A wave of online backlash hit Mizzou Athletics when it sent a racist tweet intended to promote diversity. Later in the same evening on Oct. 23, it deleted the tweet.
The tweet even reached the twitter feed of Angie Thomas, author of the award-winning book “The Hate U Give.” In her response, she attached a screenshot of the tweet in question.
Uhhh… pic.twitter.com/pivja46Uqi
— Angie Thomas (@angiecthomas) October 24, 2019
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While the original replies were deleted alongside the tweet, users maintained their outrage in the reply section of Mizzou Athletics’ apology tweet.
At this point, an apology doesn’t cut it. Do better!
— KK (@xokennedixo) October 24, 2019
Why would you feel it necessary to ONLY advertise the ethnicity of your Black athletes; yet the future hopes and dreams of your White athletes was advertised? An apology for doing it IS NOT ENOUGH, an explanation as to WHY it was done is necessary.
— IamWendyWhitmore (@therapybywendy) October 24, 2019
Mizzou Athletics’ original tweet was released as part of the second annual NCAA Inclusion Week, which Mizzou Athletics began celebrating on Oct. 22. Many users questioned how MU could release such an insensitive promotion while claiming it has a renowned strategic communications school.
as a school that takes pride in their journalism school, you would think that their PR real would be more inclusive and sensitive to things like that.
— holly.✨ (@hollyrgxo) October 24, 2019
As of yet, no other official statement has been released by the MU administration.
_Edited by Laura Evans | levans@themaneater.com_
