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Monday, April 7, 2008
Kesting taken to task for Black History speech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cobb County Commissioner Annette Kesting has stirred up controversy over comments she made during a Black History Month celebration at a Marietta church.
Kesting had been invited to Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in February to speak about African American history and and the theme “Strength to Love,” which is the title of a book by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., according to an article by AJC reporter Jeremy Redmon.
Instead, Kesting veered off topic. “I love my enemies. I pray every day with my enemies because I have to go up on the third floor and work with white women,” she said in the speech, which was videotaped. She told the audience they would be amazed at the people she works with. “They are not Christian - Christian people,” she said.
She goes on to complain about the “evilness” surrounding her when she goes to the office.
In an AJC interview, Kesting, who is seeking re-election, softened some of her comments, saying that she does not count white women among her enemies and that she represents all people, regardless of religion or race. She said her comments were designed to motivate women in the church. She apologized if her remarks offended people.
Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens, who is Jewish, said he wasn’t offended by the remarks about non-Christians, according to the article. He said Kesting was talking about “loving God” and not criticizing other religions.
This is not the first time she’s faced controversy.
She has also been late paying county real estate taxes and faced code violations on rental property she owns with her husband in Powder Springs.
Do you think this incident will affect Kesting’s re-election bid? Are you satisfied with her explanation?
