NEW: Fung Volunteer Tweets Racial Comments About Obama
Friday, January 24, 2014
Recent Tweets by an Allan Fung campaign volunteer about President Obama -- saying his ratings "must be getting lower and lower because he's getting blacker and blacker" have been called offensive and racist by community leaders, who are calling for Mayor Fung to take action.
"The statement is racist," said Ray Rickman, the former State Representative and Deputy Secretary of State -- and former president of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. "There's no such word as "blacker". It's derogatory word, which for years I've been trying to understand. The comment is harsh, insensitive, and wholly racist."
Jim Vincent with the RI NAACP had the following to say about the statements.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"When people talk about the President, I don't know why they have to mention his race -- what does it have to do with anything? I find it surprising that someone would mention his race in conjunction with his performance. It's inappropriate," said Vincent. "It doesn't help anyone's campaign to have someone who said that associated with them."
Tweets in Question
Fung volunteer Erika Johansen tweeted the following on January 20. Johansen had earlier tweeted her involvement on the campaign, tweeting on November 27 that she was taking a friend "to volunteer on the campaign today."
"@fox news: His ratings must be getting lower and lower because he's getting blacker and blacker. That's the only thing that explains it."
"No, Obama, your approval ratings aren't going down bc you are black, it's because you're as useless as Jimmy Carter. #obama #racecard #MLKDay
"The new bumperstickers are in! #fungforgovernor #fung #mayorfung #RI #GOP #republican"
Rickman offered his thoughts -- and historical perspective.
"I thought when all of us disliked [President George W.] Bush, I tempered my language, but certainly not my criticism of his polices," said Rickman. "These are human beings who hold these offices. The President has hinted that many of the attacks on him are because of his race."
"[Johanen] is a singular person, and she's not speaking for the campaign," said Rickman. "However, I think that [Fung] should put her off the campaign, and not let her sneak back at any point. We shouldn't have a society where people think this is normal, which is worse."
Public Comments Under Fire in Past Campaigns
This isn't the first time a volunteer tweet has had campaign implications -- in 2012, an Anthony Gemma volunteer resigned after he took to Twitter to compare David Cicilline to convicted pedophile Jerry Sandusky.
Gemma later disavowed the comment, and prompting the resignation.
"I think it's up to the campaign to decide how to deal with this, and what they think is the best way to deal with this," said Vincent. "But, if they don't handle it well, there can be implications. I wouldn't tell him what to do, but I don't think that these statements are appropriate. I think to inject the Presidents's race in that way is offensive, and inappropriate."
