Name: Ohio senator who cited 'colored' people not washing their hands fired from job as ER doctor
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Ohio senator who cited 'colored' people not washing their hands fired from job as ER doctor

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&nbsp;"Regrettably, I asked a question in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant," Sen. Steve Huffman later said. "I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons."State Sen. Steve Huffman was fired from his job as a Dayton-area doctor for racist statements Tuesday during a legislative committee hearing."Dr. Huffman’s comments are wholly inconsistent with our values and commitment to creating a tolerant and diverse workplace," said a spokesman for TeamHealth, a Tennessee company providing outsourced physicians.At the same time, an organization of black Ohio legislators, a state employees union and the Ohio ACLU are calling for the Republican to quit or be fired for comments during a the committee hearing referring to "the colored population" and questioning whether they get COVID-19 more often because they do not wash their hands as much."There is something very wrong with a world where a lawmaker can be fired from his place of employment for being racist but keep his seat as vice chair of the Ohio Senate Health Committee," said Rep. Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland, president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus."The private sector has deemed his behavior unacceptable, however, he faces no penalty or public rebuke from Senate leadership and the Republican Party."Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Medina, has not yet commented publicly.Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statement about Huffman: "His words were inappropriate and hurtful to so many Ohioans. Words do matter. So do actions. He is a doctor and is in a unique position because of that to play a significant role in the legislature to work to change this serious health disparity. I hope that he will."But former state Rep. Barbara Sykes, CEO and president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, said, "His remarks are insensitive, hurtful and set us back in our efforts to address the genuine reasons that the COVID-19 outbreak is having a particularly harsh impact in the black community."Calling Huffman’s remarks "heartless sentiments," Sykes added, "Mr. Huffman is a doctor and one would expect more empathy and insight, but unfortunately he revealed his true character with his remarks."J. Bennett Guess, executive director of ACLU of Ohio, said, "As a practicing physician of nearly 20 years, he knew precisely what type of harm his ignorant, heinous, and callously hurtful comments would have on communities of color in Ohio..."There is no reality where he can remain a member of the Ohio General Assembly and make decisions that affect the very communities he undermines and clearly holds such contemptible attitudes. This is what systemic institutionalized racism looks like, and this is how it manifests itself and oppresses the day-to-day lives of people of color."The offending remarks came during a marathon session Tuesday of the Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee on a measure that would declare racism a health emergency in Ohio.During a discussion with Angela Dawson, executive director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, Huffman, a doctor from Tipp City north of Dayton, said, "I understand that African Americans have a higher incidence of prior conditions, and that makes them more susceptible to COVID, but does not make them more susceptible just to get COVID."We know it’s twice as often, correct? Could it just be that African Americans — the colored population — do not wash their hands as well as other groups? Or wear a mask? Or do not socially distance themselves? Could that just be maybe the explanation of why there’s a higher incidence?"Dawson, who is black, replied, "That is not the opinion of leading medical experts in this country."Huffman issued an apology later:"Regrettably, I asked a question in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant. I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons."Sen. Kristina Roegner of Hudson came to her GOP colleague’s defense."I've served with Senator Steve Huffman for four years in the Ohio House and almost a year and-a-half in the Ohio Senate. During that time Senator Huffman has proven himself to be a thoughtful and caring individual," she said."Steve has apologized for his choice of words as he phrased a particular question. People should respect his apology and move on — to not do so is to fan the flames of discord."But the call for Huffman’s removal was echoed by Becky Williams, president of SEIU District 1199, who said his comments "have no place in our society and certainly have no place in the Ohio Senate. Senator Huffman’s statement is blatantly racist, and I am calling on him to immediately resign and issue to a sincere apology to people of color in our state and across our nation."The Senate minority leader, Richmond Heights