COLUMBUS, Ohio _ The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio is calling for Republican state Sen. Steve Huffman to quit or be removed from office for his comments in a 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.
"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," said J. Bennett Guess, executive director of the civil liberties organization.
"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 hold 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 call for Huffman's removal was echoed by Becky Williams, president of the largest union of state employees, SEIU District 1199.
"The comments made by Ohio state Sen. Steve Huffman have no place in our society and certainly have no place in the Ohio Senate," she said. "Senator Huffman's statement is blatantly racist, and I am calling on him to immediately resign and issue a sincere apology to people of color in our state and across our nation."
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."
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.'"
Thomas, a former Cincinnati police officer, said many people 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 said
Rep. 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."
The word "colored" is almost universally offensive today, as is the stereotype that "black people are dirty," said Rep. Stephanie Howse, president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.
"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," said the Cleveland Democrat, who attended the hearing, in a statement.
"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."
John Fortney, spokesman for Senate President Larry Obhof, a Medina Republican, said, "I know the president addressed it by speaking with Senator Huffman and also talked with committee members."
Former Ohio Republican Party 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."
But 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."
