Kansas Republicans admonish Black lawmaker. His response: 'not my job to protect your feelings'

[RandySF]

TOPEKA — Republican legislative leaders warned a Black Democrat against indecorous behavior weeks after he made a speech that called out vote trading, while couching his argument in slavery terms.

In response, the Democrat said his job was to advocate for Black Kansans, not protect his colleagues’ feelings.

Rep. Ford Carr, a Wichita Democrat, delivered the fiery speech in late April at the end of an increasingly tense legislative session, following the release of a last-minute funding proposal for the Quindaro Ruins Archaeological Park in Kansas City. The historical site was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, but some, including Carr, questioned the timing of the $250,000 Quindaro allocation.

“What happened different this time around that now allowed for funding to be available for that particular project? Then it was brought to my attention that it may have been in exchange for a number of votes,” Carr said in his April 28 House floor speech.

The funding for Quindaro came after one of the site’s top supporters, Kansas City Democrat Rep. Marvin Robinson, broke party lines to vote with Republicans on several key issues. Robinson’s vote was the deciding factor in overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a transgender athlete ban for K-12 schools and colleges, turning the legislation into law. Kelly later vetoed the Quindaro funding, asking lawmakers to bring the proposal through proper channels next year.




https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/31/kansas-republicans-admonish-black-lawmaker-his-response-not-my-job-to-protect-your-feelings/

[onecaliberal]

1. Fuck their feelings.

[stopdiggin]

2. calling other (black) legislators

'house negroes?'

“Your conduct failed to maintain proper decorum. This letter shall serve as notice that if you use disorderly words during debate in the House in future proceedings, a complaint may be filed against you,” the letter read, citing a legislative procedure manual that stipulates lawmakers cannot attack the motives of their peers.

[SunSeeker]

3. Dem Marvin Robinson voted with the GOP against trans rights in exchange for funds for a pet project.

That's the "vote trading" Carr was lambasting. Because Robinson voted with Republicans to hurt others' rights, Carr implied Robinson was a "house negro," which has a very specific historical meaning, as Malcolm X explains in the first few minutes of the below video.

I would never use that term, but I'm white. If Black people were not offended by Carr using that term to describe Robinson's traitorous vote, why do white Republicans think they can shut Carr up?

[stopdiggin]

4. who is saying that black people are not offended?

I'm fully aware of what proceeded. And Carr might be 100% in the right on this particular issue. (although black community support for LGBTQ has been a little on the wishy-washy side with some degree of history) Doesn't change the crucial fact that the language is still (intentionally) offensive. (perhaps just this side of abhorrent)

And, as such, in all likelihood deserved a rebuke. (from the chamber or whomever)

And how about the next time when an Asian, Hispanic or white person uses the same derogatory language? Just stop doing this crap (with every intention of being offensive I might add) - even if you are right.

[calimary]

5. Seems just that simple: JUST STOP doing this crap.

Sheesh, haven’t we gotten beyond this shit by now? I guess the answer is no…

[SunSeeker]

7. Seems we white people should not be telling Black legislators what they can say.

Seems we should leave it up to Carr's constituents to determine if what he said is "crap."

[stopdiggin]

8. nope. he is part of a legislative body

join the outfit - play by the rules.

and, please - with the "just representing my district/voters" baloney. lots of other ways to 'represent' your constituents.

[SunSeeker]

11. Him representing his constituents is not "baloney." It's his job.

Republicans taking trans rights away is a lot more offensive to me than a Black legislator's use of the historical term "house negro." It is not the same as the n word. Any legislative body rules that restrict him from using a historical term like house negro would appear to violate the 1st Amendment. I mean, come on. We've got Republicans calling Democrats pedophiles, but all of a sudden they're clutching their pearls over a Black legislator using the historical term house negro.

[stopdiggin]

12. the 'baloney' part is not the representation

it is maintaining that that representation 'requires' this sort of behavior. I just don't believe that. And calling 'house negroes' a historical term - in no way white washes or removes the (again, very intentional) offense. That's clearly why the term was used. Against another black member of this body.

It was maybe not the most egregious offense ever committed. But it was most certainly 'offensive.' And it was most certainly intended to be.

You may think that it deserves a pass for whatever reason (historic racism, other equally offensive behavior and misdeed ...) I believe the (relatively mild rebuke) on the part of the legislative body was at least deserving. And further, I'd like to see those efforts continue. A body without any rules or constraint - becomes a pretty unwieldy instrument. Serving none of us well.

[SunSeeker]

13. Let me know when Republicans rebuke one of their own for calling Democrats pedophiles. nt

[stopdiggin]

14. are they calling individual fellow legislators

pedophiles? from the floor? This dude called a fellow black legislator a house negro. (or as close to as makes no difference - with intent being abundantly clear to everyone)

(I agree that, overall, civility and decorum has plunged - and largely at the hands of the Rs. But I would be in favor of reinstating and strengthening it - rather than just descend into mud wrestling and circus theatrics. As I said - I don't think anyone is well served ... )

[SunSeeker]

15. How about screaming that President Biden is a "LIAR" in the middle of the SOTU?

And the thing is, Biden was not lying. Yet not a word of disapproval about MTG from the Republicans. She then went on to call her Democratic colleagues "pedophiles" in a 60 Minutes interview. Did saying it on 60 Minutes make it ok?

Whereas Carr was pretty damn spot on in describing what his fellow black legislator was in voting with Republicans. I would not describe it as "mud wrestling and circus theatrics." That would be MTG's stunt at the SOTU and on 60 Minutes. This is not a "both sides" situation.

[SunSeeker]

6. Who said Black people are offended? Specifically, were Carr's Black constituents offended?

I have read nothing indicating they were. Since you are "fully aware of what proceeded," maybe you can provide some links.

[stopdiggin]

9. fully aware in terms of (alleged) vote trade

it's been fairly well reported.

So - this terminology is specifically offensive to - white people? Asians? But black people - just fine with it ..

----- -----

[SunSeeker]

10. I see you have nothing regarding how Carr's constituents feel about his choice of words.

I'm not going to hyperventilate over a Black man's choice of words about another Black man who voted with Republicans to take trans rights away.