Michelle Obama Gorilla Comment: NAACP Demands "Proper" Apology

(AP) The state NAACP is demanding an apology from a former South Carolina official whose Internet posting suggested a gorilla that escaped from the Columbia zoo was an ancestor of first lady Michelle Obama.

NAACP president Lonnie Randolph said Monday that former Election Commission chairman Rusty DePass has not offered a "proper" apology. Randolph says the NAACP isn't giving DePass undue attention, rather decrying racially charged commentary against the Obamas.

Minutes after the gorilla's escape was reported, DePass posted: "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."

The Facebook posting was captured on a South Carolina politics blog. DePass did not immediately return a call Monday, but he told WIS-TV that the posting was a joke.

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Comments

[codergrrl]

My boyfriend and I just had a conversation about this very issue. I always say things like I that think that Michelle Obama and the Williams Sisters look like apes and he says that he would never be able to get away with making the same sort of statement because it seems racist.

If you watch say "Planet of the Apes" you can say that all of the above looks like some of the characters. By the way, I am Black and my boyfriend is White before you guys start spouting off nonsense. In the real world, these type of open discussions are GOOD.

[Lebg]

What is the “logic” if it is some, besides the most extremist and dangerous racism, in the delivery of people like Rusty DePass and Co., when they don’t even believe in evolution?
Please, De Pass and Co., make up your mind and try to “save” your self before to “help” me…
Lebg

[zetacplus]

Obama equates gay relationships to incest and pedophilia and when the gay community demands an apology Obama pulls a Bush and gives us the finger. If he can degrade people then he is fair game, but I believe the First Lady should be left out of this--unless she makes degrading statements herself, but I hope she is too classy for that.

[thatenglishteacher]

This is just plain foolish. He certainly does not represent conservatives. I wonder why this is not getting as much press as Letterman/Palin? Sexism vs. Racism. Get that apology out and resign.

[qdog112]

"He certainly does not represent conservatives."

Oh really?

[1088]

This is what Blacks been going through for years, and nobody cared! I've never heard the President nor his wife speak ill of anybody. All I've seen is respect for their enemies!

[Bude]

In my world, sorry is good enough.

[didntvote4thedude]

Just words just speeches. Get over it.

[pvernier]

I think racism will cease to be a problem after another 200,000 years of human evolution. But then again I am an optimist.

[1088]

These racists may hate the Obamas, but the Queen is planning a family vacation together with both families.

http://newsbiscuit.com/2009/06/17/hm-queen-and-michelle-obama-definitely-going-on-holiday-together-in-2010/

[negbike]

I am wondering where are all those conservative talk show hosts now that were leading the band wagon on firing David Letterman for making a joke on Palin. Sean Hannity alone has spent a week on it. Have you noitced that not one of them has commented on this issue?

[gusdad]

Maybe it's because nobody knows who Rusty DePass is, and he does not have his own talk show on CBS five nights a week. Ya think?

[sakinah]

knowing that racism is here to stay is not a acceptance but a reality. The death threats for the Obamas trippled even when he was running for president and the security has heighed around him ten fold now that he is in office..... we all need to stop hiding under a rock and pretending that racism does not exist. Many of the things that happens to people of color does not even get media attention!!!! crawl from under the rocks people!!!!!!

[escobar]

He is a poster boy for the GOP.

[ArcEnCiel]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00kfqps/The_Incredible_Human_Journey_Out_of_Africa/

[Ryoki]

Racism Bad!

[micmac]

I think men should stop insulting women.

[Katie101622]

I second that!!!

[jaslyn]

that wasn't just an insult of women. It was a racial slur. There's a difference.