By FARRAH JOHNSON
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A PLP official has issued a public apology after coming under fire for controversial remarks about “darkies” she made at a PLP rally on Monday night.
While introducing PLP Senator Dr Michael Darville at the party’s campaign launch on Monday night, PLP National Vice-Chair Patricia Deveaux bragged about the party having attractive members, rather than a “bunch of darkies.”
“We have a real doctor coming down tonight. He’s another light skin, handsome, curly-haired fella,” she said.
“You see we have plenty nice looking people here in this party. We don’t have a bunch of darkies all over the place heating up the place.”
A video of her comments immediately went viral on social media prompting an apology from Mrs Deveaux, as well as a statement from PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis.
“The public is advised that I have seen the unqualified apology issued by PLP National Vice Chair Patricia Deveaux for comments made at a PLP sponsored public meeting,” he said.
“I am satisfied that she has dealt with this matter responsibly and it is now in the past.”
Still, Mr Davis said it is important for the public to “remain focused” on “larger national issues” like the “consistent delivery of poor governance” and the “miserable performance of the FNM,” which he claimed was the “source and cause of much of the misery Bahamian families continue to suffer today.”
“I caution Bahamians not to be distracted by the FNM propagandists and social media trolls who seek to cast an excellent and invigorating public meeting of hope and inspiration in a negative light,” Mr Davis said. “I again thank the Bahamian people for their overwhelming support and confidence reposed in the PLP by their great numbers last evening as we move forward. There is much work to be done on their behalf.”
In her apology, Ms Deveaux also admitted to using language which she has now come to regret.
“During our PLP rally at Columbus Primary last night, I introduced Senator Dr Michael Darville using language that I regret,” she said in a separate statement. “I meant to suggest that the PLP is a party that embraces all, but I ultimately made comments that alienated and offended some members of my own race.”
Ms Deveaux insisted she was a “proud black woman” that has worked with the PLP for a number of years for the “upliftment of all people.”
She said she hopes the message of the rally, which she described as “conveying the failed policies of the Minnis administration” and its attack on the poor and middle-class in “favour of rich special interests,” was not overshadowed by her “misstatements.”
“I apologise unreservedly to the leadership of my party and to the Bahamian people,” she said. “I hope that we can all move forward as Bahamians to improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Still, Free National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer said he does not believe Ms Deveaux’s apology was genuine.
Labelling her remarks as racist and divisive, he told The Tribune: “I believe after she saw the reactions and heard the comments from persons (she issued an) apology just to smooth over what she said. Her comments were most definitely racist and like the Bible says, out of your mouth comes your heart.”
Mr Culmer also said he believes the PLP has been a racist party from its “inception.”
“They are very divisive and whereas we in the FNM see all Bahamians as one, the PLP try to divide and conquer,” Mr Culmer said. “(They try) to have the blacks on one side, the whites on the other side, the lights on another side and darks on another side. We don’t believe in that, but they use the race card for a political advantage which is totally wrong.”
However the FNM has also faced similar backlash. Last year, Bennett Minnis, a Water and Sewerage Corporation board director, came under public scrutiny after making a number of racially insensitive remarks against several PLP leaders.
In a voice note widely circulated on social media that summer, Mr Minnis, the FNM’s Mount Moriah constituency association chairman, called the PLP a party of “corrupt, thieving, no good, bastard, homosexual, African monkeys.”
In response, the PLP called for the government to force Mr Minnis to resign from his WSC post, and for the FNM to condemn his remarks.
Comments
Porcupine 4 years, 10 months ago
Evolution applies to species, countries, even people. Where are we today? Sad, so sad.
B_I_D___ 4 years, 10 months ago
The racism in this country is so sad...and 99% of it is instigated by people of colour...even black on black racism...crazy.
joeblow 4 years, 10 months ago
... but what's really funny is that the PLP have a leader who is a 'darkie' and wants to be Prime Minister!
bahamianson 4 years, 10 months ago
WOW ! thought only White people were racist? Obviously I am joking. This is unacceptable !
longgone 4 years, 10 months ago
No way she wrote out that apology---That had to come from someone with intelligence!
joeblow 4 years, 10 months ago
Not surprised since most PLP's only have three functional brain cells-- one to stay conscious, one to use the bathroom and the other one is still being investigated!
