(it’s not okay to use racial slurs, ESPECIALLY if you’re not of that race)
Frank Artiles, in private conversation, referred to his fellow members of the Florida Senate as “b*tch[es]”- a comment directed at Sen. Audrey Gibson, as well as n-words. The latter was also used to describe supporters of Joe Negron, the Florida Senate President. While he did state a formal apology, as forced by other members of the State Senate, Artiles could still lose his job.
The incident began when Artiles approached Gibson about a law being made. Gibson recounts to the Miami Herald how he called her “this f*cking as*hole” and “this b*tch”. Understandably upset, Gibson then complained to Thurston. He was then urged to apologize. Later at a table discussion, he called 6 supporters of Negron n-words. His excuse for his language was “I’m from Haileah”.
Color me disgusted by the misogynistic racism so abundantly found in this person’s soul.
The final kicker to this lovely tale is this: when at a Senate meeting to discuss transportation budget, this man had the gall to sit beside the woman he so thoroughly demeaned. He sat down like all he did was forgiven, like there was nothing to smooth over, nothing left to be sorry for. Sen. Audrey Gibson stood up and moved a seat over, leaving an empty chair between her and Artiles.
Johanna Cervone, a representative of the Florida Democratic Party, made a statement saying that Artiles should “resign now.”
I happen to very much agree with Cervone and the Florida Democratic Party. Committing him to the highest refute that the committee is able to dole out is completely necessary. Him having to be forced to apologize like parents do with their toddlers is beyond reprehensible. What he had to apologize for is even worse.
No one should have to deal with down-taking, racism, or sexism in the workplace. We may have come far from our roots, but we’ve still got quite a ways to go.