Md. lawmaker apologizes for allegedly using n-word with her colleagues

[left-of-center2012]

A white lawmaker from Har­ford County, MD, apologized to the leaders of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland for using a racial slur to describe a legislative district in Prince George’s County — but also told her black colleagues that she did not recall saying it.

Caucus members confronted Del. Mary Ann Lisanti (D) on Monday night over allegations that she told a white colleague, during an after-hours gathering at an Annapolis cigar bar, that when he campaigned in Prince George’s on behalf of a candidate last fall he was door-knocking in a “n----- district.”

Del. Darryl Barnes (D-Prince George’s), who chairs the Black Caucus, said Lisanti appeared contrite during the meeting.

“She apologized several times,” Barnes said. “She recognizes how she has hurt so many within the caucus, and she hoped to repent from this. She said that she doesn’t remember fully what happened, but she recognizes what happened.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-legislative-black-caucus-to-meet-with-lawmaker-accused-of-using-the-n-word/2019/02/25/b66a5850-38fe-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.19b2e8c431f8

[MineralMan]

1. Sadly, that she doesn't remember saying that word is an indication

of how deeply embedded it is in her mind. She doesn't recognize her own racism. It's a pretty common phenomenon, I think.

[irresistable]

2. If someone speaks that way, it isn't the first time they spoke that way.

That kind of speech is ingrained from childhood.

[marble falls]

3. And she can't remember not saying it, either. Convenient how that works out.

[PatSeg]

4. How can someone in this day and age

accidentally or unconsciously use that word? It wouldn't even pop in my head, let alone come out of my mouth if I was talking about a minority district. The only time it ever comes to mind is remembering some of the cruel, hateful things I've heard people say over the years, people who had no trouble using the word freely.

If she said that to a colleague, just imagine what she says at home. If she is sorry, it is not because what she said was wrong, but because it could hurt her politically. Maybe needs to change careers.

[narnian60]

5. Well said.