New Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich, a popular establishment figure within the GOP and a former Fox News TV host, finds himself and his administration embroiled in a racially-tinged controversy surrounding the make-up and diversity of his cabinet, as well as comments made by the governor in regard to the situation.
Kasich has filled out 22 of 23 different positions without choosing any minority; every job is held by a white person, the first such instance in Ohio since 1962.
It’s a sensitive issue in a state with a history of troubled race relations and past prejudices against black residents of the Buckeye State.
The absence of any minority in Kasich’s cabinet has drawn fire from African-American state lawmakers. They have complained directly to the governor and publicly criticized the lack of diversity in the cabinet, accusing Kasich of “governing as if it were 1811″ instead of 2011.
A group of Statehouse Democrats — black, white, Indian-American and Hispanic — accused Gov. John Kasich Thursday of racial discrimination and demanded that he name minorities to his cabinet.
Kasich’s early record of hiring only white people for his cabinet — and his defiant defense of it, likening diversity to quotas — has ignited a firestorm of racial tension for the Republican governor.
“Through his actions and deeds, Gov. Kasich has declared that Ohio is open for business,” said state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat. “But if you are African-American, you need not apply. If you are Hispanic, you need not apply. If you are Asian or Indian, you need not apply.”
Instead of 2011, Turner said, Kasich is governing as if it were 1811, during the days of slavery. “The governor’s stance is eerily similar to that of those in the not-so-distant past who determined that African-Americans and other people of color were not qualified and they did not bring value to this country,” she said.
The controversy hit a new level when Kasich told Sen. Nina Turner, one the black lawmakers critical of the cabinet, that “I’m not going to hire your people.”
Was it racially motivated? Kasich’s office denies it, and instead insists that it was about “party identification,” as in Kasich won’t hire Democrats; Turner’s “people” (she is a Democrat). A spokesman said it was “taken totally out of context.”
In that meeting last week, Turner said she offered to help Kasich find qualified minorities. But in a heated exchange, she said, the governor told her, “I’m not going to hire your people.”
Turner said she wondered if “your people” meant black people.
Nichols, Kasich’s spokesman, confirmed the governor made the statement but said by “your people” Kasich meant partisan Democrats.
“That was a party identification and that is it,” Nichols said. “That is taken totally out of context.”
Kasich still has an all-white cabinet, and a group of black lawmakers are considering a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination.
UPDATE – Kasich has finally made the first appointment of a minority to his cabinet.
no blacks on his staff? that’s what tea partiers mean by taking their country back….
From the article it sounds as if Kasich is on thin ice. Quite possibly he meant democrats, but given the context of what is happening I think he meant blacks specifically and possibly any other race other than the whites. The bigger problem is Kasich has some cache’ within the republican party, which to me indicates that his problem is also their problem.Extremes in anything are not good for the person or the nation or the world. Man this country is getting ugly…..
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I wonder what people would say if Obama had an all-black cabinet? The cabinet should reflect population of Ohio. Not only whites pay taxes in the state…no taxation without representation.
This is why I love this state!!! The have-nots are usually so because the are will-nots. Qualifications not quotas.
This isn’t about “quotas.” It’s about providing representation for 20% of the governor’s constituents. Sorry, but the Tea Baggers are racist.
Your article contains incorrect facts, and is either attempting to mislead or actual deliberate mistruth. If you read entire context, it is plainly clear Gov is speaking to democrats. It also fails to disclose multiple offered positions to qualified blacks that turned him down. Get your facts right, don’t be a racist.
“Sorry, but the Tea Baggers are racist.”
Yes because having quotas, affirmative action, and organizations like the NAACP is not inherently racist. I love how it only works in one direction. Why can’t there be a NAAWP?
Are there lawsuits against Detriot for having 1 token white person on the city council?
As an Ohioan, I don’t care if he meant by “your people” democrats or blacks—this man has something wrong with his thinking and he’s got to GO! I knew if he won the election, Ohio was in trouble—these are scary times and the people of Ohio need to STOP him now! Impeachment is looking good about now! And Benjamin, there are many blacks and other different minorities in Ohio—and his cabinet doesn’t reflect it at all!!