Ashinnabash 4 years, 10 months ago
Welp, there you have it. It's inescapable, we've been taught to hate ourselves for far too long.
longgone 4 years, 10 months ago
No way she wrote that apology---That was written by someone with intelligence!
birdiestrachan 4 years, 10 months ago
Song of Solomon "I am BLACK but COMELY" I stand by that and with that all the time.
Sickened 4 years, 10 months ago
Damn Birdie you can't even stand on principal and speak out about how this is wrong and should not have been uttered or even thought? A leader in your beloved party spoke terribly about your darker skinned brothers and sisters and you quote a song? Please, for the love of Jesus, for once stand tall and speak on principal even if it is against a fellow PLP.
bogart 4 years, 10 months ago
FIRE ANY MEMBER.....WHO MAKES PUBLIC RACIST REMARKS.....!!!!
STRUGGLING PARTY with history of using race, movies etc to promote themselves as being or desirous of being representatives of nation is downright repugnant...!!!! But then again as with plague of such offal, so far seems same minded colleagues will close ranks to protect.
bahamianson 4 years, 10 months ago
Dude, nothing is in the past, she needs to be fired. Just imagine if she were Brent Symonette, or Mike lightbourn. The media and people on social media would have their heads. stop the double standard about racism and associated comments. These comments are totally unacceptable. n some quarters , they talk about how racist people in America are, and here we have the same thing going on. Totally unacceptable!!!!!!
Sickened 4 years, 10 months ago
If ANY FNM said that it would be a fire storm from now until we all cast our ballots.
Clamshell 4 years, 10 months ago
If that “Brave” guy were as “brave” as he claims to be, she’d be fired immediately. This is why I keep insisting that his nickname be changed from “Brave” to “Gravy.”
sealice 4 years, 10 months ago
who TF did she think she was talking to when she made the comment??
Someone please ask her that question?
Is that how you speak at home lady? Is that why your kids already got records? Is that how the PLP speaks behind closed doors?
bahamianson 4 years, 10 months ago
But the leader said he is satisfied that her remarks are in the past................ok, we are kool with that, let's move on......WHAT!
bahamianson 4 years, 10 months ago
But the leader said he is satisfied that her remarks are in the past................ok, we are kool with that, let's move on......WHAT! Actually, what is even more surprising is that the FNM has not said a word in regards to this blatant insult!!!!!
Porcupine 4 years, 10 months ago
Agreed.
enough 4 years, 10 months ago
Bahamianson what can they say remember the Water & Sewerage Board Member called people "African Monkeys." http://www.tribune242.com/news/2019/jul…
Ahh boy, we need a new leader and opposition leader ASAP. In fact can we just get two new, capable political parties?
birdiestrachan 4 years, 10 months ago
sickened I believe the woman is silly to make such remarks. the same as Minnis
I also believe that we should be proud of our race. and no silly remarks should shake our confidence in who we are as a people.
psalms 139 V14 I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. That is what I see when I look in the glass
themessenger 4 years, 10 months ago
Birdie, Considered the garbage that comes from your mouth , I'm surprised you can actually look yourself in the mirror.
TalRussell 4 years, 10 months ago
Get a grip. Wasn't the PLP founded by three all mixed up mulattos - comrades William Cartwright, Cyril Stevenson, and Henry Milton Taylor?
Topdude 4 years, 10 months ago
This lady obviously hates herself. To make such a statement whether in jest or seriously is a reflection of deep seated physiological and attendant psychological problems. To cast such aspersions on her fellow citizens demonstrates she would have wanted to be of a lighter color with straighter hair. These are things she is unable to control absent the intensive use of skin lightening creams and ongoing use of wigs and hairdressers.
The only thing she has control of is her obesity. And she should do something about it. By shutting her mouth she might be able to stop stuffing her guts.
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