MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry sent out an unequivocal apology to the family of Mitt Romney early Tuesday for her role in an on-air mocking of a photo of the former Massachusetts governor’s clan that included the recently adopted — and black — baby Kieran.
Miss Harris-Perry addressed the incident with several tweets on Tuesday, including: “I am sorry. Without reservation or qualification. I apologize to the Romney family.”
She also issued a longer statement, via NBC: “On Sunday’s program, we showed a photo of Governor Romney holding his adopted grandson, who is African-American. The intent of featuring the photo was to celebrate it — I often speak to the issue of the increasingly diverse American family. Whatever the intent, the segment proceded in an unexpected way that was offensive. Without reservation or qualification, I apologize to the Romney family and to all families built on loving transracial adoptions.”
People were interested in these podcasts
The tweets followed public outrage from her Sunday show, during which she showed a picture of Mr. Romney and his family with their newest addition, adopted in September — a sea of white faces surrounding a tiny black face.
Off-camera singing could be heard: “One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just isn’t the same.”
Miss Harris-Perry asked her guests to recommend a caption for the photograph and joked about a potential wedding of Kieran Romney to North West, the recently born daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
SEE ALSO: MSNBC panel: Romney photo with black grandson ‘sums up the diversity’ of GOP
After sending out the initial tweet of apology, Ms. Harris-Perry also sent out a couple more.
One: “I work by guiding principle that those who offend do not have the right to tell those they hurt that they r wrong for hurting.”
And another: “As a black child born into a large white Mormon family I feel familiarity w/ Romney family pic & never meant to suggest otherwise.”
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.