Brooklyn Lawmaker Apologizes For ‘White People Don’t Eat The Way We Do’ Remark

CBS New York ^ | 2/25/15

[Impala64ssa]

Sen. Velmanette Montgomery Worries Local Grocery Store Will Be Replaced With Boutique Market

A Brooklyn state senator apologized Tuesday for remarks invoking the subject of race in a discussion about a Clinton Hill grocery store set to close – and the possibility that a “boutique” grocery store that could replace it. State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery (D-Brooklyn) was quoted in The Brooklyn Paper as saying the soon-to-close Key Food store should be replaced with a similar store, because communities of color have eat differently than white communities. “Supermarkets are an important part of the community. It’s an important amenity, especially for black and brown communities,” Montgomery was quoted in the newspaper. “When you’re talking about a white community, it can be a little boutique, because white people don’t eat the way we do.” Speaking to CBS2 Tuesday night, Montgomery confirmed that she made the comments, saying, “It was an unfortunate statement and I didn’t mean to offend anyone.” Montgomery told CBS2 her intention was to imply that the supermarket planned to replace the Key Foods wasn’t right for the neighborhood. She said the Key Food store could be replaced with a “boutique” supermarket with higher prices and a smaller size.

[Impala64ssa]

Gotta hand it to the racist politicians, they sure got a way with words, don't they? And this one actually apologized, even though she would've gotten a free pass. Hey, maybe she knows of a good Soul Food joint around Tampa?

[marron]

Actually, why apologize? It was his opinion. It wasn’t offensive if it wasn’t meant to be offensive.

People have to stop walking on eggshells. Be nice, be respectful, but your opinion is your opinion.

[jobim]

Exactly! Viva le difference!

[marron]

Granted, if a Republican had made the same statement, there would have been all kinds of fake outrage. And I guess that is my point. Enough with the fake outrage.

[windsorknot]

Velmanette: on my top-10 list of favorite female names.

[cherry]

and then they get away with a half arse "apology" and that's that....

if a white said it, they would have to apologize, apologize again, and offer restitution and then resign from whatever job they held...

[Impy]

“Supermarkets are an important part of the community. It’s an important amenity, especially for black and brown communities,”

Yeah. On the flip side us White folk especially need sidewalks, more so than other races because...........whhhhha?

And I'm sorry her name is Velmanette? Did her mom want her to grow up to be Empress of Prussia or something?

[svcw]

I do NOT care, why apologize.

[DemforBush]

We has to have the right foodsses, my *preciousssssss*

[Yardstick]

Looks like several options:

http://www.google.com/#q=tampa+soul+food+restaurants

My favorite grocery store here in Alabama is a little place that was built in 1955 and always has the right supplies for making soul food. Inexpensive cuts of pork — neck bones, hocks, feet — turkey necks, bins with fresh greens when they’re in season, and nothing boutique whatsoever. The mix of shoppers is about 50/50 black and white and it is convivial.

[VeniVidiVici]

So she should open her own grocery there. Obviously the one that stocks merchandise for “black and brown” customers guessed wrongly as to what the local market wants.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Mama must’ve been watching Scooby Doo episodes and decided to “nette” it up.

[Kickass Conservative]

>>>Velmanette: on my top-10 list of favorite female names<<<

I thought a Velmanette was a place you went to get your Velma laundered.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Oh my goodness. She looks like the love child of Je$$e Jack$on, Sr. and Marty Feldman.

[Impala64ssa]

Thanks for the tip, gotta check out those places one day. :)

[vette6387]

But it is true!!! White folks don't eat hog jowls, chitin's, and a whole host of “black ethnic foods” as evidenced by the preponderance of overweight black people. If it doesn't include pork, it's not in their diet. BTW, if you want good barbecue, you need to find a joint run by black folks. Here in NorCal, to get good soul food, you need an armed guard or a black friend because the best places are not in "white neighborhoods."

[Seruzawa]

Yeah, well that’s why they call it ethnic food. Jeez. Chill out.

[Deagle]

Sounds like a joke to me!

[Impala64ssa]

Enough with the fake outrage.
That's it. It's the hypocrisy of it all. In a way it's like the recent Geico ads with Salt n Peppa (Push it real good!) It wasn't the way the Whites in that ad were portrayed as "unhip" and "dopey". That was OK. When Richard Pryor or Redd Foxx made fun of Whites, like they did just about every other group, I'd be LOL. We can only make fun of straight White guys, everyone else is off limits, it's the double standard that's repulsive.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Velmanette: on my top-10 list of favorite female names.”

This FReeper has to know. What are the other 9?