April Ryan Slams Criticism of Karine Jean-Pierre as ‘Foolishness’ From a ‘White Male-Dominated Space’
Long-time White House correspondent April Ryan called out criticism of White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre as racialized “foolishness” from a “white male-dominated space” — that is, the press briefing room.
Writing for the New York Times, Michael Grynbaum reported on the current and unique arrangement of press secretaries in the Biden Administration, given Admiral John Kirby’s recent promotion and increased presence during briefings on behalf of President Joe Biden.
As the first Black and openly gay press secretary, Jean-Pierre cuts a historical figure in the briefing room, filling the rather big shoes of the well-received Jen Psaki, who moved to MSNBC. As with nearly all new press secretaries, Jean-Pierre’s tenure did not start without criticism but was reasonable and partisan.
Grynbaum thoughtfully lists some of the critiques — namely an over-reliance on prepared talking points in her briefing notebook and that “some reporters grumbled that she occasionally seemed out of the loop,” among other things. Kirby, on the other hand, has received praise, perhaps in part owing to the focused area of his role, national security, and foreign affairs.
Ryan, a columnist for The Grio, flatly claimed that Jean-Pierre’s standard for judging her is by nature racialized. Grybaum writes:
April Ryan, a correspondent for The Grio who has covered presidents since the Clinton administration, said she found the gossip about Ms. Jean-Pierre and Mr. Kirby’s sharing of the spotlight to be “disrespectful,” noting the longstanding lack of diversity in the briefing room.
“That’s a white male-dominated space, and I’ve had my share of foolishness from that building,” said Ms. Ryan, who is Black. “I’m hypersensitive to disrespect toward Black women, because I know what that feels like and smells like.”
Ms. Ryan, who said she was friendly with both spokespeople, joked that she saw some irony in the White House’s reliance on him at the lectern. “Biden’s poll numbers have dropped in part because of foreign affairs,” she said.
Ryan rose to national prominence during the Trump administration, where she played a frequent and vocal foil to former President Donald Trump. Her comments in defense of Jean-Pierre will surely be loved by some and, of course, hated by some. Not unlike the four-finger rings worn by Radio Raheem from Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, who only sought respect, recognition, and to be treated fairly.
