Sunday morning was not a good day in Melissa Harris-Perry’s Nerdland.
Harris-Perry, host of the self-titled MSNBC show that draws political wonks, scholars and pop culture enthusiasts, invited a panel on to caption the most talked about pictures of 2013. Included in the bunch was a picture of former Massachusetts Governor and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s adopted grandson Kieran Romney — who happens to be Black.
“Everybody loves a baby picture,” Harris-Perry said, “and this was one that really, a lot of people had emotions about this baby picture this year. This is the Romney family. And, of course, there on Governor Romney’s knee is his adopted grandson, who is an African-American, an adopted African-American [grand]child, Kieran Romney.”
When asked to caption the picture, comedian and actress Pia Glenn sang: “One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just isn’t the same … “And that little baby, front and center, would be the one.”
Laughter erupts.
“And isn’t he the most gorgeous?” Harris-Perry responded in an attempt to divert from Glenn’s impromptu song. “My goal is that in 2040, the biggest thing of the year will be the wedding between Kieran Romney and North West. Can you imagine Mitt Romney and Kanye West as in-laws?”
Comedian Dean Obeidallah had already taken the ball and run with it though: “I think this picture is great,” he said. “It really sums up the diversity of the Republican party, the RNC. At the convention, they find the one Black person.”
See the clip below:
Glenn, who inadvertently insulted an entire swath of the population who has been adopted transracially, has taken to Twitter to sincerely apologize for her insensitivity:
I am absolutely aware of the added challenges of interracial adoptive families and I see how I added to that. I did not mean to.Still wrong.
— Pia Glenn (@PiaGlenn) December 31, 2013
@yesnicksearcy …don’t excuse the insult I have caused to those adopting transracially. I want to apologize again. I’m sorry.
— Pia Glenn (@PiaGlenn) December 31, 2013
@Nomdep1ume I was addressing a specific group but I understand your anger and I apologize to you and your family as well. I’m sorry.
— Pia Glenn (@PiaGlenn) December 31, 2013
@yesnicksearcy I appreciate that, thank you. But I am also aware of the implications of my behavior so I respectfully ask that you let me +
— Pia Glenn (@PiaGlenn) December 31, 2013
@yesnicksearcy …know if I can further contribute to a helpful dialogue (if anyone might be interested).Best wishes to you and your family.
— Pia Glenn (@PiaGlenn) December 31, 2013
As previously reported by NewsOne, Romney announced the adoption of his 22nd grandson, son of Ben and wife Andelynne Romney, via Twitter.
The baby’s name, Kieran, which is Gaelic for “black,” or “little dark one,” caused the jokes to flood in almost instantaneously.
Though Glenn’s apology is without a doubt sincere, the incident probably won’t die down until Harris-Perry addresses it on the air.
Keep it classy, MSNBC.
UPDATED: 12/31/13
Melissa Harris-Perry has publicly apologized to the Romney family via Twitter. Read below:
I am sorry. Without reservation or qualification. I apologize to the Romney family. #MHPapology
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) December 31, 2013
I work by guiding principle that those who offend do not have the right to tell those they hurt that they r wrong for hurting. #MHPapology
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) December 31, 2013
Therefore, while I meant no offense, I want to immediately apologize to the Romney family for hurting them. #MHPapology
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) December 31, 2013
As black child born into large white Mormon family I feel familiarity w/ Romney family pic & never meant to suggest otherwise. #MHPapology
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) December 31, 2013
I apologize to all families built on loving transracial adoptions who feel I degraded their lives or choices. #MHPapology
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) December 31, 2013
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UPDATED: Melissa Harris-Perry Apologizes For Joke About Mitt Romney’s Black Grandson [VIDEO] was originally published on newsone.com
