His position as an official obliges him to avoid verbalizing any notion which may adversely  influence the possibilities of racial reconciliation in the area.

North Carolina House Of Representatives member Grier Martin labeled Pittenger’s comment “one of the most ignorant statements I have ever heard.”

Some moments later, Pittenger realized his mega blunder as he backtracked on his words using Twitter. He tried to explain himself by tweeting,  “Today, my anguish led me to respond to a reporter’s question in a way that I regret. I apologize to those I offended and hope we can bring peace and calm to Charlotte.”

“My intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African-Americans because of failed policies,” he added.

Isn’t it amazing to see a Government official making a statement, which oozes divine bigotry on live television and then trying to switch to the issues of racial equity? Isn’t it utterly absurd to hear the words about unsuccessful Blacks from a man living in the same country with Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Beyoncé, and  Kanye West,  LeBron James, and Serena Williams. It’s a pity that people like Robert Pittenger are in high places in the system because they are responsible for the institutional racism and other things which caused the recent protests.

Source: The Grio