Rhode Island Rep. Patricia Morgan Gets Backlash for Tweet About Losing Black Friend Over Critical Race Theory

A racially charged tweet by Rep. Patricia Morgan Tuesday has inflamed social media, with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island calling on the speaker of the House to strip Morgan of her committee appointments. 

In her tweet, Morgan writes, “I had a black friend. I liked her and I think she liked me, too. But now she is hostile and unpleasant. I am sure I didn’t do anything to her, except be white. Is that what teachers and our political leaders really want for our society? Divide us because of our skin color?  #CRT”

I had a black friend. I liked her and I think she liked me, too. But now she is hostile and unpleasant. I am sure I didn’t do anything to her, except be white. Is that what teachers and our political leaders really want for our society? Divide us because of our skin color? #CRT

— Patricia Morgan (@repmorgan) December 28, 2021

CRT refers to critical race theory, a largely academic topic taught at the university level that holds that the impact of slavery continues to reverberate today, with implications for the courts, the criminal justice system and public education.

Morgan, the former minority leader of the Rhode Island House, unsuccessfully sponsored a bill this spring that would restrict the way schools teach the role of race in American history, a move that provoked heated criticism from educators, parents and other Rhode Islanders.

Rep. Morgan did not think her tweet was controversial

In an interview Tuesday, Morgan said she honestly didn’t think her tweet was controversial.

“I’m sad that this is the way our country is going, that we are judging people by their skin color, not their character,” she said. “I didn’t think it was controversial.

“I like my friend,” she said. “She’s funny and strong and smart. Whenever we got together, we had a good time. We enjoyed each other’s company.”

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SOURCE: The Providence Journal, Linda Borg