Senator McCullough's Joke: Insensitive, Unacceptable Local leaders demand immediate apology
(Atlantic City, NJ ) - Atlantic County Democratic Party Chairman Ron Ruff was joined by local religious and community leaders in calling on State Sen. James "Sonny" McCullough to apologize for making a racist "joke". This is how PoliticsNJ.com described McCullough's off-color remark to its reporter in a Tuesday article on the Second District State Senate race:
"A joke teller in the old school politician vein, (McCullough's) his face breaks perhaps more easily into a smile than Whelan's as he (McCullough) uncorks an old standard about a Chinese couple and an African American baby." (PoliticsNJ.com)
"We will not repeat the so-called "joke" that McCullough recounted to the reporter because it is just too insensitive to do so," said Ron Ruff, the Atlantic County Democratic chairman. "Unfortunately, we've heard the racially insensitive 'joke'' made by Senator McCullough once too often," Ruff said. "It is inappropriate for anyone, especially an elected public official and candidate for office, to make such remarks. He should offer an apology and refrain from such offensive behavior in the future. Rather than perpetuating offensive jokes and stereotypes, I wish that Sen. McCullough would use his brief time in the State Senate to implement policies and legislation to benefit the district."
"Jokes about color or race in our multi-ethnic society are highly inappropriate and should be rejected by all people of reason," added Senior Pastor and founder of Christ Worship Center Worldwide Reverend Reginald Floyd.
"Our elected officials should be leading by example. Racist jokes send the wrong message to our youth and community that intolerance is acceptable," said Shermaine Gunter Gary, founder of Rites of Passage in Atlantic City, an organization that empowers and educates the youth. "We must condemn racism, intolerance, and sexism regardless of where it's coming from."
The local leaders "called on Senator McCullough to apologize immediately and retract his offensive remark. Those who know the meaning and context of the so-called "joke" realize how hurtful it truly is."
McCullough's remarks appear to be part of a disturbing pattern. Just two months ago, as Governor Corzine lay in a hospital bed after a fatal car accident, Atlantic County Republican party chairman Keith Davis posted a tasteless "joke" about the governor on his blog, and later apologized. In addition, County Executive Dennis Levinson compared Freeholder Alisa Cooper to Hitler and Sheriff Jim McGettigan to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. But the Republicans don't seem to have learned from past mistakes. Ruff said that he and other Democrats wonder if the pattern of insensitive and racist remarks - under the guise of "jokes" - illustrate the Republican Party's intolerant tendencies.
"From County Executive Dennis Levinson to Senator Sonny McCullough,
the Republican Party has failed to show respect to minorities, whether
they be women or people of color," Ruff said. |
Levinson Responds Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has declared Governor Jon Corzine "alive" after Democratic Chairman Ron Ruff issued a press statement regarding his "fatal" collision. (see left). Levinson is also calling for focus in the county and state campaigns that are already heating up a full two months before the traditional start of political races in the county. "Does (Assemblyman) Jim Whelan think the police are really 'mafia,' said Levinson referring to comments Whelan allegedly made about the Atlantic City Police Department Officers. "Did Sonny McCullough really mean to make a racist joke? Let’s stay focused here," said Levinson. Levinson added that people do say unfortunate things that they wish they could back. "Sonny is no racist and I will stake my reputation on that,"
said Levinson. "Let’s go forward now and talk about the issues
of this campaign---because it is too important to lose focus and to lose
site of what is important." |