Stacey Dash fans are wondering if it was better for the actress to keep her mouth shut after endorsing Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. However, it’s more than just a few political words.
Stacey Dash tweeted a photo of herself wearing a red swim suit with the statement, “Vote for Romney. The only choice for your future. @MittRomney @TeamRomney #mittromney #VOTE #voteromney.”
Dash immediately began experiencing racially-based hate tweets, attacking the African-American actress for supporting a Republican candidate – the implication being that her race should decide her vote. One person tweeted, “Kill yourself,” and re-tweeted Dash’s photo.
On Twitter, users tweeted, “You’re an unemployed black woman endorsing @MittRomney. You’re voting against yourself thrice. You poor beautiful idiot.”
Dash defended herself and tweeted, “My humble opinion… EVERYONE is entitled to one.”
Celebrities and daytime talk-show hosts weighed in on the backlash and defended Dash’s freedom to have her own opinion and express it freely.
On Wednesday’s episode of “The View,” Barbara Walters suggested that it would not have happened if she was a white woman, Mediaite reported.
“The feeling is black people should not be voting for Romney,” Walters said.
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg disagreed and said, “She’s being attacked because she has a different view from other people.”
Walters countered and said, “My quiet point is if she were white, this wouldn’t have happened. I know you don’t feel that way.”
Sandra Fluke defended Dash on Twitter, saying: “So disappointed to see people attacking @REALStaceyDash for voicing her opinion. Disagree politically, but #racist attacks are unacceptable.”
Fluke is no stranger to public attacks. She came to national attention when conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh made offensive remarks about her character, calling her a “slut” and “prostitute,” after she gave a speech to House Democrats in support of a mandate for contraceptive coverage in insurance policies.
Dash appeared on Piers Morgan Tonight on Tuesday to defend herself and reaffirm her endorsement for Romney.
“We’re all entitled to our own opinion,” Dash told Morgan.