John Lewis hit with the ‘n-word’ by tea party demonstrators
This was posted by McClatchy Newspapers last night:
Demonstrators outside the U.S. Capitol , angry over the proposed health care bill, shouted “[the n-word]” Saturday at U.S. Rep. John Lewis , a Georgia congressman and civil rights icon who was nearly beaten to death during an Alabama march in the 1960s.
The protesters also shouted obscenities at other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, lawmakers said.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) is questioned by reporters about an incident involving tea party demonstrators as he leaves a speech by President Obama to House Democrats on Saturday. Associated Press
“They were shouting, sort of harassing,” Lewis said. “But, it’s okay, I’ve faced this before. It reminded me of the 60s. It was a lot of downright hate and anger and people being downright mean.”
Lewis said he was leaving the Cannon office building across from the Capitol when protesters shouted “Kill the bill, kill the bill,” Lewis said.
“I said ‘I’m for the bill, I support the bill, I’m voting for the bill’,” Lewis said.
A colleague who was accompanying Lewis said people in the crowd responded by saying “Kill the bill, then the n-word.”
“It surprised me that people are so mean and we can’t engage in a civil dialogue and debate,” Lewis said.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver , D- Mo. , said he was a few yards behind Lewis and distinctly heard “[the n-word].”
On Sunday morning, Republicans denounced the language. “What you had out there yesterday was a handful of people who got stupid,” said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Steele, who is African-American, denied that the language used by Republicans during the health care debate fueled the harsh language outside the Capitol on Saturday.
On Friday, the last two Georgia congressmen chose sides on health care: John Barrow (D-Savannah) announced he would voted against it. Sanford Bishop (D-Albany) said he would vote yes.
Over the weekend, the Atlanta Tea Party in essence took out a classified ad, soliciting primary opposition to Bishop:
“Despite thousands of phone calls, trips to his offices in Georgia and Washington, D.C., and countless polls that show Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to Obamacare, Congressman Bishop is completely ignoring the will of the people of Georgia who elected him,” said Atlanta Tea Party organizer Julianne Thompson.
“The organizers and members of the Atlanta Tea Party are looking for a strong Democratic primary candidate as well as Republican candidates that will listen to the voters, and represent their interest, instead of special interests,” she continued.
Bishop already has two Republican opponents: Mike Keown and Rudy Adams.
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186 comments Add your comment
Jim
March 21st, 2010
2:59 pm
Aquagirl – You have touched the “third rail” re: tea baggers and the repubs. One of their own, Lindsey Graham of S.C. said last year that he feared the Republican Party was becoming ” the angry white guy party” – his words, not mine. I would simply remove the word “becoming” and insert the word “is”. So much time spent of anger and real hate speech. The beat goes on.
Mentos
March 21st, 2010
3:00 pm
U also forget there were two factions the Republican party in the 60’s. The Rockerfellers and Goldwaters. Goldwater stood by states rights which is why some Democrats jumped sides. However Goldwater voted for the civil rights bill of 1957, and white Republicans voted overwhelming for the civil rights bill of 1964, Democrats did not. LOOK IT UP. Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen of Ill help write the bill. YOU can lead a ****** to the water but you can’t make them learn nothing.
The Original House Version:
Democratic Party: 153-96 (61 percent-39 percent)
Republican Party: 138-34 (80 percent-20 percent)
Democratic Party: 46-22 (68 percent-32 percent)
Republican Party: 27-6 (82 percent-18 percent)
The Senate Version, voted on by the House:
Democratic Party: 153-91 (63 percent-37 percent)
Republican Party: 136-35 (80 percent-20 percent)
Switches in position:
“Yea” to “Nay”: Earl Wilson (R-IN), Bob Wilson (R-CA), and Charlotte T. Reid (R-IL)
“Nay” to “Yea”: John Jacob Rhodes (R-AZ), J. Edward Hutchinson (R-MI), and Charles Weltner (D-GA).
