The Political Whore

Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair went a bit off track in an interview between himself and challenger Kevin Beckner on ABC Action News’ Flashpoint talk show on Sunday, cracking a racial joke about himself and singer Michael Jackson both being from the same Gary, Ind., neighborhood.

The exchange comes near the 8-minute mark of the second segment of of the show, moderated by Channel 28 anchor Brendan McLaughlin:

BECKNER: This is part of Mr. Blair’s agenda of marginalizing people in our community. He’s had a history of it. He’s marginalized the Muslim community. He’s pushed for banning books in our libraries.  He slighted our African American community. Mr. Blair has done more to drive down the socio- and economic value of our community than anybody other than former commissioner Ronda Storms.

BLAIR: That’s a complete fabrication. First off, I just supported giving the NAACP $15,000. I’ve been on the Urban Caucus for the last four years. I’ve coached black kids. Black children stay at my home almost every weekend. I was born in Gary, Indiana, you know where that is, Kevin.

There were very few white people in my neighborhood. I didn’t know what prejudice was. Probably the only two white people in my neighborhood were myself and Michael Jackson. My friends were all black. … You’re flat-out wrong. [emphasis added]

Why, some of my best friends are black people.

Now for those who are racial-sensitive challenged, Michael Jackson is an African-American man who has lighter skin as the result of a condition called vitiligo. And while making jokes about Michael Jackson’s sexual activities (alleged) and apparent whiteness are certainly a national sport, it still seems, well, racially ignorant to use a joke about him as an example of how racially progressive you are.

Watch it for yourself here.

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