HE IS A PIG!
@mwahahaaaaaaa says: “Why can’t there be a NAAWP?”
They do! However, it’s not called NAAWP, it’s called the KKK!
@anonymous says: Are there lawsuits against Detriot for having 1 token white person on the city council?
Um, considering the ENTIRE city council is comprised of ELECTED (by the people) representatives; therefore, it would be completely moronic for ANY lawsuit to go forward. As opposed to this being the entire staff (appointed staff members) of the top elected office in the state. Now if it were the ENTIRE appointed staff members of the city council members, then you may have a point, but you weren’t!
Are you teabaggers REALLY this stupid or is it all a facade. I’m guessing the former, but I figured I better ask first.
Even if he offered jobs to blacks and they did not accept, that is indicative of similar problems. What is there about his administration and him that he has created a persona and an environment where multiple blacks have turned down working for him?
I also wonder how many gays or lesbians are in his cabinet or will be on his staff? That is probably another one of “your people” groups that he will not have on his staff.
I’m independant and really could give a shit less. Who cares, maybe he doesn’t like black people. Get off his nuts
Well I like when I here People Say Why do we have to Have NAACP.See I understand that Education runs low for people like that When you Own Slave and You have never been slaved then you won’t understand But in the Back of your little Mind you think about so you fight back Harder and Harder to keep from the very thing you Fear most Black people Takeing the revenge Inslaving White People Revenge for the Worst Sin Under GOD. It won’t happen we don’t want it Were not YOU! So the Gov doesn’t understand he represents the Whole State not parts of the State.
I like when I here People say Why do we have to Have the NAACP?.See I understand that Education runs low for some people,See When you Own Slaves and YOU have never been slaved then you won’t understand, But in the Back of your little Mind you think about it so you fight Harder and Harder to keep from the very thing you Fear most Black people Takeing the revenge on White People Revenge for the Worst Sin Under GOD. It won’t happen we don’t want it Were not YOU! So the Gov doesn’t understand he represents the Whole State not
“Yes because having quotas, affirmative action, and organizations like the NAACP is not inherently racist. I love how it only works in one direction. Why can’t there be a NAAWP?”
….There is a NAAWP but they take pride in being advocates of segregation. On the other hand, the NAACP is a civil rights organization. Do some research before posting ignorant comments.
You reap what you sow. White people made it necessary for there to be an NAACP. Honestly it amazes me how they think they can commit something as horrendous as slavery, ignore the affects of slavery and then wonder why there is an NAACP. It is haunting them now, isn’t it.
They will lose in the end.
Dave says: “@mwahahaaaaaaa says: “Why can’t there be a NAAWP?”
They do! However, it’s not called NAAWP, it’s called the KKK!”
Yes, the KKK. Also the GOP and the Tea Baggers!
Get over it and quit stoking the fire.The man clearly meant Demarcates,another alot to do about nothing.As long as people focus and are driven to things like this nothing in the state house of any meaning will get done..I t is the mans cabinet of choice, if you don’t like it then vote him out.Qualifications before quotas is a fact that should be practiced no matter what the PC thing to do is.Sun state activist should be ashamed of printing half truths like this. Report on things that matter and help us all ,not this over played dribble that divide us all.
What Spritual, Medical, Financial, Issues have blacks contributed to this Country ?.
What percentage in any any other Issue ?
Come to think of it, I’d be curious to see an accounting of the ethnic diversity of the staff of the UnPrincipled Progressive. How many blacks, women, Muslim Americans, gays, etc?
Surely much more diverse than the staff of the Teabagger Racist Kasich!!
Just another conservative Republican who despises black people. Nothing new here. Except for the honesty.
Not to support this vicious thug in any way – dear gawwwwd, not that – but WHY is it better if he truly did mean Democrats? Or Greens? Or Independents? Does that ban also apply to the extremist knuckle-draggers in the “Constitution Party”?
What’s with all the name calling? How about some useful insight?
You mention the ‘rightist’ slant in Kasich’s appointments, what about the ‘leftist’ list of your
blogs? Where is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, Fox News??
Leftist liberals= freedom of speech, as long as you agree with them.
Fair and balanced?
