Four days ago Speaker of the House Paul Ryan released an Instagram photo with his interns. While the lack of diversity is glaring, it gained more mockery and laughter then it did outrage.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BH7pXnKj5t_/?tagged=speakerselfie
The photographed group of interns were so homogeneous that criticizing the photo would be redundant. Instead, many respondents on social media decided to keep it light and playful.
Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, was one person who played along. After all, she too can take a selfie!
My intern Audra Jackson led Democratic Interns in their own selfie 2day showing #DemInternDiversity #DemInternSelfie pic.twitter.com/83UcIOKS5s
— US Rep E.B.Johnson (@RepEBJ) July 19, 2016
Democratic House Interns organized to show show the diversity of the Democrats #DemInternSelfie #DemDiversity pic.twitter.com/Fg0tbVYQd8
— US Rep E.B.Johnson (@RepEBJ) July 19, 2016
Johnson was met with praise. People thanked Johnson for employing interns that represent the diversity of the United States.
Thank u #EddieBerniceJohnson for showing REAL DIVERSITY among Democratic interns! This is the America I recognize ❤ pic.twitter.com/tuDQATm6JO
— Soraya (@sorayathepariah) July 21, 2016
Among the comedic reactions to Ryan’s photo include several from a parody account.
Hey girl, look! I caught all of the GOP Pokemon! It was easy because they were all at a country club. pic.twitter.com/w2q7Z0c6Gf
— Paul Ryan Gosling (@PaulRyanGosling) July 17, 2016
Hey girl, of course we have women interns. They can fetch us coffee while we take away their reproductive rights. pic.twitter.com/Y3ccQ0zAM0
— Paul Ryan Gosling (@PaulRyanGosling) July 17, 2016
Hey girl, meet our new Capitol Hill interns!
Code name: Wonder Bread pic.twitter.com/GBqxk3TplE
— Paul Ryan Gosling (@PaulRyanGosling) July 17, 2016
Hey girl, don't tell me these interns aren't diverse enough. Some of them have dark blonde hair. pic.twitter.com/wQBhhoFEU8
— Paul Ryan Gosling (@PaulRyanGosling) July 17, 2016
Image via Paul Ryan’s Instagram post.