Valerie Jarrett: Roseanne’s tweet ‘a teaching moment’ about racism

Former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett responded to Roseanne Barr’s tweets targeting her on Tuesday, saying they should be used as a “teaching moment” about racism.

“I think we have to turn it into a teaching moment,” Jarrett said at an MSNBC town hall set to air Tuesday night. “I’m fine. I’m worried about all the people out there who don’t have a circle of friends and followers who come right to their defense.”

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“The person who is walking down the street minding their own business and they see somebody cling to their purse or want to cross the street; or every black parent I know who has a boy who has to sit down and have a conversation, ‘the talk,’ as we call it,” she said.

“As you say, those ordinary examples of racism that happen every single day. I think that is why I am so glad to be here this evening talking with all of you.”

.@ValerieJarrett responds to Roseanne Barr’s tweet, saying Disney’s chairman called her before announcing that ABC was canceling the show: “This should be a teaching moment.” #EverydayRacism pic.twitter.com/b0EvA8WAeY

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 29, 2018

Jarrett’s comments came hours after ABC canceled “Roseanne” amid widespread backlash to the sitcom’s star’s since-deleted tweet referring to Jarrett as the child of the Islamist organization the Muslim Brotherhood and the movie “Planet of the Apes.”

Jarrett said at the town hall that the chairman of Disney, Bob Iger, had called her before announcing the show’s cancellation, according to MSNBC.

The show’s quick cancellation led many people, including Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and MSNBC “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough, to praise ABC.

ABC saw its audience numbers soar with the premiere of “Roseanne” in March. The show’s reboot averaged 18.1 million viewers, making it the highest-rated regularly scheduled scripted show in recent seasons.