LeVar Burton's Nostalgic Tweet Ignites Debate Over Rainbow Symbolism

Chloe Whisperwillow

Updated Friday, July 12, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

LeVar Burton, the beloved host of the long-running educational TV show "Reading Rainbow," recently sparked an unexpected online debate with a cheerful tweet. The tweet, posted from his handle @levarburton, simply read, "Happy Thursday, y’all!" and featured a vibrant GIF of Burton smiling and waving with a rainbow arching over his head.

Though seemingly innocuous, the tweet garnered significant attention with 166 comments, 830 retweets, 9.3K likes, and 137K views. Among the replies, one from user Lynn R. Kitzen (@bubbyskid) stood out. Kitzen questioned the relevance of the rainbow, stating, "Not sure what the 'rainbow' has to do with it being Thursday. Can we go a day without any virtue signaling?"

This comment prompted a flurry of responses from other users. Some drew parallels to past controversies, likening the confusion to those upset about the color spectrum used in Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" celebration. Others humorously noted that the concept of a rainbow might be foreign to those who missed out on "Reading Rainbow" in countries like Russia.

One user recalled an event from the early 90s when Burton appeared before Congress alongside the president of PBS to defend the network's funding. Despite being mistakenly referred to as his "Reading Rainbow" character Geordi, Burton displayed good humor.

The discussion also highlighted the enduring impact of "Reading Rainbow," with comments praising Burton for his contributions to childhood literacy. Some remarked on the irony of criticizing a rainbow, a natural phenomenon, while others speculated about the educational gaps in certain political groups.

A text box added context, explaining that "Reading Rainbow" aired on PBS for 26 years and provided a link to readingrainbow.org for more information. This clarification was well-received, with many users finding it helpful.

LeVar Burton’s tweet, while intended to spread a bit of Thursday cheer, ended up shining a light on the diverse perspectives and sensitivities present in today’s social media landscape. The rainbow, once a simple symbol of joy and learning, has become a focal point for discussions on virtue signaling and cultural literacy.

Noticed an error or an aspect of this article that requires correction? Please provide the article link and reach out to us. We appreciate your feedback and will address the issue promptly.

View source: Imgur

Top Comments from Imgur

Casually

Kind of like the people that were upset about the color spectrum being used for the celebration of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

NarahateSelfies

They didn't have "Reading Rainbow" in Russia.

sleestacks

There was an attempt to cut PBS funding in the early 90s and he appeared in congress with the president of pbs - who referred to him as Geordi a few times before he corrected her. But he was a good sport about it.

inappropriateuseofmemes

This post confused me so much. Why is the word rainbow in quotes, why is the person commenting if they don't understand the post, and why not just Google the guy to get a quick reference of who it is? 🤔

thedarklord187

If that guy could read he'd have known who levar was and why there was a rainbow too bad the GOP don't read or teach half their people how to live life

richardstinks

Ya ever been so homophobic that an arrangement of colors makes you uneasy? Bonus points if it's the natural separation of wavelengths through a prism, ya big f***in' babies.

KuldFyt

1- You can be gay on Thursday, Lynn. It's not just a weekend thing. 2- You have done nothing in your life of such significance that you are entitled to come for LeVar Burton. He's simply better than you in every conceivable way. Sit down. 3- Learn to read. He can help.

b*******mcgahee

What a moron.

Remisce

It’s even worse if you start seeing her responses, she’s doubling down every single time

cgt9803

MAGA can't decide what they hate more, gays or reading.