As Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday quickly approaches, the icon has been highlighted in the spotlight today however for less than savoury circumstances as Newsweek comes under fire for controversial tweets posted under their Twitter handle. According to Huffington Post, the now deleted tweet featured an image of Mr King in his casket with the following caption: “Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin?”
Bernice King, Mr King’s daughter fought back by questioning Newsweek on why the message was even put up in the first place. Newsweek later commented acknowledging their mishap and apologized to the King family for what they dubbed an “egregious error.”
In this day and age where racial relations are at all-time high, unnecessary comments as the one posted by Newsweek can be the fuel added to the fire that seeks to divide and conquer. There is much work to be done in overcoming biases and how these prejudices affect the lives of minorities.
Read some responses the Newsweek tweet solicited:
I give @BerniceKing all the credit for her grace in handling this. I know for a fact that if someone did to me what @Newsweek did to her and her family, I would have lost every bit of my mind. https://t.co/BIOUJSb4c0
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 1, 2018
Okay let’s recap New Years Day. @newsweek posted a headline with an image seen by Bernice King and she didn’t like it. Deleted.
This is terrible. https://t.co/qMvpuheYrL pic.twitter.com/ZPOh0m03it
— BLACK xx NATION (@BLACKxxNATION) January 1, 2018
Seriously, @Newsweek. WTF? Unbelievable. Cruel. WHY? Did NO ONE there think it might be a horrific idea? I swear to god you all have lost your damned minds. https://t.co/e0CRF77pXa
— Don’t wash your pits in the river of Sacred Tears (@MaestraOogway) January 2, 2018
Newsweek “accidentally” post a pic of a dead MLK with the headline Are You There Martin. It’s clear what folks think of us. I’m not here to turn my other cheek for anyone.
— Eddie Francis (@yourboyeddie) January 1, 2018
So @Newsweek made it to the top 20 of my sh*tlist. They tweeted out a photo of MLK, Jr. in his coffin. His daughter saw this. Why would they use that photo? Y’all are gross. pic.twitter.com/cousjJ2tpB
— Sarah Smith (@sarahsmithva) January 1, 2018
So @Newsweek thought posting MLK in his casket was a smart move… Welcome to 2018 smh pic.twitter.com/WM8UIfqkNa
— Run Up, Get Done Up (@iFredLee) January 1, 2018
If you want to honor MLK do it by remembering his good works. Not buy tweeting a pic of him in his casket @Newsweek you’re disgusting.
— POUND CAKE? (@BryStillBoojie) January 2, 2018
F*ck every publication & Twitter user criticizing #NewsWeek for tweeting and immediately deleting a picture of MLK lying in his casquet WHILE ATTACHING THE PICTURE THEMSELVES. You DGAF about propriety or the family’s feelings; just your vulture clicks. Despicable.
— Only4RM (@Only4RM) January 1, 2018
@Newsweek this is unacceptable! Your President has America thinking you do and say anything no matter how wildly racist and insensitive it is. Then just issue lame apology. #MLK #MartinLutherKingJr
— Michyla (@rhondasdaughter) January 1, 2018
This picture in the casket is one thing, but what I want to know is this:
Exactly wft did @Newsweek mean by “Has anyone seen my friend Martin?”#mlk https://t.co/9TpQ4RKMgi
— back2backWWchamps (@2xwide_dreaming) January 1, 2018
