LINCOLN — Governor Pete Ricketts has apologized after an Omaha pastor declared in an online video message to his congregation that the governor referred to a group of Black community leaders in a derogatory manner.
Pastor Jarrod Parker of St. Mark’s Baptist Church was joined by several area Black leaders in a meeting with Governor Ricketts, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and Omaha Police Chief Schmaderer earlier this week. Pastor Parker said in the video message to his congregation that was compelled to leave the meeting after Ricketts reportedly looked to the Black leaders and began saying, “The problem I have with you people…”
“You people,” or “those people,” are phrases often used to refer to Black or other minority individuals in a derogatory but coded manner, without using overtly offensive language. This phrase has been used since the Civil Rights Movement to refer to Black Americans in a negative way.
“I chose my words poorly, and apologized when it became apparent that I had caused offense,” said Governor Ricketts on Tuesday.
After Ricketts apologized, Pastor Parker said he doesn’t regret making the online video but understands people make mistakes.
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska is urging Omaha officials Tuesday to reject an extension of the city’s current state of emergency unless Mayor Jean Stothert commits to ending a ban on groups of more than 25 people. The group’s legal director, Adam Sipple, argued in a letter to city officials that the order violates protesters’ rights. Sipple says the Constitution does not allow the government to suppress legitimate First Amendment conduct as a preventative measure.
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