By Kristy Puchko | Politics | July 27, 2016 |
By Kristy Puchko | Politics | July 27, 2016 |
We’ve said again and again how the antics this election season are bordering on the cartoonish and super villain-like. But goddamn if Bill O’Reilly didn’t achieve a new low, becoming a public slavery truther.
Just a day after Michelle Obama gave a rousing speech at the DNC about the evolution of our nation, O’Reilly countered with a response so dizzying I’m glad I have health insurance now because I’m fairly confident it broke my brain.
You might remember our flawless FLOTUS noted the incredible progress apparent in a black First Family living in a White House “built by slaves.” Well, The O’Reilly Factor host wants us all to know it wasn’t all that bad being a White House slave, declaring:
Slaves that worked there were well-fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government.
Upon seeing this on Twitter last night, I did a double-take. I checked to be sure it wasn’t a clever satirical bit from The Onion or Clickhole. But nope. You can watch O’Reilly sputter this brain-melting defense below.
It begins with some interesting historical context. And then, comes the “well-fed” bit. Which I bet O’Reilly thinks isn’t an absolutely awful thing to say. After all, he’s just talking about history, right? Except that we all need to keep in mind who writes the history books: those who had access to education. So, not the slaves who endured torture, rape, mutilation, starvation, abduction and many, many more forms of dehumanization and abuse. Instead, it’s slave masters like our founding fathers, and spin-doctoring politicians who want to rewrite the cause of the Civil War to play down the whole racist angle.
With a nationally televised show, O’Reilly has a major platform to rewrite history. Thankfully, Twitter was quick to righteously clap back.
Bill: Chat about cuisine after they steal ur name, homeland, family then beat u, breed u and make u work for free. https://t.co/sHSWPljgyd
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) July 27, 2016
Imagine feeling the need to point this out.
— Jason Bailey (@jasondashbailey) July 27, 2016
Just imagine. https://t.co/naohoyAqAZ
ON TONIGHT'S "GRANDPA'S YELLING AGAIN," THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF SLAVERY… https://t.co/PbHE1U1HkE
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) July 27, 2016
Being Republican means wanting credit for freeing the slaves, while arguing that slavery wasn't so bad because you got fed.
— Bitter Script Reader (@BittrScrptReadr) July 27, 2016
Bill O-Reilly would describe the 'Trail of Tears' as the government providing the natives an opportunity to see the country.
— Stephen J Schilling (@SonOfTheDude) July 27, 2016
Someone please put Bill O'Reilly in a time machine - but first, change him into a black man. His ignorance is staggering.
— Mindy McAdams (@macloo) July 27, 2016
I will provide decent lodging and food to Bill O'Reilly if he becomes my slave. Need a shed built. https://t.co/udmtJKbhse
— rabia chaudry (@rabiasquared) July 27, 2016
Dear Bill O'Reilly, They were slaves. Human slaves.
— Lin Brehmer (@LinBrehmer) July 27, 2016
I feel like Bill O'Reilly might have a lot of time to golf with Roger Ailes soon.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) July 27, 2016
I hope aliens come down & enslave the human race, so Bill O'Reilly can cheerfully say 'well, at least we're being fed'!
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) July 27, 2016
I'm starting a movement to build a wall around Bill O'Reilly. Don't worry, I'll make sure he's just as well-fed as the slaves were.
— Erin Entrada Kelly (@erinkellytweets) July 27, 2016
Not only was Bill O'Reilly's slaves were "well-fed" comment offensive….it was wronghttps://t.co/QrMO36EznZ pic.twitter.com/LIFczA5zfH
— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) July 27, 2016
If we go back to 1792 we find that the terms for hiring slaves at the WH were sparse in detail. The slave-owner had only to supply a blanket
— Liam Hogan (@Limerick1914) July 27, 2016
If you weren't a slave, a child, a peasant, mental, burnt to death, in pain, an edible mammal, or a woman, history has been bloody marvelous
— Henry Tudor (@KngHnryVIII) July 27, 2016
Kristy Puchko can’t even sometimes.