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Politics

Black Democrats File a Complaint against Duval State Committeeman for Racist Remarks

March 26, 2018 - 11:30am
James Morton and John Parker
James Morton and John Parker

James Morton, a member of the Duval County Democratic Black Caucus (DCDBC), and the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF) have filed a complaint asking for the immediate resignation of Duval County Democratic State Committeeman John Parker for racist comments he made after a Duval County Democratic meeting Jan. 22.  

Morton is an active member of the local Democratic Party serving as DCDBC treasurer, Duval County Democratic Party chairman of District 10 and coalition coordinator for District's 12, 14. 

According to a written statement distributed Sunday to Democratic Black Caucus members, after the Jan. 22 Duval County Democratic Party meeting, Morton patronized a restaurant with two other black men. According to a DCDBC press statement, he was "mortified by comments from State Committeeman John Parker about “coloreds” and “sh*t being f**ked up after integration.”  

Morton and others expressed to Parker that the use of the term “colored people” and associated comments about desegregation in schools, were "inappropriate and hate speech," the statement claimed. Parker then "doubled down by saying, 'Ha, this is where I'm at,' ... and did not see anything wrong with his comments.” 

“I've tried to turn a blind eye to the disrespect, sexism, fascism, and racism for the sake of the party. On several occasions, both on the local and state level, I've tried not to pile on the already fragile Democratic Party, and not air our dirty laundry in the media and in the court of public opinion,” revealed Morton. 

“I have done my best to respect the party and all of the people that come freely to participate and give to the process of electing democrats that support democratic values.  I'm asking now that the party do the same for me and its members.” Morton remarked.

Lydia Hudson, president of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, said, “The Democratic Party prides itself on being an inclusive party that respects all people and fights for what is right.  Too often this inclusive party has found that its leadership does not boldly embody the principles and best practices."

She continued, “I don't feel this is appropriate, inclusive, respectful or appropriate conversation for party leadership to have had. 

“I'm asking for the immediate resignation of Committeeman John Parker, not only for his comments and behavior, but also for his ignorance and unwillingness to simply apologize at the time for comments made to members of the party that have been impacted by his comments and feelings,” concluded President Hudson. 

This isn’t new, says the Duval Black Caucus. Caucus members have witnessed Parker's racist comments over the years -- for example, disparaging remarks about the “Working People Caucus as the Poor Black Working People Caucus.” 

The DCDBC names several people who bore witness to Parker's comments on Jan. 22: James Joseph Morton; Diallo Sekou Seabrooks, candidate for City Council; and Daniel Henry, secretary of the Duval County Democratic Party, Florida -- all African-Americans. Others in attendance were Lisa King, chair of the Duval County Democratic Party, John Parker, Cameron McCall, Mary Beth McCall, and Jessie Caudill.

FDP Communications Director Caroline Rowland told Sunshine State News, "The party takes all formal complaints seriously. Once we receive a complaint, the judicial committee will conduct a full review.”

Leslie Wimes, president of the Democratic African American Women Caucus, said the Duval County incident should come as no surprise.

"The Democratic Party has consistently portrayed itself as a 'safe place' for African Americans. A place where we can expect respect and equality," Wimes said. "They have been inconsistent in actually displaying safety, respect and equality. Sadly, I'm not surprised by John Parker's comments, and I won't be surprised by FDP's inaction."

The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida was established in 1983, to unite and increase the political power for Black Democrats who went unnoticed. The Caucus is an integral part of the Florida Democratic Party’s infrastructure, which has the express mission of uniting talent with opportunity to facilitate voter building through educational forums effecting voter registration drives (EVRD), get out the vote. The media statement says DBCF represents 32 percent of the 4.8 million Democrats in Florida.

Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith.

Comments

Bye bye political career

"Duval County Democrat Black Caucus": Now, there's a "horse of a different color"; and if you consider the D.C. Congressional 'one',.. We've got the beginnings of a "herd"... (Hmmm,.. wonder if Duval County also has a "Democrat White Caucus"?!?)

the fact that you have the democratic black caucus screaming racism...imagine the irony, too funny...