Democrat Kenny Yuko, said, "There are times when a colleague says or does something so egregious that those who serve with them must speak out. This is one of those times."There is simply no excuse for Senator Steve Huffman's comments ...This was not simply an error in terminology. It was the public declaration of a sickening stereotype about black Americans. ..."If we don't challenge racist perceptions, politicians may end up using them to take votes or introduce bills that harm minority communities. Our policies reflect our belief systems — and this one cannot be tolerated."Huffman’s apology also wasn’t good enough for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown."How an elected official, let alone a DOCTOR, could be so ignorant of the health disparities that affect African-Americans is repugnant," the Democrat tweeted."This is not about hand washing. It's about the racism rooted in our economic and health systems keeping black communities down."However, Health Committee member Sen. Cecil Thomas, an African American Democrat from Cincinnati, said that while he was taken aback by Huffman’s clearly racist words, "I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say maybe he didn’t realize how horrible those words were."Thomas said he was especially struck by Huffman’s question about whether blacks are avoiding wearing masks: "I thought, ‘You have not been wearing your mask since you’ve been here, and you’re a doctor.’"The former Cincinnati police officer said many are unaware that they have implicit biases."We’ve got to have these conversations. Racism is alive and well. There are biases that we all have," Thomas saidRep. Janine Boyd, a Cleveland Democrat who watched the exchange, called it "racist foolishness" on Twitter. "I woke up hearing his ignorant and sickening question in my head the following day."Columbus Democratic Sen. Hearcel Craig tweeted: "Sen. Huffman also needs to understand why ‘colored’ is offensive. Our nation has faced a painful segregationist history of ‘colored only’ restrooms and water fountains, just to cite 2 examples. These practices were reprehensible and so many fought to remove them from our culture."The stereotype that "black people are dirty" is especially offensive, black caucus leader Howse said."When we talk about the internalized racism that is deeply ingrained in our institutions and the obstacles black Americans face in ever achieving meaningful change, this is exactly what we are talking about," she said."The fact that a well-educated legislator, a vice chair of the Health Committee and a practicing medical doctor, would, in a public setting, nonchalantly use such antiquated terminology, paired with a hurtful, racist stereotype, all in one breath reflects how unconscious this problem of racism is for too many."The black caucus is calling on legislators and staff members to immediately take training in racial equity and implicit bias."He is not alone in the way he talks and the biases he holds," Howse said. "Black Ohioans have spent the last several days teaching lessons to people just like him about racism and trying to verbalize the pain we are feeling right now so others can better understand the black experience. We are tired of these conversations, but we must not stop. Because only together can we finally recognize our societal shortcomings and strive to create a better world for the next generation."Obhof spokesman John Fortney said, "I know the president addressed it by speaking with Senator Huffman and also talked with committee members."Former Ohio Republican Chairman Matt Borges tweeted: "Everyone can evaluate the situation for themselves, but knowing Senator Huffman, there is zero doubt in my mind that he made a mistake, and that his contrition and apology are genuine."Everyone can evaluate the situation for themselves, but knowing Senator Huffman, there is zero doubt in my mind that he made a mistake, and that his contrition and apology are genuine. https://t.co/uyJoDk8RSI— Matt Borges (@mattjborges) June 11, 2020But Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, a Democrat, said, "This is Dayton’s state senator. This is racist and unacceptable."Fortney noted that the Senate will be holding a "listening tour" on racial issues this month and next around the state."The upcoming conversations may be uncomfortable at times, but that is how we learn and move forward for a better Ohio."drowland@dispatch.com@darreldrowlandChoose the plan that’s right for you. Digital access or digital and print delivery.

&nbsp;"Regrettably, I asked a question in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant," Sen. Steve Huffman later said. "I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons."State Sen. Steve Huffman was fired from his job as a Dayton-area doctor for racist statements Tuesday during a legislative committee hearing."Dr. Huffman’s comments are wholly inconsistent with our values and commitment to creating a tolerant and diverse workplace," said a spokesman for...

Ohio senator who cited 'colored' people not washing their hands fired from job as ER doctor

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