- Jet Magazine, January 10, 1952Posted on 06/13/2013 6:00:42 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Democratic chairman apologizes for comment
The chairman of the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee is apologizing for making a reference to Vaudeville-era character “Stepin Fetchit,” who some consider racially insensitive.
Howard Katz made the statement during a gathering of central committee membership in Moreno Valley on Monday, June 10.
“It was a stupid statement,” said Katz, a retired IBM manager who lives in Temecula, during a phone interview Thursday morning.
The incident has promoted calls for Katz’s resignation, but Basil Kimbrew, chairman of the California Friends of the African American Caucus, said that as far as he’s concerned the letter of apology -- and Katz’s pledge to apologize in public at upcoming events -- closes the book on the matter.
“Sometimes we have a slip of the tongue,” Kimbrew said. “As far as we’re concerned he made a mistake and he addressed it … this issue is basically over. We all make mistakes.”
Kimbrew said Katz’s wife was scheduled to speak Monday night to the committee, which consists of volunteers elected by party members who work to register voters, find candidates for political offices and promote party platforms. However, she had a cold and asked Katz to speak on her behalf. Katz reportedly took the mic and said to his wife, “I will be your Stepin Fetchit,” surprising and offending some members of the audience of 25 or so.
Stepin Fetchit is character created by African-American comedian Lincoln Perry and performed in the 1920s and ’30s that has been criticized as a racist caricature.
- Jet Magazine, January 10, 1952
(Excerpt) Read more at pe.com ...
It looks like the local Riverside County Grand Kleagle Howard Katz let the truth slip out and now must make amends as to not scare away the Democrat Party's captive base.
Democrats can Apologize, Republicans are FORCED to RESIGN over just an IMPOSITION.....
But . . . . but . . . . but, I thought the TEA PARTY had the monopoly on racists!!
Could the left be wrong???
1920’s and 1930’s? not a lot of people would know him... I certainly don’t.
He was before my time, but most of us baby boomers remember the name.
After graduating from college they joined the Peace Corps and spent a summer together in Cuba cutting sugar cane during the days and attending lectures at night, being reeducated about Socialist theory.
It's probably on their CV.
The incident has promoted calls for Katz’s resignation, but Basil Kimbrew, chairman of the California Friends of the African American Caucus, said that as far as he’s concerned the letter of apology -- and Katz’s pledge to apologize in public at upcoming events -- closes the book on the matter. “Sometimes we have a slip of the tongue,” Kimbrew said. “As far as we’re concerned he made a mistake and he addressed it ... this issue is basically over. We all make mistakes.”
"I don't apologize, ever!" - Wild Bill Hickok, 1871.
Had he been a Republican, his comments would have dominated the MSM nightly news. Since he is a Democrat, his comments just slide down the memory hole.
For what? Saying what he and his party really believe?
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