Does this mean the NAACP is racist? I do believe CP stands for Colored People

How about the PROMIS program in Broward...really worked didn't it? You fail to report criminal activity (mainly by minorities ) and you get major problems. Parkland was a false flag, black ops using Cruz as a patsy. so far it's worked!! Go to jamesfetzer.blogspot.com for facts about Parkland an d other false flags. He's a real hero!

In regard to the legitimacy of accusations of 'racism', how racist is it to have a caucus predicated on being black? How can a group (DBCF) who identifies as exclusively black take up the cause of 'inclusiveness'? They are hypocrites to the Nth degree. These POC heroes do more to delegitimize the Democratic party than any Republican could ever hope to do. And for that, I thank them.

Only a racist would see racism. They recognize it and know it and use it to their advantage when they see others use it. So in this case the offender and offended are guilty.

So freaking what!!! Too many snowflakes out there looking for a blanket.

If saying colored is racist, is the NAACP racist?

Does this men we can't describe ANYTHING as "Lily White" any longer?!?

I'd thought by now the old Dem white racists would have joined the republican party by now like all the other blue dog dems of the past.................... For those who don't know back in the 60s repubs went for the Southern Strategy by being racists to attract all the southern democrat racists, evangelicals at join with business republicans ........ And it worked as the Dems went from regressive to progressive and rich, republicans, went regressive................... And they were so good at race baiting, code words they are surprised when that racist wing took over giving us Trump who often spouts racist code words and actions and calling them fine people even as one of them ran down a woman and killed her on purpose. ................ How far they have gone is coming home to roost........... By the election, all the decent people either will not vote republican like they use to or come out in droves to end this cesspool government repubs have made, especially Trump................. While you can say Trump gets most republicans, that is a far smaller group than 3 yrs ago and less than 1/3 of the voting population that are not happy either and will be less so as time goes on........... And Dems, women, young are pissed, voting now.

So is there a democratic white caucus? The very fact that there is group that excludes people by race is in it self racist! There shouldn't be a democratic Black caucus.

You Big Dummy the Duval County Democratic Black caucus has members that are white and many other races-check your facts fool.

Then why call it the Democratic black caucus?

Because it's reverse discrimination at its best!

Because it's reverse discrimination at its best !

Then why call it the Democratic black caucus?

@Ha: You are absolutely entitled to your opinion but I do believe the comment is racist. It is clear he knew he was using a term from a racist period in history and he also made those comments when saying integration *** up everything. Please do not come on here making excuses for someone offering racist statements.

@Ha: You are absolutely entitled to your opinion but I do believe the comment is racist. It is clear he knew he was using a term from a racist period in history and he also made those comments when saying integration *** up everything. Please do not come on here making excuses for someone offering racist statements.

@Ha: You are absolutely entitled to your opinion but I do believe the comment is racist. It is clear he knew he was using a term from a racist period in history and he also made those comments when saying integration *** up everything. Please do not come on here making excuses for someone offering racist statements.

@Ha: You are absolutely entitled to your opinion but I do believe the comment is racist. It is clear he knew he was using a term from a racist period in history and he also made those comments when saying integration *** up everything. Please do not come on here making excuses for someone offering racist statements.

Excuse me. Do we not call them “people of color” ? So why should the term “colored people” be so offensive? Hummm.

LMAO.....get a life.....RACIST BLAMING....if you don't like remarks...BLEACH yourself Like Mike Jackson..did

although calling people of a different race "coloreds" is in incredibly poor taste, and dated from a time long since past, I'm not sure it is "racist". I'd wait to hear from the rest of the witnesses before passing judgement. Sometimes stories have a habit of changing once all of the factual statements have been made. If he did say the whole enchilada, and the retort, then he should really be "shown the door". This is more of what you would expect from ol' southern Repubs, then Dems, either way, if true, way inappropriate...

You mean "ol' southern Dems" don't you?

Ol' southern Dems long since gone... The parties have completely changed demographics for say the last 75 years or so...since FDR, Kennedy, etc. wake up dude...

Why would they want to let the facts of history get in the way of their opinions?

Comments are now closed.

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