Rick Perry Rock Controversy: Jesse Jackson Jr. Demands Apology From Texas Governor

The uproar over Rick Perry's family hunting camp name has reached legislative levels. Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) introduced a resolution on Thursday demanding an apology from the Texas governor over a rock which bore the name 'Niggerhead.'

The Democratic congressman condemned Perry "for not immediately doing away with the rock that contained the word 'Niggerhead' at the entrance of a ranch he was leasing." He called use of the racial slur "totally offensive and inappropriate at anytime and anyplace in United States history." The resolution also asked the GOP candidate reveal the names of all friends, lawmakers and financial supporters he has taken to the ranch.

Unfortunately for Jackson, the House blocked consideration of the resolution on procedural grounds, reports the Washington Post.

Jackson read the resolution aloud in full on the House floor Thursday morning. Watch the video here.

In commenting on the controversy, Perry told the Washington Post 'Niggerhead' was an "offensive name that has no place in the modern world," and said it was blotted out with paint as soon as his father leased the property. But as the Washington Post reports, recollections from visitors to the ranch contradict that statement.

Perry has pushed back against the report.

"I think there were some very much and strong inconsistencies and just infactual [sic] information that was in that story," he told Fox News. "I know for a fact in 1984 that rock was painted over."

The resolution notes that of all the presidential aspirants, only Herman Cain, the sole African-American in the race for the GOP nomination, has spoken out harshly against the use of the word, calling it "insensitive."

In an interview this past week with "Fox News Sunday," Cain said: "There isn't a more vile, negative word than the 'n word,' and for him to leave it there as long as they did is just plain insensitive to a lot of black people in this country."

However, after being attacked by some on the right, Cain distanced himself from his comments. "I really don't care about that word," he said. "They painted over it. End of story! I accept Gov. Perry's response on that."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also addressed the scandal, telling Sean Hannity on Monday that he found the camp's name "inappropriate."

The resolution encouraged the rest of the GOP field to speak out with "strong statements of moral outrage" over the rock.

 

 

Comments

[Jack Davies]

01:21 PM on 10/20/2011

Nice move, Cain. Complain (correctly) about the racism until you realize it hurts your chances with the Right, then backtrack and defend it. I believe they have a term for guys like you....

[Reba Latimer]

03:23 PM on 10/09/2011

As a Texan I soundly reject Rick Perrys proposal to the Dept.of motor vehicles to approve a new
license plate depicting the confederate flag.this doe's not reflect the sentiments of most Texans.
Reminding us of thier painful past has no place in our state.the confederate flag,long recognized
in our generation as a symbol of slavery,racism and defeat,accomplishes none of those purposes.
it is nothing to celebrate,we need to cry with shame instead.

[El Chingaso]

08:52 AM on 10/09/2011

I think JJ, Jr. ought to watch the movie "Malcolm X." Sounds like he needs to revisit a few things.

[OnlyIfIHaveTo]

06:57 PM on 10/08/2011

JJ Jr gets elected to congress, does nothing, then gets on a soapbox and says this? He's as a big a joke as his father.

[Believer1969]

02:07 PM on 10/07/2011

Herman Cain is stupid. He is in a party that will never "allow" him to get the GOP nomination (heard it on Faux News 2 days ago) probably because of his race. He forcefully denounces something that is highly offensive to members of his race, and the GOP took offense towards him for being offended by an offensive word!!! And this fool is still a Republican? How nutty?

[Fonsini]

01:32 PM on 10/07/2011

Strange - black folks are usually so fond of rocks, I'm always hearing them say that "I needs to get me a rock".

Lords to mercy I'm confused.

[cdiasmd]

01:06 PM on 10/07/2011

an "offensive name that has no place in the modern world,..." JJ jr.

But take off the "head" and it's ok for rappers, etc.

[lotus321]

01:59 PM on 10/07/2011

Totally agree with you. I hate to hear the words used by anyone. However, if we are going to hold every guy responsible for things that occurred decades ago, you would have to get rid of most fo the white men in Congress and some of the black ones too.

[MisterCee]

01:00 PM on 10/07/2011

I can't stand when someone asks another person to apologize. What is an apology going to accomplish? If Perry had that rock in front of his ranch for years then why should he apologize? It is what it is and if you don't like it then don't have any dealings with him.

[Bigjon87121]

05:46 AM on 10/09/2011

It's politcs man. It's a shrewd move on the part of dems to keep this issue afloat if you don't want perry to win.

[michelleobamaok]

12:48 AM on 10/07/2011

I would only believe Rick Perry is sorry if he allows Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and a few choice others to stone him with his beloved "niggerhead."

[lotus321]

02:01 PM on 10/07/2011

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are race baiters. In my opinion they do not qualify to judge anyone else.

[papapj]

05:58 PM on 10/07/2011

..And YOU do, of course.....Who the h*** are you?

[jalexvip]

11:51 PM on 10/06/2011

Just like any other racial episode or happening; this too shall pass. Racism and bigotry is in the DNA of White America and sadly enough we know that it will never go away.

[lshaft]

08:45 PM on 10/06/2011

Jesse Jr. should be encouraging Jesse Sr. to apologize to his wife for fathering his daughter outside of the marriage and the history of infidelity.

Rick Perry has responded to this nonsense and I say Move On (No pun intended). I am Black and not a supporter of Perry and this is nothing to make hay about!!!

[Teachdword]

11:11 PM on 10/06/2011

Don't forget about Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and a host of other republains who have cheated on there wives!

[lshaft]

11:48 PM on 10/06/2011

Is Jesse Jr. demanding apologies from them, too??? Stick to the subject matter!

[Teachdword]

12:19 AM on 10/08/2011

I am esssticking to the subject if Jesse Jr. owe his wife and apologie what about other people who was unfaithfull.

[Zip Zinzel]

08:28 PM on 10/06/2011

I'm a DEM, and I think Perry is the sleeziest Politician that I'm aware of in US History
(Check POLITICO's lengthy expose' "For Perry, Being Governor has it's Perks").
ALSO, I think it is pretty clear that he was part of the execution of an innocent man, and the subsequent derailment of the Texas Forensic Science Board's investigation of the case.

HOWEVER, This N********* thing is a completely bogus issue as far as I know of it.
Rep Jackson, from Illinois has no business, wasting the legistature's time & effort with a grandstanding stunt to pass a resolution about the governor of another state.

RICK PERRY - WHY DIDN'T YOU COME OUT ON DAY ONE,
. . . hold a press conference, and put this issue behind you.

As far as I know, Mr. Perry had nothing to do with this rock, and I take him at his word that his father painted it over.
Maybe there is more to this story, that's the only intelligent reason I can think of as to why he didn't hold a press confrence on this issue on day one.

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

08:00 PM on 10/06/2011

Why should Perry apologize for something he feels deep down in his soul??

[jalexvip]

11:36 PM on 10/06/2011

I bet it isn't as deep as you think it is.

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

12:12 AM on 10/07/2011

I bet it is.

[Believer1969]

02:09 PM on 10/07/2011

Exactly!!

[pink4004]

07:35 PM on 10/06/2011

I'm black but I don't get why Perry should apolozie for a rock from 20 years ago? Jesse Jr you need to go sit down and apolozie to your wife for cheating on her.

[broui]

07:23 PM on 10/06/2011

The Daily Show pointed out close to a dozen such sites around America that are equally offensive - in New York, in Texas, in Washington State, all around the country.

All should be renamed yesterday.