Racial Slur By Village Board Candidate 'Unacceptable', Lawmakers Demand Apology

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — After an alleged racial slur by a candidate running for the Southampton Village board, a group of elected officials and human rights organizations have come together to issue a statement, demanding that she retract her words and apologize.

A statement was issued by Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, the Suffolk County Anti-Bias Task Force, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, the Southampton Town Anti-Bias Task Force, and Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley.

“The racial language reportedly used by Valerie Smith in her complaint to police last June, and her reported defense of that language, is particularly disturbing and unacceptable by the Southampton community and by the residents of Suffolk County," the statement reads.

"Our cherished Constitution asserts our freedom of speech. But that does not mean that we should abuse that freedom with offensive, hateful, and disrespectful words to others. Words do hurt and it is important that every person, particularly those in positions of leadership in our communities or hoping to enter leadership positions, be most mindful of what they say and do. We urge all citizens to be mindful of what they say because what they say does make a difference for the peace and security of our communities," the statement said. "We specifically call upon Ms. Smith to retract her words and apologize for them.”

Speaking to Patch, Mayor Epley added, ""Southampton is a very diversified community and our elected officials have to recognize that. Her comments on the phone call are unacceptable and inappropriate. And her justification is inexcusable."

Former Southampton Village Trustee Bonnie Cannon also sent her comments to Patch: "This is my neighborhood and I am appalled at her comments! She called our neighborhood 'rodent infested'? And she claims to have transformed the neighborhood? She don't even know what she is talking about. For the record, we have black, white — not just her — Asian, and Latino residents in our neighborhood. There are respectable seniors, teachers, professionals, business owners, ambulance fighters, plumbers, electricians, college graduates, nurses, and more in this neighborhood."

According to a 27east.com article, written by Greg Wehner, Valerie Smith called police about a group of black men standing in front of her Hillcrest home, "drinking Hennessy," calling them "a bunch of n-----s."

Smith, the post said, confirmed that she made the call and said the words, after The Southampton Press received a copy of the recording via a Freedom of Information Law request.

She then said used the "n-word" during a call with the reporter, the post said, stating that she lives "in a black neighborhood. I came here and didn't see color." She added that she is a "pioneer," who transformed a "rodent-infested dump" and said she is the "only white person who owns and lives on this street," the 27east.com post said.

The story has sparked an outcry of rage and shocked disbelief on social media; the story has been picked up internationally.

Deeply rooted racism has long been an issue of concern on the East End.

Before a Black Lives Matter rally in July, 2016, some men and women spoke out about how racism has impacted their lives.

Vanessa Vascez-Corleone, 28, of Riverhead, who planned a peaceful demonstration in Riverhead, spoke candidly about the racism she's experienced on the East End since childhood.

"I've have a lot of experiences growing up with racism. The first time I was ever called 'n-----' I was in seventh grade," she said, using the full word so many find so offensive. "I had just moved to an all-white school in Connecticut. There was this girl who didn't like me, and I couldn't understand why."

"One day we got in an argument because she was mocking me in front of other people and being sarcastic. These kids were actually asking what I was, ethnically. I told them I was African American, Hispanic and Native American, and so she said, 'So you're a spicy, bean-loving corn n-----.' That was one of my first encounters."

In daily life Vascez-Corleone said prejudice isn't always overt and can rear itself through assumptions people may have about you because of your ethnicity.

Nick Lopez, 30, who lived in Riverhead but now resides in Brentwood, said as a Latino male, he's experienced discrimination subtly throughout his life.

Lopez discussed the many times he said he's been pulled over by police.

"I couldn't get in a car without them pulling me over, pulling me out of the car and searching me. It happened twice when I was with my father, and that was disrespectful to my father and left me feeling violated," he recalled.

And as he's gotten older, Lopez said he became more aware of what he believes is ingrained racism in daily interactions.

"It really affects you day to day, knowing that you can't go to a job interview because at first glance, you already know they're not going to hire you," Lopez said. "It's detrimental to your self-esteem."

Long Island NAACP President Lucius Ware said last summer that he has "no doubt that racism, dangerous racism" is alive and flourishing today.

Ware has long spoken out about law enforcement on the East End, questioning taser practices and asking why, when officers are trained so well on how to use weapons, they are not similarly trained on "how not to use them."

Looking ahead, Ware said minority votes will gain even more critical importance and will "turn" elections, and said it's imperative to get out and vote.

Southampton Village Hall courtesy photo.
Valerie Smith photo via Facebook.