From an email from the Oklahoma Democratic Party:

 

About Sally Kern...

Hi All!
[...]

As everyone knows, the news of the week both on a local and national level has been the comments made by Rep. Sally Kern on the House Floor in the late hours of session on Wednesday.  As someone who was there in person, imagine my utter shock as I heard the words exit her mouth.  Between the audible gasps throughout the chamber and the jaws dropped between myself and those around, it was hard to gather my thoughts.  Being the communications person I am, I recognized the necessity for an immediate response--contacting Todd and the ODP team.  We utilized both traditional and social media outlets, which were key, and as you are aware, it spread like wild fire. While I understand I helped bring more embarrassing attention to our great state, it must be said, comments like her's, and mentalities like her's cannot be ignored and should be confronted.  Hopefully starting now, we can build momentum and campaigns to get people such as Rep. Kern out of office. The truth is, the news of the day is that SJR15 passed. Kern's comments just were an ironic blatant example of why the bill should not have passed, why discrimination against minorities and women is not dead, and why affirmative action is still needed. Now it will be a question on the ballot in 2012, and I hope we can work together to inform voters of Oklahoma what the facts are and why not protecting minorities is bad for business.

I do urge everyone to take any action they can regarding her statements--sign petitions, call her, call Republican leadership, inform your neighbors, co-workers and family.  Her apologies fall on deaf ears--her words are obviously indicative of her 'true spirit' and ideology--and no "I'm sorry" is going to negate that fact.

I wish Sally Kern would follow the words of the Dalai Lama:
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." But until then, we can conduct ourselves in that matter and confront those who ignite and spread hate.  

Democratically yours,
A proud hard-working woman,

Megan Dubray
Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party

Local Coverage

WATCH THE VIDEO!

Oklahoma Democratic Party Initial Response

Oklahoma Democratic Party Calls for Resignation

NewsOK: Oklahoma lawmaker's comments draw response

KOCO: NAACP Calls for Kern's Resignation After Minority Comment

Tulsa World: State House sends affirmative action ban to voters

The Lost Ogle: Sally Kern thinks black people are lazy and don't like school...

News9: Democrats ask Rep. Sally Kern to step down

Tulsa Today: Kern controversy: comments draw minority leader's condemnation

Associated Press: Okla. legislator slights blacks, women in debate

 

Tulsa World: Rep. Kern apologizes, won't be disciplined

The Journal Record: Fourth Reading: Really, Sally?

KFOR: OK Rep makes controversial statements about women, minorities

Tulsa World: Kern should be punished for insult

 

National/International News

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC: Oklahoma's Affirmative Action Fight

The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC: Overt racism no bar to mainstream politics

The Daily Mail: 'Black people don't want to work as hard'

Perez Hilton: Oklahoma State Legislator Makes Horrid Racist & Sexist Comments

Think Progress: Oklahoma GOP Lawmaker Sally Kern: 'Blacks' don't work as hard as white people

The Huffington Post: Sally Kern: Minorities Earn Less Because They Don't Work as Hard

Danbury News Times: Okla. legislator slights blacks, women in debate

Talking Points Memo: Oklahoma GOPer: It's a fact that 'blacks' don't work as hard

The Advocate: Antigay Okla. Lawmaker makes racist remarks

Think Progress: Oklahoma GOP refuses to reprimand lawmaker who called 'blacks' lazy

Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel: State Rep. Sally Kern says blacks are lazy

BET: Oklahoma Republican says blacks don't work as hard as whites

The Atlanta Post: Oklahoma lawmaker says blacks and women aren't hard workers

The Advocate: NAACP wants Sally Kern to resign

Arkansas Times: Arkansas's gift to Oklahoma--a bigot

Comedy Central's Indecision Forever: The problem with black people

Truth Wins Out: Sally Kern also a racist, reports Sally Kern

 

Social Media & Petitions

Facebook: Sally Kern Does Not Represent Me

Facebook Poll: Does Sally speak for you?

Facebook Poll: Should Gov. Fallin publicly condemn Sally Kern's statements?

Sign Petition: Sally Kern: You Do Not Speak For Me!

Sign Petition: Sally Kern Doesn't Speak for Me!

This is an excerpt of an article originally published by Oklahoma Citizen.