A Dallas County Commissioner’s Court meeting turned into a war of words and ended with commissioner John Wiley Price, telling a group of Caucasian attendees to, “go to hell,” on Tuesday.
The spat started during the public speaking portion of the meeting when six citizens addressed the court about the recent departure of county Elections Administrator, Bruce Sherbert, who says he felt he was forced out by Price. During the speeches one citizen referred to Price as ‘Chief Mullah of Dallas County,’ sparking Price to return, “don’t call me Chief Mullah, call me by my name.”
After the meeting was over Price turned to the six individuals who addressed the court as said, “All of you are white. Got to hell.”
He then repeated the latter statement three more times before saying, “I’m not ashamed. Go to hell.”
Price later released this statement:
“In the absence of a fair and balanced media outlet in Dallas, I wanted to submit a statement that offers my perspective of an “encounter” that took place at Dallas County today. Unfortunately, my comments were broadcasted without the benefit and the full context which they were made.
I have been patient and accommodating in every regard as it pertains to the recent resignation of a Dallas County employee. There are laws and business practices in place that govern the discussion of personnel matters and I will honor and respect them. I even went as far as to grant a candid one-on-one interview with the Dallas Morning News and have done countless interviews with others.
However, in open court today, after every considerate attempt to discuss the matter further, one of the speakers shot off a racial slur. “Chief Moolah” has its roots in a slang that was used against Italian immigrants and was later used by the same to defame or discredit African Americans. The speaker continued to use terms like “tribal” and his intent to make race an issue was obvious. “N*gger” is “N*gger,” spoken overtly or incognito.
My history and record will reflect that I am one whose tolerance is limited or non-existent when it comes to racial slurs. The comments were bad enough, but to have them hurled by a member of the Tea Party, known for their racial insensitivity, was more than I plan to absorb.
This is in no way an attempt to apologize to those with who felt the need to infuse race into an otherwise orderly meeting. But all of my friends, black, white and brown alike, are well aware that I am always willing to debate, but never at the expense of my race and my heritage.”
