John Parker, a Democratic National Committee (DNC) member from Duval County (Florida), resigned following a meeting with party members after he referred to African-Americans as “colored people.” His resignation comes the day after the United States celebrated Martin Luther King Jr., on the 50th anniversary of his assassination, although the DNC meeting in question took place back in January. Parker drew backlash from African-American activists and apparently his own wife, who encouraged his resignation.
Parker released a statement saying, “I understand my error perpetuates divisiveness and does not allow us an opportunity for the important types of meaningful discourse–a conversation our party must engage in sooner rather than later–that help us grow as individuals and a party protecting the dignity of all people. I take responsibility for my mistake and as such is the impetus of my decision. I resign for the good of my party and all those who are fighting so hard for a better world than the one we are in now.”
Parker’s wife, Lisa King, also made a statement urging her husband to quit. The Duval County Democratic Executive Committee chairwoman was quoted as saying, “While I know John does not have malice in his heart, and has learned from this experience, he has lost the confidence of many of us to continue to serve in his leadership positions.” Of course John Parker immediately began damage control by claiming he meant to say “people of color,” but accidentally used the highly offensive term “colored people.” Despite the cleverly crafted PR statements given by both Parker and his wife, others believe it wasn’t simply a slip.
Diallo-Sekou Seabrooks is head of the Black Commission in Jacksonville and told one media outlet that Parker used the phrase “colored people” multiple times at the DNC meeting. He also contends that Parker was worried that the city would end up with a majority-black government. Karyn Morton, chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County, also called on the resignation of Lisa King. “The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida are correct in calling for the resignations. Both share the guilt and are complicit,” Morton said in a statement.
Morton also claimed that the outrage over Parker’s remarks is disproportionate to a similar incident involving Republican state senator Frank Artiles, who also resigned in shame after using the “n word” during a meeting. The Black Caucus wanted to keep the incident with Parker quiet, but he was never held accountable. So here we are in 2018 listening to a Democrat try to convince the rest of us that he didn’t mean to say “colored people.” How do you accidentally refer to a group of Americans as “colored people”?
In true political fashion, John Parker only resigned because he had been called out. Lisa King isn’t fooling anyone either, offering her husband up as a sacrificial lamb. He was wrong, oh…but his heart is in the right place. Sorry lady, your husband is racist and I wouldn’t be surprised if birds of a feather are flocking together.