The communications director for Abdul El-Sayed, a polarizing candidate in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, has come under scrutiny for her past social media activity. Roxie Richner’s posts, discovered on X (formerly Twitter) from 2019 and 2020, show a clear bias against white women.
In one notable post, during the unrest following George Floyd’s death, she accused white women of endangering Black lives and labeled them “failures.” She expressed her feelings unapologetically: “I don’t care if I scare you or make you uncomfortable. Black people are being killed by police, and white women are making up stories to justify it. Get out of there and start taking action.”
Continuing her criticism, she stated that “all white women are policy failures,” and encouraged white individuals to engage in tough discussions about dismantling white supremacy within their families.
On June 4, 2020, amid riots in Minneapolis, Richner dismissed the concerns of white people worried about violence in their neighborhoods. She seemed frustrated by inquiries about her defensive stance, saying: “If one more white guy from Ann Arbor DMs me about my feelings, I’m going to explode. Your racism is showing. Check yourself.” This statement showcases her growing intolerance for perceived insensitivity.
Richner also voiced disappointment in white youth’s lack of support for marginalized groups after President Biden’s election victory, essentially framing her critique within a larger context of racial expectations and accountability. She has previously condemned those who defend Joe Biden’s past remarks, stating that historical context does not excuse racism.
Her posts reflect a broader engagement in social justice issues, but they also reveal a divisive approach to discourse around race and responsibility. Richner has collaborated with El-Sayed since at least 2018, when he ran for governor, echoing current progressive platforms pushing for major reforms in the U.S.
Beyond Richner’s contentious online presence, El-Sayed himself has faced various criticisms, including associations with controversial figures like Hasan Piker, who has made inflammatory comments regarding the U.S. and its foreign policies.
Most recently, a former campaign aide, Mariam Odeh, was indicted for allegedly threatening local university employees and organizations tied to the Jewish community, a situation the campaign claims it was unaware of when hiring her. Despite requests for comments from El-Sayed’s team, responses were not provided.
