If you haven't been watching the news, Baltimore is imploding. After the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of Baltimore police officers, thousands of citizens took to the streets in protest of police brutality. At present, over 1,500 National Guard troops have been deployed to police Baltimore. There have been confrontations between rioters and police, fires, and the Maryland governor has declared a state of emergency as the protest escalates. It goes without saying that the entire country has their eye on what is happening in Baltimore, no matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on.
For whatever reason, last night Texas country artist Josh Abbott decided that it would be wise to enter the fray with a tweet that advocated police shooting of protesters and rioters in Baltimore.
See also: The 50 Best Red Dirt Texas Country Songs Josh Abbott Band is Ready to Make the Jump from Texas Country to the Mainstream
In the tweet, Abbott -- who headlined the Dallas Obsever's St. Patrick's Day Concert last month -- clearly fails to recognize his own cognitive dissonance when he urges police officers to shoot the protesters, saying that "maybe they'll learn there are other ways to promote change." Unlike most celebrities who tweet stupid, racist shit, Abbott has yet to delete the offending tweet.
In fact, he actually proceeded to double-down when other Twitter users called him out for his perceived insensitivity, and then offensively connects his song "Oh, Tonight," recorded with Dallas native Kacey Musgraves, to the riots.
I actually predicted this in "Oh, Tonight". Set the world on fire! I'll provide a link so you can purchase it:
— Josh Abbott (@joshabbottband) April 28, 2015Good job rioters!! Sounds like justice is being served!!! Really sending a message https://t.co/zERHanwLQ5
— Josh Abbott (@joshabbottband) April 28, 2015You're probably right. I'm just not going to support these rioters attacking police and burning buildings https://t.co/sTjIVgehlW
— Josh Abbott (@joshabbottband) April 28, 2015If they're attacking an officer, then they deserve to be shot back. White, black, brown, or purple. Ain't about race https://t.co/XZ5P2OeFxv
— Josh Abbott (@joshabbottband) April 28, 2015Abbott has never been afraid to be vocal about his own political leanings. When Republican governor Greg Abbott (no relation) was elected, the Josh Abbott Band celebrated his inauguration with the Texas Young Republicans in Austin. When he was a student at Texas Tech University, Abbott worked on Republican campaigns. On Twitter, he shares his opinions on everything from President Obama to Rajon Rondo's "lackluster" effort as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. A scan of his tweets would also indicate that when Abbott tweets about crime news (usually retweets from Fox News), the suspects are African-American nearly all of the time. Hmm.
This morning, though, likely due to response from people who pointed out that violence from the police probably wouldn't do much to quell violence sparked by police brutality, Abbott backed away from his statements, calling them "insensitive."
Some of my comments last night were insensitive. I can be man enough to admit that. Violence isn't the answer; neither from riots or police
— Josh Abbott (@joshabbottband) April 28, 2015Hopefully Baltimore can return to peace soon. Lots of innocent people being impacted including officers who had nothing to do w/ Grays death
— Josh Abbott (@joshabbottband) April 28, 2015We're glad he (sort of) had a change of heart.
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