Sandra
March 21st, 2010
3:01 pm
Did anyone read pw’s comment? Please read the second point. THAT is why people want healthcare reform. The Tea Party should be ashamed of the people who represent them at these rallies.
benny
March 21st, 2010
3:03 pm
Wahhhh!!!!!!! I teach high school and the most racist group are blacks towards hispanics. Also, if they arrest a 15 year old in NH why not arrest the racist, foul mouthed males that I try to teach? Bunch og hypocrits. As for you liberal clowns RACISM IS A 2 WAY STREET. I was never racial but after trying teaching I am becoming very racist toward those that think they deserve total entitlements and never have to work to earn anything.
Steve
March 21st, 2010
3:06 pm
will fight for liberty – you sound pretty racist.
will fight for liberty
March 21st, 2010
3:10 pm
steve i won’t stand by while you vile racist spit on my children!! i will do what is necessary to defend them i and others like me are not mlk. if that makes me racist so be it! i think it makes me american!!
Jim
March 21st, 2010
3:10 pm
The problem with your analysis Mentos is that it is incomplete. Right about Lincoln and the NAACP. Unfortunately, the times are a changing. The Southern Strategy started by Nixon had people leaving the Democratic Party in droves for the Republican party. The parties have changed positions entirely. To say the present day dems are the ancestors of Jim Crow stands history on its head. Me thinks you know it too.
cjrad
March 21st, 2010
3:12 pm
Now that we’ve established that the word N* is indeed a filthy, racist word not to be used by anyone, can we make it illegal for the Rappers to use as well in discribing people THEY hate?
Jim
March 21st, 2010
3:15 pm
P.S. Dr. Martin Luther King’s father was a Republican back in the day – doubt that would be the situation today.
Jayda
March 21st, 2010
3:15 pm
Hey Benny, what school do you work at, if you don’t mind telling us…
Legend of Len Barker
March 21st, 2010
3:15 pm
Georgians, you sadden and scare me.
One of the posts above compares the Tea Party to the civil rights movement. Let’s see, one group was attempting to be treated like humans, to attend the same schools, use the same bathrooms, and in some places, vote. They were about equal opportunity. The other group is against equal opportunity. For some reason, they don’t want a healthcare bill to pass that would hopefully give people the same opportunities for non-emergency room medical care.
Don’t pull the Republicans were for the civil rights era card and compare to today’s group. The Democrats were split back then. You had your Southern Dixiecrats such as Herman Talmadge, Marvin Griffin and George Wallace who yelled for “segregation forever!” At the same time, three of the greatest champions for civil rights were Democrats – John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson.
It is sad to see people all but blame John Lewis for what he heard. I doubt any video evidence will surface as all the footage that’s turned up so far have been recordings from digital cameras, which aren’t exactly known for their fine technical abilities. The longest I’ve seen so far is also 48 seconds long and it’s quite jumpy. Lewis, regardless of what of some of you think of his legislative abilities, is a man who had his skull fractured and he was severely beaten in Selma in 1965.
Because he wanted all people to have equal opportunities to services, schools, and rights, he was beaten.
These individuals may not represent the whole of the Tea Party movement, but I’ve been disturbed in recent weeks. There is this. There is the man mocked for having Parkinson’s Disease. There is the 11-year-old that Rush Limbaugh (among others) mocked for suggesting that his mother might have lived had she had the funds and access to proper healthcare.
These incidents happened at different rallies. I’ve seen signs with stereotypical drawings of Obama. These are scary and these are at your meetings.
If these people do not properly represent the Tea Party, you’d better do your best to make sure that they don’t.
Jim
March 21st, 2010
3:20 pm
P.S.S. Mentos, you mentioned Goldwater, Rockafeller, and Dirkson. Those guys were the reason that alot of us WERE REPUBLICANS. Funny thing began happening about 20 yrs. ago though. People started using the word RINO in the republican party. You know, if you are not a100 % conservative, you cannot possibly be a repub. Those of us who considered ourselves moderate to progressive repubs were basically told to hit the road. Again, part of what you say is accurate but your conclusions are inaccurate.
