State Department spokesman Ned Price disavowed woke Black History Month tweets by U.S. Charges d’Affaires to Afghanistan Karen Decker aimed at Afghans as “inappropriate and ineffective”. Price said the tweets were not cleared by Washington and had been written by Decker, herself.
Decker deleted some of the tweets early Thursday. With the U.S. Embassy in Kabul closed since the Taliban took over in August 2021 at the behest of the Biden administration, Decker has operated mainly out of Qatar.
Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker, image via Kabul Now/Persian Independent.
Excerpt from the State Department transcript of Wednesday’s briefing:
QUESTION: The U.S. chargé d’affaires for Afghanistan tweeted this morning quote, “Are Afghans familiar with #blackgirlmagic and the movement inspired? Do Afghan girls need a similar movement? What about Afghan women? Teach me, ready to learn.”
Is it appropriate for a U.S. diplomat to ask women and girls who are being systemically denied an education to teach her about a hashtag?
MR PRICE: I became aware of those tweets just before I came down here. Those were tweets that were, as I understand it, drafted by the chargé herself. Those were not tweets that were cleared with the Department of State here in Washington. I will say that there’s[2] sentiments in her tweet thread that one can appreciate. I think the messaging in this context is rather inappropriate and ineffective, and it is not messaging that we would issue from here.
Thanks.
(The briefing was concluded at 3:20 p.m.)
The question was asked by Algemeiner reporter Andrew Bernard:
Transcript of the exchange: pic.twitter.com/aIEVMXcuWS
— Andrew Bernard (@andrewjbernie) February 16, 2023
A sample of the now-deleted tweets that the State Department disavowed:
#BlackHistoryMonth begins tomorrow. I plan to use this platform to showcase the courage and creativity of Black Americans. Welcome input from Afghans – what parallels do you see in your own search for peace, dignity, opportunity and justice?
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) January 31, 2023
Are Afghans familiar with #BlackGirlMagic and the movement it inspired? Do Afghan girls need a similar movement? What about Afghan Women? Teach me, ready to learn. #BlackHistoryMonth @Beyonce @lizzo @ReginaKing
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 15, 2023
Abe Lincoln born today in 1809. He did some stuff. It’s also NAACP Day – home of grassroots activism, inclusive communities and making sure Black voices are heard. What does that look like for Afghans struggling to be heard? #BlackHistoryMonth @NAACP @LincolnsCottage
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 12, 2023
TGP reported Wednesday on Decker’s tweets. Some tweets were still live early Thursday:
“We marked MLK Day on Monday, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a private citizen & religious leader who championed nonviolence as the pathway to achieving civil rights the U.S…As I reflected on his legacy this week, it occurs to me to ask – Who is Afghanistan’s MLK? What Afghan person, driven by their faith and a desire for peace, can lead the Afghan people “to the mountaintop?””
As I reflected on his legacy this week, it occurs to me to ask – Who is Afghanistan’s MLK? What Afghan person, driven by their faith and a desire for peace, can lead the Afghan people “to the mountaintop?”
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) January 18, 2023
“In 1960, four Black students ordered coffee at a diner in Greensboro, NC. They were refused service but they would not leave. They came back the next day & a “sit-in” movement was born. Has nonviolent protest ever been successful in Afghanistan? Why or why not? #BlackHistoryMonth”
In 1960, four Black students ordered coffee at a diner in Greensboro, NC. They were refused service but they would not leave. They came back the next day & a “sit-in” movement was born. Has nonviolent protest ever been successful in Afghanistan? Why or why not? #BlackHistoryMonth
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 1, 2023
“Throwback to 2014 and the First Lady of Fierce Michelle Obama pictured here with Dr. Nasrin Oryakhil. Fave: “History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.” Share your stories of hope and courage. #BlackHistoryMonth
@MichelleObama”
Throwback to 2014 and the First Lady of Fierce Michelle Obama pictured here with Dr. Nasrin Oryakhil. Fave: “History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.” Share your stories of hope and courage. #BlackHistoryMonth @MichelleObama pic.twitter.com/dyIkKsuw3G
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 8, 2023
Decker challenged Afghans to identify with Rosa Parks, “On her birthday, extra points given for identifying this phenomenal woman, who said “No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” #BlackHistoryMonth” The Taliban have banned women from air travel, public parks, gyms and have mandated women cover themselves from head to toe since the Biden administration abandoned Afghans to the Taliban.
On her birthday, extra points given for identifying this phenomenal woman, who said “No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/IxRd4IqwVA
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 4, 2023
Decker had the gall to ask Afghans, whose dreams of freedom were shattered by Joe Biden, about a “dream deferred”, “Langston Hughes, one of the most influential American poets, wrote a short poem called Harlem. It begins with this line: “What happens to a dream deferred?” Tweet your best answer to the question. #BlackHistoryMonth”
Langston Hughes, one of the most influential American poets, wrote a short poem called Harlem. It begins with this line: “What happens to a dream deferred?” Tweet your best answer to the question. #BlackHistoryMonth
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 7, 2023
Wakanda forever!
“Ruth Carter and Rada Akbar have a lot in common – they both design clothing for superwomen. I saw the Abarzanan exhibit in Kabul in 2020 – it was amazing! #BlackHistoryMonth @iamRuthECarter @RADAAKBAR @Abarzanan #WakandaForever”
Ruth Carter and Rada Akbar have a lot in common – they both design clothing for superwomen. I saw the Abarzanan exhibit in Kabul in 2020 – it was amazing! #BlackHistoryMonth @iamRuthECarter @RADAAKBAR @Abarzanan #WakandaForever
— Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 2, 2023
Decker had a lone defender online, “There is a tweet from a U.S. official about Afghanistan which is being panned. The official is a good person who has helped to save thousands of lives. Let’s not let this distract from the mission or the good work she has done for so many. We have a lot left to do as a team.”
There is a tweet from a U.S. official about Afghanistan which is being panned. The official is a good person who has helped to save thousands of lives. Let’s not let this distract from the mission or the good work she has done for so many. We have a lot left to do as a team.
— Alex Plitsas (@alexplitsas) February 15, 2023
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