You snips remind me of Jerry Glanville’s ascertainment of the Run and Shoot. He called it the ‘Chuck and Duck.’ All you guys (three male whities) do is Chuck and Duck!
Tea Baggers are racists – they prove it virtually every time they open their mouths.
The Civil War ended more then 100 years ago but it seems that in some parts of the U.S. racism is still alive.I was not surprised at the governor’s statement because I have heard stories that discrimination against African Americans has not changed. What makes me so angry is that we complain about the racism in other countries, the way that Saddam Hussein abused and killed the Kurds but we seem blind to the abuses in the U.S. My grandparents left Russia in the early 1900′s because Jews in Russia suffered a lot of discrimination. Because they were not prejudiced against other people they did not see the discrimination that existed in this country. I am 84 years old and because I am an avid reader I know that no matter how we talk about our “Democratic society” the truth is, sadly, that there are a lot of people like the governor of Ohio. It is really sad that in 235 years we have not learned to live with and respect everyone, no matter the color of their skin, religion or ethnic background.
“Mell says:
January 30, 2011 at 12:04 am
Well I like when I here People Say Why do we have to Have NAACP.See I understand that Education runs low for people like that When you Own Slave and You have never been slaved then you won’t understand But in the Back of your little Mind you think about so you fight back Harder and Harder to keep from the very thing you Fear most Black people Takeing the revenge Inslaving White People Revenge for the Worst Sin Under GOD. It won’t happen we don’t want it Were not YOU! So the Gov doesn’t understand he represents the Whole State not parts of the State.”
x2
Excellent grammar. Maybe you should be appointed to his cabinet.
Slavery was abolished almost 200 years ago. Do I own slaves? Do I know anyone that has ever owned slaves? Have you been a slave? How about your great grandparents? I seriously doubt it. That being said, exactly how long does it take for a people to get their shit together and stop sobbing about things that never happened to them personally.
Look at the Japanese. We nuked them twice a little over 60 years ago. You you hear them sitting around crying sob stories expecting a handout? No. They went right back to work and and came back to kick our ass again in no time.
The fact of the matter is that blacks do not want to lose their protected status. If the handouts stop and they have to actually earn everything they have they would probably starve. So any time someone suggests taking the most qualified people for a position and those people just so happen to be white, blacks or any other person who did not make the cut cry racism. It is like the little kids that cries “I’m telling” every time they do not get their way.
Remember boys and girls, if you are every out done or lose an argument just cry RACISM!!!
*ever
Oh, one more thing. When did I ever claim to be part of the herrr derrrr tea party?
he meant her fellow democrats and you all know it!!!!!! you just want to make it a race issue!!!! its ok that obama hired all his chicago cronies all from the daley machine !!!!!!!
He meant Black people! Let’s stop the crap! He knew exactly what he said. The state of Ohio doesn’t have a great record as far as race relations.
Blacks have enslaved more people than the whites have!
They have even enslaved their own…………..just go look at the “ethnic cleansing” in Africa!
Oh, and when a black comes along with common sense (such as Malcolm X), he is killed by his so-called loving brothers!……..Oh, I mean victims of slavery…….LOL!
Blacks have it all figured out in their own little brains thanks to “geniuses” like Jesse Jackson…….LOL
A shame to their entire race!
Hiring someone on the basis of skin color, and not merit, would be racist.
Deal with it liberals. And take a bath and go find a job for God’s sake.
Bobby:
What “nuts?” you know people like him have teeny tiny ones; that would be like trying to sit on the head of a pin.
revoke his governorship he is an asshole
the republicans just dont want to pay their share of taxes while we drown in them. they drove obama to embarass the united states government by raising the deficit beaner was the ringleader……wake up america
For those that do not believe racial bias still exists, need to take a look at this asshole because he is a good example. There are people that honestly don’t want to deal with other races of people, YET they want to get into positions of authority that require them to deal with all people and are obligated by law to deem all as equal (as we should be), but you have these fucks not only taking hold of positions of power, but their influence further ruins our nation.
We can’t grow any stronger in unity because of bias, “UNITED WE DO NOT STAND” if people like this continue to get their way and keep things the way they are used to them being.