The Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women recently kicked up controversy with a Facebook post that showed the image of a black man hanging from a tree.
Along with that disturbing detail, the Federation posted a reminder about “who was responsible” for pre- and post-Civil War lynchings.
“The KKK was formed by the Democrats to keep control over black Americans,” the ad begins. “Today, the Democrats of [have, sic] just traded ropes for welfare.”
The image immediately stirred outrage, and the image has since been removed with the GOP group’s president, Pam Pollard, speaking out against it and offering this explanation to KFOR .
“The Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women regrets that an offensive post was made to our Facebook page today. I did not make the post or approve the post and when it was brought to my attention I immediately deleted it. I have since changed the settings on our page to approve all posts before they are published.”
Even with that and the removal of the post, it hasn’t stopped the negative attention from landing on the group’s Facebook page , especially now that sites like Huffington Post have picked it up.
Commenters were quite furious with one individual calling them “idiots.”
“Commenting on your lynching post. You idiots!” said Mike Keefe. “The KKK was founded by Southern, white supremacist, conservative, anti-immigrant, anti-federalist Christians! Who are those people today? THE TEA PARTY!… The Democrats of 1870 are nothing like the Democrats of today.”
Lois Bielenberg agreed.
“You are the lowest form of humanity. What kind of people do this asinine thing? You can try to place blame wherever, it will always come back to you redneck southerners. Grow up and own and maybe start by being better people.”
Opposing Views pointed out that this isn’t the first time the group’s Facebook page has offended a large group of people. Earlier this month, the group posted this missive.
“The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us ‘Please Do Not Feed the Animals.’ Their stated reason for the policy is because ‘The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.’ Thus ends today’s lesson in irony #?OKGOP”
Do you think that groups like the Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women have a point with some of their postings, or are they killing the national Republican Party? Sound off in the comments section below.
[Image taken from Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women / Facebook, linked above]
