Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Ohio GOP Lawmaker Asks If 'The Colored Population' Get Virus More Because Of Poor Handwashing

Ohio GOP Lawmaker Asks If 'The Colored Population' Get Virus More Because Of Poor Handwashing
Steve Huffman/Facebook

Republican State Senator Steve Huffman of Tipp City, Ohio attracted the ire of his constituents after asking in a public hearing if "the colored population" contracts the virus behind the global pandemic at a higher rate because maybe they wash their hands less often.

The hearing to help determine whether racism is a public health crisis in Ohio, was held on Tuesday, June 9.


Huffman seized the opportunity to ask a question which many claim has multiple racist overtones.

 

Huffman said:

"Could it just be that African Americans—the colored population—do not wash their hands as well as other groups?"
"Or wear a mask? Or do not socially distance themselves?"
"Could that just be maybe the explanation of why there's a higher incidence?"
 

Democratic Representative Stephanie Howse, President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, noted that the term "colored" is regarded as offensive by almost everyone in 2020.

 

The term is a holdover from the Jim Crow era when "colored" people were segregated in almost all aspects of their lives.

Businesses often had White entrances, waiting rooms, bathrooms and water fountains while others—often at the back or of lesser quality—were designated for "colored" people.

 

Even more notably, Howse pointed out that the contents of Huffman's question reinforced the stereotype that "black people are dirty," which racists have used to justify their poor treatment for generations.

 


 

The offensive, ignorant question is especially troubling coming from Huffman, an emergency room physician.

Howse commented:

"When we talk about the internalized racism that is deeply ingrained in our institutions and the obstacles Black Americans face in ever achieving meaningful change, this is exactly what we are talking about."
 


 

Nan Whaley, Mayor of Dayton, commented that Huffman's questions was "racist and unacceptable."

 


 

Huffman later apologized for his question, saying:

"Regrettably, I asked a question in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant."
"I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate, since we really do not know all the reasons."
 

During the hearing, the Senator had asked the question to Angela Dawson, director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health.

She responded:

"That is not the opinion of leading medical experts in this country."

Some of Huffman's colleagues have come to his defense, saying his question was indeed offensive but came from a place of genuine ignorance.

Republican Chairman Matt Borges commented:

"Everyone can evaluate the situation for themselves, but knowing Senator Huffman, there is zero doubt in my mind that he made a mistake, and that his contrition and apology are genuine."
 

Meanwhile, Howse pointed out that, while Huffman's question may have been ignorantly well-intentioned, it was also indicative of the systemic racism Black people face every day.

Howse said:

"The fact that a well-educated legislator—a Vice Chair of the Health Committee and a practicing medical doctor—would, in a public setting, nonchalantly use such antiquated terminology paired with a hurtful, racist stereotype all in one breath reflects how unconscious this problem of racism is for too many."

Racial bias is still alive an well, even among those with the best intentions.

More from News

Rob McElhenney
Gilbert Flores/ Variety/Getty Images

Rob McElhenney Just Shared A Video Explaining His 'Kinda Douchey' Decision To Legally Change His Name

What's in a name? A lot, apparently.

To be fair, a name represents a lot of things: a person's identity, the family they originate from, and possibly even some of the cultural and historical background of that family.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic
Disney/Marvel Studios

Pedro Pascal Adjusts Accent

Pedro Pascal was advised to tone down the Mid-Atlantic accent for his upcoming role as the stretchy Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards in Fantastic Four: First Steps.

In a video interview with Vanity Fair, he reflected on his past and current work and talked about working with a dialect coach for the Marvel movie, which is set to premiere on July 25th.

Keep ReadingShow less
Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less