HFL
March 21st, 2010
3:21 pm
What a bunch of hypocrites. The least culturally, socially, and ethnically diverse party denouncing the “n” word. What a bunch of hypocrites. If you feed fury and rage (via Limbaugh, Beck, O’Reilly, etc.) to people who fail to inform themselves thoroughly, this is what one harvests.
td
March 21st, 2010
3:24 pm
Legend of Len Barker, You are trying to compare civil rights in the same vein as health care. This health care bill is not about equal opportunity it is about equal outcome and the outcome is going to be reduced services for all. The real story of the democratic party is to have everyone have equal outcomes without any personal responsibility and no matter the effort of the person. Someone read Marx and you will find this is communism. Plain and simple.
Atlantan
March 21st, 2010
3:26 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was some lefty doing this. Also, unless this is actually on tape somewhere I wouldn’t be surprised if this was made up. If true, a couple of jackarses don’t define a movement.
The bigger tragedy is the $2.5 trillion in additional debt that Congressmen Lewis is choosing to give America. Words are words, but debt is a yolk that is tough to break.
All democrat supporters of Obamacare will be cursed by generations to come of this disaster.
Atlantan
March 21st, 2010
3:29 pm
Funny I don’t recall you hypocrite lefties getting your racist panties in a wad with the Condi Rice / Mammy cartoon, or the way Clarence Thomas was targeted as a sexual harasser by Teddy Kennedy and his ilk during his hearing. Meanwhile Clinton got a complete pass by you people.
You guys are hypocrites that God will ultimately judge. I don’t know how you can live with yourselves your progressive movement is filled with such lies and hypocrisy.
td
March 21st, 2010
3:29 pm
Jim. And if you are not 100% pro abortion, pro union and pro government you can not be a Democrat. Like I said both parties suck and they both only look out for the rights of their own special interest groups. Example, most Americans think tort reform is very important to lowering the cost of health insurance. Do you really believe the Democrats will ever allow true tort reform with the trail lawyers as one of their main special interest group?
Karl
March 21st, 2010
3:32 pm
What did he expect and I want to be baptized.
Jim
March 21st, 2010
3:36 pm
I still proscribe to what the social comentator, Will Rodgers once said ” I do not belong to an organized political party -I am a democrat”. Have real problems with some dem issues but have more problems with the right wing’s narrow agenda and their inability to accept anyone in the party who does not agree with them on virtually everything.
Tort reform happens to be an issue that you and I would more agree than disagree with. I have friends who are surgeons – I get it about frivilous and excessive law suits. That to me simply does not off set the need for health insurance reform. And at least acknowledge that the repubs never mentioned health care reform until the dems brought their plan. The repubs would have you believe now that they have some superior plan. If they have one, it was made up on the fly to try and stay in the ballgame.
john
March 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
it’s time for black people to start kicking white people ass
Just GETOVER IT
March 21st, 2010
3:50 pm
No one is surprized by what any of these so called “tea partiers “say, or do..they are the modern day version of the KKK..and a Black President has brought out ALL the NUTS!..ALL you Obama haters organize and get the H*** out of the country if you are SO FED UP!!!!!
Benny
March 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Jayda – is it because you want to try and get me fired? Some sort of trap you want to spring one me? Want to try and pull a little ACORN action?
Keith
March 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Lewis, Obama, Jackson, Sharpton, etc. are all very racist. Hang in there people. Obama is gone in three years and we will get things back to normal. Black people make terrible leaders, obviously.
Q
March 21st, 2010
3:56 pm
i understand why this article stops at Mr. Lewis…because of GA and all. However, what many of the responders fail to realize is that the group that was walking was spat upon, and also called fa**ot.
The person who spat on the Rep from SC was arrested.
What this group of people protesting did was absolutely uncalled for. Some of the signs they were carrying said something to effect of ‘I didn’t vote for Brown but my Browning will speak for me’ (with a picture of a gun on it). This wasn’t just some lone nutjob…this was the feel of the entire group that was protesting…and they had other republican congress people cheering them on. I do believe that they are a representative group of the larger ‘tea bagger’ coalition.
I’m amazed at how people will respond and not bother to research the entire story.
