‘Cotton picking’: US lawmaker condemned for racist comment about Jeffries
Summary
A Republican lawmaker, Jen Kiggans, was criticized for agreeing with a racist comment about Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries during a radio show. The comment involved the phrase "cotton-picking," which has racist origins related to slavery, leading to strong condemnations and calls for Kiggans to resign.Key Facts
- Hakeem Jeffries is the top-ranking Democrat in the US House of Representatives.
- On a conservative radio show, host Rich Herrera used the phrase “get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia” about Jeffries’ involvement in Virginia redistricting.
- Representative Jen Kiggans said “Ditto” and “Yes” in agreement with Herrera’s statement during the show.
- The term “cotton picking” is viewed as racist due to its connection to slavery and forced labor on cotton plantations.
- Kiggans later said she did not approve of the racist language and was agreeing only that Jeffries should not interfere in Virginia politics.
- Jeffries’ office strongly condemned Kiggans’ response, calling it racist and harmful to democracy.
- Top Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus called for Kiggans to resign.
- This controversy happened amid a larger battle over redistricting and voting rights in the US, with recent Supreme Court decisions affecting enforcement of anti-discrimination voting laws.
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