The Dallas County Commissioner’s Court meeting this week became the scene of a racially charged incident after citizens confronted Commissioner John Wiley Price. Price, who is black, responded by telling the citizens “All of you are white. Go to hell!”
The citizens were upset over the recent departure of county Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet, who was the Elections Administrator for 24 years. Price and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins were blamed for forcing him out. The clip above does not include comments by one citizen that were clearly inappropriate and over-the-top.
The last public speaker, Jeff Turner, referred to Price as “a certain member of the court” who he described as “the Chief Mulllah of Dallas County.” That should not have been allowed as violating basic rules of civility and decorum.
Price interrupted Turner several times, yelling at him, “don’t call me Chief Mulllah” and “call me by my name.” After Jenkins ended the hearing, Price stood up and yelled “All of you are white. Go to hell!” He then proceeded to tell the citizens repeatedly to “go to hell.”
Regardless of the provocation, such remarks are beyond the pale for any person — particularly an elected official. For those supporting Price, consider how we would feel if a white politicians dismissed a group of citizens as black and told them to go to hell.
This is not the first outburst from Price:
Source: CBS
I figured the piece would be about John Wiley Price before I even clicked on the link. Spending more than half my life in the DFW area, I’m not surprised, nor shocked. It seems to me that Price uses his famous outbursts to call attention to issues – just grab your nearest salt shaker and indulge a grain or two. Generally, I’m in agreement with his sentiments, albeit not his approach. Compassionately, yet with tongue firmly planted in cheek: It’s just JWP and there is no known cure.
Seems to me calling the guy a Mullah is probably right on, since most large county governments that have a board probably do act like the ruling council in Iran when it comes to a good many things.
Iranians arnet black.
Yes, I know. White people are supposed to be able to insult you over and over again and you are never supposed to lose you. I would have told them to go to hell too.
Good for him, screw those hillbillies.
Apparently not the brightest star in the Dallas sky. He was offended by what he considered a racially charged term and demanded an apology for the use of “black hole.” The ignorance of our elected officials astounds me.
Woosty’s still a Cat,
“why do they call it vanilla if it’s brown??????”
LMAO!
Yeah, when I need a good laugh, it’s a clip worth watching over and over again. I wasn’t a fan of Snoops either, but after seeing him on various TV spots and interviews, I can honestly say I dig the guy!!
Interesting approach to coalition building. Here’s that Italian trainer of princes take on the subject:
The prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches. It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of which he must abstain. And when neither their property nor honour is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways. It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him. That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided it is well known that he is an excellent man and revered by his people, he can only be attacked with difficulty.
(The Prince , Ch. 19 (1513))
Pretty good advice apparently lost on The Right Honorable Commissioner.
I have friends who would find this whole incident appalling and friends who would chuckle. A militant black man in Dallas County? … gosh, will wonders never cease.
I trust SwM’s assessment of the situation.
Stamford Liberal 1, February 16, 2011 at 10:22 am ~ link
hahahahahaha!
why do they call it vanilla if it’s brown??????
hahahahaha…I never liked Snoopdog before that clip….thank you Stamford Liberal!
Hey he has twin brother:
Blacks Should Shun Ohio Gov. Who “Doesn’t Need Them”
http://newsone.com/nation/newsonestaff2/john-kasich-black-people-ohio/comment-page-1/
Dallas Commissioner Tells Complaining Citizens “All You Are White. Go To Hell”
From the Urban Dictionary:
“Twins are 2 people with the same set of genes if identical, but they can also be unidentical and of the opposite sex to each other. A lot of the time twins think that because they have each other they don’t have to tell their best friends their secrets and problems. Often one twin overpowers and takes control of the other twin and therefore in schools they are often separated so they can grow as induviduals, but when this doesnt happen they can often bully and intimidate others. These are often the sets of twins that grow into old age living in the same house and dressing in the same clothes.”
Because answering racism with more racism is the act of a racist, Smom.
Racism is a fire that one cannot successfully fight with more fire.
Maybe Price and Turner should take a tip from Martha and Snoop on how to get along:
http://videos.nymag.com/embed/player/?content=HFB27M21099LZ94B&widget_type_cid=svp&title_height=24
Stamford Liberal, He has held this office since 1985. I think he will be in office until he chooses not be. His behavior has prevented him from seeking higher office. He is considered to be a militant black man by many white people in the county.
“If you continue to call me ‘Mullah, and other names, other than my name….I will close this proceeding and leave”
The baillif was a tad late….
Swarthmore mom:
I saw your first post after I posted mine. Thanks for the info – it’s one thing to feed off outrageous behavior but this appears to be a case of an all-you-can-eat buffet.
After this, what are the chances he’ll get reelected?
Go Dallas……
The fine elected officials….as SWM inferred….they can be an embarrassment… The footage was edited and it was a white citizen…well race baiting….. Hey Vince….can you figure out why they edited it for this?
So to say….Not all history get recorded….
Ahhhhh,
The “fine quality” of city officials.
Yet another example of why they don’t print enough money to get me to live in Dallas again.
And racist is as racist does, Forrest.
Dr. King would be proud of you, Price.
And by proud, I mean revolted.
Stamford Liberal, Price is known to be a bit on the wild and crazy side who revels in outrageous behavior.
Step One – Open mouth
Step Two – Insert both feet and the feet of those next to you
Step Three – Attend anger management classes
While I understand why Price got as upset as he did, as an elected official, IMHO, the best way for him to have handled this is dismiss Turner by telling him until he grew up, his voice would not be heard. If Turner insisted on being obnoxious, have him thrown out of the meeting.
Mr. Price, as an elected official should have known better than to lower himself to Mr. Turner’s already low level. His ignorant outburst just showed himself to be as ignorant as Mr. Turner.
Have lived in Dallas County for 14 years, John Wiley Price does not bother me. The white suburban republicans and the democratic minority residents of the city are constantly battling for control. The republicans make a few gains in the non-presidential years, and the democrats make gains in the presidential years. Since I am an anglo democrat in a polarized county, I usually end up on John Wiley Price’s side although I will agree his behavior at times is inappropriate.