Montel Williams, the former talk-show host best known for a program that ended over seven years ago, tweeted on Wednesday criticizing DeRay Mckesson, who is among the most widely recognized and respected young black civil rights activists.
Twitter wasn’t too enthused with Williams’ attack -- and neither was Mckesson. Still, he responded characteristically:
Meanwhile, Twitter users came to Mckesson's defense, including responses from The King Center:
And, alas, no Twitter controversy can unfold without its very own hashtag; thus, #MontelWilliamsLogic was born.
Yes. It’s clear Mckesson isn’t Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader often held up by older black folks as the only black activist worth emulating. Nor has Mckesson made any indication that he is trying to be. In fact, in a New York Times Magazine interview in which he expressed frustration with the way he felt MLK had wrongly been "held up as an avatar of genteel protest," Mckesson also pointed to the decentralized leadership of the Black Lives Matter movement as one of its biggest strengths.
It’s unfair for Williams to make such statements and, frankly, it is a poor attempt to erase the phenomenal work Mckesson has done, and continues to do. His efforts -- just like the black lives he fights for -- matter.
Here are a few reminders of Mckesson's many contributions to civil rights activism:
Mckesson, along with other key Ferguson activists, was recognized as one of Fortune magazine's "World’s Greatest Leaders" for his on-the-ground leadership in Ferguson, Missouri, during protests that followed the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
He checked Wolf Blitzer’s privilege during the Baltimore uprising.
Mckesson is one of the creators of the Ferguson Protester Newsletter -- a roundup of tweets, news, photos and other resources for activists and supporters alike -- which allows him to continue to support people in the city from any remote location.
He built and spread word about a text messaging system that alerted people when the grand jury handed down its decision on whether to indict Darren Wilson.
He constantly lets White America know, along with countless others, that there will be no justice or peace as long as black lives are treated without value or respect.
He travels hours on end to protest in New York City; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; McKinney, Texas; Selma, Alabama; and any other city in the country in need of a reminder that #BlackLivesMatter.
And, just to amp up his awesomeness a bit more, Mckesson is one of 10 people followed by Beyoncé on Twitter. Is the Queen following you, Montel? NO, NO, SHE’S NOT.
Meanwhile, Williams is spending his time these days as the spokesman for Money Mutual, a lead generator of payday loans, which, for the record, isn’t nearly as close to being beneficial to black people. African-Americans are the demographic most likely to take out these high-interest, short-term loans that are mostly used for everyday expenses -- and that too often drill people further into debt.
A rep for Williams said Wednesday that there was "no need" to comment and that they had been "hashed to death today."
UPDATE: 10:15 p.m. -- After this article was published, a spokesman for Williams contacted HuffPost with additional comment:
Took a remarkable leap of logic, didn't you? Who says the tweet was meant as a criticism? In reality, the context, had anyone bothered to think before reacting, should have been quite obvious. It was a knock -- just not on anyone named in that tweet. And had DeRay done some thinking rather than tormenting drama for drama's sake, he might have correctly concluded the tweet attacked the thesis of his Fox interview.
The spokesman added: "All I saw today was the kind of chaos those of us on the left enjoy criticizing the right for. One thing we will not make the mistake of again is trying to defend DeRay, or anyone else, against a hostile Fox interview."
Fox News host Sean Hannity and his guest Kevin Jackson on Tuesday accused Mckesson of being a "professional protester."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.