And they call dems lazy…..
j Sugar
March 21st, 2010
3:58 pm
WHERE WAS THE TEA PARTY WHEN THE MEDICARE PART D WAS PASSED?
Wake up America
March 21st, 2010
3:58 pm
I think both the republicans and democrats are a bunch of idiots. I’m a well educated man and am very shocked that more people don’t think that we need a political revolution in this country. And I’m not talking about some radical overthrow of the government. But rather a grass roots effort to bring about a third party who truly hears the voice of the people who put them in office. Wake up people because both of these parties have lost touch with the voters. They both only serve their special interest groups. It’s time for big political change in this country or were going to be in big trouble. Hell were already in big trouble! I refuse to pledge my loyalty to either of these scumbag parties.
On the issue of race, no one should ever use the n-word. But lets please not act like black people are the only victims of racism. I grew up around black people and saw plenty of racist rhetoric from their side as well. I live in an area were a lot of Latino’s have moved over the years and as someone said earlier some black’s tend to be abusive towards them. I substituted at the local high school while working on my Master’s and saw it first hand.
Dr. Str8 from the Dec
March 21st, 2010
3:59 pm
I have been confronted with the same type of racism/fear that our president is suffering. However, I think it is more fear than racism. President Obama, in my opinion, is a change agent. People are scared of change. Therefore, they will try to defame, distract and disrupt. I think people should listen instead of resorting back to the, “We like it this way. Why Change.” Change is good. Our cheese is just being moved a little. You can hem and haw or accept it and adjust. There are scared/racist individuals in both parties.
Just GETOVER IT
March 21st, 2010
4:01 pm
These post prove one thing…Inbreeding produces IDIOTS !!!..like Atlantan and William
Jayda
March 21st, 2010
4:15 pm
Benny, I don’t need to call the ACLU on idiots like you but you don’t need to teach young, impressionable minds. If they’re the way they are in school, it’s because of the poor quality of education that they’re NOT getting. You’re part of the problem with the Georgia Education system and don’t need to be there. You’re a coward who hides behind a fake mask in front of your students, probably lowering their scores and not giving them the quality education that they need to succeed in life.
Do them a big favor and quit but I know you won’t because that’s your power. Worst. Teacher. Ever.
Lester
March 21st, 2010
4:18 pm
Atleast he was not hit with a Pickrick Drumstick.
soscialism sux
March 21st, 2010
4:21 pm
Lewis was filmed and there is absolutely no evidence this ever happened, and if it did, you can be sure the ACORN faithful were involved. I suspect he is a liar just like his president, Pelosi, and the other commies. Tea Partiers don’t do that. Good try tho.
Bob
March 21st, 2010
4:23 pm
This is news? Really, is that all someone has to do is make a claim and the AJC prints it as fact? Sad and pathetic.
Bob
March 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
Hey Jim, Nancy Pelosi called the tea partiers Nazis. We all saw her announce that on tv. Why didn’t you report about that?
Wounded Warrior
March 21st, 2010
4:27 pm
my 3 great grandparents owned your ancestors.
Atlantan
March 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
This sad thing is is how Lewis is being taken advantage of the Democratic leadership. For all of his unwavering support what does Atlanta get – NOTHING. Yet John is voting today to support the Cornhusker Kickback, the LA Purchase, Gatoraid, the Bismark Bank Heist and other assorted goodies.
What did Ga or Atlanta get in the recent transportation bill – $750k. Thanks a pant load John for getting nothing in return from your leadership for your lapdog support. You do not represent Atlanta very well in DC.
ksiujgth
March 21st, 2010
5:05 pm
those shouting racial slurs were democrat union operatives planted by the party for the purpose of creating a non-issue.
ThePressHasItWrongAgain
March 21st, 2010
5:08 pm
These youtube links are not good enough. If the reports of the n-word were true, there would be video everywhere of the incident to support these allegations. Check out this clip. Notice the minority people in the crowd. Also notice the one dude in Lewis’ entourage holding the cell phone waist high recording the incident. Notice also the capitol police officer who is not reacting to anything that could be construed as spitting on or harassing these lawmakers. Open your eyes to the truth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SCs6pSE8_I
Someone in a blog somewhere had the suggestion to just give the 30 million uninsured 1 million each to cover med insurance. Why not? It would only be 30 billion – easily at least 900 billion cheaper than estimates.
