A Virginia mayor apologized for his comments that he said were “offensive and unbecoming” about presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s vice president pick. Despite his apologies, several people have called for his resignation for the racially insensitive Facebook post.
Luray, Virginia, Mayor Barry Presgraves apologized a little over a week after posting on his Facebook page a facetious announcement that Biden “just announced Aunt Jemima” as his running mate. According to news station WTOP, Presgraves said he thought the post, accompanied by a meme, was humorous. By the time he met with his town council Monday, he said he realized his misjudgment.
“I understand what I posted on social media was wrong, offensive and unbecoming,” the mayor said. “I also want to make a direct apology to all people of color and women,” Presgraves said. “Passing of demeaning and worn-out racial stereotypes as humor isn’t funny.”
The comments were also made just weeks after Quaker Foods North America had opted to erase Aunt Jemima’s image and name from its food products due to the history of racial stereotyping the character conjures.
With that context, Luray Councilmember Leah Pence wrote earlier this month that Mayor Presgraves should have known the impact of his words and should resign.
“The comment you posted has a type of humor that not been appropriate or funny in my lifetime or yours. While a resignation alone will not resolve the systemic subliminal racism that plagues our community, your resignation is imperative as we work towards ending racism in our community,” she wrote in a letter. “You are accountable for your words and decisions as the leader of The Town of Luray and your recent actions have caused me and many citizens to lose faith and confidence in your capacity to effectively and justly serve as Mayor of The Town of Luray.”
Before selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, Biden reportedly vetted several prominent Black women to potentially fill the VP spot, including Florida Rep. Val Demings; California Rep. Karen Bass, who leads the Congressional Black Caucus; Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; and Susan Rice, the former national security adviser to President Barack Obama.
Presgraves, 77, said his comments did not reflect what is in his heart, and he did not intend to disparage the Black people in his own community. Luray is a town of less than 5,000 people and is mostly white, according to Census data. The town is just about 90 miles from Washington, D.C.
At this week’s council meeting, several residents addressed Presgraves including 69-year-old resident Barbara Veney, according to NBC News. Veney, who has Black and white ancestry, said the mayor’s comments hurt.
“We need somebody with positive thinking that will shape this community. No more dividing,” she said. “In order for us to move on ... I’m asking you today, Mr. Mayor, that you step down in love — because I love you — and do the right thing.”
Another resident, Audre King, said he did not think Presgraves intended to be racist but “in context” the comments were.
Town Manager Steve Burke said the council cannot remove the mayor, but the courts could weigh in.
"The residents do have the ability to petition the court for removal of elected officials," Burke told NBC News on Thursday.
The town council voted 5-1 to censure Presgraves for what it described in a statement as “his choice of harmful words posted on social media.” Councilwoman Pence voted no, Burke said.
“While the town council affirms the freedom of speech guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, as elected officials, we are held to a higher standard within our communities,” they said. “Statements by public officials have a powerful impact on the community.”
