FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE:
July 1, 2015
CONTACT:
Dorian Lockett
Cell: 860-729-3476
Conn. Young Democrats on Racially Insensitive Remarks from Several House Republicans
“
As a young black man who has been questioned by police for no reason
than the color of my skin, I find these comments disappointing – if not
insulting – as they show a clear lack of compassion for the challenges
minorities face every single day." – Dorian Lockett
Hartford, Conn. (July 1, 2015) – BACKGROUND:
Connecticut Young Democrats are today responding to the racially
insensitive remarks made on the floor of the House by Republican
legislators during debate this week. During debate on An Act Concerning
Excessive Use of Force (HB 7103) several members of the CT House
Republican Caucus stood on the floor and engaged in racially insensitive
lines of questioning.
In response, Dorian Lockett, President of the Conn. Young Democrats, made the following statement:
"It was
disappointing to see the lack of respect and understanding that several
House Republicans displayed during Monday's debate on a bill designed to
curb excessive use of force by police. Debating this bill served as an
opportunity to show the people of our great state that racial
discrimination and excessive use of force by police officers has no
place in our communities.
“Instead, that
opportunity was squandered by the actions and words of several House
Republicans, who chose instead to minimize the struggles of minorities
in this state.
“This bill also
enhances the ability of police departments to hire minority officers,
which is especially important for communities who have police
departments with a racial makeup that does not match the community it
represents. But several House Republicans seem to have a problem with
exactly that.
“Let’s be clear:
Making police and fire department staff more representative of the
communities they serve is common-sense. It will help strengthen
neighborhood services and ensure fairer treatment of all people,
regardless of their race.
"Over past year, conversation at the national level has highlighted the challenges faced by minority men and women in our country. And, after last week's massacre in Charleston, SC, it is truly disappointing to see a lack of sensitivity from several House Republicans regarding challenges that we still face.
"Over past year, conversation at the national level has highlighted the challenges faced by minority men and women in our country. And, after last week's massacre in Charleston, SC, it is truly disappointing to see a lack of sensitivity from several House Republicans regarding challenges that we still face.
"It seems as
though they’ve never been pulled over because of the color of their
skin, nor have they been questioned by police while shoveling snow in
their own driveway.
“ As a young black
man who has been questioned by police for no reason than the color of
my skin, I find these comments disappointing – if not insulting – as
they show a clear lack of compassion for the challenges minorities face
everyday."
Background:
This week,
several House Republicans made racially insensitive comments regarding
efforts by police departments to ensure their forces accurately reflect
the racial composition of their communities (click here for more
information on the police staffing issue, A Community Seeking Police Diversity).
Full debate may be seen on CTN available here: http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11725
Debate on HB 7103 An Act Concerning Excessive Use of Force begins at timestamp 09:30.00
Rep. Dan Carter (R-2nd District, Bethel, Danbury, Redding, Newtown) “If
you’re a community who wants to make the policy that says you shall
hire anyone but a white person with equal credentials. To me, that is
institutionalizing racism.” Timestamp 1:134.17 http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11725
Rep. Richard Smith (R- 108th District, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Sherman)
“I think this is reverse discrimination” “step backwards” “If you check
the right box you may get a better chance of getting promoted, a better
chance of getting hired. Maybe hurt yourself by checking the wrong
[white] box.” Timestamp 1:46.23 http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11725
Rep. Charles Ferraro (R-117th district, West Haven, Milford, Orange) “There have been a number of police killings that involved the killing of white citizens, is this correct?” Timestamp 2:25.44
“In the history of
these killings of white individuals by police officers has there ever
been an instance of white individual being killed by a black police
officer?” 2:26.32
“Excessive force
happens on both sides, whatever the color is [of the police
officer]…Because it happens on both sides I find it hard to believe that
section 3 is actually going to reduce the amount of excessive force
used by our police departments.” 2:2813
“Where does the
white applicant? Where in the testing and qualification process is the
white individual told he isn’t eligible for the job?” 2:31.18
“Mr. Zimmerman who
guilty of shooting an African American, he was referred to as a white
Puerto Rican, is that possible? Under this definition?” 2:35.22
“In my culture we,
the Italian culture we are referred to as olive skinned individuals not
really white. And if you live in southern Italy and Sicily they are
quite dark, are all Italians considered white?” 2:35.55
“When I grew up, I
grew up in West Haven. I remember trying to go out with an Irish gal in
my town. Her father would not allow her to go out with me because I was
a dirty filthy olive skinned Italian. And uh, we were referred to as
not really white. Also Indians, of Indian decent, no offense to my
colleague Dr. Srinivasan, but he’s not exactly pale skinned. So are
members of India considered to be members of color?” 2:36.50
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