LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 15, 2024) — Members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) have issued the following statements condemning the racist behavior of an individual who testified during a hearing held by the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. While testifying before committee members and attendees in opposition to Senate Bills 857 and 858 — legislation to codify the Michigan Capitol Commission’s policy banning concealed carry in the Capitol and to prohibit firearms in the Binsfeld Senate and Anderson House office buildings — an individual used a racial slur to describe Detroit residents.
“Racial slurs and epithets have no place in civil society, especially in a public hearing. An individual who was testifying during the Senate Standing Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety hurled the N-word during his remarks — an action that must be condemned. Conversely, the Committee Chair’s handling of the situation and swift rebuke by other committee members are to be commended,” said MLBC Chairperson Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor).
“We stand collectively as members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus in both chambers to express our deepest disgust and condemnation of the racial slur used yesterday during Sen. Chang’s committee meeting,” said Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), MLBC Executive Vice Chairperson. “The use of such language is an insult to the dignity and integrity of all MLBC members, who are dedicated to serving the great people of Michigan. Even more importantly, the use of this racist slur is an insult to the personhood of all Black Michiganders and Americans. This type of racist and hateful display of ignorance has become emboldened, particularly in days following the election — we cannot let this become normalized. Hate has no place in the Senate, in the House, or anywhere in Michigan.”
“MLBC and its members profusely condemn the language in this individual’s testimony and we appreciate all of the Senators that stepped in to condemn the use of a racial slur towards the Black community. This also speaks to a larger issue that individuals feel comfortable enough to use this type of rhetoric under the guise of ‘Freedom of Speech,’” said MLBC Executive Director Chris Jackson. “Whether direct or indirect in delivery, not only is there a need now more than ever for the acknowledgment of systematic and direct racism, but as we saw yesterday, individuals from other ethnic communities that directly denounce the display of any act that marginalizes other communities — the Black Community in this case — in ANY capacity.”