Officials in an all-white part of West Virginia sparked outrage across America after referring to Michelle Obama as an “ape in heels”.
From The Telegraph
The mayor of the town of Clay resigned and the director of a local government-funded agency was also removed from her job following the racist comment.
Pamela Ramsey Taylor, director of the Clay County Development Corp, which provides services to elderly and low-income residents, made the remark on Facebook.
She was celebrating Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, and the elevation of Melania Trump to First Lady.
Taylor wrote: “It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House. I’m tired of seeing a Ape in heels (sic).”
Beverly Whaling, the mayor of Clay, responded on Facebook by saying: “Just made my day Pam.”
A petition calling for Whaling to be fired had received more than 121,000 signatures as of midday on Tuesday.
The mayor later resigned.
Jason Hubbard, a member of the Clay town council, issued a statement condemning the “horrific” post and said “racial intolerance isn’t what this community is about.”
He apologised on behalf of the town to anyone who was offended, including Michelle Obama.
In her own apology, the mayor denied her sentiments were racist.
She said: “I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House. I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused. Those who know me know that I’m not in any way racist.”
Read Full Story At The Telegraph
