In West Virginia, Mayor has resigned amid an outbreak of public anger in what was said to be a racist Facebook post that described First Lady Michelle Obama as an “ape in heels,” US media said.
Beverly Whaling is a Mayor of Clay, a tiny town, and he had appeared to applaud the incendiary comment and stepped down Tuesday amid the ensuing firestorm, according to a town official, Joe Coleman.
Racist post
Following Donald Trump’s win, Clay County Development Corporation director Pamela Ramsey had reportedly posted on social media a post that was racial. “It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House.
“It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House,” the post read. “I’m tired of seeing a Ape in heels.”Mayor Whaling responded: “Just made my day Pam.”
On seeing the post, Mayor Whaling responded that ;”Just made my day Pam.”
The comments were later deleted and both women’s Facebook pages were eventually taken offline, TheWashington Post reported, citing local media.
Tens of thousands of people had signed an online petition calling for a mayor in West Virginia to resign after she liked another official’s Facebook post which described Michelle Obama as an “ape in heels.”
Council member Jason Hubbard issued a brief statement condemning the “horrible and indecent” post and said racism and intolerance “isn’t what this community is about.”
He apologized on behalf of the town to Michelle Obama and anyone who was offended.
“This community is a helpful, hopeful, empathetic and God-loving community,” Hubbard said. “Please don’t judge the entire community for one or two individual acts.”
Ramey Taylor told local news channel, WSAZ that she is sorry for everything that has happened, but says she now believes the situation has turned into a “hate crime against me.”
“My comment was not intended to be racist at all,” Whaling outlined.
“I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that I’m not of any way racist!” she said.