OUCH! The Milwaukee-Journal reports:
State elections officials Wednesday narrowly rejected a Milwaukee Assembly candidate’s attempt to run with the slogan “NOT the ‘whiteman’s bitch’ ” under her name on the ballot.
Ieshuh Griffin, an independent candidate with a history of feuds with local officials, said in response she would sue the state Government Accountability Board for infringing on her freedom of speech. She is running to replace retiring Rep. Annette “Polly” Williams (D-Milwaukee).
“I’m not making a derogatory statement toward an ethnic group. I’m stating what I’m not,” Griffin told board members. “It’s my constitutional right to freedom of speech.”
The Young Turks debate in video below (7:20)
What’s your take – racist, on the ballot, unconstitutional, put it on flyer’s not the ballot?
The picture in the upper right hand corner is an antique – these are seen in salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars and other pieces of pottery. Collectible yes. Racist? You decide.
As best I can tell, the relevant statute provides simply that, “Along with the names of the independent candidates shall appear the party or principle of the candidates, if any, in 5 words or less, as shown on their nomination papers”; I don’t know what statute or regulation gives the board authority to restrict the contents of those 5 words, and under what standards. I would be inclined to say that a viewpoint-neutral rule prohibiting vulgarities or epithets might well be constitutional, since the ballot is a state-created limited public forum.
I say it doesn’t belong on a ballot but advertising or other campaign commercials and materials may include the “slogan.” It’s freedom of speech, indeed!
Liberally Conservative appreciates your comments that abide by our guidelines:
Powered by A Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
Copyright © 2012 Liberally Conservative™ and Liberally Conservative.com™ are Registered Trademarks - All Rights Reserved
July 24th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Freedom of Speech does allow even the foolish to say stupid things.
I feel her slogan does not belong on the ballot. Why would she want a stupid slogan under her name on the ballot anyway? It implies that WHITE men have used black women as whores. Although some have (as BLACK men, no doubt, have used both black and white women), it is stereotyping. That is derogatory and degrading of white men.
What would she think if a white lady running for office wrote “not a black man’s bitch”?
It is a very crass statement. People will read her self-assessment and think: “I’m not going to vote for someone that stupid!”
July 24th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
I live in a community where you see black men with white women very, very frequently. Many with babies. The other day I saw the reverse, a white male with a black female in a car laughing.
Many times I see white women with black children shopping. Day time, evening, weekends. Where’s Dad? Is this statement racist or referring to reality? Is the white female a whore?
It’s obvious, while race is so frequently used for political purpose and we have Barack Obama leading in the effort, there is no place for that type of incendiary wording to be on a ballot.
If Ms. Griffin chooses to use that slogan in her paid advertising so be it. Let the voter’s decide in the election booth.