Melissa Harris Perry just gave a good and heartfelt apology.

[blogslut]

No weasel words. No snark.

[Squinch]

1. Good. It deserved an apology. It seemed so out of character for her.

They won't let her move on, but I think we should.

[CTyankee]

3. I'm betting that her circle of good feminist friends and colleagues have comforted her...

I think we should all just let it go...

[all american girl]

4. We all say stupid things, especially when we are talking off the cuff...what makes you a big person

is when you realize that it was stupid and apologize.

[openfield]

31. Propaganda

Makes Dems question each other. Sad to see.

[brush]

35. Sounds like you didn't see the show

There wasn't much to apologize for. MHP wasn't the one who made the "controversial" remark. There was no mocking, no mean spiritedness towards the child. A family photo of the Romney clan was shown with Mittens holding his black, adopted grandson while surrounded by the rest of his huge family. A joke by one of the guests was made as the photo reminded him about repug "whiteness", which is kinda true since that party is 95% white and seeming to like it that way.

This whole thing is a manufactured crisis that will pass. MSNBC has to know that firing MHP on top of the Bashir firing will drive away many viewers, including this one.

She'll survive this because there's nothing to the "crisis" as it's all on tape for anyone to see.

[arthritisR_US]

36. This post and the one above by openfield, are

dead on!

[Squinch]

42. I did see it. She laughed along

when someone else said the "one of these things is not like the other line."

It seemed like it was a passing remark by the guest that she didn't expect, and the laughter was possibly polite, possibly joining in the joke.

ANd PS, it appears that she agrees that an apology was warranted.

[brush]

47. My point was there was no . . .

mocking of the baby or mean-spiritness by MHP.

There was some cooing about the cuteness of the baby though.

No apology was really necessary but to quiet the repug talking point spewers she did what she had to do, even though she didn't make the "controversial" remark.

[Squinch]

48. Her apology seemed, to me, to be VERY sincere, and not something she had to do even though she

didn't think it was warranted.

[all american girl]

2. And no "if I offended anyone..."

She had me in tears. It was heartfelt. I'm so proud of her.

[bvar22]

58. The weasels won't even offer that much.

They will use the Passive Voice and say,
"If someone was offended..."
or
"Mistakes were made..."

....like these things happen all by themselves.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

5. I'm sure Fox is already rewording it to continue the outrage

And CNN will breathlessly report whatever they say.

[nolabear]

11. Maybe. All the more reason to support her maturity and willingness to admit a wrong.

If she can lead by any kind of example at all, she's doing a good job.

[lamp_shade]

6. I watched. I applauded her. I cried along with her. n/t

[mfcorey1]

9. Me too! I am also glad that MSNBC allowed her to speak instead of pressing

the 'fired' button.

[arthritisR_US]

37. Martin sincerely apologized too and they still

pressed that damn button!

[Lost_Count]

55. Martin took it to a different level ...

... Or so it woul seem

[arthritisR_US]

56. In the moment he did but in reflection he took

it back and gave a very gracious and sincere apology and that should have been the end of it, IMO.

[nolabear]

8. I just posted a similar thread. She was eloquent and mature and graceful.

Humility isn't the same as submission. She showed real strength by being vulnerable and then going on and doing what she does well.

[Mass]

10. Excellent apology. Time to move on.

[Gothmog]

12. I agree

I was impressed with her sincerity

[ceeRoy]

13. I saw that

but i'm missing something....i don't understand what the controversy was about. how is it those on the right even on faux news say mocking things towards any public personality on the the right and they are not pressured to apologize like those on the left....i don't understand it...and we turn and cower out apologies. i guess the right determine whether we eat or not or hold our jobs....sad!!

[bluestate10]

16. The expectation for people on the right and those on the Left are different. People on the Left

hold themselves to higher standards, and are held to higher standards by their fans. It is clear that the right's failure to adhere to standards or hold itself accountable is starting to hurt that political point of view badly. It is no longer good enough to look at others and point out their failures, people today expect solutions to be presented.

[nolabear]

22. +1

We can't get in that gutter. And I agree that the RW failure is becoming anathema to many, many people.

[tblue37]

33. I think you meant "toward any public personality on the left.". nt

[bluestate10]

14. Hopefully, she does some shows on trans-racial adoption and trans-racial children and their

experiences during the coming year. Harris-Perry did a show on inter-racial couples a while back, I found that show to be hugely useful toward my understanding and acceptance of marriage for love, regardless of what the partners look like. I think several shows on trans-racial children of all flavors and their experiences with one race kids and their communities would go a enormous way toward increasing universal understanding of what those kids deal with. One problem that trans-racial children deal with is rejection from both sides of their being, at least from non family members - all though I think the problem has been greatly reduced as Millennials have gained more influence.

[Skidmore]

26. I think this experience has been especially hurtful to her because of her own personal

background, being the child of a mixed racial marriage. Don't even know what to call this anymore--mixed? biracial???? and I am part of one myself. We'll all be better off when we start seeing one another as people and not groups to be classified.

[Dawgs]

15. Apologizing only makes it look like we are the same as them.

She shouldn't have apologized.

I just lost the little respect I had left for her.

[Tom Rinaldo]

17. Apologize sincerely when you are wrong, fight like hell when you are right.

No, that doesn't look like typical Republican behavior.

[blogslut]

18. I think the inverse of that is true.

They never apologize and, when called on their mis-statements, instead of admitting their crimes, they claim their first amendment rights are under attack.

