Posted on 10/01/2020 8:50:02 AM PDT by Red Badger
The 19-year-old neo-pro has been benched after using a black hand emoji while professing his support for Donald Trump
Quinn Simmons at Flèche Wallonne 2020 (Photo by Bas Czerwinski/Getty Images)
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s at Flèche Wallonne 2020 (Photo by Bas Czerwinski/Getty Images)
Top story Trek-Segafredo
Quinn Simmons has been pulled from racing by Trek-Segafredo over a “divisive, incendiary, and detrimental” tweet.
The 19-year-old neo-pro became embroiled in controversy overnight when he tweeted his support of Donald Trump and used a black hand emoji.
Simmons, winner of the junior World Championship road race in Yorkshire last year, has now been benched by his team for the online statements which his team said are “divisive, incendiary, and detrimental.”
The controversy unfolded on Wednesday (September 30) when journalist Jose Been condemned US president Donald Trump and urged social media users to unfollow her if they support Trump.
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Simmons responded to the tweet saying “bye” with a black waving hand emoji.
The response caused a backlash from many cycling fans on social media aimed at both Simmons and his Trek-Segafredo team, with the US WorldTour squad saying they were “taking this very seriously” and that they would be releasing a statement soon.
Late on Wednesday night the team released the statement, confirmed that Simmons had been benched.
The team said: “Trek-Segafredo is an organisation that values inclusivity and supports a more diverse and equitable sport for all athletes. While we support the right to free speech we will hold people accountable for their words and actions.
“Regrettably, team rider Quinn Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport.
“In response, he will not be racing for Trek-Segafredo until further notice.”
Trek-Segafredo said they will work with their partners to determine the next steps for Simmons and that the public will be kept informed of any decisions.
The use of a black emoji by a white person online has been equated with blackface, showing a lack of racial awareness and temporarily adopting a racial identity.
Diversity in Cycling said on Twitter: “In Black History Month, it is worth explaining why Quinn Simmons’ tweets were racist. It was not because of his politics, but because he used a black hand gesture.
“This is a form of blackface – a means of racist oppression used by extremist groups.
“No Quinn, the furore is not about your political beliefs, it is about your racism.
“You used a black hand gesture, a form of blackface. You know the history of blackface right?
“Trek-Segafredo 100 per cent correct to suspend you. Listen and learn.”
Simmons, from Durango, Colorado, rose to prominence last season with a number of victories in the junior ranks, which were capped off by a huge solo win in the junior World Championship road race.
At 18 years old, he was then signed to Trek-Segafredo for 2020 on a two-year neo-pro contract.
Simmons will now miss his scheduled debut in the Classics this autumn.
He has yet to respond to the controversy or his suspension.
Cycling Ping!...................
Good grief. My friends often use the black thumbs up imogi when texting. I’d better warn them. Quick!!-sarc
Frickin snowflakes!
Fascists.
Hopefully, there is a black middle finger up emoji for him to use.
Unless he grovels first.
Funny, I’ve only seen one biker ever grovel, eventually.
If you could call what Lance Armstrong did groveling.
Who are the individuals in this organization that are persecuting this young man? They need to be clearly identified so that decent people can respond directly to them and hold them accountable.
Apparently Trek is a ‘woke’ corporation.................. Get woke, go broke...........................
I never understood black dems anger and condemning everybody and their racism EXCEPT THE DEM PARTY...... Must be when you are being given freebies by the dems, you allow them a LOT OF LEEWAY when it comes to racism..After all,if they get pissed,they will cut you off and you may have to go to work like white people.......
Soooo,everybody is racist,EXCEPT DEMS......( At least according to black activists)
“This is a form of blackface – a means of racist oppression used by extremist groups.”
Why on earth then is a black waving hand even selectable to type into a comment? Maybe they should look at their social media overlords for instigating racial tension....
That emoji looks like the palm side of a waving hand. If so, it must be a glove; the pigmentation is wrong for a human hand of any race.
They're kidding, right? Does this work both ways? If a black person uses a white emoji is that considered racist as well. Or is this another double standard? What if the emoji is just just deeply tanned? This is total bullshit.
This should cover all bases.
None of that Trek response made any sense.
I ride Wilier 100%.
Black letters in his Tweet were also used, on a white background. Racist!
Apparently the Twatter storm scared them.......................
Based on Trek’s bigots’ responses, it’s A-OK for leftists to call Trump supporters any vile names they want, and to congratulate themselves for doing so.
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