Democrat Lieutenant Governor Uses Racial Slur in Black History Speech

Lynda Gledhill, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau Tuesday, February 13, 2001

Sacramento -- Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who has made improvement of race relations a cornerstone of his public career, referred to African Americans by a racial slur at a Black History Month speech, a word he characterized as a "slip" and said he regretted.

Many of the black labor activists who heard Bustamante use the word walked out of the speech Friday night in Emeryville and were still angry yesterday, saying an apology the lieutenant governor issued at the end of his talk wasn't enough.

"I was appalled he would even say it as a slip," said Gwendalyn Bello, who attended the event. "You don't make a slip like that unless it is something you say normally. It simply shouldn't have been said. In any context, it shouldn't have been said."

Bustamante, the state's highest ranking Latino, was the keynote speaker at the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists annual awards dinner and scholarship fund-raiser. About 400 people attended, said Marshall Walker, who served as the master of ceremonies at the event.

In an interview with The Chronicle, Bustamante said he is "mortified" for using the "n-word" and offers no excuse for his comment.

"I've struggled all weekend to explain it to myself, how can I explain it to you?" said the Democratic lieutenant governor. "I just can't -- couldn't -- express the humiliation and regret. I gave my sincerest apologies."

Walker, who is the Western region representative for the union, said he has sent a letter to Bustamante asking him to return to the group for another apology and make a more public statement.

He said about 100 people got up and left after Bustamante's comment.

Bustamante said he will visit personally with every group who requests it to talk about what happened.

His speech focused on civil rights leaders, including A. Philip Randolph, an early African American labor leader. Throughout the remarks, he referred to the leaders using the term "Negro," which was not considered offensive given the historical context. At one point, however, Bustamante used the n-word.

"This word comes out my mouth, and I didn't know what to do," Bustamante said. "I kept on going with the speech -- when I got done, I just stood there. I couldn't believe what came out of my mouth. I tried to apologize -- I told folks there in the room that I can't let you leave and think somehow this is me. I know it came out of my mouth, but it is not how I was taught, it is not how I teach my children."

Lawanna Preston, staff director for Local 790 in San Francisco, said she was shocked by Bustamante's comment.

"It is very unfortunate that someone in elected office would use that word publicly," she said. "It demonstrates a lack of sensitivity that reminds me that race is still a problem in this state and this country."

Among those in attendance were Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, and Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente. De La Fuente said he didn't hear the comment but heard Bustamante's apology.

Preston said she stayed after the speech to talk to Bustamante about what he said, at which time he apologized again.

She and others said the word stung more because it was said by such a prominent Latino leader.

Peggy Watts, co-chair of Local 790's African American caucus, said she left after Bustamante's remark.

"This was a really big slip," she said. "We have to hold people accountable. "

Bustamante has a long history of civil rights activism. He publicly disagreed with Gov. Gray Davis over the governor's settlement of a lawsuit stemming from Proposition 187, which barred education and other government services for illegal immigrants.

Bustamante said he has devoted the past two years to talking about race relations. He heads the One California Commission, which is devoted to promoting racial unity. He has spoken with television executives about the need for more minorities on television.

His first speech as lieutenant governor focused on the need for a coalition between African Americans and Latinos. In it, he credited African American support for his victory.

But Bustamante said he knows that may not be enough.

"Afterwards, quite a few people came up to me -- people were saying don't worry about it, we know your record," he said. "But how can you reconcile that with what was just said? It's in conflict. I appreciated what people were saying to me, but it doesn't make me feel better."

William Lucy, president of the National Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, said he thinks it is important for people to move on.

"Most people I talked to recognize it as a slip," he said. "I think we should try to move beyond it. There is no animosity in this situation. It happened -- we get an apology and move forward."

Lucy said he knows Bustamante's work and still supports him.

"I'm not happy it happened," Lucy said, "but neither is he."

I feel your pain N*****! - The Democrats 'anointed' party of choice for SOME African Americans makes another BIG BOO BOO in race relations! ;-)

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), February 14, 2001

Answers

"I was appalled he would even say it as a slip," said Gwendalyn Bello, who attended the event. "You don't make a slip like that unless it is something you say normally. It simply shouldn't have been said. In any context, it shouldn't have been said."

ROFL!

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), February 14, 2001.

And your point?

Problem with you, Aint, is you have nothing to say for yourself, so it is near impossible to catch you in a contradiction.

-- FutureShock (gray@matter.think), February 14, 2001.

Hey, I’ll jump in here with a point or two. Bustamante is so typical of the so-called activists that hold political positions. His interests are centered on the Hispanic community and in truth, he could care less about the rest of us, especially the African Americans. So what’s new? He is just another version of Jesse Jackson except he is a Mexican. In reality, these people are racists of the first order and setback the progress that has been, or could be, made.

Future Shock, you are trigger quick whenever a racial buzzword appears. What ‘point’ are you looking for from ‘Ain’t’? He simply posted a printed article that is being reported all over the media today. If he is laughing over this, so are millions of others. Why don’t YOU make a point or is this just another case of your long standing infliction of ‘N’ word fever?

-- Barry (bchbear863@cs.com), February 14, 2001.

Barry, take a flying fuck already.

-- Barry is an ass (Barryis@an.ass), February 14, 2001.

I’ll take one any way I can get it! BTW, when YOU grow some balls and start using your ‘real’ name, you just might get one too:>)

-- Barry (bchbear863@cs.com), February 14, 2001.

Oh Barry, suck some shit through a thin straw that should keep you busy.

BTW your mom wears combat boots.

-- Barry is an asshole (Barry@is.anass), February 14, 2001.

Actually, I wear the combat boots……wanna dance?

-- Barry (bchbear863@cs.com), February 14, 2001.

N****** = numnuts? heh

-- (cin@cin.cin), February 14, 2001.