VERONA, Va. (AP) — A county official in rural Virginia referred to a black newspaper reporter as “boy” during a public meeting, and he is now apologizing and calling the remark an error.
Augusta County Supervisor Tracy Pyles, who is white, made the comment Monday during a Board of Supervisors work session. He complained about news coverage and told Calvin Trice, “You got it wrong, boy — uh, son.”
Trice works for The News Leader newspaper in Staunton.
Pyles tells the paper it was an error and that he refers to his sons and many people as “boy,” but he understands how it would be misinterpreted.
Trice says that “boy” is a racially charged word and that he was offended. Trice also says Pyles called him to apologize the next day and seemed sincere.
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