A number of Black conservatives seem to have decided right-wing pundit Candace Owens has officially gone too far.
The political commentator took to her Twitter account to express her thoughts and feelings regarding Ahmaud Arbery and the father and son duo who chased him down. In a series of tweets, Owens attempted to criminalize Arbery. She accused the 25-year-old of breaking into a property that was under construction and questioned if he was "just a jogger."
"Ahmaud Arbery was caught on camera breaking into an unfinished property that was owned by Larry English," she wrote. "His mother has confirmed it is him in the video. Please stop with the 'just a jogger' bulls**t narrative. Avid joggers don’t wear khaki shorts & stop to break into homes."
Ahmaud Arbery was caught on camera breaking into an unfinished property that was owned by Larry English.
His mother has confirmed it is him in the video.
Please stop with the “just a jogger” bullshit narrative.
Avid joggers don’t wear khaki shorts & stop to break into homes.— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 9, 2020
The 31-year-old criticized Black America and the media for deeming the incident as racially motivated, claiming there’s no outrage when Black people “are killed by other Blacks.”
Black America when 9 year old Tyshawn Lee is lured from a basketball court down an alleyway and shot dead by a black gang member:
*crickets*
Black America when a repeat burglar is shot dead after breaking into a home:
RACISM! INJUSTICE! PROTEST!
Our culture is a joke.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 9, 2020
Yet, the disturbing circumstances behind 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee's 2015 murder made national headlines within and outside of Black media.
After facing backlash online, she iterated that Arbery “did not deserve to die” but continued to attempt to discredit the notion that he was just a jogger.
"Two things can be true at once: Ahmaud Arbery did not deserve to die. Ahmaud Arbery was not a jogger gunned down for the crime of being black," she wrote.
Two things can be true at once:
-Ahmaud Arbery did not deserve to die.
-Ahmaud Arbery was not a jogger gunned down for the crime of being black.
It’s that simple. But the media cannot resist a race narrative in a election cycle. And people struggle to think for themselves.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 9, 2020
“I made absolutely no statement insinuating that his death was a justified end. I simply attacked the mainstream stupidity that he was 'just a jogger' who was 'hunted' for no reason other than being black,” she wrote to her 2.2 million followers.
Behold: a perfect straw man argument.
I made absolutely no statement insinuating that his death was a justified end. I simply attacked the mainstream stupidity that he was “just a jogger” who was “hunted” for no reason other than being black. https://t.co/y8bXag5Kt7
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 9, 2020
The avid Republican criticized the media for “race-baiting” and said America should instead be focused on citizen’s arrest laws.
“Black America needs to get real and stop believing there is always a race narrative that underlines everything,” she said. “Neighbors recognized him. They called the cops and then two people fatefully attempted to take the law into their own hands.”
Black America needs to get real and stop believing there is always a race narrative that underlines everything. Neighbors recognized him. They called the cops and then two people fatefully attempted to take the law into their own hands.
That is all.
Credit @Timcast for video
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 12, 2020
During her rant, the Red Pill Black founder lambasted LeBron James and his call for justice for Arbery.
“We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes! Can’t even go for a damn jog man!” the NBA player wrote.
We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes! Can’t even go for a damn jog man! Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I’m sorry Ahmaud(Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the….. pic.twitter.com/r1PNxs8Vgn
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 6, 2020
Owens said James “lacks intellect” and denounced the father of three for saying Black people are hunted.
“Bro. You have multiples homes, white personal chefs, gardeners and housekeepers. If that’s an example of 'literally being hunted' by white people, then sign me up ASAP,” she wrote.
Lastly, to @KingJames— who will never be what Kobe and Jordan were off the court because he lacks intellect.
Bro. You have multiples homes, white personal chefs, gardeners and housekeepers. If that’s an example of “literally being hunted” by white people, then sign me up ASAP.— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 9, 2020
Owens’ fellow Black conservatives didn’t echo her sentiments and instead criticized her for attempting to criminalize Arbery. Her tweets about the fatal incident led Black conservatives to speak out against her. Many have said that while he was seen on camera, it does not justify Travis and Gregory McMichael shooting an unarmed man.
Why are we putting Ahmaud Arbery on tríal?
Criminal history or not, my faith compels me to believe in the idea of redemption. Ahmaud Arbery did not deserve to die the way he did.
No human being does. Full stop. https://t.co/CsLuHKzk0P
— CJ Pearson (@thecjpearson) May 9, 2020
. @RealCandaceO, jogger or not, in this country you are innocent until proven guilty. The only bullshit I see is the complete disregard for Ahmad Arbery’s presumption of innocence. https://t.co/hGdng186rB
— Shermichael Singleton (@Shermichael_) May 9, 2020
Sigh….Why is she so hateful? This seriously scares me. This is not how we grow our movement. I pray that God heals her heart. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Very disturbing to see this from a woman who could be such a powerful voice. pic.twitter.com/jPLffJvWLE
— Diante Johnson (@BCFPresident) May 9, 2020
My take on the Black conservative response to the murder of #AhmaudArbery
Must see breakdown by @DLoesch
pic.twitter.com/Fk0ekNwO5I— Melik Abdul (@MelikAbdul_) May 12, 2020
There is nothing #prolife or conservative about suggesting that someone's life is worthless because they may have committed a crime. I'm old enough to remember when we conservatives believed in principles like redemption…. and the dignity of ALL human life. https://t.co/mgmCh2AeNp
— DJJordanVA (@DJJordanVA) May 9, 2020
This is just one example of the foolishness that continues to dribble out of @RealCandaceO mouth, embraced and digested by millions of well meaning Americans. It is devoid of complexity context and compassion, nothing more than tribal propaganda. pic.twitter.com/3Z0qeWa9a8
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) May 10, 2020
Some did not mention Owens in their social media posts but still seemed to hint at the absurdity of her comments while calling for justice and condemning any bashing of Arbery’s character.
Even if Ahmaud WAS “caught on camera” burglarizing an UNFINISHED home, it doesn’t justify murdering him for it. Call police, report it, and let the law handle it. I can’t believe his shooting was NOT racially motivated. I can’t believe they would have shot him if he were white.
— Dr.Darrell Scott (@PastorDScott) May 10, 2020
As more facts are presented daily, some “Conservatives” should feel like fools for trying to disparge Ahmaud Arberys character in light of his shooting death, because they sure look and sound like fools!
— Dr.Darrell Scott (@PastorDScott) May 11, 2020
I won't watch the video. But I am a black man who enjoys running and architecture. I have young black nephews. Enough said. Justice needs to be served in Georgia. #AhmaudArbery
https://t.co/nZVhStigNk— Christopher Metzler ???????? (@DrChrisMetzler) May 7, 2020
Owens seems to have few Black conservatives on her side following her commentary. As of publication, she hasn't tweeted further about the case.