-
Login
-
Digital Edition
-
Print Edition
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
« News Home
Hagan falls flat on face — book, that is
Tweet
By Bertram de Souza (Contact)
State Rep. Robert F. Hagan was subdued as he talked about the fallout from his recent Facebook faux pas.
“I’m being beaten up,” by the folks in southern Ohio, the veteran Youngstown politician said, referring to his use of the name “Buckwheat” during an exchange on the web.
Hagan, a Democrat who has served in the House, the Senate and again in the House, is upset that he is being labeled a racist by people who don’t know him.
And, while not admitting it, he undoubtedly is worried that this controversy will follow him to his bid for mayor of Youngstown — should he decide to run. In 2005, Hagan was the Democratic Party nominee for mayor, but lost to political newcomer, Jay Williams, who ran as an independent. Williams became the first black mayor in the history of the city, and the first independent to win in more than 80 years. He is in his second four-year term, which expires 2013.
Black vote
With Youngstown’s population almost evenly divided along racial lines, the black vote is important, especially if there are several white candidates.
But all that aside, the question that’s baffling those who have followed Hagan’s career is this: Why would someone with proven political instincts allow himself to drawn into a discussion on Facebook with individuals who mean nothing to him, don’t live in this area and are obviously as conservative as he is liberal?
Hagan let his passion get the better of him, and is now paying the price of indulging in the kind of banter that has brought down many an officeholder.
He concedes that use of the word “buckwheat,” while colloquial in parts of the country, was ill-advised. However, he insists that it was not meant to convey a racist insult.
In fact, he said he was responding to a post from one of the women involved in the conversation when he used the word. The woman, however, says there was a black man also participating in the online chatter and was the target of Hagan’s derision.
The legislator can be accused of many things, such as his blind loyalty to organized labor, but being a racist isn’t one of them.
But as he well knows, in politics, perception is reality.
And the perception now, at least among some in Youngstown’s black community, is that his judgment is suspect.
A year ago, Hagan was involved in an altercation with a black man in a restaurant in downtown Youngstown.
Thirty-year-old Dorian Thomas of Youngstown pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor assault charge for slugging Hagan, knocking him unconscious.
Thomas had originally been charged with felonious assault but pleaded to the lesser count. He was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $100.
Hagan was in court on the day of the sentencing and accepted Thomas’ apology. The two shook hands.
In relating what took place that fateful night, Hagan says Thomas asked him to step out of the way of his view of belly dancers on the restaurant’s stage and taunted him with offensive language. When Hagan told him to back off, the lawmaker got slugged unconscious and needed 11 stitches to close a cut chin.
While the incident got some laughs from Hagan’s colleagues, many blacks in Youngstown weren’t amused.
Likewise, his use of the name “Buckwheat” may trigger some guffaws from folks who think it’s hilarious that Mr. Liberal is being branded a racist.
But, for a segment of the electorate in Youngstown, his faux pas isn’t going to be easily forgotten.
A Google search of “the name” revealed these two entries:
In 2007, Louisiana State Rep. Carla Dartez, a Democrat, came under fire from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for calling one of her female volunteers “Buckwheat.” The local chapter of the NAACP threw its support behind her Republican opponent, Joe Harrison, who won the Nov. 17, 2007, run-off election.
Republican attack
And last year, during a speech to Broward County Republicans against the pending health care reform bill, Corey Poitier, a Republican candidate running for U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek’s seat, addressed President Barack Obama by saying, “Listen up, Buckwheat …”
There’s no indication that Hagan’s critics were as offended by the GOPer’s attack on the Democratic president.
Such political hypocrisy, Buckwheat.
Comments
Harry Truman desegregated the military, and used N word frequently.
JFK used N-word, but helped start civil rights legislation.
Just because a politician supports legislation that many black people support sure doesn't mean that very same politician is not making very hurtful remarks behind closed doors.
Hagan has led a life of feeding at the public trough.
He will do and say whatever will keep him there.
Occasionally his true character shines through.
Beware of he who blows in the direction of the prevailing wind.
The use of the word "buckwheat" was not the most offensive portion of the remark that got Bob Hagan in trouble. The most offensive part of that exchange was the part where an elected official would tell any citizen to shove something where the sun doesn't shine, as he did in that remark. If that remark was just one slip of the tongue, it could be overlooked. That comment is typical of his style.
