GOP Rhode Island State Representative Faces Backlash After Saying Lost ‘Black Friend’ Over Critical Race Theory

A Rhode Island Republican lawmaker is under fire for suggesting in a Tuesday tweet that she lost a black friend to race and critical race theory.

State Representative Patricia Morgan, who is white, tweeted about the loss of her “black friend” because of race before suggesting that teachers and politicians divide people on “skin color. “and refer to the critical theory of race.

“I had a black friend. I liked her and I think she liked me too. But now she’s unfriendly and rude. I’m sure I didn’t do anything to her other than to be white, ”she wrote. “Is this really what teachers and our political leaders want for our society? To 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 obnoxious. I’m sure I didn’t do anything to her other than being white. Is this really what teachers and our political leaders want for our society? Do we divide because of our skin color? #CRT

– Patricia Morgan (@repmorgan) December 28, 2021

Morgan’s tweet shocked Democratic and Republican politicians, with critics calling the comments “ignorant.” Rhode Island State House Republican Minority Leader Blake Filippi said Morgan’s tweet was “absurd, juvenile and condemnable.”

Nellie Gorbea, secretary of state for Rhode Island and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, called the comments “ignorant and embarrassing. “

“Rhode Island deserves leaders who bring people together, not recklessly divide us,” she tweeted.

Morgan defended his tweet, tell the diary of Providence she believed it was in good faith.

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

His comments also drew national criticism. George Takei, known for his role as Sulu on “Star Trek,” lambasted Morgan on Twitter, using the lawmaker’s wording against her.

“I had a white friend. I loved him and I think he loved me too. But then Pearl Harbor came along and the whites got hostile and rude. I’m sure we didn’t do anything but they still sent us to camps. And now they don’t want to teach about it because it makes the kids feel bad, “he wrote.

I had a white friend. I liked him and I think he liked me too. But then Pearl Harbor arrived and the whites became hostile and obnoxious. I’m sure we didn’t do anything, but they still sent us to camps. And now they don’t want to teach about it anymore because it makes the kids feel bad. https://t.co/Pgvp9EoIEy

– George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 28, 2021

Critical Race Theory, an academic area that frames American institutions and systems around race, has met stiff resistance from conservatives across the country. At least 21 states have introduced bills to ban critical race theory from school curricula, and four states – Arkansas, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Tennessee – have enacted such bills .

Morgan, the former minority leader at Rhode Island State House, tried unsuccessfully to pass a bill last spring banning schools from teaching that racism is ingrained in American institutions.

Morgan told the Providence Journal that her efforts to pass the bill were likely the reason she lost her friend. Morgan met the friend at a recent Christmas party and felt ignored by the person.

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