GOP Official Apologizes To ‘Colored People’ For Using Racial Slur [View all]

[Bennyboy]

Source: Think Progress

Jim Gile, a Republican commissioner in Saline County, Kansas, used an offensive racial slur during an argument with a fellow commissioner, but he wants everyone to know that he isn’t a racist because he’s “built Habitat homes for colored people,” and also that he has a black friend:

In a recording made by County Clerk Don Merriman of the study session, Gile, who is white, can be heard to say the county needed to hire an architect to design the improvements rather than “n[*]gger-rigging it.”

His comment brought laughter from others in the room. Salinan Ray Hruska, who attends most commission meetings and study sessions, asked Gile what he said.

“Afro-Americanized,” Gile replied. . . .

Gile said he grew up around the term, but it is something he shouldn’t have used.

“I am not a prejudiced person,” Gile said Friday. “I have built Habitat homes for colored people.”

Gile said he also has a close friend whom he regards as a sister who is black.

More at link: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/04/10/1845601/gop-official-apologizes-to-colored-people-for-using-racial-slur/

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/04/10/1845601/gop-official-apologizes-to-colored-people-for-using-racial-slur/