Given the Trump administration’s close ties to the white nationalist movement it’s no surprise its Black History Month celebration has been lackluster. Earlier this week, Trump showed he has no idea who abolitionist Frederick Douglass was, calling him “an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice.” His press secretary, Sean Spicer, seemed equally clueless about Douglass by referring to him in the present tense. Douglass died in 1895.
Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence took a shot at honoring Black History Month and fumbled as well. He celebrated by tweeting about the achievements of president Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was white.
As #BlackHistoryMonth begins, we remember when Pres. Lincoln submitted the 13th Amendment, ending slavery, to the states #NationalFreedomDay— Vice President Mike Pence (@Vice President Mike Pence)1486000812.0
Black History Month was created to celebrate the achievements of African-Americans throughout history. Pence’s tone-deaf tweet instead focuses on a white savior narrative and highlights black oppression. Pence’s tweet reveals a serious lack of understanding about Black History Month and a flippant attitude towards the achievements of African-Americans.
Twitter found a way to laugh through the pain under the hilarious hashtag #PenceBlackHistory.
If white people never enslaved you and took your civil rights, then you would have never had MLK and Malcolm X… https://t.co/nTjqXR3DPz— Hola, Yodito (@Hola, Yodito)1486053814.0
#PenceBlackHistory Let us remember sir Paul McCartney for introducing us to successful black artists like this one! https://t.co/m9lFlLsyIp— Banji 🇳🇬 (@Banji 🇳🇬)1486051993.0
In honor of #BHM we salute Paula Deen for exposing the country to the wonders of soul food cooking #PenceBlackHistory— 🎄🎄Derek🎄🎄 (@🎄🎄Derek🎄🎄)1486061681.0
Shout out to #macklemore for his efforts in advancing rap music. #PenceBlackHistory— Waitu Kubuli 🌺 (@Waitu Kubuli 🌺)1486068135.0
As #BHM begins, let's recognize Taylor Swift for inspiring Kanye to tell us Beyoncé had the greatest video of all time. #PenceBlackHistory— Kennon G. (@Kennon G.)1486061181.0
#PenceBlackHistory Let us remember Thomas Jefferson for giving Sally Hemmings a job AND six children— Jared Parker 🇵🇷🇨🇦🇯🇵🇰🇷🇫🇷🇬🇧🇩🇪🏳️🌈🇦 (@Jared Parker 🇵🇷🇨🇦🇯🇵🇰🇷🇫🇷🇬🇧🇩🇪🏳️🌈🇦)1486060416.0
Today for #BlackHistoryMonth we celebrate Jerry Heller N.W.A.'s 1st manager. He really had an eye for young black talent. #PenceBlackHistory— Matthew A. Cherry (@Matthew A. Cherry)1486047205.0
As #BHM begins, we remember Elvis Presley. His music brought Big Mama Thorton's song "Hound Dog" national recognition. #PenceBlackHistory— Matthew A. Cherry (@Matthew A. Cherry)1486047416.0