[Dawgs]

23. The point is that the right leaning "media" will be able to say that they are both the same. n/t

[bluestate10]

21. She was right to apologize. Her own role in the segment in question was non offensive, her

comment was pretty understanding. But a couple of her guests went a little out of bounds and she didn't call them out. I watched Melissa's apology, it was clear to me that the incident affected her deeply on a personal level and she feels that she failed at a time when she shouldn't have failed. I don't think the apology came because of fear for her job, she was deeply, deeply affected by what happened on the segment of her show a week ago. I don't understand why you don't respect Harris-Perry, next to Rachel Maddow, Harris-Perry does some of the most impressive investigative work among journalists today.

[Dawgs]

25. BS. I saw the segment and her guests were comedians.

And, what they said was very far from offensive. And, compared to what the right says every day it was nothing.

If she really was sincere that it's even worse than if she was just trying to save her job.

[blogslut]

32. okay

Nobody's stopping you from your opinion.

[Vashta Nerada]

51. Make the guests come on the show and apologize.

I wouldn't apologize for someone else.

Hell, what did the guests need to apologize for?

[Ranchemp.]

52. She may have been apologizing for laughing along with her guests

and showing the photo.
She showed a lot of class by apologizing and now she can move on.

[Vashta Nerada]

53. The guests had a valid point.

[Ranchemp.]

54. Maybe, maybe not,

but in this day and age of political correctness, it came across the wrong way and, AFAIC, she did the right thing and now it should be behind her.
I hope Romney has the sense to just let it die.

[hrmjustin]

27. She felt the need to do this. I respect her even more now.

[Dawgs]

29. Well then she's dumb. n/t

[hrmjustin]

30. Why?

[Ranchemp.]

43. Pot, meet kettle.

She apologized for the offensive comments of her guests, and, she did laugh at those comments.
She did, IMO, do the right thing and now it's time to move on.
If you can't see that, then carry on.

[Skidmore]

28. Riii-ight.

[cherokeeprogressive]

40. I don't understand why she's apologizing to US.

Seems a little contrived.

[seveneyes]

19. Was this a new apology?

I saw a link from a day or two ago where she apologized. Is this something new or different? On TV or a written statement?

[blogslut]

20. It was a live, on air apology

Her show airs on Saturday ans Sunday mornings. The incident happened last weekend. This is her first show since that.

[bluestate10]

24. It was a televised apology, made immediately after her show came on. nt

[bonzaga]

34. She had nothing to apologize for as far as I'm concerned

She didn't say anything out of line at all.

[Cooley Hurd]

38. She had a reason for the apology and she gave a more-than-sufficient one.

Anyone who did not see the reason for the apology might be a bit short-sighted. No offense to you and Welcome to DU.

[Ranchemp.]

44. No, she didn't say anything offensive,

but her 2 guests did and she laughed along with them, her apology was for the offensive remarks of her guests and her joining in the laughter.
She did the right thing and now let's move on.

[Vashta Nerada]

50. Agreed.

Her guests made the comments, and they didn't even say anything bad.

This was a non-issue issue.

[LittleBlue]

39. Good, let's hope she's learned something

Cut the antics and witless "comedians", they bring nothing to political debate.

[kathysart_decoration]

41. I must strongly disagree

I appreciate your sentiments, however, MHP I am certain, did a staffing around what would be on her show that day. This picture was discussed with staff before it was made part of the actual show. Apparently no one objected to or discussed possible consequences of the photo being shown on air. They should have, (including MHP.)
I heard the segment. Nothing offensive was said, but, I immediately thought -for the now obvious reasons - "This will not end well."
The most important thing to understand is that this was a Christmas picture which was put out for public consumption - on Twitter. This was not sent around to a private group of family and friends. If that were the case I think this would be more highly charged and problematic and offensive. But, no, this was a Twitter feed. You can see it there, and also see some of the responses which are about the Mormon Church and their problem with accusations of child abuse. Romney doesn't seem to have a large following, but maybe I am missing something.
Maybe I am very cynical, but I immediately questioned this adoption given the history of Mormons and black people and the fact that this family (Romney) has more than enough money to adopt a white, (even Mormon) child. I don't know which of the Romney kids adopted this child, but I question the why of the adoption. Why a black child in this very Mormon family. And, how and from where did they get this child.
I should admit that I have a degree in social work and for several years I did adoption work, including home studies and placement of children. I have my own experience and training which colors my questioning this whole situation. While it may be nothing to be concerned about, I think it's worth questioning. Adoptions have many consequences, and they are often not positive for the child Money and good intentions don't change the possible end results which can be more psychological and emotional than physically harmful. There is actually a fairly high disruption rate for adoptions, even the adoption of babies. What chance does this child have in this family?
My cynical nature leads me to question whether this was done for some future political run for some office. God forbid, even Mitt, could consider another presidential run. It's not impossible.
Having said all that, I need to add that MHP's crying was offensive to me. She is not a child. She and her staff discussed this, and if she wasn't smart enough to understand how this could backfire, then she shouldn't be on the air. Her feelings of guilt, as I see them, is not helpful to this whole situation. Grow up and talk about why you ran the segment and why you do not see it as offensive to anyone, much less this little boy child who is dressed in pink, like all the girls in the picture. What is the hidden, offensive meaning of that?

[blogslut]

45. Oh my.

Well, you've put a lot of thought into the situation.

[Lifelong Dem]

46. I just watched the video

She was tearful and really come close to totally losing it on the air. You could tell see was trying to hold back her tears so she could say what she wanted to say. I look forward to hearing from Romney and whether or not he has a heart to accept her heartfelt apology or not - like most have already.

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/melissa-harris-perry-breaks-down-on-air-while-addressing-kieran-romney-controversy/

[Vashta Nerada]

49. She apologized for something she didn't even do?

Makes...sense.

[doc03]

57. Why are we always apologizing and the right wing nut jobs like Palin and

Rand Paul get a total pass? That ass hole on DD got rehired. I expect MSNBC to fire Perry now.