Irish Politician Gerry Adams Apologizes For Saying N-Word On Twitter [TWEETS]

If you want a chance to see a politician in a new light, then simply subscribe to their Twitter account. Unfortunately, fans of one Irish politician got a little more than what they bargained for he used the N-word in a tweet describing "Django Unchained."

The controversial statement came Sunday from Gerry Adams, president of Irish republican political party Sinn Fein, when he tweeted: "Watching Django Unchained -- A Ballymurphy N----r!"

The tweet provoked a storm of criticism and swiftly deleted. He then issued a follow-up statement, arguing that his use of the word was "ironic" and referencing a series of shootings in 1971 when British soldiers killed civilians in Belfast, stated that "(North Irish) Nationalists were treated like African Americans."

Facing increasing pressure over the remark, Adams issued a formal statement where he defended his second tweet, saying the use of the word was "not intended to cause any offense whatsoever."

"Attempts to suggest that I am a racist are without credibility. I am opposed to racism and have been all my life," the statement read. "The fact is that nationalists in the north, including those from Ballymurphy, were treated in much the same way as African Americans until we stood up for ourselves."

However, the apology fell on deaf ears for the most part and left many underwhelmed. Some called Adams out for being racially insensitive while others noted that his comparison was historically inaccurate.

"For anyone to use such a term is unacceptable," said Stewart Dickson, chief whip of Northern Ireland's Alliance Party. "The attempted explanation from him is not only historically inaccurate but deeply offensive to many."

Steven Agnew, leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland, tweeted: "The comment was a disgrace but the explanation adds insult to injury. Just say 'sorry'."

Clare McConnell from Belfast tweeted, "No white man in a position of privilege gets to decide when he can use that word. Don't compare black oppression to Ireland. Just don't."

Comments like these encouraged Adams to issue another statement expressing an apology, but he stuck to his main point about the "parallels of people in struggle."

As mentioned before, Twitter is a great way for people to see the other sides of politicians. While Adams has experienced some turmoil in the political sphere such as being accused of being a member of the banned Irish Republican Party, as well as him being held for questioning in connection with the 1972 IRA slaying of a mother of 10, his Twitter feed is quite the opposite and fans can usually find him making plenty of colorful comments.

Tags

Racism, Twitter, Ireland