Conservatives blasted National Public Radio over the weekend for describing the Declaration of Independence as flawed and containing racist language.
“245 years ago today, leaders representing 13 British colonies signed a document to declare independence,” NPR said in a Twitter thread posted on July 4. “It says ‘that all men are created equal’ — but women, enslaved people, Indigenous people and many others were not held as equal at the time.”
In a separate tweet, the outlet said the document features “flaws and deeply ingrained hypocrisies.”
“It also laid the foundation for this country’s collective aspirations — the hopes for what America could be,” NPR reported, noting that the founders referred to Indigenous people as “merciless Indian Savages.”
Several prominent conservatives seized on NPR’s characterization of the declaration.
NPR has long drawn criticism from conservatives who see its coverage as too far to the left.
NPR has previously drawn ire from the right after the outlet highlighted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s proposal to his husband in an airport terminal, citing it as a possible qualification for the job in President Biden’s Cabinet.