“I don’t need your people” is what Republican Governor John Kasich said to State Senator Nina Turner, a black Democratic, when she offered to help build a racially diverse cabinet. All 22 of Kasich’s appointees since he took office Jan. 10 have been white, and only five are female.
Turner wasn’t sure what the governor truly meant when he said that. It could have meant that he didn’t need African Americans or if he didn’t need democrats to help in his cabinet:
I wasn’t quite sure whether or not he was referring to my ethnic group people or ‘my people’ as in the 350,000 constituents I serve in this state that represent all ethnic groups, all religious groups,” she said. “I didn’t understand what ‘I’m not going to hire your people’ means.”
“Today, in 2011, it feels more like 1811 in the state of Ohio under a governor who just does not get it,”
Governor Kisich’s representative did release a statement confirming that the governor did in fact tell Nine Turner that he didn’t need “her people”, but he meant it in a partisan way:
“What he meant was, ‘Your people are Democrats, we don’t need them on our cabinet. He said it referring to partisan Democrats who don’t agree with reducing taxes and reducing spending.”
The Governor has not appointed any African American to his cabinet yet, but his rep says that they have reached out to two African Americans but they passed on the job opportunities.
However, Turner and The Black Caucus are demanding a meeting with the governor. The Black Caucus has set up an email address for minorities to email their resumes. The group will then take all resumes to the Governors office to let him know that there are qualified minorities that deserve employment.
The governor rep said that they will welcome the job applications, but positions will not be filled based on color.
Diversity is something we will seek and something we will work toward, but it’s not more important than finding people who share the governor’s positions,”
So what do you all think about this? I really wouldn’t be surprised if the governor said that to Ms. Turner and meant it in a racist kind of way. Many (not all) republicans have this same kind of attitude and tone when it comes to minorities.
So I want to know what you all think about this? Please feel free to comment your thoughts.
