An Oklahoma legislator disparaged blacks and women during a House debate on an affirmative action bill, prompting the head of the state NAACP chapter to demand her resignation.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma legislator disparaged blacks and women during a House debate on an affirmative action bill, prompting the head of the state NAACP chapter to demand her resignation. Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said Thursday she was sorry for remarks she made on the floor of the House late Wednesday. The president of the Oklahoma State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People rejected her apology. "Her constituents in her district should call for her to step down unless they support her in what she said," Anthony Douglas said. "Let’s send a message out that in Oklahoma we will not tolerate racism at its ugliest level." During the legislative debate, Kern questioned whether there were disproportionately high numbers of blacks in state prisons because "they didn’t want to work hard in school." Kern also said women don’t work as hard as men because they "tend to think a little bit more about their families." "It kind of seems to me that the premise here tonight is that color and sex is the sole factor that determines whether or not you get ahead or whether or not you don’t get ahead," Kern said. "It’s character that ought to count, not whether or not you’re black, whether you’re white, whether you’re purple, whether you’re whatever. It should be your character. It should be your willingness to say I’m going to become everything I can become," she said. Douglas said Kern could not hide behind an apology. "It is not OK to say racist comments, racist statements against women, minorities, or any other group, and then say ‘I’m going to apologize,’" Douglas said. "The apology should not be accepted." Kern on Thursday said she "misspoke." "Women are some of the hardest workers in the world," Kern’s statement said. "My husband is a pastor of a diverse inner-city church and the way that my words came out last night is certainly not my true spirit." Kern, a retired teacher, is serving her fourth two-year term in the House after being easily re-elected in November from a district that has traditionally supported socially conservative candidates. She is chairman of the House’s Long-term Care and Senior Services Committee but does not hold a leadership position in the chamber. In 2008, Kern was criticized after saying at a political forum that gay people posed a greater threat to the U.S. than terrorists. In 2009, she campaigned for a proclamation criticizing the government for drifting from traditional Christian values. Democrats and Republicans quickly rebuked Kern’s comments Thursday. "Her comments are outright bigoted and sexist, and someone with that mentality does not belong in our representative body," Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman said in a statement. State Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell issued a statement that said the party "strongly disagreed with Rep. Kern’s comments, and we are pleased that she quickly apologized for them." House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, said he telephoned Kern early Thursday to express his concern about her statements. "I told her I did not agree with her comments," Steele said. Steele said her remarks could misconstrue the purpose of the legislation: a proposed constitutional amendment to end discrimination and preferential treatment in state government hiring and contracting based on race, color, sex, ethnicity or national origin. It passed 59-14 and now goes to a vote of the people next year. Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, said Kern’s remarks were "upsetting." She said many single mothers hold down two or three jobs to make sure their children are well fed and clothed. "I know of no one who works harder than woman. So often they do have to hold down a job and start a second shift when they get home," said Denney, a veterinarian. The Legislative Black Caucus condemned Kern’s remarks in a statement that described them as racist and sexist. Rep. Mike Shelton, one of five black state lawmakers, said Kern’s comments make the state look bad. "She does not corner the market in being a good Oklahoman," Shelton said. "There is something gravely wrong about Representative Kern and the way she is thinking." Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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