Dan Deacon
March 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
Atlantan…you are so correct!! John Lewis can’t hardly hold his pants up much less handle the responsibilities he’s been given. He’s laid around for years in Washington doing nothing, getting fatter off tax payer money and crusaded for one thing while in office……self centered race based policies and support. I call that racism in my book and most other people do.
People supporting this idiot should be ashamed and disgraced by doing so. Obviously they’re ignorant.
Cotton Head
March 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
I wish my great granddaddy had picked his own damn cotton!
Montrell J
March 21st, 2010
5:38 pm
I’m tired of these racist republicans trying to stop minorities from getting free government health care. Just raise taxes—it’s no big deal. They have plenty of money to pay more tax. I shouldn’t have to pay any of my salary for healthcare costs when the government can pay it. This bill will save a lot of money!!!
itpdude
March 21st, 2010
5:57 pm
Stupid stupid stupid. Yelling that stuff distracts from the issue that the health bill is a turkey. Now we get off on the path of some IDIOT yelling that mess at Rep. Lewis making it look like those who oppose this turkey must be racists.
It’s enough to make me think the Dems put the idiot up to that mess. Stupid stupid stupid.
jazzyk
March 21st, 2010
6:10 pm
Michael Steele says “…a handful of people got stupid,” regarding use of the
N-word outside the capitol. Stupid, why? Because their real feelings slipped out?
The Republicans have made it their business to stoke White racial hostility ever since they saw segregationist George Wallace win 13% of the vote as an independent in the 1968 presidential election. And whenever it blows up in their faces it’s “a handful of people got stupid.” What a bunch of lying cowards!
PW
March 21st, 2010
6:15 pm
John Birch Society all over again these tea party hateful people!
David Dukes
March 21st, 2010
6:19 pm
Everyone is talking about the majority of us were polled about about healthcare reform, when did this happen, where was I, the media calls about 1000 people and get their poll numbers and give it a percentage as if it represents the whole country, Obama campaigned on health care reform and won and now you repubs are acting shocked and appauled, if the majority of us didn’t want health care reform we wouldn’t have voted for Obama in the first place the majority rules right and we elected our leader so get over it and stop watching Fox news some of you will believe anything, I guess when Fox proclaim’s Obama as being from outer space some of you will demand an investigation and want proof as to whether he is human or not, I’m David Dukes but I still want better health care.
Atlantan
March 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
ThePressHasItWrong – never expect the liberals to let a good story defer from the truth. I’m reminded from that video David Scott hasn’t done a darn thing for the metro Atlanta either. So the metro area has 3-democrat lapdog reps and nothing to show for it. Some leadership guys.
Steve
March 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
Jayda, you are a joke. Benny states an opinion and he is what is wrong with education? You are the problem. It is called accountability but you want entitlements. Let one minority group be racist and that is OK but not OK for whites. Sound pretty racist to me.
Bobby Anthony
March 21st, 2010
6:53 pm
Reading this discussion makes me agree with Pogo when he said “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
Dan Deacon
March 21st, 2010
6:59 pm
Due to the fact John Lewis or any other accuser cannot produce any evidence that the “n” word or any racial slurs were made, it never happened. Document what happened..especially if John Lewis’s
mouth is running off like a sewer. He, Obama or any of the black caucus can’t be trusted and will try anything to push their socialism agenda.
mike
March 21st, 2010
7:24 pm
Enter your comments here
meb
March 21st, 2010
7:44 pm
Gordon -
You may want to go backl and read your history on the two parties. It was indeed the southern Democrats that voted against Civil Rights. Once it passed, those Southern Democrats (and some others that were not in the South) left the Democratic party and joined the Republican party in protest. So what we ended up with was the bigotted Democrats taking control of the Republican party and the Republicans (previously known as the progressive party) moving to the Democratic Party. In essence, the two parties did a swap and what was the Dem became the Repubs and vice versa.