White House Watermelon Email From California Mayor Dean Grose Inspires Outrage

The mayor of Los Alamitos is coming under fire for an e-mail he sent out that depicts the White House lawn planted with watermelons, under the title "No Easter egg hunt this year."

Local businesswoman and city volunteer Keyanus Price, who is black, said Tuesday she received the e-mail from Mayor Dean Grose's personal account on Sunday and wants a public apology.

"I have had plenty of my share of chicken and watermelon and all those kinds of jokes," Price told The Associated Press. "I honestly don't even understand where he was coming from, sending this to me. As a black person receiving something like this from the city-freakin'-mayor - come on."

The Orange County Register first reported the e-mail on its Web site Tuesday night.

Grose confirmed to the AP that he sent the e-mail to Price and said he didn't mean to offend her. He said he was unaware of the racial stereotype that black people like watermelons.

He said he and Price are friends and serve together on a community youth board.

"Bottom line is, we laugh at things and I didn't see this in the same light that she did," Grose told the AP. "I'm sorry. It wasn't sent to offend her personally - or anyone - from the standpoint of the African-American race."

Grose, who became mayor in December, said he sent an apology e-mail to Price and her boss and also left her a voicemail apology.

Regardless, Price said it will be difficult for the two to work together.

"Now I am like - wow, is this really how he feels?" Price said.

Los Alamitos is a 2¼-square-mile Orange County city of around 12,000 people. The mayor is elected by fellow members of the five-seat City Council.

Comments

[Skepticat]

It's unfortunate in 2009 that there are still so many folks still stuck on stupid. I suspect that most Los Alimitanistas are not overly pleased with their mayor's antics and will let him know soon enough.

[patiofurniture]

"You know people, I'm not black but there's a whole lot of times I wish I could say I'm not white."

Frank Zappa

[AbbieHoffman2]

My sentiments exactly. I'm ashamed to be a white man. Hopefully not a lot longer.

[scottco]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

My favorite Z quote ... Next to the difference between Republicans and Democrats.
"Democrats blow, Republicans suck"

[Claireify]

If you are THE Frank Zappa, I met you at a charity event on Kauai at the Hyatt about five years ago and judging from your style of music, you are Black. Oh, by the way, that's a compliment.

[dimplesmile7]

Funny to see a This quote. I used to work for Frank's brother Charles. I spoke to him a few times before he died.

[Taiyo]

I can't believe that ANYONE, including the sender of this cartoon, would think this is funny.

[DickClark]

Send it to the Post.....They'll publish it......

[peacegurl48]

Orange County has long been a hotbed of ultra right-wing politics. This is disgraceful coming from an elected official who is supposed to represent ALL constituents.
It is absurd that the excuse is so often to plead ignorance regarding racial stereotypes that everyone knows such as watermelons and apes. This is why Holder said we are cowards about race and also why Obama's race speech had so much relevance.
I sent my thoughts to the Mayor.

[strongstock]

This is the first time I have seen Huffington Post online. An old friend clued me in on what was going on in Los Al.

I was raised in Los Alamitos (1958-1970). It was a hotbed and breeding ground for right ring zealots then. I escaped to Oregon. It just outrages and saddens me that given a half a century things have not changed.

These racist attacks are becoming more bold and blatant. The old tired "Gee, I didn't know it could it be offensive" has rung hollow for years. At least some of these elected officials are stupid enough to crawl out from under their rocks of ignorance so we can see them in the daylight. And hopefully get thrown out of office.

I too am writing and emailing,

[gwinegarden]

"he was unaware of the racial stereotype that black people like watermelons"

He just happened to pick watermelons? Gee it might have been pumpkins or cucumbers, or.....

Ya right!

Perhaps, he'll be burning a cross, on his lawn, for Easter. Of course, he won't know what that imples either.

[Niasia]

I totally missed it at first! I thought what is wrong with this photo? And then I saw the watermelons. Well it is 2009 I am going to need them pick another stereotype to throw at us! I mean really watermelons? This was an ill attempt to insult! I just laugh at people like this! And if he didn't think it was racially charged. Please tell me how Watermelons fit in at the white house? And why would we replace easter egss with watermelons. I would like to know the joke b/c I apparently missed that one. Don't worry I will wait for the explanatio­n.....cric­kets....!!­!

[xstevejx]

"wasn't aware" my _ss! How is it supposed to be 'amusing'/­interestin­g otherwise?

This is like when Rush Limbaugh (when he had his TV show) talked about "The White House dog" and showed a picture of Chelsea Clinton. He tried to say later that someone put the wrong picture up, but couldn't respond to what picture WAS supposed to be shown as part of his 'joke.'

I'm sure some Democrats, independents and other party people have done some stupid things like this, but they all seem to be coming from Conservatives the past few to several years.

[peacegurl48]

Orange County is full of right-wing racists...no surprise but very disgraceful from an elected official who should represent ALL people...not to mention RESPECT for the President.

[Forester]

These are the same oblivious small-town repubs who have held our budget hostage. We need to change the state constitution to abolish the super majority rule.

[Taiyo]

"small-town repubs" ?????

Orange County is one of California's largest, most populated counties. There is no excuse for this type of ignorance.

[Aesthete]

This is a VERY old racial stereotype, dating back to reconstruction, maybe earlier. I don't believe anyone who feigns ignorance as to what it means.

[ReddzVoice]

DITTO! I don't think that anyone is in such a "bubble" that they don't know some of the oldest racist stereotypes around. What possible alternative significance would watermelons have on the White House lawn? Now, people are trying to insult our intelligence; and act like we are being sensitive to the extreme. I don't believe that anyone is THAT stupid; or maybe they are. If so, an individual that stupid should NOT be a public official if he or she can't sympathize, empathize, and at least try to understand their constituents of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Peace and love...

[Tonelook]

If he isn't aware of the racial sterotype implications of his email; what is it that he found funny about it. That being said, if he is being honest then he is too ill informed to be in public office and should resign. More than likely he is back peddling and is lying, this also leads to the same conclusion; he should resign.

[gretcheno]

He knew, and he is just mad that he got caught.

[progessive]

Mayor Dean Grose's behavior is offensive. Both the e-mail and the lame explanation about how he didn't know that it was a racial stereotype. Share your outrage with the city of Los Alamitos by going to city's website. They have a phone number and fax. I used both to tell them my thoughts.

http://www.ci.los-alamitos.ca.us/

[gretcheno]

Already did!!

[Thundrdrum]

Enough's enough--he knew exactly what he was doing. I sent him a real sweet e-mail....

[instarx]

He wasn't aware of the racial implications!? what hogwash.

If he wasn't aware of the watermelon/black stereotype, what would have been the point of sending a cartoon of watermelons on the South Lawn? It would have made no sense without that. That excuse doesn't hold water.

[clevelandboomer]

Simply horrible.

[TerryOakland]

Post comments at the Orange County Register:

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_2317355.php

Let them know that their Mayor Grose has brought attention to Los Alamitos (and Orange County). Try to not be a too inflammatory in your comments; you are representing the "outside world." Channel your inner Obama; appeal to O.C. moderates who can be won over.

[AnalyzeIT]

I love it - "channel your inner Obama" when upset or angry. Thank you - I agree.