A Florida member of the Democratic National Committee has resigned under pressure from members of the Florida Black Caucus, and even his own wife, after referring to African-Americans as “colored people.”
“I take responsibility for my mistake and as such is the impetus of my decision,” John Parker wrote in his resignation letter, obtained by Politico. “I resign for the good of my Party and all those who are fighting so hard for a better world than the one we are in now.”
“I understand my error perpetuates divisiveness and does not allow us an opportunity for the important types of meaningful discourse — a conversation our party must engage in sooner rather than later — that help us grow as individuals and a party protecting the dignity of all people,” he added.
Parker, the state committeeman for Duval County, said that he meant to use the phrase “people of color” and misspoke when he said “colored people.” The committeeman reportedly made the remarks at a Jan. 22 meeting in Jacksonville, and later apologized for his word choice.
Parker’s remarks led to flood of calls for him to resign.
State Rep. Kim Daniels, a black Democrat from Jacksonville, called on Parker and his wife, Lisa King, who is the chairwoman of the Duval County Democratic Executive Committee, to resign, according to Politico. The chairman of the Republican party in Duval County, Karyn Morton, echoed Daniels calls for the couple to resign from their positions.
Following the demands, King released a statement calling for her husband to resign. King accepted her husband’s resignation on Wednesday.
“I firmly believe in servant leadership, and as Chair, I must serve all our members. I have demonstrated my committed to leading our party, even when it is at odds with those that are closest to me,” King wrote in a letter posted by Duval Democrats to Twitter Wednesday.
