Critics have called for MSNBC host Joy Reid to fired after incendiary and homophobic posts were found on her blog. (Photo by Getty/Dave Kotinsky)
It’s been a rough few months for MSNBC journalist Joy-Ann Reid, who found herself in the midst of controversy over a series of incendiary and homophobic posts shared on her now-defunct blog. Black women are now showing their support for the embattled “AM Joy” host with social media hashtag #WeGotJoy.
The online campaign comes just days after more inflammatory posts were unearthed from Reid’s old blog, including one depicting Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) as Virginia Tech mass shooter Seung-Hui Cho. In April, she accused hackers of authoring posts on the decade-old blog that contained offensive, anti-gay language, which sparked widespread outrage.
An FBI investigation was launched into the hacking claims but Reid ultimately apologized to fans, saying it was unlikely her blog had been compromised.
.@MSNBC's Joy Reid addresses homophobic blog posts:
"I genuinely do not believe I wrote those hateful things … But I can definitely understand, based on things I have tweeted and have written in the past, why some people don't believe me." pic.twitter.com/PWjdPfs5KB
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 28, 2018
“…There are things I deeply regret and am embarrassed by, things I would have said differently and issues where my position has changed,” she said in a statement Friday addressing the latest posts. “Today, I’m sincerely apologizing again.”
MSNBC has stuck by Reid throughout the controversy, despite pressure from critics who want to see her show canceled. In a statement, the network said the host’s old blog posts weren’t “reflective of the colleague and friend we have known at MSNBC for the past seven years.”
Black women have also rushed to Reid’s rescue, taking to social media to protect the on-air host, who’s currently the only African-American woman with an MSNBC show, as critics try their darnedest to have her kicked off the air. The debate has prompted colleagues, fans and fellow journalists alike to rally in support of Reid and her contributions to media.
~@JoyAnnReid is the ONLY Black woman with a news show on @MSNBC. I am defending her voice because it represents mine. #WeGotJoy #TrustBlackWomen pic.twitter.com/lgTFCenMHx
— April (@ReignOfApril) June 4, 2018
@JoyReid is an exceptional journalist! black women who watch @MSNBC stand in solidarity with our sister! #Wegotjoy #TrustBlackwomen pic.twitter.com/A6RzQUkRTB
— Melanie Campbell (@coalitionbuildr) June 4, 2018
Wanna know why #WeGotJoy
When Joy discusses immigration, she has immigration activists, not white men.
DIscusses a womens right to choose, she has women on, not white men.
Joy discusses LGBTQ issues, she has a representive from the LGBTQ community, not straight white men.
— AJ ✡️ (@AlisaJass) June 4, 2018
#WeGotJoy …so back off! @JoyAnnReid #msnbc @amjoyshow pic.twitter.com/Ds4qwhlFDb
— The Jacque Reid Experience (@jacquereid) June 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/RoseIsotope/status/1003700174772940802
Cosign. #WeGotJoy. #IStandWithJoy because of the quality of her work, and the ethical positions she takes. She brings stories and views that might not otherwise be heard, to a mainstream stage. She has apologised. Stop trying to humiliate her. And kudos to NBC for standing by her
— 𝓙𝓮𝓶𝓶𝓮 (@Jem758) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/MichaelaAngelaD/status/1003850062819135488
I stand with Joy. #WeGotJoy
— Cynthia (@cyndyb44) June 5, 2018
Human beings evolve! We all have said or did something in our past that we’re not proud of, but we evolved and so has our sister Joy Reid❤️#WeGotJoy #TrustBlackWomen
— Danyell Smith (@dwinksmi52) June 4, 2018
Black men have her back too. #WeGotJoy https://t.co/2oyjKqxZTf
— Tom Joyner (@TJMShow) June 5, 2018
