Anti-racism activist gets backlash over rant

Tim Wise called out over offensive Facebook comments.

Storified by AJAMStream· Tue, Sep 17 2013 15:16:22

And this is what's funny...every second that fools troll my site, complaining about how I take up all the antiracist space so they can't be heard, is a moment they aren't setting up their own website, blog, or writing their own book...but they wanna blame me for why no one knows who they are...it's not on me sweetheart..plenty of people of color get book deals and speaking gigs each year...if u di...dn't its not on me...it's cuz u havent said anything that anyone finds valuable...deal with that rather than wasting time trolling...Maybe another POC blew up your spot rather than me...ever think of that? No, of course not...cuz that would require critical thought rather than simplistic hater bs and stuff u can put on tumblr...seriously, it's time for people to be told to step off...feel free to jump off the page trolls....or I can bounce you...and would love to...trust me, u will lose this beef..badly...

Here's what...if you're spending time trolling my page, arguing about my role in the work, u are not doing the work yourself...u r living off the words of others...that's parasitical behavior, and if u r letting me bother u by saying this, then u r losing the battle to have your voice heard...ever think about writing something yourself? I mean, something that wasn't about critiquing me or others u don't like? Oh, and did u ever think about maybe using one font size and color for your homepage? That might help people take u seriously (if u r the individual for whom this statement is intended, I'm pretty sure you'll know it...kisses)...

...and no, let's be clear, I haven't been hacked...I'm just tired of trolls who do nothing but attack 24/7 because they think that's activism...

Once Wise confirmed that his Facebook account was not hacked, many expressed outrage.

If you haven't been hacked, then I am going to assume you're drunk. These last few posts have been awful and drenched in the privilege you claim to have an issue with.Cameron Alexis

I have always been such a big fan of yours. I cannot believe that you of all people could actually believe that POC do not get as many gigs as you do because they do not work as hard. All of your work is about white privilege. How can you suddenly write as if you do not know that privilege is a part of your popularity?Jennifer Lisa Vest

I feel like more and more, I'm seeing another side to Tim Wise these days. Was I blind all along?EvaSaidIt.Com

The rant drew comparisons to Hugo Schwyzer , who became famous in feminist circles but was exposed for his misogynistic attitudes.

hugo schwyzer pt. 2! sweet. love it.Olivia Kiernan

tim wise is pulling a schwyzer? huh. it's almost as if profiting off of others' oppression means you're probably a sociopathlily b

The backlash to Tim Wise's Facebook posts started a wider conversation on those who claim to speak for people of color:

I don't require White men to speak for me I require them to listen to me. Tim Wise you don't speak for me.Nostradeptus

If you're a white, cis man who made a career out of anti-racism, you should at least know how to check your privilege. Tim Wise is no ally.Lauren Rankin

@RaniaKhalek They continue to profit off POC endless cycle of pain while nothing gets done to change our situations for the better.Chris Williams

Wise then issued a statement on his Facebook page addressing the controversy. It read, in part:

I won't try and defend the tone of most of my remarks. It was inappropriate. Period.facebook.com

I fell into the same kind of vitriolic and sometimes personal attack mode that had gotten me angry in the first place. I shouldn't have. I will strive to do better.facebook.com