Hagan is the best example of a self serving politician in this area who is resting on the reputation of the name of his family, not his accomplishments.
Among his accomplishments have been legislation proposing to bar the adoption of children by Republicans, and the protection of puppies in kennels. Now that is remarkable.
A post on the Huffington Post which appears to have been posted by a relative on February 23, 2011 gives some insight into the mindset of the Hagan quotes him as follows:
“I remember well the day when a vote to extend some small benefit to the Ohio National Guard came to the floor. The vote was 98 to 1, with dad voting against the measure. When we walked together back to our office I said, "Ok pop, what was that about?" He said, "In 1937 your grandfather stood on a strike line and was roughed up by some guardsman. I waited a long time to pay them back." I just wish he would have told me before the vote."
- Bob Hagan
Is that the reason for which we send people to represent us, to carry out decades long personal grudges? The "buckwheat" comment pales in comparison.
Bob Hagan is better known for his aggressive behavior than for quality legislation.
The people of this area need to start looking at the legacy of people like Hagan. The road to success and progress is not the road that Bob Hagan would have you take.
The class warfare that is preached by people like him serves to divide our society, not to improve it. Maybe, just maybe, people who have a lot of money earned it by investing in themselves in education, by taking risks by using their homes to finance businesses that eventually produce jobs for others, by looking to themselves to make their lot in life better, not the government.
Look around you in this area, are you proud of the way this area looks, are you proud of the level of unemployment, are you satisfied with the people that you have elected to represent you?
Don't forget that Hagan is the clown who called the press conference with Tom Letson denouncing people who did not support Obama in the 2008 campaign as racists.
Talk about the pot calling the kettle buckwheat, er, I mean black. At least Letson can claim he was a drunk, so I suppose he has an excuse for his obnoxious and divisive behavior. What's Hagan's excuse?
And please God, PLEASE, do not allow Hagan to become mayor of ANY place, EVER!
And yet he keeps getting re-elected. What is wrong with this valley? His actions do not warrant being re-elected!!
Calling President Obama a buckwheat and referring to someone on facebook as buckwheat are both offensive and ignorant occurrences. The source of the comment, whether D or R, should not matter - in an unbiased world. A search of the Corey Poitier incident shows a lot of uproar in the blogsphere and mainstream media over Mr. Poitier's blunder and he paid the price for it.
Here is a blog from Bill Balsamico from nearby Versailles, Pa. that some of you that were around since the 50's can relate to. My father worked for Schwebels back when the union goons were brought in to pressure Schwebels prior to a contract renewal. Classless pieces of crap!
Compare this union stronghold with other parts of the country where people can think for themselves and tell yourself that the valley is out front. I do understand that this requires honesty which will prevent a honest evaluation by the lemmings. The lemmings would ask their union rep what they should say.
Wake up people, this has been the armpit of Ohio for 50 years.
"When nothing changes, nothing changes"
http://billbalsamico.com/blog/
I've lived in other parts of this country and the name "Buckwheat" was not a colloquialism in any of them. It is an insult. The name denotes a Hollywood stereotype of the bugged-eyed, dumb black person. It is meant to offend regardless of the race of the person it is used against or the context in which it is used. For Mr. Hagan to deny this is absurd. For you to defend him is even more absurd. He is a foolish, foolish man to think that he can talk his way out of this one. He needs to retire.
Hagans attitude is shown by the union GOONS he hangs with namely Jennings and Russo.
Both seem to perpetuate the old style leg breaking days my way or no way!
"There’s no indication that Hagan’s critics were as offended by the GOPer’s attack on the Democratic president."
As one of those people involved in the thread with Representative Hagan on Facebook, I can tell you that I was offended when someone said that about President Obama. But, whoever wrote this column made this assumption rather than ask.
Rep Hagan may think he is serving his constituents - but let me assure you I am with Governor Kasich on this issue. I can no longer afford to subsidize public employees at the rate they current enjoy for benefits.
How is this article about unions? Not once did the article bring up unions or Governor Kasich or Senate Bill 5. You are on this forum to push your own agenda. It makes me want to see the bill fail even more.