Congresswoman Regrets 'White World' Comment

Veroche congresswoman calls remark a 'silly mishap'



FLETCHERFIELD, VEROCHE--Following an outcry from minority groups and liberal activists, a Conservative congresswoman has apologized for her controversial comments.

Rep. Margaret Spellanous of Veroche's 5th Legislative District made the comments Friday during a hearing for the Assembly's Ethnic and Cultural Assimilation sub-committee, on which she sits.

Speaking about Grassadellians of African descent, Spellanous referenced her home district as an example of poor assimilation, particularly by immigrants of the Islamic faith.

"In northwest Veroche, in the 5th district, which I represent, it's pretty much always been, and probably always will be a white world, and, in a lot of ways, that's probably how it should be," Spellanous said.

Spellanous' comments did draw confusion and a brief rebuke from Nationalist colleague James Edison of Remmington, who said, "I hope that was just a mix up of words and that the Congresswoman does not truly feel that way."

The comment almost immediately drew criticism from minority groups, including the Grassadellian Minority Coalition (GMC), which called Spellanous' comments "an attack on Grassadellians of all minority backgrounds."

"To have a member of Congress say something like this, in 2010, it's just unthinkable," GMC Vice President Shirley Johnson told the NPF. "Some people say we live in a post-racial society. These remarks today show that we clearly do not."

On Saturday, Spellanous held a press conference to clarify her remarks.

"I want to clarify what I said, because I think a lot of people misunderstood me," she said.

"I made some unfortunate comments that were not intended and were misunderstood, but also worded poorly. What I meant to say yesterday was that, in a lot of places across this country, minority citizens are struggling to fit in. Some Caucasian Grassadellians of European descent are not very hospitable to their minority brothers and sisters, and in places like where I'm from, northwest Veroche, it would be foolish to introduce radical multi-cultural measures, because it would cause too much social strain on already fragile relationships between majority and minority ethnic groups."

The bill Spellanous was talking about, specifically, is the Cultural Awareness and Celebration Act, which would, in part, require school children to attend "multi-cultural workshops," including events devoted to Islam, Buddhism, and the Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, something many parents oppose.

The bill would also require small business owners to attend such events, geared toward adults, in order to receive a special federal tax break. Business owners would also have to display a documentation of proof they enrolled in the workshop program to be eligible for the tax credit.

Spellanous sought to clarify more.

"What I was trying to say is that, whether right or wrong, a lot of people in this country are not used to people of other cultures and backgrounds. And forcing them to attend workshops and meetings is only going to anger them and cause racial unrest among our different ethnic groups. Instead of forcing people to attend such things, we should incentivize these programs, and give people an option, an option they will hopefully choose."

Spellanous' clarification did little to change Shirley Johnson's mind.

"I don't see any merit in what she said, I don't see any reason or logic in what she said, all I see is hatred," Johnson said in a phone interview from her Mavocke office.

"I'm deeply sorry if I offended people with my comment. It was not intentionally made. I did not mean to give the impression that I condone racism or white supremacy. I don't condone that kind of activity. I was just trying to point out there are a lot of very traditional people who are stubborn and are not open to new cultures and people of different backgrounds. And for the sake of keeping the peace, sometimes it's better to just have a dialogue about these things instead of mandating change. And that's all I was trying to say. I think it all was really just a silly mishap," Spellanous said Sunday on the GBC's Weekend Glance program.

But Spellanous' comments are not only drawing ire from minority and human rights groups, but also citizens from her own congressional district.

"I think what she said is appalling," Tara Edwards, mayor of the town of Fletcherfield, about four hours northwest of Lake City, told GNN. "Basically what she's saying is that the people in her district are backward, red-neck racists who are unsophisticated and only welcoming of people of Caucasian origin, and that's just not true."

Edwards acknowledged the district's overwhelming Caucasian population, but vowed, "If you come to Fletcherfield, I guarantee you will find nice, friendly, welcoming, loving people; people who love others no matter their color, religion, ethnicity, age, gender or life background. This is a very accepting and open community."

Spellanous would not comment directly on the apparent slight toward her home district. In an email to GNN News, the congresswoman said, "I once again apologize to my constituents, for the offense and embarrassment I have caused them. I am extremely proud to call the 5th district my home, and I can't think of a more accepting, tolerant, and welcoming place than beautiful northwest Veroche."