Melissa Harris-Perry tears up when discussing Kiernan Romney controversy

On Saturday morning, Melissa Harris-Perry addressed the swirling mess around her show's handling of a recent segment regarding Kiernan Romney, the African-American adopted grandson of former presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA).

Referring to her own Mormon background, Harris-Perry became genuinely emotional during the segment, tearing up and almost losing her voice.

"Without reservation of qualification, allow me to apologize to the Romney family," she said. "Adults who enter into public life implicitly consent to having less privacy, but their families, especially their children, should not be treated callously or thoughtlessly. My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground rule that families are off-limits. For that, I am sorry.”

“Allow me to apologize to other families formed through transracial adoption," she continued, "because I am deeply sorry that we suggested that interracial families are in any way funny, or deserving of ridicule. On this program, we are dedicated to advocating for a wide diversity of families, it is one of our core principles. And I am reminded that when we do so, it must be with the utmost respect. We’re genuinely appreciative of everyone who offered serious criticisms of last Sunday’s program, and I am reminded that our fiercest critics can sometimes be our best teachers.”

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