Missouri Athletics Posted Questionable Tweet About Diversity and it Immediately Backfired

The University of Missouri has come under scrutiny after their athletic department insisted on promoting the NCAA's "Diversity and Inclusion Week" on Twitter and the post completely backfired.

The original post, which has since been deleted, showed a disturbing graphic with four photos displayed under the words "I am." The caucasian athletes outlined their career ambitions with one saying, "I am a future corporate manager."

Where things got markedly problematic, however, was with the quotes that were attributed to the black athletes. One read "I Value Equality," and the other "I Am an African American Woman."

We don't have to convey just how simple-minded this post was. It's downright offensive and is a clear depiction of racial stereotyping that is still alarmingly prevalent in today's day and age, even though we've made massive strides in neutralizing them.

Later that same night, the "Mizzou Athletics" account on Twitter released an apologetic statement, which read that the department's "intent was to provide personal information about our students, but we failed."

It's admirable that the Tigers acknowledged their wrongdoings, but it's truly concerning that a group of individuals approved the original post to be publicized given the palpable racial context behind it.