Darius Rucker has become a big star in country music, a fact that hasn’t sat well with one racist fan.
Rucker was forced to take to Twitter on Sunday after a racist Twitter user attacked him over his rendition of the Bob Dylan hit Wagon Wheel.
During his membership performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee Rucker sang the hit that was made famous decades earlier by the Old Crow Medicine Show.
Following that song Twitter user @pqkullman tweeted:
“@dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk.”
Darius played the bigger man by tweeting:
“@pqkullman: @dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk”. WOW. Is this 2013 or 1913
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 19, 2013
A few moments later Darius Rucker added:
“@pqkullman: @dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk”. Ill take my grand ole Opry membership and leave your racism. Wow — Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 19, 2013
The racist Twitter account has allegedly been taken over by someone who wants to “stop hate.” However, before the Twitter account changed its tone Rucker noticed other racist tweets to other individuals. Rucker says of his discovery:
“I read a couple of his tweets and was like, ‘This guy’s a real racist; he ain’t kidding. I was like, ‘I have to expose this idiot.'”
Following the attack fans came out en masse to support Rucker and his country music. Here’s a sampling of the support he received:
@pqkullman I met @dariusrucker the night he won best new artist at CMA Awards. He couldn’t have been more proud humble to have been
— Kelli Sheffler (@KSheff17) May 19, 2013
@dariusruckerI’d just like to add two words…Charlie Pride! This racist turd is a joke. Keep up the good work!
— Bret Calvert (@BretCalvert) May 22, 2013
“@hebertbrett: @dariusrucker @pqkullman bet he wouldn’t say that to nelly’s face!Raise ur kids right ppl”wouldn’t say it to mine either
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 19, 2013
As we continue to report on these ignorant, oftentimes racist, Twitter users we have to question how they still don’t realize they will be publicly shamed.
[Image via Wikipedia / USAF photo archive]
It is so unfortunate that there is so much hate; especially for something that isn't hurting anyone at all. I've never understood being degrading about race. Mr. Rucker is a very talented man!
Who cares what color he is….he can do whatever he wants!
It is so sad that people like that still exist in this world! WHY? Why would the color of our skin matter at all? We are all people. It is so frustrating to me and saddens me greatly that they are probably raising their children to hate just like they do.
Wow… just ridiculous.
All of this aside, I love this song. Great job, Darius.