Biden’s ambassador to Afghanistan apologizes following backlash over ‘black girl magic’ tweet
“I apologize to any and all who I may have offended or hurt,” Decker wrote.
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“I apologize to any and all who I may have offended or hurt,” Decker wrote.
On Thursday, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States' Mission to Afghanistan Karen Decker attempted to apologize for a tweet she posted a day earlier suggesting that a little #BlackGirlMagic could help the millions struggling under Taliban rule.
The tweet, which has since been deleted, was widely criticised as "tone deaf" over its apparent lack of empathy for the plight of Afghan women.
"Sometimes our best intentions go awry because we haven't listened enough or don't truly understand others' lived experience," Decker wrote. "My efforts to celebrate courageous African Americans this month fall in that category. I apologize to any and all who I may have offended or hurt."
Decker was promptly slammed over what many saw as less of an apology to the Afghan people, and more an attempt to run cover for herself.
https://twitter.com/AstroNoodleCat/status/1626301071856439297
"You definitely offended and hurt people," one user replied. "This apology is painful to read and lacks an ounce of sincerity. You really do not deserve the position you hold."
https://twitter.com/LouiseMensch/status/1626547291380146182
"The fact that this apology doesn't even mention the Afghani women that she so grossly demeaned by her tweet shows that she's unsuitable to be posted to Afghanistan," another added, calling on the Department of Homeland Security and Sec. Antony Blinken to recall her.
https://twitter.com/AfghanHistorian/status/1626337252514078720
Decker was criticized for deleting the tweet, with many pointing out that as an official United States government account, she should not be able to do so.
"For the love of history, please do not delete social posts from GOVERNMENT accounts," a user dedicated to Afghan history said. "Learn from mistakes and do better. But please do not delete history."
"I have learned in the last few months that you are woefully unqualified for your position," another added. "Multiple tweets have demonstrated how tone deaf and out of touch you are with Afghans. Resign."
Aside from the tweet about #BlackGirlMagic, a number of other controversial posts have since been scrubbed from Decker's account, including one wherein she said Abraham Lincoln "did some stuff," and another which included comments on race and the Superbowl.
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