Ohio governor John Kasich to African-Americans: 'Come off the streets' to become small business owners
theGRIO REPORT - John Kasich reportedly responded to question on jobs by suggesting that African-Americans needed to be persuaded to 'come off the streets' in order to become small business owners...
Ohio’s Republican governor John Kasich may have some explaining to do after a racially insensitive remark he made during a Republican convention panel in Tampa, which was hosted by the Huffington Post.
According to the Huffington Post’s reporter Jon Ward, Kasich responded to a question on jobs by suggesting that African-Americans needed to be persuaded to “come off the streets” in order to become small business owners.
The panel, which was supposed to address the unemployment crisis in America, was moderated by NBC News’ Tom Brokaw and also included Arianna Huffington, LinkedIn co-founder Allen Blue, and Aspen Institute CEO Walter Isaacson.
Kasich’s tenure as Ohio governor has been polarizing both politically and racially. His anti-union measures in the state were very unpopular and eventually repealed in 2011. And early in his administration, Kasich was lambasted for failing to appoint a single black cabinet member.
“I don’t need your people,” the governor allegedly said at the time.
